Gun value private party vs trade in.

Waterboy3313

Waterboy3313

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Redding CA
Hopefully this is in the right place for this. As I have aged (not that I am old) my choices in firearms has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. I am not a competition shooter but I strive for accuracy over how fast I can dump a full magazine like a teenager. I have been focused more on bolt action than semi auto lately as well as tuned into more what suits my needs vs over kill. As I have matured and I have found my collection is getting full of lower quality firearms that I have replaced with much better equipment. Example I have a ruger american 22lr rifle and I also have a Bergara b14 22lr. I also have several other 22lr rifles that I just don't use and because I feel I have upgraded to much better options. This is just one example I have several other rifles and pistols I just don't have the desire to take out of the safe anymore.

I don't want to deal with private party type sales because I don't really want to advertise to the world of what I have. I also dislike dealing with hagglers and tire kickers. I wouldn't mind maybe using what I own using towards credit on a trade in type situation. My thoughts are how do you put a value on your old stuff? I am sitting on stuff that isn't special but I would like to get a fair value to put towards more rifles or pistols that i would see myself using.

I don't sell guns I have everything I have bought since I was 18 years old. What do you do in a situation like this? I am out of storage space for the dust collectors that don't have sentimental value. How do you put a value on what you are trying to sell or trade in? Your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated.
 
The rule of thumb is you will get more money in private party sales than trade in, by far. However, one option you might consider is consignment, where the gun shop puts it up for sale for you. The shop will suggest pricing, and they will take a small cut off the top, of course, but you have no part of the sale, just picking up the check.
As for just plain values, Gunbroker is one people use to get an idea of what that make/model/style of firearm is currently selling for at this time.
 
Join a private gun range and post a notice in their newsletter or on their club house peg board. Some negotiation might be required but at least you're dealing with club members. I've bought and sold at my club. Short of that I think a dealer and consignment is your best bet. Around here a dealer will want 15-25% to sell it. It won't be cheap. ;)
 
A gun shop with fair trade-in policies is hard to find… and I understand their dilemma. They might have a trade-in on inventory for weeks or months till it moves, and there’s a cost to that. A good shop with an internet presence will sometimes do a great offer on a used gun in trade.

They have to balance their cost on the new gun against their offer for the used gun, and hope they can move it quickly and make a minimum amount making their trouble worth the time involved.

Shops typically want to make at least $100 on the sale of a used gun. The higher the asking price, the more they want to make.

I’m fortunate to have a great LGS in my town that makes reasonable offers for trades… Offers that make us both happy.
 
I think the private gun club is a great idea. I have been putting off joining one of the local clubs for years. That might give me the motivation to actually get out there and sign up. I have tried putting what I have out to a few friends and family but nothing seems to materialize.
 
Purchase a bigger or multiple safes, worked for me.

Like stated above your best return will be selling the firearms yourself.
 
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Muddydogs said:
Purchase a bigger or multiple safes, worked for me.

Like stated above your best return will be selling the firearms yourself.
Click to expand...
I just put more books under the bed's legs to make room. ;)

The private sale is usually best, but many States now require an FFL to handle 4473 paperwork and background checks. I think a consignment is the best way now. It's also a lot safer.
 
I checked with Cabelas about selling a rifle a few years ago. Their policy, at least at this one store, was to offer 65% of what they think they can sell it for. I'd already done my research and knew the rifle was worth about $700. They arrived at exactly the same number and offered me $455.

I chose not to take their offer and eventually did sell it myself for $600. But I did appreciate their honesty. Had they tried to tell me it was worth $500 and offer me $455 I'd have no respect for them.

At this point I'm not comfortable with selling a handgun, combat shotgun, AR or similar rifle in a private sell. I will still sell a hunting rifle or shotgun, but the others I sell to a local gunshop. I've gotten to know the owner and have gradually been downsizing for a few years.

I figure he is giving me about 70-75% of what he can sell them for. I could do better in a private sell, probably getting 10-20% more, but it takes time and effort to sell them. And I don't have to worry about unintentionally selling one to someone who can't legally own one and having it come back on me if they do something illegal with it.
 
jmr40 said:
I checked with Cabelas about selling a rifle a few years ago. Their policy, at least at this one store, was to offer 65% of what they think they can sell it for. I'd already done my research and knew the rifle was worth about $700. They arrived at exactly the same number and offered me $455.

