Internet Buying and Selling?

[rWt]

The various internet auction and straight selling sites (gunsamerica.com, for instance) have me a bit confused.

As a seller, why would you choose one approach and one site over an other one? It seems like I can find guns selling for less on one site than the opening bid for a similar gun on another site at times. it seems crazy.

If someone has this all figured out, please let me in on the secret. Thanks.

Speaking of secrets, is there a secret to buying low on these sites?

 

[Shear_stress]

it seems crazy.

It is.

is there a secret to buying low on these sites?

Vigilance.

 

[wishin]

Just keep in mind that making your high bid and letting the auction site automatically raise your bid works in favor of the seller. It runs the price up. I've bought many items at auction sites. Put something you're interesting in on the watch list, then wait until it's near the end before bidding your highest. On Gunbroker, that would be 15 minutes before the ending time. Sometimes, you get stupid people overpaying for an item. If so, just move on.

 

[nalioth]

Stay away from GunsAmerica.

They harbor phishers and other n'er-do-wells there. .

 

[EddieNFL]

I've made a few good buys on Gunbroker, but it seems to be overrun with dealers asking MSRP and sometimes more. I've emailed a couple and asked what is included to make it more valuable, but they don't answer. I think Nalioth got it right, phishing.

Why should I risk an internet deal if I can buy from a brick and mortar for the same price or less?

 

[oneounceload]

I have successfully used Auction arms in the past, but you might want to look at GunsInternational.com. It is NOT an auction site, just a selling site with name brand sellers, no phishers or ghost bidders

 

[tc54]

i've bought guns off auctionarms.com and have never had a bad deal. while i watch the other sites, i haven't bought off them to date. i have bid on a couple guns on gunbroker.com, but lost out to higher bids. it's somewhat of a crap shoot buying anything on the web though. one should tread carefully.

 

[MattTheHat]

I've used Gunbroker, GunsAmerica and AuctionArms. All worked just fine. Some folks are a bit optimistic about what their stuff is worth, but I see that at a lot of gun shows too.

-Matt

 

[Judicator]

I've mostly sold guns through Gunbroker, and it's an awesome site. Only one bad experience, just someone who didn't contact me, ever, after winning an auction. You usually get a fair price for what you're selling, and it's easy to set up and use.

 

[FROGO207]

I have used Gunbroker to both buy and sell, I like the site as well as any and am happy with my experience. I have had poor experiences with Auction arms however.

 

[coondogger]

I've used GunsAmerica and been quite satisfied. I don't think I'd go to an auction site, though. Auctions, by their very nature, encourage competitive bidding and that usually drives prices above market value.

 

[Morrell]

I've used Bud's Gun Shop several times and it is wonderful. Often I will find the lowest price there. No auction BS, no lies or half truths, just new guns at good prices.

 

[Jeff23]

On the auction sites, if you buy something you have to tack on the transfer charges & shipping charges (not inconsiderable, especially for handguns), which often wipes out any advantage in price over dealing with your local guy. Besides, it's fun to hang around the local gunshops or take a road trip to a slightly more distant one now and then. Of course, if there's a gun that you've simply got to have right now, or if you're a collector, that's different.

 

[ahpd1992]

I have bought about a 1/2 dozen guns on Gunbroker and have no complaints. I agree it is better to watch the item and bid near the end to avoid any bs w/ running up the price. I have overpaid and underpaid ie: gotten a great deal, and have paid esentially fair value

A few things to remember;

be patient, if you want something you will probably find it, but just keep an eye out I waited 6 months b4 I found the S&W 4506 I wanted at the price I wanted. stuff becomes available all of the time.

Look out for the hidden costs. Most of the dealers/sellers have a flat rate for shipping, which raises the cost of the item.

Next use gunbroker's FFL finder I found a place thats a brick and mortar hardware store. The owner is a gun nut that simply looks to add a lil revenue to his bottom line. No drama, no BS you go in pay $20 fill out the ATF form you get a copy of his FFL to send to your sellerand he calls you when its in, no problems, no upselling, or "inquiries" on what you paid.

You have to weigh all of this against what your local gunshop will charge you, + tax and see if its a deal.

The sales tax rates in Illinois are so high its pretty ez to find a better deal on an auction site.

Overall I am pretty satisfied w/ gunbroker. Gunsamerica seems to be nothing but pop up ads anymore.

Oh yea, +1 on Buds gunshop, their prices are pretty damn hard to beat

 

[stampsm]

I would prefer to use gunsamerica more but almost every single seller i look at wants way over the value of the guns. for example a seller from here in vegas when i was looking at local guns for sale.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/94661675...Model_60_Semi_Automatic_22LR_Rifle_w_Scop.htm
275+shipping for a used gun when they can be gotten for 154+ new and MSRP is only 190 ..........

 

[earlthegoat2]

Anymore all online sales does is make it so someone in the west can buy (insert super cool product here) from someone in the east because they cannot get it locally and it does not look like they ever will be able to.

Also Gunbroker and Auction arms I have found are great places to find more vintage guns. Im not intrested in anything new and stores cannot just order in an HK P9S or a CZ-75 pre B model or a pre lock Smith.

 

[ny32182]

I have used Gunbroker for various things. No issues.

It is just a really big gun show, which happens to be online instead of in a convention center. All the same rules apply.

As far as buying new in-production guns, I've found with few exceptions that my local dealer can usually order them and give me a better out the door price than I can get online+the associated fees, most of the time. Same as with any gun show, heh...

What I've bought on GB is magazines, accessories, optics, or out of production firearms that my dealer doesn't have. Expensive optics, I always buy online, as they are way cheaper there than at any local store, and shipping is usually minimal, and no transfer is needed of course.

 

[daskro]

Shear Stress's vigiliance comment is dead on.
I follow a few different gun classifieds, auctions, and webforums, mostly ones that have rss feeds, that way when someone puts up an item I am notified by smart phone.

I've picked up a Norinco type 56 for 500 bucks, an ARS fn fal for 750, an american enfield for 400. All about vigiliance.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I've used Bud's Gun Shop several times and it is wonderful. Often I will find the lowest price there. No auction BS, no lies or half truths, just new guns at good prices.

I hate to say it, as an FFL selling on Gunbroker, but if you are looking for a -new- gun, Buds is the FIRST place you should go. He is often selling item -delivered- for less than I can BUY them for wholesale.