How to value "collectibles?"

[1Celticfozzie]

That being said, if you're not taking plastic I think you're likely to lose multiple interested parties just because they want the convenience or they don't actually have the ability to pay with certified funds or a personal check for the closing price.

This definitely true with some of the high dollar items

 

[03hemi]

Been looking for a 3 inch m27,I'd love to have it

Uh oh, bid'n war com'n, I already made him an offer.

 

[pharmer]

In the last 10 months I have sold (gun only non original stocks):
4" nickel 29-2 maybe 90% for $1200
6" blue 27-2maybe 95% for $1000
4" 28-2 maybe 80% for $600
8 3/8" "Hostiles" 29-5 maybe 95% for $1000
"CEN" prefix 640 ND for $500
I have no idea what they were worth as I sold them for exactly what I paid for 'em
I wasn't using them, hopefully the new owners will. Joe

 

[davek42_43130]

Your best bet is a well known, top tier Gunbroker consignment seller.

Yes, they will take something on the order of 18% off the hammer price, but the truth is that you get a LOT of value for that percentage.

If you are interested in what that percentage buys you, we can talk about it. It's worth it.

I think GB charges 5%.to sell, buyer pays 1% to buy

 

[bobsguns]

I did gun shows with a friend years ago, and people would move the "Do Not Handle" card to pick up the gun!

They don't do that crap at TN gun shows. Good way to get slapped like a sissy.

 

[bobsguns]

I have suggested to my wife that she contact two local auction houses that seem to do well on the national scale. Whatever she realizes from the sale will be all profit to her. My brother had contacted one of the two about the sale of a particularly nice piece. They came to his house and offered to buy his entire collection. (about 30 pieces) He sat down for a few minutes with a calculator, made a high proposal, accepted a counteroffer and they paid him, mostly in cash, on the spot, they were a few thousand short, so they wrote him a check for the balance.

My FFL now does this. We picked up over 100 guns last weekend from Myrtle Beach, from a shop that was closing.

 

[kimporter]

Uh oh, bid'n war com'n, I already made him an offer.

Lol,didn't make an offer was expecting him to tell me what he was asking

 

[mosquito]

Been looking for a 3 inch m27,I'd love to have it

I have a 3.5" M27-2…….what a beautiful gun!

 

[1000island]

My FFL now does this. We picked up over 100 guns last weekend from a shop in Myrtle Beach from a shop that was closing.

"It takes money to make money"

 

[1000island]

I have a 3.5" M27-2…….what a beautiful gun!

I have always wanted one of those also. Beautiful revolver!

 

[greenwellg]

I am shocked by the current prices on guns I bought long ago for single digit percentages of what they sell for today. Some have barely kept pace with inflation. Some hit peaks in demand and are now dropping in value. Each gun should be investigated individually.
Look at the national auction houses, check sales history on Gunbroker. Proxybid is another source. In every example you find of real selling prices, subtract the true cost of the transaction. Some auction houses these days are close to a 25% commission to the seller. The buyer may have an additional fee. Transfers and shipping add to the cost to sell.
At gun shows in Virginia you have to transfer the ownership through a FFL at shows. Local auction houses that advertise through proxybid can get good prices. but if your gun is very rare or special it may be worth it to go with Rock Island for the chance of a bidding war.
I once carried 58 rifles to a local auctions house to help a friends widow get the best value for his collection. It ended up around $135k for an average of about $1k per firearm. I asked for nothing but was well rewarded for my efforts.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Photos really do make a big difference. If you can't do them yourself try to find a friend or family member that knows how.

I have had great results with good pix.

 

[bobsguns]

"It takes money to make money"

Sort of.

When I began helping, my FFL had ONE 6-8 foot table. Half was coins & knives, other half fudd guns. Now he has over 8K in inventory. Yes, 8K. He's THE largest dealer in TN. When we were doing shows, he'd have about half a row to himself. That's two sides, in a U-shape with an end cap. We'd often sell 200+ guns in a weekend.

He'd do it the old school way: quality guns at a decent price. He'd make $50-100 per gun rather than kill it on one gun, or at least try to. We all see those dealers over MSRP, trying to make bank but no one buys their high dollar stuff.