Selling on Gun Broker?

[Grayfox]

Over the years I've bought some guns off of Gun Broker, but never sold any. Now I'm thinking about giving it a try. So I need some advice from the folks here who regularly sell there.
I do have a C&R License. Does that make any difference?

I have watched the videos on how to sell that are on Gun Broker. I think I've got a pretty good handle on how that works.

Shipping is a big question for me.
What's the best way to ship?
How much to charge?
Can C&Rs be shipped differently than modern guns?
Should I just refuse to sell to California or other states?

Term and conditions:
Some sellers have almost none, while other write a book. What do I really need to put in there to cover my butt?

What else do I need to know?

Bear in mind that I'm not looking to start a business here. Just got a couple I want to sell off at the best price I can get and maybe one every now and then. Probably won't be more than one or two a year.
Also, I recently retired and had some sudden expenses that I wasn't expecting. I'm facing the possabilty that a some point in the future I may need some extra money and have to sell off some of my collection.

Any and all advice is welcome.

 

[pawngal]

Like you, I've bought on Gunbroker but never sold. But have sold other stuff online for years. I know nada about C & R licenses so won't go there.
For payment, your best option is USPS money orders.
My best advice is: Get really great pictures and write very complete descriptions.
Look at the listings from sellers that consistantly sell guns for better than average prices, they are doing something right.

 

[arjay]

Take a look at how jack the dog and lee jarrett display their wares and describe them.An honest description and lots of clear photos really helps.As far as shipping,my ffl charges $45 so I pass that along.When Ive had to use FedEx or ups,I charge the same and eat the rest

 

[Ματθιας]

+1 on the USPS money orders.

As far as shipping stuff, I'd look at what and where the big dealers won't ship. I put the "Know your state and local laws because I don't! If it's illegal in you area to own, don't bid. Thanks.", disclaimer.

 

[Stainless44]

I've sold about 10 guns on GB.

Shipping - I don't have a license and have to ship firearms via FedEx Priority overnight shipping...or by using an local FFL.

All buyers seem to expect to pay $30 shipping. In reality I've never been able to ship anything that cheaply. If I do it myself at FedEx it generally costs between $70 and $80...so keep that in mind. I hear that pawn shops might be another cheap alternative but I'm not going to be driving into the parts of my town that have pawn shops just to save someone else $10 or $20 on shipping. Other cities may be different...but pawn shops in this city are in crappy parts of town and not worth hassle/risk of using.

If I use a local FFL they also use FedEx. While they have the ability to ship cheaply through the USPS...they generally aren't going to send an employee to the post office with guns when the FedEx guy comes to them. (that's what they tell me.) I have been able to ship a little cheaper through FFL's but never less than $50 or $60.

I sold a C&R rifle and while the post office website told me shipping would be $30...when I got to the post office they said the rifle was different due to the size of the box. I ended up paying $130 to ship it. I ate the difference because I already told the buyer the quote from the website.

In short...shipping is a pain.

Terms and Conditions - these are almost universally ignored by buyers. Even if you have a short list...mine is basically that I ship only via FedEx Priority overnight and I take no personal checks. Almost every buyer then asks me to ship it via the post office because "they are in no hurry" and then wants to pay with a personal check.

I appreciate their patience with the "I'm in no hurry" but it's basically a request that I break a firearms law to save them $40...not an ideal tradeoff for me...I like my freedom.

I used to say I'd only take USPS money orders...but there is a trick with that. If you take your money orders down to the post office...they may not have the cash to pay you (and my bank...a big regional bank...will not cash them). That means you have to either wait and go back later in the day to see if their cash levels have built up enough, or you go post office hopping to see who has enough money. Very frustrating. Also, USPS money orders have a limit of maybe $1,000...so if the gun is more expensive than that the buyer will have to get several of them.

Read the ATF website...start with their FAQ section...they have a lot of good info on who can ship what...and to who.

Also keep in mind that if you are selling a gun that isn't very common you might have to run a few auctions before you find the buyer who knows what it is and what it's worth.

You'll get lots of requests for "more pics" of the gun you are trying to sell...especially if it's a rare type of gun.

I've gotten to the point where I kind of dread having to sell something on Gunbroker...the shipping is just to big a pain. I'd rather find someone local and avoid all the fees and hassle.

 

[eyegots2no]

If it is just a few here and there----

Just sell locally and be rid of the hassle---you don't need to get a whole new education just to sell a few guns----you have better use of your time.

