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Is Gunbroker still good for private party sales? Login/Join 
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posted
I'm going to sell off some of my collection and like Gunbroker. Although, I haven't bought or sold off them for awhile. I like it because I list it no minimum and no reserve, and the market determines the value.

My others options are:

Consignment, which gives me the least returns.

My local gun forum, but some of my stuff is pretty specialized (95% pre-27 S&W, for example) and our local guys aren't really a "specialized" niche.

Other forums, but I have no idea what to ask.

Re valuing a gun. I can go to GB and look at the same gun already sold. But those prices vary wildly.

Suggestions?
 
Posts: 513 | Registered: October 19, 2024Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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For your S&W revolvers, have you looked at Smith and Wesson Forum?

I sold several there in 2019 and have purchased there as well.
 
Posts: 1397 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 20, 2018Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I would suggest https://smith-wessonforum.com. Maybe you’re already a member, considering your collection. There is a guru on there who goes by Doc44, assuming he’s still with us. If so, he might give you advice on worth and pricing.
He has or had, possibly the best collection of M29s outside of that company, and wrote a book about that model.
They have an active “classifieds section”, but read the rules carefully.

I checked. He’s still alive and kicking, practically every day.
 
Posts: 1262 | Location: Cary NC | Registered: July 18, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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When going through ‘whittling spells’ and thinned the herd, I have had good luck selling on GB. I wasn’t happy when they started collecting sales tax on private, out of state transactions, but I understand they did so (like nearly every other online vendor) in response to the Wayfair decision.

As a seller, you have a national audience and bigger pool of buyers versus specialized markets. While GB is not 100% immune from scammers, you can at least push away the new, no feedback accounts. Selling through a board like the S&W forum will eliminate any fees and maximize what lands in your pocket though.

There are pros and cons to any avenue available for selling firearms. Some people have had terrible experiences with Gunbroker supporting their sales. I suggest searching for such experiences to be aware of what could happen, especially as scammers seem to keep getting smarter.
 
Posts: 886 | Registered: February 10, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Victim of Life's
Circumstances
Picture of doublesharp
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I've been on GB for over 20 years w/100% feedback. They have gone to 2 form verification to log in and I'm locked out even though they have all my verification info. Several others too as there is a thread on S&W forum now with several longtime gb members locked out as well. I've opened a ticket w customer service but have heard nothing. S&W forum is a good place to sell. GB is going to take 20-25% when it's all said and done.

When I get ready to cash out my shooters are going to Beckorts Auction Service in Corydon Indiana and my prizes will go wherever I can get the most.

Many of my gun show buddies have gone to Guns International. Very user friendly and they want your business.


________________________
God spelled backwards is dog
 
Posts: 5095 | Location: Sunnyside of Louisville | Registered: July 04, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
If you see me running
try to keep up
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Make sure you know all the fees before selling. I stopped selling on there due to that.
 
Posts: 5164 | Location: Friendswood Texas | Registered: August 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Happily Retired
Picture of Bassamatic
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Following this as I am in the same boat.

I was a member of the old S&W Forum way back when Para owned it but my email has changed since then and I am struggling on how to change it and get access to my old account. Shoot.



.....never marry a woman who is mean to your waitress.
 
Posts: 5557 | Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO. | Registered: September 05, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Although not necessarily in their wheelhouse so to speak, I have used Tacswap quite a bit in the last couple years. I have a buddy who has bought and sold a lot of older and less "tactical" guns on Tacswap as well. It is a paid site ($10/year) but there are no listing fees.
 
Posts: 5500 | Location: Iowa | Registered: February 24, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by doublesharp:
GB is going to take 20-25% when it's all said and done.


Seriously? If I had any confidence in pricing, I'd just sell on a forum. Or, at a 20-25% hit, just consign it all.
 
