But that is still better than the 50-60% a shop will give you if you sell it to them. I have used my very small town LGS for that - he has gotten me more on several trade-ins than I thought I would get. I came out ahead on several guns getting a lot more than I paid for them, all without the hassle.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.
Gun value private party vs trade in.
- Thread starter Waterboy3313
- Start date
Barnfixer
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2021
- Messages
- 588
I’ve been rotating my inventory the last couple years. I’ve sent some guns to a shop I deal with most often and they list them on gunbroker for 15% of the sale. Some may balk at that but it’s nice not dealing with the public. They take lot of pictures, write a detailed description, take care of shipping and then I go back and pick up a check. I’ve been very satisfied with the process.
I have my small town LGS (only open 12-5 on Sat and Sun); he got me more than I was expecting and I came out way ahead. IIRC, his fee was either 10 or 15%, and like you said, not having to deal some stranger was more than comforting
marvin02
Member
Care to mention the auction firm in case someone else is looking for this service?
Did the sales and payment complete to your satisfaction?
Dan Wesson
Contributing Member
One of my LGSs really does a great job on trade-ins. I recently traded an old 1100 16ga (nothing special, improved cylinder, plain barrel, no choke) and he allowed 1K toward a new gun. I was happy—he seemed happy.
This is tough for me to answer, and I'd be remiss if I said I was satisfied with the results after pickup... I'm not even considering issues that with me being generous *could* be subjective (listing photos of very poor quality noted by myself and never fully addressed when brought to their attention, and in fact riled up the owner whether theatrics or sincere), but problems that in no way could be seen as "picky"; i.e. one firearm listed with a completely wrong model designation pointed out but not changed, and no answer when asked how did this happen post sale, or any offer for remediation.
Other issues were with grading of condition, one especially egregious example was listing one firearm as "refinished", when as best I could say was not, the listing was changed and the bidders seemed to confirm even with poor photos - Average to good condition models sell for about $1100; mine went for $1700 and this is with the winner paying a 10% buyers premium AND shipping. I think if better presented it would have gone for considerably more as its condition was unreal for what it was, it's age and provenance.
Looking at what I realized I do think I could have done better elsewhere, and in retrospect I wish I had - Sure, you never know what an item will fetch, the bidders available, or market conditions; just the same some folks got some REALLY nice items for IMO a song, and I can not, and will not use this firm again or recommend this firm to anyone per my experience. My initial posting in this thread was made with the assumption that the experience would be favorable for the individual, where 15% of the sale is well worth it with regard to what I mention, most namely the firm picking up the lot at your home saving a ton of hassle, expense and worry, and the shipping of the items to the winners post winning bid.
These are the folks I use. Local to me but with an internet base that spans the country.
Home - Gun Runner Auctions
www.gunrunnerauctions.com
Kevin
Rock Island Auction is one that friend used (both buying and selling) for years.
James D. Julia Auctions is another that are professionals in this regard
