Let’s start with what do you have? List them all in this thread. You say you would ideally like to sell them as a group sale. If mostly Smith & Wesson, you might get an offer from an individual on this forum to buy them all. Or, even if not Smith & Wesson, someone might be interested in the lot as the other manufacturers may be of interest to them as well.
What Would You Guys Do? Old Fart That Needs To Sell His Guns.
- Thread starter Gebe
- Start date
That is a great starting point. Let’s say all of your rifles are 1980 or later except that pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade. Sell that Winchester separately - you’ll get more for it that way. IOW try to identify the firearms that are true collector’s items and focus on getting the most out of those. Possibly sell the rest as a group.
Yendor357
Member
Do they have gun shows in The State of Jefferson? (Wherever that is?) I’ve had good luck with selling at those. People at gun shows are in the buying mood.
You could contact a local auctioneer. They’ll take care of everything.
Selfishly, I’d like to see them offered here.
You could contact a local auctioneer. They’ll take care of everything.
Selfishly, I’d like to see them offered here.
DO NOT take to a local gun store and sell, you might get 40% of their value.
If you can put on Consignment, for no more than10% at a local store, BUT it may take months to years to sell.
If you have someone put on Gunbroker, you will have fees to pay plus shipping and FFL fees to pay.
I'm 83, and have been disposing of my collection over the past couple of years. There is a auction house about 35 miles away that does internet auctions quarterly. They charge 17%, but that includes all FFL, shipping, advertising, But they have over 40,000 customers following their auctions. I have been ecstatic over the prices I have been able to realize, net after any fees. Check around your area and see if there is a specialized gun auction available.
If you can put on Consignment, for no more than10% at a local store, BUT it may take months to years to sell.
If you have someone put on Gunbroker, you will have fees to pay plus shipping and FFL fees to pay.
I'm 83, and have been disposing of my collection over the past couple of years. There is a auction house about 35 miles away that does internet auctions quarterly. They charge 17%, but that includes all FFL, shipping, advertising, But they have over 40,000 customers following their auctions. I have been ecstatic over the prices I have been able to realize, net after any fees. Check around your area and see if there is a specialized gun auction available.
I'd recommend these folks highly, and they even pick up your guns if you contact them. They do it all from pickup, photography, online listing, sale, shipping, etc. You just get the check. I think they take 20% which is not unreasonable given the work they do. I've done business with them and have been most satisfied. It's the best way I know to move a bunch of guns with the least effort and the best outcome.
To those of suggested that the gentleman sell his firearms here, I would normally agree with that advise. Yet the man is from totally mobile and may have problems with packing and shipping more that one or two firearms.
I would suggest that he find someone who take the entire assortment for a fair cash price or on a commission basis.
I would suggest that he find someone who take the entire assortment for a fair cash price or on a commission basis.
I have seen these folk’s auctions before, and they appear to do a first class job. Apparently they do EVERYTHING from A to Z. I was curious as to where they are located, and see they are in Cody, Wyoming. So, one hundred percent if I was YOU, I would use them. I didn’t look for fine print about how they pick up a collection that’s across the country from them, and if that 20% includes a long pickup on their part.
In many cases, I guess the costliest part of the deal may be getting the seller your collection.
Larry
686-380
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What will you do with money?
Do whatever makes you happy. Time is the only commodity that you can't really purchase.
Other than that, I hope you live long and prosper.
Do whatever makes you happy. Time is the only commodity that you can't really purchase.
Other than that, I hope you live long and prosper.
dsf
Member
I'm in NorCal and have been selling off a fair number of guns too - contributing to my retirement in southern Oregon.
I'd skip selling them all in CA. That's always a consignment deal, almost never a "here's the cash" transaction and the cut is generally 20% to 25%. The other side of it is that some guns may carry a "CA off roster" premium.
If you have something off roster, super desirable in CA you may want to consider going to a LGS that YOU TRUST. I got $1,600.00 for a plain old Sig 938 in CA and even with a 20% cut that's way above what iy goes for in the real world. Even off roster plastic stuff goes big in CA. Something to consider.
I don't know how close you are to OR or can send out for someone else to sell (or if being specific gets me in hot water) but Durys on line at GB is reputable. I'm using Fox Firearms in Grants Pass to sell as I want, they take 15%.
I think you have to figure out that balance of maximizing $$$ with convenience, throw in the practicalities of travel and your health.
38 Specialist
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What guns do you have? I'd be interested in seeing the list.
