Tips for listing on Gunbroker? I have questions.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Swing said:
Also, how do you usually list a rifle shipping/ffl costs? What's typical?
Click to expand...

You can do it several ways. Taking FFL cost + an approximate cost works. Listing it as "actual shipping cost" is nice, but so many try to weasel out of said, so a fixed figure is better.
Click to expand...

Shipping costs vary according to distance. Insurance costs vary depending on the amount covered. If you post a fixed price odds are either you or the buyer are going to be cheated. If you post the shipping weight, the buyer has no cause for complaint; he can check the shipping cost online just as well as you can.
 
Shipping costs vary according to distance. Insurance costs vary depending on the amount covered. If you post a fixed price odds are either you or the buyer are going to be cheated. If you post the shipping weight, the buyer has no cause for complaint; he can check the shipping cost online just as well as you can.
Click to expand...

Cheated would suggest both parties didn't agree to the amount. On a fixed amount they most certainly did.

I don't disagree with you that it would be much better for all concerned if the buyer only paid actual shipping. My experience, after being on those kind of auction sites for going on a couple decades, is that it is one gigantic headache to do it that way. And for the matter, go to GB and check out how many auctions have a flat fee listed vs those that don't. I can't even remember any auction I've won that didn't have a flat shipping fee.
 
Swing said:
Cheated would suggest both parties didn't agree to the amount. On a fixed amount they most certainly did.

I don't disagree with you that it would be much better for all concerned if the buyer only paid actual shipping. My experience, after being on those kind of auction sites for going on a couple decades, is that it is one gigantic headache to do it that way. And for the matter, go to GB and check out how many auctions have a flat fee listed vs those that don't. I can't even remember any auction I've won that didn't have a flat shipping fee.
Click to expand...

Same.

People like to know exactly what their cost will be prior to committing.
 
I interpreted "carrier" to be either the common carrier or USPS, whichever is being used.

It could apply to only the common carrier for handguns.
 
cuervo said:
I interpreted "carrier" to be either the common carrier or USPS, whichever is being used.

It could apply to only the common carrier for handguns.
Click to expand...
As I understand the terminology, "common or contract carrier" means NOT the Postal Service. That's why the ATF says "A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun." They're telling you that you can't ship handguns by the USPS.
 
USPS Money Order. Only. Cash the MO at the PO. A lot of people use Paypal but if Paypal gets wind of it they will lock your account.

Price your shipping accordingly. Most FFLs charge around $30 so you can't really charge higher otherwise buyers will not be interested.

If you are shipping a long gun, you should be able to ship in the CONUS for $30 or less via USPS. Buy postal insurance.

If you are shipping a handgun or will not be using USPS, you WILL lose money on shipping so make sure you price your gun accordingly.

5 day auctions with automatic renewal. 4 really good pictures of both sides. No feet or dogs or dirty dishes in the pictures. Keep it professional.
 
Not trying to be a pain, but I've read those regs over and over, and nowhere does it say you're required to notify them that the package contains a long guns. You'd assume so since it says they "may require you" to open the package, but it never actually says so. I would call this an oversight on their part. And believe me, they don't want you to open the package!
Click to expand...
Exactly.

I'll add that it would be reasonable to assume they do not want to know what is in the package as it is supposed to have no markings whatsoever that may indicate it is indeed a firearm.

I insured the package for $800 and she asked me what was in it. I said 'None of your business. It is not hazardous material, it is not perishable, it is not flammable. It is, however, valuable.' She said it was required I notify them when shipping a firearm. I said I would certainly do so if she could show me the printed regulation that requires me to do so. She couldn't, so I didn't.
 
sig228 said:
USPS Money Order. Only. Cash the MO at the PO. A lot of people use Paypal but if Paypal gets wind of it they will lock your account.

Price your shipping accordingly. Most FFLs charge around $30 so you can't really charge higher otherwise buyers will not be interested.

If you are shipping a long gun, you should be able to ship in the CONUS for $30 or less via USPS. Buy postal insurance.

