GunBroker...Learned my lesson!

[Oracle]

GB is similar to EB with a few differences. I do the same thing with GB as I do with EB, if I want something I always check out the seller. I recently picked up a new 629 with a not so commen barrel length at a pre-covid epidemic price.

I haven't worked up the courage to dabble in the used gun offerings yet, maybe in the future.

If anyone is using PP for the purchases then something is new.


Don

 

[Wilbaer]

I have had good experiences using GunBroker. My gun collection would be pretty poor if I only bought from local gun/pawn shops. It would only consist of Glocks, ARs and rusty old revolvers.

GB gives me access to the whole country. You just have to study the description and photos, look hard at the seller and read all of the fine print, ie shipping costs, inspection period..

 

[ME94]

Not that my two cents matter, but I have bought guns on gunbroker from people with only a few feed backs, and have gotten some screaming deals. So I would like to thank all of you for not bidding on the sellers with low feed back. I have also sold on gunbroker, I started with ammo and now I have sold a few guns and people seem to be happy with what I have shipped. I did sell a couple of guns on the form instead of gb, the main reason is I thought the revolvers were cool and kinda unique and in great shape a 25-5 and a 627-5. I didn't make but maybe $25 dollars per gun, but I was happy that these two revolvers went to someone that would appreciate them. Always makes me sad to sell.

so sad but I post these for the last time as I do not own them any longer. Ok back to the subject I dont buy on gunbroker if I can not afford to loose, but pleasantly I have generally come out ahead. So please keep on avoiding the the sellers with lower numbers on feedback as it has helped me fill my collection at reasonable prices..

 

[ME94]

Oh sorry but one last statement. I am guessing it is a newer production gun most are cosmetically flawed from the factory but function perfectly, so don't buy new production revolvers off gunbroker without knowing this. New guns off gunbroker 30/70 older ones a good chance of getting what you want. Just saying as I stated my 2 cent does not really matter. Good luck everyone on finding the next gem.

 

[steelslaver]

Almost every gun I have bought on Gun broker has been better than described and far better deals than any found locally.

 

[HamHands]

GB is similar to EB with a few differences. I do the same thing with GB as I do with EB, if I want something I always check out the seller. I recently picked up a new 629 with a not so commen barrel length at a pre-covid epidemic price.

I haven't worked up the courage to dabble in the used gun offerings yet, maybe in the future.

If anyone is using PP for the purchases then something is new.


Don

"EB" stands for eBay I'm assuming, correct?

I do the same thing for them too... I vet the seller and they better have more than a couple hundred "honest" reviews or I pass on them. eBay I've found is a better source/retailer than Amazon especially as of late... Of which has been infiltrated by the "Chinese" persuasion and a platform for fake and adulterated products from that "drain-hole" country/regime as I've been burned three times now from fake Puma tennis shoes, several tools/sockets that disentigrated with minimal torque and brand named CR123 "batteries". I'm especially mad in Particular speaking of allegedly "Legit" but found to be counterfeit both "Streamlight and Surefire" batteries. Batteries that normally lasts 2-3 hours of constant use that went "****-up" in 12-15 minutes out of the box that left us on a trail miles from home/cabin at dusk in legit flashlights that have served us well for years beforehand. Many bruises, sprained ankle, and a stressed out GSD upon getting home with my girls...

Now, I only buy the highly efficient and Legit "Streamlight and Surefire" CR-123 batteries from the highest & most honestly reviewed sources in bulk now as I won't be in that ever situation Ever again.

 

[hemiram]

My GB deals have all been OK, with an exception that was just a mistake by the seller, who mixed up two auctions and if I had been as vigilant as I normally am, I would have caught it. It was all made right and all ended up well. If anythng, most of the used guns I've bought on GB have been better than advertised.

 

[wbraswell]

GB is just another site to buy guns, you can buy from a dealer, you can buy from individuals. It's auctions and simple purchases. I've purchased quite a few over the last 12 yrs or so. Nearly always been happy with what I got. Some new, some used. You need to learn what you are looking at in the pics. There are plenty of people who don't know how to take a picture of a gun, or what you really need to see. Ask yourself, "Are these honest pics?" Are they trying to hide something? Ask the seller if you need to know something. I hate it when fuzzy pics are posted, or just one or two pics. Why waste ad space with 4 pics of the Pachmyer grips on it. More than once, I've seen sellers with clear, honest pics, that made a faint, small scratch, look like huge gouge. I won the gun, and you could barely see it unless you had it under direct light. I got a good deal on that one, I was the only bidder. It's your choice, but I don't like to sit and watch the end of the auction, if I've bid all I want to pay. Either I get it, or I don't, and you can't buy them all.

 

[skwchock]

I have had good luck with GB. I found them to be reliable. I guess it depends on the seller. Hopefully, since they are on GB -- they have been vetted...

 

[TXBryan]

I've had well over 100 purchases on GB and only one lemon. A rifle that was packed carelessly and arrived as a parts gun - which actually worked for me. Nonetheless I had a long conversation with the seller on that one and got a little cash back.

These days there's a whole new class of sellers on GB - tons of vendors with very few previous sales and reviews. Lately lots of folks believe they can make some money on GB that have little or no experience selling firearms. I have done business with several sellers with very few reviews that have worked out fine.

The sellers I have always shied away from are those that obviously describe their product in error, or very poorly, furnish few and poor quality photographs, are non-responsive on questions, and those that dedicate 20X more space outlining their "rules" than they do describing the firearm. I also shy away from sellers that demand postal money orders, state they'll hold a bank or cashiers check until it clears (there are no issues with holding a personal check until it clears), or want to sneak through a PayPal transaction. These are indicators of intelligence and integrity and I like both qualities in my vendors.

