Best way to sell guns

[del4]

What is the best way to sell guns?

I don't want to use the internet and start shipping guns across the country, I want to do ftf deals. I don't want to list my entire gun collection in the newspaper either.

I've sold some at the gunshow before, but there are too many to do that this time.

How many can I sell without being a dealer.

 

[22-rimfire]

Interesting question and one that many here will eventually face.

As far as I know, you can sell as many firearms as you like that are from your personal collection without a FFL.

The easiest approach is to have them sold on consignment at a local gunshop that you do business with. Word will get out that there are more than what is on the shelf for sale and folks will not necessarily know it is you selling the guns.

Other approach is to contact one of the big dealers who sell good stuff nationally and let them buy your collection. Maybe not the best approach if you have time....

Face to Face sales are pretty much limited to folks from your own state. It gets tough moving a lot of firearms quickly.

I would probably do the gunshow route with one table. Make some contacts and go from there.

I also would not really want to sell via AuctionArms or GunBroker. I don't like to buy them that way and I don't want to sell them that way. But that is an option as you know especially with the help of a FFL dealer in your area.

 

[novaDAK]

Just post an ad in a few different gun forums, and be sure to put "FTF only--will not ship" in your ad. Worked for me and I got several interested buyers from across the state.

 

[peyton]

You should list them here on THR, we are a pretty good bunch of folk. Even if you want to do FTF you got to get the word out to people. On THR and other forums people are shopping all the time. I am in Baghdad and scanning the list at 3AM your time. (While I wait for someone to call saying they broke their computer!!)

 

[deadin]

A lot has to do with how fast you want to move them.
The problem with consignment and/or selling to a dealer is you are going to take a bath on what you get. Dealers need to make profits to stay in business and will only pay 50 to 60% of value. Consignment has commission (usually 15 to 20%). If the consignee tacks their commission onto what the gun is worth, it won't sell.
Individual sales are the best way to maximize your take, but a lot depends on local prices if you want FTF. Another thing, even with local FTF, if a buyer offers to buy a batch from you, he will want a quantity "discount".
National auctions have a commission to pay (10 to 20%) plus you need to ship them the guns. If some of them don't sell, you need to pay to ship them back. And if you don't use a reserve, be prepared to take some losses.
Selling through internet, (auctions or via gun boards) has its own inherent problems. You don't know who you are dealing with, shipping is a hassle. If the gun gets to the buyer and he finds some thing he doesn't like, (it's easy to find a reason to squelch the deal regardless of how many pictures you take or how good your description is) you will have the hassle of getting the gun back and the buyer will usual expect the seller to pay the costs.
(Handguns are especially expensive to ship.)

I’m currently facing the same problem as you. I am in the process of disposing a collection of a friend that consists of 44 guns. They’re mostly antiques, so the shipping isn’t too bad, but I am going to go with local sales to start with. He is in no hurry, so I have all the time I need to hit the gun shows and do some local “word of mouth” advertising. After that, I haven’t decided which way to go. They may show up on-line in a couple of months.

 

[.cheese.]

?? out of curiosity, why/how so many guns for sale?

 

[del4]

?? out of curiosity, why/how so many guns for sale?

About twenty or so.

I'm not sure I'm ready to sell. I have already thined my herd down to the guns I really like. Maybe just premature panic.

 

[mnrivrat]

If you don't want to ship them, and don't want to do FTF sales, then working with a local dealer is about all that is left. Depending on wether you can work out a fair price - yes the dsealer does have to make money on them so you will not get retail, but not all dealers gouge you either. Doesn't hurt to talk to your local shop.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've been consigning quite a few guns lately. (Don't ask. ) The shop I use charges 10% plus $25. They advertise it on Gunbroker as well as put it out on their shelf and/or take it to the gun shows. Even after the consignment fee I've at least broken even on most of them, and even made a nice profit on a couple.

The worst thing you can do is sell them to a gun dealer. They will only give you the wholesale price - which is usually half or even a third of its worth - and then turn around and sell it for retail (or more). That is simply the nature of the game. You want the retail price.

 

[.cheese.]

del4 - that's what I was afraid of.

Don't liquidate your collection! Trust me, you'll regret it. I regret some of the few guns I've sold off. If you still want to sell, perhaps try finding an FFL who will sell the lot taking a percentage of the net.