If you are shipping a handgun or will not be using USPS, you WILL lose money on shipping so make sure you price your gun accordingly.

5 day auctions with automatic renewal. 4 really good pictures of both sides. No feet or dogs or dirty dishes in the pictures. Keep it professional.
Click to expand...
Solid advice.

So you're saying I should be prepared to charge $30 for shipping with USPS and $30 for the FFL fee for a total of $60? Do you mean the FFL fee where the rifle is going?
 
FireInCairo said:
So you're saying I should be prepared to charge $30 for shipping with USPS and $30 for the FFL fee for a total of $60? Do you mean the FFL fee where the rifle is going?
Click to expand...
No, I think he's saying that most FFLs charge around $30 to ship so you shouldn't charge more. Any FFL fee on the receiving end is to be paid by the buyer.
 
Swing said:
Cheated would suggest both parties didn't agree to the amount. On a fixed amount they most certainly did.

I don't disagree with you that it would be much better for all concerned if the buyer only paid actual shipping. My experience, after being on those kind of auction sites for going on a couple decades, is that it is one gigantic headache to do it that way. And for the matter, go to GB and check out how many auctions have a flat fee listed vs those that don't. I can't even remember any auction I've won that didn't have a flat shipping fee.
Click to expand...

Perhaps "cheated" was a poor choice of words. "Overcharged" might have been a better choice. I don't want to make any money on shipping, but I don't want to lose any either. So if I listed a flat fee, I'd have to charge enough to cover the cost of the most expensive possible shipment. This means that almost everyone else would be charged too much.

Maybe simplicity is worth it to some.
 
natman said:
Perhaps "cheated" was a poor choice of words. "Overcharged" might have been a better choice. I don't want to make any money on shipping, but I don't want to lose any either. So if I listed a flat fee, I'd have to charge enough to cover the cost of the most expensive possible shipment. This means that almost everyone else would be charged too much.

Maybe simplicity is worth it to some.
Click to expand...

The awesome part about an auction and a KNOWN, fixed shipping cost is that he person bidding then knows exactly what they will need to pay. They know the buyer won't insist that shipping costs $15 more than the buyer knows it should, and even if the buyer thinks the fixed up front shipping cost is too high, they can simply take that into account when they make their bid.

In the end money is fungible and it's one final amount the buyer gives the shipper after all
 
Warp said:
The awesome part about an auction and a KNOWN, fixed shipping cost is that he person bidding then knows exactly what they will need to pay. They know the buyer won't insist that shipping costs $15 more than the buyer knows it should, and even if the buyer thinks the fixed up front shipping cost is too high, they can simply take that into account when they make their bid.

In the end money is fungible and it's one final amount the buyer gives the shipper after all
Click to expand...
I like to do flat charges for shipping when I sell anything online. That's why I made this thread to find out what a reasonable charge for a rifle would be.

thanks, everyone!
 
My shipping person tells me that UPS will only ship a hand gun by, next day air, which is very expensive if its any distance at all. I usually say buyer pays shipping cost. That way they know where its coming from and can get an est of the cost.
 
Last edited:
IMTHDUKE said:
My shipping person tells me that UPS will only ship a hand gun by, next day air, which is very expensive if its any distance at all. I usually say buyer pays shipping cost. That way they know where its coming from and can get an est of the cost.
Click to expand...

An FFL can mail a handgun. Check your local FFLs, it may be cheaper to pay an FFL fee and Priority Mail than to use UPS Air.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

WestKentucky
  • Locked
Gunbroker problem, advice please.
Replies
22
Views
4K
medalguy
M
HB
  • Locked
Selling on Gunbroker
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
Elkins45
Elkins45
gregp74
It's been a while since I used Gunbroker. Can non FFLs not sell anymore?
Replies
7
Views
400
Poper
Poper
F
  • Locked
Gunbroker and Auctionarms are not as good as ebay
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
PT-Partners
P
A
  • Locked
Gunsamerica/Gunbroker etiquette?
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
atblis
A
Back
Top