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Make a list, put the list here, Colt forum and 1911 forum. Great legit buyers, no fees…
AJ
US Veteran
Find a good auction house and have them sell them for you. A friend deals with one in Pa. that auctions approximately 200 guns a month and 400-500 smalls (ammo, gun & hunting related stuff). Or if they are high end get someone like Rock Island or Morphy to do it.
stanmerrell
Member
LSB
Sorry to hear this. Easiest path forward would be to send them to Lock Stock and Barrel. I used to live near their Simi Valley storefront and I understand they have a Wyoming site now. I can recommend them from prior dealings. You are going to pay at least 20% plus GB fees, but there's nothing for you to do once you send them in. Just wait for a check. Alternatively, list them here. They will sell, but it's a fair amount of work dealing with the buyers and packing and shipping. Might be too much hassle at your age, though I'm not certain what you might be up for. We're all going to be there soon. Prayer sent.
Sorry to hear this. Easiest path forward would be to send them to Lock Stock and Barrel. I used to live near their Simi Valley storefront and I understand they have a Wyoming site now. I can recommend them from prior dealings. You are going to pay at least 20% plus GB fees, but there's nothing for you to do once you send them in. Just wait for a check. Alternatively, list them here. They will sell, but it's a fair amount of work dealing with the buyers and packing and shipping. Might be too much hassle at your age, though I'm not certain what you might be up for. We're all going to be there soon. Prayer sent.
Hairtrigger
Member
Hey Gebe get well soon!
I also hail from the kommie state.
Calguns has been offline for weeks until it sets up new servers etc. Not reliable.
If I were you,I would asess each item in terms of what you originally paid for it and how much fun you got and relative market value based on condition etc.
For mediocre stuff that you have enjoyed alot, I would price to move such that a buyer is motivated to do some legwork for ya.
Probably local online markets.
For any vintage new in box stuff,then lock stock n barrel etc is a good option in order to maximize profits.
Take care!!
I also hail from the kommie state.
Calguns has been offline for weeks until it sets up new servers etc. Not reliable.
If I were you,I would asess each item in terms of what you originally paid for it and how much fun you got and relative market value based on condition etc.
For mediocre stuff that you have enjoyed alot, I would price to move such that a buyer is motivated to do some legwork for ya.
Probably local online markets.
For any vintage new in box stuff,then lock stock n barrel etc is a good option in order to maximize profits.
Take care!!
I have a guy
I have a guy here locally. Actually, two men. One is my FFL for all my transfers for years now. He sold a couple of my Daddy's .22 rifles for me. We both made money on it. I told the wife when I croak just take the whole collection to him. I also know a Christian man by the name of Long who has a Pawn, Guns and Gold place where we have bought guns and ammo and jewelry. I asked him if I croak would you be able to take care of this for my wife. She was standin' right there. She hates that when I talk about being dead one day. He said he could not make any promises, but he would do his best. That is the thing about the old-fashioned way of doing business in the community. Two-way street loyalty with the plumber, the HVAC, electrician, doctor mechanic, etc.
Anyway, sorry I wasn't much help. I'm glad you lived through all that. Sounds like that was rough but you were showing tough, so I'm proud to hear it of you.
Best to You!
BrianD
I have a guy here locally. Actually, two men. One is my FFL for all my transfers for years now. He sold a couple of my Daddy's .22 rifles for me. We both made money on it. I told the wife when I croak just take the whole collection to him. I also know a Christian man by the name of Long who has a Pawn, Guns and Gold place where we have bought guns and ammo and jewelry. I asked him if I croak would you be able to take care of this for my wife. She was standin' right there. She hates that when I talk about being dead one day. He said he could not make any promises, but he would do his best. That is the thing about the old-fashioned way of doing business in the community. Two-way street loyalty with the plumber, the HVAC, electrician, doctor mechanic, etc.
Anyway, sorry I wasn't much help. I'm glad you lived through all that. Sounds like that was rough but you were showing tough, so I'm proud to hear it of you.
Best to You!
BrianD
Beemer-mark
Member
I'm 73 in reasonable good health. Just went over my trust / will with my lawyer. No one in my family wants firearms. Selling is difficult and I still like fondling my firearms (mostly collectible). My wife, or children, don't need the money. I decided that when I'm dead my wife can take them to LGS that sells on consignment (10%) and she'll be tickled pink. I suggest to the OP if he doesn't need the money for expenses he should do the same.
I believe the local Gorilla AKA Hand Ejector is a major Gun Broker seller.
Might try to contact him about your collection.
Might try to contact him about your collection.
I've been to local auctions where someone was auctioning off their personal firearms collection. Buyers always seemed to pay more for guns there than they could have paid for used ones at a local shop. That's the way I would go. Check out a local auction company and see what kind of deal that they'll give you. You can always set a minimum price on certain guns (reserve), but the auction companies aren't fond of that.
