Looking for Gunbroker alternatives...

[gunnut08]

Hey there everybody! I want to start out by saying that 9 times out of 10, I am able to find at least one gun on Gunbroker that I'm browsing for. But sometimes I wonder if there are any other sites out there that are comparable to Gunbroker as far as similarities and above all, selection. I'll be quite frank with you, I'm trying to get an average price range for a Smith and Wesson Model 29-2 with a 6.5" barrel(hint hint does this pistol sound familiar to you?) If you guessed correctly, you know "whos" gun I'm looking for and to find one in good condition with the factory paperwork, wooden case and factory cleaning kit is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There is only "one" currently listed on Gunbroker and it has minor imperfections. I would not be above buying it, but I'd rather leave the $2000 sale price in my savings until I have set aside that kind of money specifically for this purchase.
In a nutshell, what I'm asking is if this particular one on Gunbroker the only one that can be found easily, or are there other sites out there whose selection is comparable to that of Gunbroker? Anybody who knows of a descent place to look at, I'm all ears! Thank you for all positive responses!!!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

There are GunsAmerica, Armslist, Gun Auction, several other boards-Smithwessonforum, Gunboards, The Firing Line, have For Sale sections. There is a Buy and Sell section here on The High Road.

 

[wiscoaster]

An auction site is really the only way to get an idea of the current "market" value for the gun. You have to have the push and pull of supply and demand between sellers and buyers to discover the proper "price". You can only do that on an auction site and only when there are multiple instances of the same item being auctioned. Conclusion: just bide your time and keep your eye on the auction sites and don't take any action until you've got an idea of what's the proper price you're willing to pay. There will be more opportunities and probably at better prices, too. So just have patience.

 

[Handshaker]

The only real relevant one is Gunbroker and Armlist. The rest have kind of fell by the wayside in my opinion. You may not find a gun you are looking for on the other sites, but there are always a dozen on GB. Armslist is good too for local pickup, but I wouldn't buy anything not from an FFL dealer on Armslist, too many scammers out there.

 

[thegatman]

Guns International. Have had great luck with them.

 

[tarosean]

Looking at completed auctions on GB. It only showed 4. (1 overpriced, 1 obvious scam, 2 real ones.) Not sure how far back the search function looks though.

The real auction houses like James and Julia or Rock Island, might be an option.

Posting a WTB thread on many gunboards will result in a lot of scammers so due diligence is needed.

 

[wiscoaster]

Looking at completed auctions on GB. It only showed 4. (1 overpriced, 1 obvious scam, 2 real ones.) Not sure how far back the search function looks though..

And, if memory serves*, I think you have to have an account and be signed in to search completed auctions. Don't know if that applies to the OP.

* Why do I keep saying this and every time I do I think of this guy:
View attachment 1051202

 

[.455_Hunter]

I believe the GunBroker "look back" period is 180 days. I have frequently used completed auctions to price a firearm I was looking to consign at the LGS, especially if that firearm was also going to be listed on the site. I usually put it just under the upper range of the completed transactions and see what happens (if the selling range has been $400 - 500, I will price at $475).

 

[Thomasss]

You might watch your local gun shows. I found a 29-3 last week. Ya, my brother Clint wants a nostalgic gun too.
However, I found it had some poor quality bluing retouch on the sight plane and pitting on the muzzle face. The cylinder was plastic strip sealed for show purposes, so I didn't bother to dicker with the seller.
The price was $1500. This is the third 29-3, I 've found in 6 months at gun shows. If they were in better condition, I might bite.

 

[Waveski]

Armslist has become a waste of time , for reasons discussed many times on many threads here at THR.

 

[wvfarrier]

Ive had nothing but trouble with gunbroker. Sure, lots of guns listed but quite a lot are scams. Try listing something and see how many "fees" you can smacked with. Non-Paying bidder.....dont worry theyll still charge you the "final value fee".

 

[wiscoaster]

Ive had nothing but trouble with gunbroker. Sure, lots of guns listed but quite a lot are scams. Try listing something and see how many "fees" you can smacked with. .