Occasionally I have sourced some real gems from a GB seller that did not appear to know what they had. These were calculated risks and generally have worked out very well. Finding a "good deal" on GB is largely a function of the time, and dedicated searches, one invests in on the site. Admittedly I have sometimes spent more time looking at gun porn than I should.

I've also found it pays not to get emotionally involved in a GB auction. I determine a price that I will NOT exceed and stick with it. Lost a few I would have liked to have had but discipline is critical. I've also won some real treasures for the opening bid.

And it may sound silly but I frequently pass on bidding on some things I like because the bid history reveals I came late to the dance and there's a guy or two that really want that item. I believe a certain etiquette should be in play and can't help it if others don't think so.

 

[Trooper224]

I've done one GB experience and it was a complete positive. Still, I'm uncomfortable with the concept. I only did it after a three year search locally and the gun was well represented on the sellers page. I got what I wanted at a reasonable price, by today's standards. But it didn't turn me into a fan.

 

[jlemay69]

GB Sellers

There are shill bidders on GB's reputed sellers especially on high condition and/or rare items.

I look at bidders and the bidder's feedbacks. If I see the seller's name in feedbacks I move on or limit my bid to what I want to buy the item for.

 

[686-380]

I had mixed results with GB. I've purchased a couple of firearms with no issues. One of my ammo purchases, the seller claimed a new, unopened box. When I received the package, it was rattling. I got my camcorder out and shot the following video:

Learfan SB193 Product review - YouTube

 

[Xfuzz]

Member on GB a very long time 200+
transactions in selling and buying over a 20+year run.

However, with all the scammers, shill bidding and now
the tax hit I think I am out.
Many good deals in the past.....now they are few and far
between.

 

[Chukar60]

Only bought a few guns on line. Did very well with all but they were reputable sellers with long histories and a lot of qualified positive reviews.
The one time I get burned was on GI. I had been looking for a unmolested stock for my 20 gauge Superposed. Anyone who has looked for that furniture knows it is hard to find.
Seller there had a set that was described as unaltered all original in very good condition. In my excitement at having found a set, I abandoned a good deal of my usual caution when dealing on line.
The wood arrived and I could smell the fresh varnish even before the package was open. Checkering was dulled, had a fresh coat of bomb can lacquer on it, the butt plate, while factory was a poor fit and there was a crack in the toe of the butt.
I immediately contacted the seller who told me it all happened during shipping, accused me of swapping stocks etc etc etc. I hung up on him knowing I was going to get nowhere with him and that it was time to swallow my medicine and move on.
My shotgun guru told me that even with the issues I had paid a good price for it. Whatever man! I felt like I had been screwed. I did not end up with the stock I wanted. Now it sits on my safe as a reminder to be careful when buying on line.
Lesson is, using due caution you can navigate buying on line fairly safely. Just don’t let your excitement over rule your sensibilities.

 

[Eddietruett]

I had one bad transaction on GB out of 50+. Bought a 696. Seller hid cut marks on the cylinder that actually looked like saw marks and the gun had been dropped so hard that it actually flattened the hole! Seller told me since the gun sold for less than he thought it was worth, he was not going to do squat. I even offered to eat return shipping. After 2-3 weeks of getting nowhere, I filed a claim with GB. They have a deal that offers $500 supposedly if there is a legit claim and it can’t be settled by the buyer and seller. What a joke. They admitted I got screwed after reviewing pictures of gun and ad. Told the seller to refund the money. He refused. Off and on for 6-7 months they kept asking if we settled and finally quit. Luckily I came out ok. There was not a 696 cylinder anywhere, even at Smith. I did find a 69 cylinder that I had fitted, so I wound up with either a 3” 696 that is a 44 mag or a 3” 69 stamped 696. Since I did buy it cheap, after all the work I can sell and make money but it was a time consuming hassle and to find out GB could care less. They didn’t even ban the seller.

 

[357 shooter]

The gunbroker buyer protection is a joke, thought I was going to have to use it on my last purchase. Could not get in contact with seller and they finally responded on Facebook!

Luckily my gun eventually arrived as described. If I had to file a claim the $500 minus $100 deductible would have been close to $200 lost.

I've had about 40 Gunbroker transactions and would still use them but will checkout the seller's very recent feedbacks much more closely in the future.

 

[RKmesa]

My experience with GB has been mostly good. I've had a few that were sub par, BUT I have also had more than my share of buys that when the gun arrived, it was way better than the photos and my expectations. With that said, GB is a buyer beware proposition in my opinion and I also would recommend carefully checking the feedback and googling the seller after you get their info and confirming the info as much as possible. I also regularly ask for more detailed photos, particularly if there are some areas that I am concerned about...

 

[Dave686]

I think GB is a good thing, and possibly our last hope for crossing state lines. It’s tough to find anything locally and most people (myself included) want to trade. No point in putting a big azz CRB price on something if you can’t buy what you want from retailers.

I’m not going to send a grand to someone I don’t know and hope a gun shows up at my FFL. The GB rating system helps prevent that.
Most of what I have bought in the last few years has been new, as used usually has as big or more of a price tag.

I’m trying to buy some specific new guns now that aren’t all that common and none of my online retailers have them.

I’d like to see GB add some local trade sections.

Remember when you could go to your local FFL, and if they didn’t have what you want they could order it and give you an approximate date? Not anymore. They tell me, if I want to put down a deposit, they can order it but have no idea if/when it will come in. And it’s been that way for years.

 

[sw282]

Been a member on GUNBROKEN since the beginning, Jan 2001.

Feedback is at 350+. All positive. Got stiffed for the FIRST time

3 months ago by a new seller. l made the only bid on a Zeiss

rangefinder he had listed. l sent my money but never received

the Zeiss. l complained, money came back. He got BANNED!

lts important to KNOW who to contact on GUNBROKEN