Posts: 513 | Registered: October 19, 2024Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of 4MUL8R
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Although I have plenty of time, I recently had a bad experience selling to someone out of state. The FFL transfer through USPS for lowest shipping cost gave me another of our forum's USPS poor experiences. No tracking, even with a tracking number. Extraordinarily slow movement. Etc.

So, when you think of selling, remember the possible heart-stopping moments when your revolver is lost in transit, and all that does to your constitution. Consigning at a LGS or trading in may be easier.


-------
Trying to simplify my life...
 
Posts: 6208 | Location: Commonwealth of Virginia | Registered: January 15, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Beanhead
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You do notice that there are less and less avenue to sell firearms.

I remembered selling a pistol on eBay back in the 90's. Yes, they allowed it and it was through an FFL in their state.

But forums are turning off the classified. People try to discreetly sell on FB marketplace. $500 for a glock case is a clue. Even Armslist went subscription. I will say that there is a local auction house that liquidate firearm collection and they get crazy $ for some of the guns.

That said, I think I'd try a couple of things.

1. Check your gun buddies and ask them if they are interested in any of the guns you are selling. That is a win-win situation.

2. Try the remaining forum to list a gun for a few weeks. You might get lucky there.

3. Then I'd try either Gunbroker or Armslist. I'd list a local price to save you the hassle of shipping.

Good luck. I think the current gun market is a bit stale unless you have a unique item. It does sound like that though.
 
Posts: 1425 | Location: Georgia | Registered: May 27, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by doublesharp:
I've been on GB for over 20 years w/100% feedback. They have gone to 2 form verification to log in and I'm locked out even though they have all my verification info. Several others too as there is a thread on S&W forum now with several longtime gb members locked out as well. .


I'm another of those Gunbroker members that is locked out of his account. Been on GB for years. Apparently their system didn't like it when I tried to update my telephone number a few months ago and shut down my access. Now they want a "selfie" with my driver's license and some other nonsense before allowing me back in.

I believe the last item I bought on Gunbroker is the last item I'll buy on Gunbroker.




 
Posts: 5292 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Depending on where you live and the local laws, you could consider doing private sales at the local gun shows. I have sold over a hundred during the last three years. In Georgia, a table for the weekend runs $75-$100. Brush up on the private sales laws for your state/locality and invest in some securing cables or chains.
 
Posts: 518 | Location: suwanee, ga | Registered: January 01, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Seeker of Clarity
Picture of r0gue
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I'm in the same boat with a few nice Sigs. To be honest, I've been sitting on my hands hoping for the ideal option to return.

If the customer is adding in the sales tax in consideration of their maximum bid (lowering their effective bid), and then the GB fees are taken into account, -- if you've got a good local market, you may be just as well to let your local guys consign it.
 
Posts: 11820 | Registered: August 02, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Rick Lee
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I've been on GB for 20 yrs, but I'd like to find a better venue for selling. Buying there is fine, but selling in a pain in the ass and the fees are too high. I also don't like how they deal with the sales tax thing, charging the seller, but adding that amount to the buyer's total. I may try Guns Int'l. or Tacswap soon, just don't know much about them.


Freewill Firearms
07 FFL, Class 2 SOT
 
Posts: 4401 | Location: Cave Creek, AZ | Registered: October 24, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ermagherd,
10 Mirrimerter!
Picture of ElKabong
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15-20% on GB is incorrect
It’s 6% on first $400
4% after that
Very reasonable compared to EBay


I quit school in elementary because of recess.......too many games
--Riff Raff--
 
Posts: 2985 | Location: WV | Registered: September 02, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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This thread serves as a reminder of the tremendous value the Classified Section was to the SF membership. I wish nothing but a lifetime of bad luck and misery upon the scammer(s) who infiltrated our community.
 
Posts: 3733 | Location: Western PA | Registered: July 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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My biggest problem with GunBroker is I'm done waiting on certified checks, but I don't have a great option to take credit cards. I have had luck doing a consignment or a sale to a GunBroker dealer for an upfront check or a piece of the auction.
 
Posts: 5398 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: May 28, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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