I chose not to take their offer and eventually did sell it myself for $600. But I did appreciate their honesty. Had they tried to tell me it was worth $500 and offer me $455 I'd have no respect for them.

At this point I'm not comfortable with selling a handgun, combat shotgun, AR or similar rifle in a private sell. I will still sell a hunting rifle or shotgun, but the others I sell to a local gunshop. I've gotten to know the owner and have gradually been downsizing for a few years.

I figure he is giving me about 70-75% of what he can sell them for. I could do better in a private sell, probably getting 10-20% more, but it takes time and effort to sell them. And I don't have to worry about unintentionally selling one to someone who can't legally own one and having it come back on me if they do something illegal with it.
Click to expand...
Down to earth post and well thought out!
 
I do consignment at my LGS and come away satisfied every time. He knows what things sell for these days and moves a lot of firearms. He suggest a price and we go from there. I usually go a little higher and can always adjust. In the end I get what I want. The big deal is what percentage do they get. Mine does 15%. I don't have to do a thing to get my cash after it's all said and done. No dealing with tire kickers and possible felons. I can collect a check or put it on my account to purchase another firearm. Just makes life so easy.
 
One of the things I have found is that, every firearm purchased has "a story."
It's likely worthy, for my 2¢, to write that story down in the Comments section of your spreadsheet (and, writing such things down, fresh, typically means 'more accurate').
This can be worthwhile reading as you update things like Replacement value and the like in the spreadsheet.
It's for sure worth reading before a person gets to flogging an item off.
 
Some of things I have purchased in the last few years have been nothing special and just don't fill a desire to keep. No sentimental value and honesty just don't have role to play in what I want to keep. I don't look at what I want to purge as worthy of buying more safes. I have found that in my collection is I have guns that aren't worth my time anymore and I have no desire to shoot.I have upgraded. I would love to pass these on obviously getting something back but looking at it as an opportunity to get someone new that is just starting out an affordable option to.get started. If that makes any sense?
 
Something 22 caliber like the Ruger or Bergara is worth about half what one sells for new. Cabela's made you a fair offer. You need to think about it and then maybe take it.
 
I've had better luck with private party than trade-in. Kind of like selling your car.

I've also done auctions and did ok with that.
 
I’ve bought and sold quite a few firearms over the past 45 years, especially lately helping a widowed neighbor sell her husband’s guns.
I’ve had good luck selling to members of a local on-line gun forum that I’ve been a member of for several years.
Even though I haven’t met most of the members I’ve gotten a good feel for what kind of people they are just from their posts over the years. Never had a problem.
 
I am comfortable taking my firearms to an on-line auction house. Every month they list 500 firearms. The individual lots run for 10 days, high bid wins. The auction house keeps 15% and mails me a check for the rest. Very simple and easy.

Kevin
 
I've had good results trading two for one as in downsizing. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush
 
I recently liquidated a bunch of my C&R firearms, accessories and a Dillon 550B using an online auction house. Having sold firearms professionally and my own, shipping firearms has always been to me the worst aspect, esp since I hold an FFL. I pack firearms as if they are Ming vases using pool noodles, super dense foam and tons of packing material to include the muzzle and butt, sights wrapped, bolt heads wrapped packed in a HD box with zero movement.

This takes a lot of time and also incurs a lot of worry - Damage in transit, "gun never got to me / my FFL", "I changed my mind", etc, etc. With the auction firm having the shipping responsibility all of this is made moot, not to mention any hassle of the item not being described properly, the hassle of tire-kickers, "I'll give ya $5 fer it" BS, or anything else becomes THEIR problem. Instead of waiting on 20 checks, or 3 people backing out after they say "I'll take it", or anxiously watching 15-20 tracking numbers I instead have a check mailed to me and call it a day.

Having the auction firm come to my home and pick up the goods and me being done with it right then was well worth the 15% charge - Guns sell and I get a check w/o any hassle, wasted time or games from buyers. Never thought I would "Do it" this way, but you live and learn.
 
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