Need advice: Liquidating collection

[mod34]

OK guys and gals, looking for some advice as to the best method for liquidating most of my "collection". One of the auction sites, our forum, etc.?
At the ripe old age of 42, I've decided to put my retirement plans into overdrive (though they've been in 4th and 5th for several years) and most of my SW's just aren't in the picture. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Crazy K38]

I say put some on consignment some on auction online and post em all on here, why go for one when the whole enchilada is more effective, you know what I mean

 

[nisamo]

You'll be sorry. Where you gonna put the money that will hedge against the coming inflation like your S&Ws will? If you got to do it you'll maximize on an auction site. GB especially.

 

[Grayfox]

Think carefully about this. In today's world, guns are something you need to hang on to while you can. If you change your mind somewhere down the road, replacing them may not be easy. Or for that matter, maybe impossable. You may well regret selling them. I know I've regreted most of the guns I ever sold.

However, it is a sellers market right now. You'd probably get the best prices on one of the auction sites. I would hope that you'd list them in the classified here and give us a chance at them.

 

[n4zov]

I had a similar thought several years ago when I got very sick and decided I really wasn't going to need those guns in this lifetime! I ended up selling some guns I had for years. Well, I got better and suddenly regretted having sold some fine guns, and now I can't even remember what I did with the money. My suggestion is to give it a lot of thought before you make the decision, and then think about it some more. Even if you do decide to sell, do not be in a hurry.

 

[windjammer]

I decided to thin the herd 3 years ago. I can no longer shoot or hunt. I've sold about half of them.

I put the money into a seperate account....Last year I bought a new Mercury Marquis with my gun money.

Still have several to sell, but in no hurry. I gave my sons and grandson 23 of them

 

[red14]

Pick me!

You could donate them to people who comment in this thread and have colors and/or numbers in their call name.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Find a trustworth dealer with reasonable consignment rates, and have said dealer list them on Gunbroker for you. They'll then sell for whatever the market will bear.

 

[morsecode]

As you are in no particular hurry, consignment in a trusted local gun shop has to be considered. The only downside to that I've encountered is having to do the paperwork right then, as though you were selling the gun to the store...so in case you change your mind or find a buyer on your own they have to transfer back to you. Maybe that's not always the same in every State?

Forum classifieds have worked best for me. And being Brand specific to the appropriate forum isn't mandatory, unless you have truly collectible pieces vs a stable of just really nice shooters. Y'know, those Ruger guys like S&W's too.

 

[gunnut2u]

Think long and hard and make the right decision for you but remember the old saying:
HERE TODAY , GONE TOMORROW , CAN'T FIND LATER !!!!!!!!!

 

[mod34]

Thanks to all for the remarks. I appreciate the food for thought. You'll know what I decided to do if you start seeing them pop up on the forum

 

[DHENRY]

mod34,
Contact Lee Jarrett, noconeetrader.
For a substantial number of guns you'll need straight talk from a trustworthy dealer.
'Nuff said.
Don

 

[tomhenry]

I've decided to put my retirement plans into overdrive

I have two points germane to the discussion.

1) If you're determined to sell, start by researching the fair market value of your guns. One way is to scour gunbroker.com and find comparable guns and put them on your "watch" list. The final selling price will give you a ballpark figure if you were to sell on gunbroker. But, don't sell on gunbroker, initially. Take that ballpark figure and advertise the guns on every gun board you can. This site, the high road, the firing line, glock talk, etc. Because if you sell on gunbroker you have to pay a commission. Only if your guns don't sell on public sites should you sell on gunbroker.

2) But I have a question. My stock market portfolio has taken a ~25% hit these last few years. My guns have appreciated. Not much, maybe, I don't really know. But they're the only things (other than my home) that have gone up in value.

So my question is, what do you intend to invest in that will yield a positive return?

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
If you are not a FFL, I would find a FFL in Your area that charges a minimun to ship.
I would advertise the weapons on this Forum.
Jimmy

 

[cmore]

If you do decide to sell them you might give a thought to this site/auction house.
http://www.armsbid.com/

This used to be Kull/Supica auctions till Jim became head of the museum.
Easier than auctioning them off yourself and still have a national audience
via proxibid. Contact them for commissions and such.

 

[Crazy K38]

I would really suggest again's liquidating very much of your collection, these guns will only appreciate with age and save your a** at the same time, IDK maybe I am just 'gun clingy'

 

[R-Tex]

mod34,
Contact Lee Jarrett, noconeetrader.
For a substantial number of guns you'll need straight talk from a trustworthy dealer.
'Nuff said.
Don

This just may be the best advice you'll get! Even if Lee doesn't wish to accept them on a consignment basis, my bet is he'll give you very valuable information/advice.

If you decide to go the Gunbroker route, you may want to consider asking Lee to handle it - he has an absolutely sterling reputation in the business and his auctions on GB generate a lot of interest.

HTH,

 

[jeremyws1]

I believe the owner of this forum has the absolute best method. Place the gun on GunBroker with good pictures, a good description, no reserve, and a starting price as low as you can stand. You will very rarely be disappointed. I haven't sold an item on GunBroker in a while, but that is definitely what I'm going to do next time.