Selling A Gun Online

[JTaylor]

I'm considering selling a couple of guns on GunBroker.  What is the process?

1) list auction on GB
2) after selling the item collect money - what's standard way to pay?
3) their gun dealer sends me info so I can ship to them? What info?
4) do I need to send through a gun dealer on my end?
5) any "gotchas" I should be aware of?

Thanks,
JT

 

[sbeatty1983]

In my state an individual can ship a gun but it still has to be recieved by an ffl. Postal money order is the safest form of payment for you. Dont mail gun until you recieve the payment.

 

[Muley Gil]

You need to verify that you are indeed shipping to a FFL holder. There is a website through BATFE for that purpose. Or you can receive an original signed copy of the receiver's FFL.

For handguns, you either ship via FedEx or UPS, if allowed by your state laws. If you wish to ship through your local FFL, he/she can send the gun through USPS.

If you are selling rifles or shotguns, you can use the USPS.

 

[fat tom]

If you are selling rifles or shotguns, you can use the USPS.

Are you sure about that?
f.t.

 

[amazingflapjack]

You can read the reg by going on line-shipping a firearm by mail or whatever. I had a very bad experience with a bidder who had no feedback-called an NR on gunbroker, so I don't accept bids from them any more, and state that in my auction. You would do well to spend time reading the gunbroker tutorial for new sellers, and looking at some sellers with a substancial number of transactions who have good feedback, and see how they set up their auctions-go slow.

 

[cowart]

4) do I need to send through a gun dealer on my end?

It depends - some FFLs won't accept shipments from non-FFLs. You need to cover this in your auction listing ahead of time.

Some few states require you to ship via an FFL - check your local laws. There is no federal requirement.

BTW - I have never had UPS or FexEx ask to see the actual receiving FFL document. HOWEVER, they require that I provide them with the EXACT information that is on the FFL, so its easier to just have it in my hand. The UPS/FedEx clerk will then run the information through the computer to see if it is a good/current FFL.

 

[frbeall]

In my state an individual can ship a gun but it still has to be recieved by an ffl. Postal money order is the safest form of payment for you. Dont mail gun until you recieve the payment.

And make sure funds are there, a lot of counterfeit money orders out there .

 

[Lost Lake]

Postal money order is the safest form of payment for you. Dont mail gun until you recieve the payment.

Postal money orders and bank money orders are some of the most counterfeited methods of payment out there. Here's my story:

I sold a truck online. The buyer sent me a bank MO. I took it to my bank to see if it was legit. They said it may be, but what crooks do is buy one MO, then copy it and use the number as long as they can. When you call the issuing bank, they say that there was a MO produced, and the one you have may be good, but no guarantees. You have to cash the MO at your bank, they mail it to the issuing bank, then that bank runs it through the system and if that number hasn't been cashed in, it's good. If it has been cashed already, they bounce the MO back which takes time, and then your bank pulls the money from your account.
The entire process can take 10 -14 days, maybe more I was told!

 

[JTaylor]

Thanks for all the help with this! If it's a postal money order, and I cash it at the post office, would that be considered safe? How do they get their money back if it's counterfeit? Do they test for that at the post office?

 

[amazingflapjack]

The post office would go after the forger in that case, which is why I cash mine at the PO many times-BEFORE I send the item, that way everything is right out front.

 

[bushmaster1313]

1) list auction on GB
...Lots of good pictures
2) after selling the item collect money - what's standard way to pay?
...United States Postal Money Order
3) their gun dealer sends me info so I can ship to them? What info?
...fax, email, or mail you a copy of the FFL license to whom you will ship
4) do I need to send through a gun dealer on my end?
...Depends on State Law. In New Jersey you can mail a long gun from the Post Office.
5) any "gotchas" I should be aware of?
...Make sure you state your return policy in your Gunbroker ad.
...Make sure to include insurance in your shipping cost.
...Send any gun insured with signature confirmation.
...DO NOT send a handgun in the U.S. Mail unless you are an FFL and do the paperwork
...List your gun for a bit less than the minimum you are willing to take and hope for the best.
...Note, your gun is probably not worth what you think it is worth.

It depends - some FFLs won't accept shipments from non-FFLs. You need to cover this in your auction listing ahead of time.

Above is very good point. Put in your ad: "Your FFL must take from non-FFL U.S. Postal Service (or what ever service you plan on using) signature confirmation."

 

[chez323]

Before you go that route have you considered listing it on here or another forum? I've never used gunbroker othe than as a way to check pricing on guns. Ive listed and sold guns on othe forums I frequent and had very good luck with them. No fees at all. I've met and done face to face deals with guns. In PA handguns must go thru an ffl for the transfer, long guns I use a bill of sale provided by PAFOA. I've also shipped guns I've sold via my local ffl without issue with payment by discreet PayPal or money order. I have the buyers ffl fax a copy of their license to my ffl and once payment is received I drop it off at my ffl and provide the buyer with tracking info. I've not had any issues as of yet and I've met some good gun people.

Good luck selling.

Tim

I'm considering selling a couple of guns on GunBroker.  What is the process?

1) list auction on GB
2) after selling the item collect money - what's standard way to pay?
3) their gun dealer sends me info so I can ship to them? What info?
4) do I need to send through a gun dealer on my end?
5) any "gotchas" I should be aware of?

Thanks,
JT

 

[1 old 0311]

I have bought/sold 40+ handguns on G-broker in the last 12 months. No real problems.

 

[Florida Guy]

That's good advice to ask for a USPS money order then cash it at the p.o. Then you can ship the gun.
I decided to ship a handgun via UPS. The buyer was less than 500 miles from me (in same state) and it cost me $64 with ins.
To compare, I just shipped a handgun to SD through a dealer and it ran me $52 total. If you have a ffl that doesn't charge a lot, you're in good shape.
And the advice on trying to sell the gun here instead of on GB.
Why run a 7 or 10 day auction when you can list it here or another forum (for free) and deal with a more trustworthy individual (your results may vary).
I listed two S&W's on this forum last month and sold both within 24 hours and NO hassles.
Which ever way you go, be sure to take good pics and give an honest description. Sometimes the pics don't show the flaws you can see in person.
Be sure to list shipping fees in ad so there is no misunderstanding.
Good luck.