Where would one go to sell Pythons?

[ISCS Yoda]

Hard to tell if this is a Lounge question or "other brands" but it's innocuous either way.

A friend of mine was collecting Colt Pythons. He's decided to get out of that "business" and to use the funds for something else.

Query - where would you suggest I direct his attention?

Choices include this Forum, a Colt Forum (there must be one), an LGS, an on line auction house, maybe even a brick and mortar auction house.

Comments solicited.

Thanks.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Careful.........

"Business" = FFL required

 

[da gimp]

a better quality pet shop? On a serious note.. he will have to get someone with an FFL to do transfers ,... I'd even do that with in state face to face sales even in our state of Missouri.. which doesn't require permits.. it would cut out any potential "strawman setups".

Get a flat fee set up for each gun shipped... paid for in advance by the buyer, shipping & insurance required each time...then list them here, on the Colt forum if they allow it.. I don't know, I've never been on it.. On the online auctions... I've heard both ways... He needs to find/hire a very good photography guy.. his work will make it easier by far to sell if they are first class pix & plenty of them too.

Here there are rules, but they are easily abided for... look at the Shopper boards here.. you'll see what I mean, he could add items whenever he wants to. It wouldn't hurt for him to donate a sum to the forum to say thanks.... read when it is required... but doing so before it is required would be classy.

 

[Bro. Dave]

There was/is a Colt forum, but I haven't been on since there was a change of ownership. I've had good luck with Gunbroker, but so far have only bought and not sold.

I, for one, have no issue seeing non-S&W firearms for sale here.

 

[rwsmith]

on here and gunbroker.....

I'd start here in the items for sale or trade forum. Then there is a Colt Forum. Then I'd try on line auctions, but with proper safeguards such as a high enough reserve price. You'll have to consider ffls and shipping. The only problems I have with a consignment sale by a brick and mortar store is exposure and people will try to get you to let it go. At least with an auction there's no backpedaling and low ball offers. The auction doesn't really start until the reserve is met by people willing to pay.

 

[Salty RI]

a better quality pet shop

Hay thats what I was going to say, you beat me to it.

 

[rwsmith]

You mean the one......

a better quality pet shop

Hay thats what I was going to say, you beat me to it.

You mean the one with all of the guns in the back?

 

[Onomea]

David Carroll is your man: David Carroll Collection

He helped me sell off some of my collection of Colts and Smiths a few years ago. A Python Elite I bought for ~ $1,000 in about 2003 went for over $4,000. He photographed my guns nicely, wrote blurbs up about them, and put them on one of the auction sites. Maybe Auction Arms?

Anyway, David knows what he is doing, and I heartily recommend him. Well worth his fee. I did well.

 

[arjay]

I've sold several on the two main auction sites over the years.If he doesn't want the hassle,having one of the better known dealers do it would be worthwhile.

 

[GKC]

If he is in Texas (as you are, from your profile) he could list them on Texas Gun Talk. If he's not already a member, he might have to have a certain number of posts before he could sell. I guess that depends on how big of a hurry he's in.

Onomea has the best suggestion, it seems, for these guns.

 

[BearBio]

I would suggest trying the Colt Forum. Warning: Things are slow right now.

PM Sent

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Thanks, y'all. I'll let him know.

Oh, I know the rules about FFLs and business. I used that term loosely. We both know how to sell guns.

 

[model70hunter]

An FFL friend put mine on his table at a large gun show. All 3 went quickly.

 

[Harkrader]

He probably knows to be very careful.

I've had good luck finding a reputable buyer in the distant past with the Colt Collectors' Assn.
Home

I also know a reputable collector in SE Wisconsin. If you'll PM me with your contact data (he'll want a real name) I'll forward it to him. However, I'm sure you'll find the help you need from the CCA.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Burma would be bad choice

 

[lifesizepotato]

There's nothing illegal or sketchy about a collector deciding to sell off his collection to move on.

If he's able to take good photos, I think he'd do well to just list them on Gunbroker with no reserve. Not having a reserve seems to kick people's competitive instincts up a couple notches and can result in some pretty high hammer prices. Just make sure the auctions don't end at 9am on a Tuesday morning or something silly.

 

[Andyd]

The Coltforum would be a good place but there have been many problems with spammers and fraudsters lately so that a new member would not appear trustworthy without references.

Colt Forum

 

[vipermd]

Then I'd try on line auctions, but with proper safeguards such as a high enough reserve .

I would avoid a reserve, just start the min bid at the min price you will accept. Often a "high" reserve, with the auction starting @ .01 cents is silly. I may or may not know what an item is worth, but I know what I will spend. Penny starts with the Pythons seem useless, if you want 3K start at 3K , it can only go up. As a buyer/seller on Gun Broker, Good Photos are very important, since that is what the buyer sees first. Also clearly written description, such as where you will or will not sell to- such as Ca, DC,Ma, NY etc. since some states have different requirements. Also make sure you list any imperfections, you do not want a buyer to get an unpleasant surprise, and be sending the gun back to your dealer. Look at UPS shipping costs & insurance ( people will ask), remember you do Not need to ship overnight, despite what ups/fed ex may try to tell you. If you go through an FFL on your end ( which is a good idea ) make sure that costs for shipping, packing are discussed before sale. That way everybody is aware of what costs, effort will be needed. Good Luck Be Safe,

 

[H Richard]

A local gun shop will offer you maybe 60% of it's value, a gun auction may charge you 15-20% of sale price. Selling on here or the Colt forum will cost you only whatever your FFL would charge you to ship the gun and run it through his books.

 

[jack the toad]

Anyway, David knows what he is doing,

+1 on David Carroll. He is established as credible and experienced so therefore seems to get top dollar on items he sells.
IMO, gunbroker seems to attract a lot of visitors/buyers if your friend doesn't mind dealing with the actual sale of the guns.
Listing on here, the Colt forum or any other number of sites shouldn't hurt.