Yes, well that's not the same thing as a "scam". The fees are disclosed. They're not a scam. They're "terms of service." You know about the terms before using the service. If you don't agree with the fees then use some other method to sell your firearm.mn Your complaint has no basis in fact.

 

[wvfarrier]

Yes, well that's not the same thing as a "scam". The fees are disclosed. They're not a scam. They're "terms of service." You know about the terms before using the service. If you don't agree with the fees then use some other method to sell your firearm.mn Your complaint has no basis in fact.

I disagree. The Final Value Fee is based on a completed transaction. As stated in their rules. They have a tendency to charge it even if you file a "non paying bidder" claim. I know because I had to fight it through my bank because GB refused to refund it. Im not saying they do it to everyone but they did it to me.

 

[wiscoaster]

I disagree. The Final Value Fee is based on a completed transaction. As stated in their rules. They have a tendency to charge it even if you file a "non paying bidder" claim. I know because I had to fight it through my bank because GB refused to refund it. Im not saying they do it to everyone but they did it to me.

That's still not the definition of a scam. A scam is a deceipt and a fraud. Check the dictionary. As you said, "as stated in their rules". Therefore not a scam. They're not deceiving you. It's just a rule you don't agree with. If you don't agree with the rules then you walk and do your business with someone else. You don't label it as a scam.

 

[mope540]

It wouldn't hurt to try listing your 29 on the popular Smith & Wesson forum. No cost to list it, but I will say that fairly priced and more common S&Ws won't sell because the potential buyers (usually dealers) looking through the ads on that site are looking for really scarce models or dirt cheap firearms to resell for a profit.

 

[redneck2]

It wouldn't hurt to try listing your 29 on the popular Smith & Wesson forum

He wants to buy, not sell

 

[Captcurt]

Guns International has some quality guns, but they tend to be pretty pricey. I have found some bargains on Gun Auction occasionally. Even bought a few and sold them for profit on Gun Broker. Most of the Blue Book and Firearms' list prices are below what the quality guns go for online.

 

[mope540]

He wants to buy, not sell

ooops...sorry, OP. That's what i get for posting before thoroughly reading your post.
Want ads are free as well.

 

[Hokkmike]

Many states have state "centric' firearms forums. In Pennsylvania there is one, I don't remember if I am allowed to mention it here so I won't, but buying and selling is enhanced because most people in the group don't live too far from me. FTF is very common - no shipping, no middle men except for handguns....

 

[Archibald Stanton]

gunbroker is ok. Just like most gun shops, they are a little overpriced but you are more likely to find what you’re looking for. Some states have decent auction or trading sites for guys who do not necessarily want to ship something.

 

[tws3b2]

Armslist is the one place I've come close to being scammed.
I've always been scammed at the gun store.
Gun broker is the one place I've never found a good deal.
The pawn shop is one place I never expect to find a good deal.
Every price I've ever paid for a gun was the price I was willing to pay for a gun.
What a gun is worth Or what it's not worth has nothing to do with it.
The only question is, Whats it gonna take to get this gun home with me.
I'm a true gun enthusiast.
YES , I can be had.

 

[Captcurt]

Armslist is the one place I've come close to being scammed.

I have had several guns that I had listed on Gun Broker show up on Armslist at half price. All were nice, high dollar items, and to add insult to injury, the scammer used my pictures and descriptions. Beware!

 

[redneck2]

Question about Armslist. I looked at our local one. I don’t have an account. You had to log in to see prices. Didn’t see anywhere to establish an account

There must be something really simple I’m missing

 

[wiscoaster]

I'm guessing they don't offer free accounts anymore. I tried logging in to mine, which I haven't done for nearly forever, and couldn't get logged in.

 

[Jimbo80]

In Florida we luckily have the Florida Gun Trader with is a state wide classified site that divides the state into regions. It can be a gold mine for finding bargains. Armslist used to be good but so many private sellers have bailed over fees that it's not a great option anymore.