Thoughts on selling a few firearms on Gunbroker for the first time

[mrcvs]

Well…

You have to sell a gun for the first time at least once on Gunbroker,

But I’m not a seasoned seller. I get the part about a good description and many quality photographs…but I don’t want to take a bath because I don’t have extensive feedback.

I have a sight elevator and a holster for sake currently with an $.01 start. But, when you add in the cost f shipping, they might not sell for much. And then, I guess I have to wait for feedback.

I want to sell 2 or 3 finish challenger firearms and upgrade to a quality firearm or two that has been offered to me recently.

Quality is where it’s at.

I’d offer for sale on the forum…but as much as I hate Gunbroker, this is where folks reach a little deeper.

Thoughts?

 

[JOliver]

I still use GB but the fees and shipping have made it more difficult. I don't know what kind of time line you're looking at, but my 2 cents is try the forum here. I usually get right and offer it here for the very least I'd take and see if anyone wants it. Doesn't cost anything and if it doesn't go you can pull it down and try something else.
I have a few local stores and they're always willing to help but once I take one there you're at their mercy, as expected they mark them up to make their money. I have one that's an awesome place, but if you give them a decent acceptance price and leave meat on the bone they'll mark it way high and they sit there and you're kind of stuck.

I see stuff sell for good money on GB but I never have that luck, if you go low start and no reserve it's risky, if you start it out at what you really want mine always just sit there... seems as the big sellers have a following or some sneaky stuff and that's the ones that bring the big money. Sure is odd too me too.
Also keep in mind about California sales
I listed an old Military Enfield that did sell for alot more than I was expecting, after the auction was over the guy was from California and told me that's why folks were bidding, because I hadn't put "no sales to California" well thank goodness the rifle fit in their acceptance category and my FFL that shipped it didn't mind messing with the extra phone call and paperwork he had to do, since the gun brought a lot more than I was hoping for I gave him a very nice tip for messing with it.

It can be ok, just do your homework before you list it up, you just never know how it will go and if you do, I wish you the best

I still prefer our Forum though

 

[twodog max]

I have sold a few on GB in the past and a couple times did real well when people got into a bidding contest. Usually The gun sold for only little more than my minimum.
I have a friend who uses GB a lot and he has made good money on some sales especially during the scamdemic.
You put it out there and take your chances. I have sold here with mixed results.
I have 2 firearms I want to move right now. I am putting them on consignment in a gunshop if that tells you anything.
The shipping part is the biggest hassel.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

Sales

I have sold several guns on GB. I choose a well-known seller as Keystone or other popular sellers. They have a listing showing the number of items their firm has had over the years. It is not free as most of the listings charge 15% of the sale price. I always have them start at the $.01 sale bid. I have never been displeased by their sales, in fact I have been astounded by the final bid at times! My FFL ships the firearm to then, and they do all of the photos, write ups ,etc. They do not give your name to anyone, buyer or otherwise.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

Gun Broker Sales

I forgot to list most of the big sellers take credit cards. The cost of using the card is the buyer's responsibility not yours. I believe at times the buyer uses the card as it gives instant sales and shipping of the firearm! Cost of the card usually 3%.

 

[NewLiberty]

I'm a top 1000 seller on GB.

Day and time that you auctions end matter, some days are much higher traffic volume than others.

Some of the extras that you can pay for really increase visibility of posts.

Not all buyers will leave feedback, my experience is about 40% do.

It may be hard getting many bids on a one cent start without much feedback. After messing around with a few pricing formats, I just start the auction at the least I will take for an item. I like that more than a penny start and reserve, since the reserve costs extra.

Gunbroker's shipping process for sellers actually works pretty well.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

Gun Broker Sales

Old mind moves really slow this morning. Listing your firearm in a Gun Shop probably will be of interest or seen by 50 people.
I used to believe 10 thousand people would see your listings on GB until I discovered over a million people will view it!!

 

[twodog max]

A million views! I have to question that. I have used the view counter thing and never got even remotely close to a thousand.

 

[Roofuss]

Try posting here on the forum first, if you have no luck, then go with Gunbroker.