 

[raylan007]

It Can Be A Real Education

The first thing that comes to mind, which for me is a real deal breaker as a buyer is if the seller has less than 50 feedback reviews and they better add up to 100%, A new seller will always be viewed as a negative in my humble opinion.
Overcome that by offering clear concise terms that address these questions. Detail of condition noting anything that may come back on you supported by no less than 30 photos if possible taken outdoors with the firearm well cleaned and then dry wiped. You can buy the cheap rubber coated wire display stands that hold the gun from the barrel for a easy assortment of views. If you have described any potential wear issues and support them with decent photos you have then put the onus on the buyer to make a educated decision that will not come back to haunt you.
There is the option for your offering to be sold "AS IS, NO RETURNS' on GB which most individuals use for the sale of older firearms.
There is also the need to put the responsibility on the buyer of being able to legally to own your offering . I just note such and suggest he check with his FFL for his state and local laws for legally possession BEFORE they place their bid or they will be responsible for your associated listing fees, good luck collecting them but once again you have put the burden of responsibility on the seller and having him interact with a FFL prior to bidding is part of the service a FFL should gladly participate in.
As far as shipping revolvers, it is legal to do so independently using UPS or Fedex but they require Next Day Air and even Next Day Super saver coast to coast for your typical revolver could run you $75-$100 bucks so to place shipping for a flat rate not knowing what the zip code will be puts the burden to possibly eating some profit on you. I have established a relationship with a local pawn shop that will ship for me using USPS for a flat rate of $50 if I pack it in the USPS Priority box opened for them to inspect and log in the serial number which then free's you from liability verses a Armslist type transaction. Since $30 dollars is the maximum I like to pay that is what I state in my listing. $30 FLAT RATE and I eat the additional $20 bucks my pawn shop charges. After dealing face to face with my local UPS and finding some bad attitudes regarding the shipping of handguns in spite of it being legal I find the $50 bucks I pay my FFL a real bargin. I should state everything I have commented on pertains to revolvers. GB does have a good answers to questions section that covers all firearms.
Finally I like to add as much personalized service as possible as it will always come back in Aces.
Oh ya, the only form of payment that I accept is USPS Postal Money Orders with very few exceptions unless the buyer knows even a Certified Check could hold up delivery. I also insist my FFL sends me a tracking # which I then forward to the buyer to eliminate any "Where's My Package Calls" and to maintain the level of professionalism I like to encounter.

I could have saved myself some time if I had originally thought to tell you to just check out a past listing by Lee Jarrett and use his format as a temp let

Another option is just forego the GB auction and list on Guns International for a flat rate. They charge a flat rate of $10 and I have had some success on their site. Good Luck

 

[R. G. Amos]

I have sold over Gunbroker for ten years or so. My advice is always to properly describe the gun for sale, if its in bad condition, say its in bad condition. Do not lie about the condition or exaggerate in any way. If you do not have an FFL and don't want the hassle of dealing with one for shipping, simply state in the add that the buyer's FFL dealer must accept shipment from a non-FFL holder. In my experience, if a potential buyer for anything but very exotic guns sends lengthy emails asking numerous questions or requests numerous photos, he is probably a potential buyer you do not want to deal with.

 

[LostintheOzone]

List on GI or GA. and skip the non paying bidder. You get to manage the ad when the buyer has paid. Save yourself some time. Lots of relisted guns due to fantasy prices and no show bidders on GB.

 

[eyegots2no]

Another thing,

Sometimes the FFL transfer dealers will not accept a shipment from a non-ffl dealer which then puts the buyer in a pickle to find one who will.

Also, IF you get one hassle sale, flaky buyer, payment difficulty, etc.----well---- it destroys all your benefits/profit ---from several other deals.

Kind of like the grocery store that has to sell 10 cans of beans to make up for one stolen can.

You are not going to get you best deal on GB if you account for all of your true costs---time, packaging---etc etc.


If you are in a remote area and/or just don't have a good market---this forum's members would be a good market. Most of them probably can find a FFL pal who does not require sender FFL.

IMHO.

Good luck

 

[Triathloncoach]

I sold my first guns on GB in the past few months. I ship everything through my LGS. Ask them what it will cost to ship before you list. Mine is $20 per hand gun, 2nd day priority mail. They also won't ship to a C&R. I'm surprised by what some of the above have paid for shipping.I would also keep my shipping cost in line with similar listed guns, when I look at auctions I try to avoid the guys I believe to be inflating their price with high shipping cost - doesn't help me with the trust factor.

 

[Grayfox]

I appreciate the input. I'm thinking it may be more trouble than its worth for just a once in a while sale.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have sold several my self on GB.
Now I have a LGS put them up on GB. a lot less problems for me.

 

[BigBoy99]

When ever I sell on GB, I always state that the shipping and insurance charges are the responsibility of the purchaser. I state that funds are NOT to be sent until I have the shipping address of the FFL so the exact shipping cost can be determined. I pack up the handgun, have it weighed and the give the buyer the exact shipping charges before they send the money. I also include the charges for insurance which can be added at the purchaser's discretion. Then all of the costs associated with this sale arrive in the same check at the same time.

I have a sale pending right now and the UPS Next Day Air shipping cost alone is just under $75 for a 3 lb. package from the East Coast to the Mid-West.