 

[mrcvs]

Okay I might post here first.

The stuff I have is not your under $1000 firearms which I have had luck with here. They are in the $2000 to $5000 range. A bit harder on this forum but not impossible.

I guess what I was hoping for was to sell at auction and receive favorable results with a penny start but not the handicap of not being a seasoned seller.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Try posting here on the forum first, if you have no luck, then go with Gunbroker.

This is my thought!

 

[Onomea]

I think high end, expensive firearms can do well here. I've bought a couple here over the years, and have watched others do the same. Occasionally someone will join the forum just to acquire an item. (Sold a Randall to a guy like that a year or so ago, and my very first post I bought an RM.)

 

[paplinker]

I'm a top 1000 seller on GB.

Day and time that you auctions end matter, some days are much higher traffic volume than others.

Great advise!
Ending auctions during the day will eliminate some last day bidders due to work or forgetting the ending day.

Many of the better sellers end on the weekend or at least the evening.


I think the OP has a very valid point on lack of feedback. It's going to make a few people nervous on a higher end gun.

Trust is big deal. You might consider offering a contact phone number. I have called sellers on occasion, you quickly get a feel of what is going on.

 

[tlawler]

I’ve sold a couple of guns on GB, but with my low feedback and after fees, I really only broke even at best. Then a friend suggested consigning a few guns to GB sellers that had a lot of positive feedback (think top 100 sellers with 50K feedback). I did much better, even with the cut taken by the seller. Averaged out, I probably netted 20% more than I had in them after adjusting for inflation.

 

[LVSteve]

I did it once, selling some items for a widow. Got a great price on a Colt Python Target in 38 Special, and no bids on a S (?) series S&W M&P in 38 Special.

It's all the shipping and transfer costs that eat into what the gun sells for that frosts me. Fedex were still shipping guns for non-FFLs when I sold the Colt, but it had to go overnight air for $70. Having to ship via an FFL these days puts you in for about the same total.

 

[pawngal]

Sell on GB as an individual?
Can you accept credit cards with a GB Portal?
How will you ship? An individual cannot ship handguns legally. You will have to pay an FFL to ship the gun.
GB has fees.
Try here first.
If the guns are high $$$$, consider a regional/national auction company.

 

[mrcvs]

Sell on GB as an individual?
Can you accept credit cards with a GB Portal?
How will you ship? An individual cannot ship handguns legally. You will have to pay an FFL to ship the gun.
GB has fees.
Try here first.
If the guns are high $$$$, consider a regional/national auction company.

I am considering an auction house but I did that before and let something go too cheaply once. It barely brought the opening bid, which was surprising given what it was.

The firearms I am selling are ANTIQUE.

 

[CalifEd]

Some things that I look for when buying on GB.
Clean the gun. Can't tell you how many dirty guns show up and expect premium prices.
Excellent, clear pictures of all items, all angles, gun, tools, box and papers; more is better.
Detail description and pictures are things that set it apart from the herd.
If C&R, no FFL (antique) or personal sale (no FFL) describe it again.

 

[Onomea]

...How will you ship? An individual cannot ship handguns legally. You will have to pay an FFL to ship the gun...

I recently used ShipMyGun, a gun shipping service that uses UPS and provides the seller/shipper with a prepaid UPS label. You need to take the package to a UPS Customer Center (a UPS hub), and you must ship to an FFL that is registered with them. Cost me about $40 per gun, insured.

Details in Post 38, here: Shipping guns without the use of a (shipping)FFL??

 

[Ματθιας]

I am considering an auction house but I did that before and let something go too cheaply once. It barely brought the opening bid, which was surprising given what it was.

The firearms I am selling are ANTIQUE.

I sold a number of antique mosins on surplus forums. It was easy. I researched prices and priced mine about 40% more than I wanted and said I was open to reasonable offers. I always got what I wanted and majority of the time more. Antiques are easy for an individual to ship.

With all the taxes/fees on GB, I'd rather sell on a forum and keep more of my $$$. That's just me, though.