Selling used guns

[jus4fun]

I was planning on going around to all the local gun shops and just seeing what my used guns would bring. I plan on buying a couple new pistols, etc.

So far, it seems the shops will give more value in trade than outright purchase.

Is that the most efficient way to find out what they are worth? Obviously the internet can tell me what they are selling for on gunbrokers.com, but that is a lot more complicated. I have never sold a gun before.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I suppose you could get appraisals from a gun shop, but don't sell them to the gun shop if you want the maximum yield. They will only buy it from you at the wholesale price (typically about half its worth), then turn around and sell it for retail price. You, of course, will want the retail price. Having them consigned - wherein the dealer advertises and sells them, takes a cut and gives you a check for the balance - is worthy of consideration if the fee is not excessive. If legal, you can advertise them in your local newspaper, but I would rather not have strangers know where I live and come back to steal the rest of the guns later. My favorite way to sell guns has been on GunBroker. They do charge a fee - which is how they make their money - but it is only 3% or something.

 

[searcher451]

+1 on TLH's comments. Whatever you do, do not sell your guns to a local shop keeper unless you have money to burn or you like the local operator and want to see him make a tidy profit from your loss. Selling your guns at the local shop will only mean that you will be leaving money on the table -- and in some cases, at least, you will be leaving a great deal of money on the table. You'll do far better at the auction houses or on the classifieds section of this forum, IMO.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Having them consigned - wherein the dealer advertises and sells them, takes a cut and gives you a check for the balance - is worthy of consideration if the fee is not excessive.

Remember,if they do not sell,you WILL have to fill out a form 4473 and get approved in the background check(on EACH firearm) to get them back.

 

[oneounceload]

Remember,if they do not sell,you WILL have to fill out a form 4473 and get approved in the background check(on EACH firearm) to get them back.

That's true from a pawn shop, but it was my understanding that technically, the gun was still yours, the gun store was merely acting like an advertisement............

 

[Archie]

One always gets top dollar for a used gun - or dang near anything for that matter - if one:

1. Finds someone who wants what is being sold, and

2. Doesn't look too panicked to sell it.

Local swap meets and the on-line auctions are good places.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

You may be right about that,oneounceload.

 

[JHK94]

I have had good luck selling and buying guns using backpage.com (the "sports equipment") section. It operates like craigslist, but allows gun sales.

If legal, you can advertise them in your local newspaper, but I would rather not have strangers know where I live and come back to steal the rest of the guns later

I have gotten around this by only selling in a semi-public place, not at my home. It has worked out great; I was able to get good prices on used guns (no tax, no markup), and also sell what I wanted at a reasonable price. Of course, YMMV

 

[Badlander]

I have bought 2 from gunboard advertising. both deals went fine for me. I have heard of A few that haven't. Before I buy I check the sellers post count and read some of his posts. At least in my mind it gives me an idea if he is A real gun guy who honestly wants to sell, or someone who just came on board to sell (or rip off)
In Fla. we have www.florida guntrader.com Free advertising for guns. mabye your state has one?

 

[Badlander]

Just noticed your post count. I wouldn't buy from someone with 2 posts unless it was FTF.

 

[TCOV]

A consignment gun goes into a dealers book the day you leave it with him and you will have to do the background check if you change your mind and want it back. Don't write all dealers off for sales. I know one local dealer who will pay 2/3 or a little more of retail if he already has a buyer or knows he can turn it fast. The old make $300 into $400 in a day or two is not a bad deal. He sells other collectibles in his shop and likes to turn things over rather than have it sit there for months.
There is another local dealer who does consignment sales for a flat $50 charge. That's not unreasonable if you don't want to sell it yourself. Watch for the ones that want a percentage of sale price and have you state a minimum sell price. Make sure they prove the selling price or else you will only get your minimum asking price. One local dealer did this to me twice before I caught on. If you don't want to sell it yourself shop around the dealers for the best deal. They are not all the same.

 

[jus4fun]

Thanks for all the great information guys and what I suspected. I guess I had some doubts as to the problems of selling guns online, that is, the feds not liking it. I have owned guns all my life and only recently have felt the need to both sell and upgrade.

As to Badlanders comment, of course, he is right, I am just a newbie on your forum. It's funny because I am on about 6 other forums, from computers to motorcycles and I just found yours. Give me some time... I have lots of questions and will no doubt make more posts. As to my risk factor related to my post volume, I can see what you are saying and I agree with you. It makes sense.

 

[medalguy]

I have bought several guns from guys posting (for free) on any of a number of gun forums. If the buyer is out of state you will both need to go thru a ffl if a handgun but even so you will come out a lot better than selling to your local dealer.

 

[GunsAreGood]

I have sold a gun at my local gun shop on consignment. Yes they can demand a high percentage of your sale but it is worth checking out to see what they would like. It is usually 10%-20%. When I sold a shotgun through my local gunstore it was only because I wanted it gone. I shot horrible with it and it was just a piece of junk in my eyes. I could of sold it to a friend for a bit more but I would not want to sell something that was junk to a close friend and have to hear about it when he found out for himself. The way they decide what to sell it for on consignment is look in the (KBB) of guns. I do not believe it is called the Kelly Blue Book of guns but I could be wrong. Anyways they just look in the book check the gun up and down and give it a % rating. You will get more coin if you have the original box, manual, ext.

 

[natman]

That's true from a pawn shop, but it was my understanding that technically, the gun was still yours, the gun store was merely acting like an advertisement............

Nope. Consignment guns have to have a 4473 and the state waiting period (if any) when they go back to their owners. Federal law.

http://www.atf.gov/publications/newsletters/ffl/ffl-newsletter-1999-02.pdf

"Consignment Firearms
Consignment firearms have always required the completion of an ATF Form 4473 upon return of the firearm to the person who placed it in consignment. These firearms are placed in the Licensee’s business inventory for sale and at that time they are entered in the licensee’s business acquisition and disposition record book. If the licensee does not sell the firearm, it may be returned to the unlicensed individual. At that time an appropriate entry is made in the licensee’s acquisition and disposition record book as a disposition from the business inventory and the ATF Form 4473 is completed. Therefore, if a consignment firearm is not sold and returned to the person who placed it into consignment, a NICS check is required."

 

[logical]

Just tell us what you have...unless they are rare or something it isn't that hard to determine what it is worth.

Even if you aren't comfortable using gunbroker to sell them, you can at least create an account and search completed auctions to see what they sell for. But then again, that tells you what you could get on gunbroker...but you won't use gunbroker...and you'll at least know what you could get. Just don't expect anywhere near that at a gun store or pawn shop. Gunbroker is a retail sale, selling to a store is a wholesale transaction in the store's mind.

 

[wishin]

Get a sense of it's worth through GunBroker, GunsAmerica, etc., then find the gun you want at the dealer's best price, Then ask them what they'll give you on trade. That's the best way to find out whether they'll give you a fair price. Since the dealer will need to make a profit on your old gun, don't expect to get as much as you would in a private sale. Consignment does require a 4473 if the gun does not sell.

 

[gym]

I sold a Browning on Guns america twenty minutes after it hit the net. I had to de-list it quick because I got 6 calls in an hour. That's my only experience using a website that deals in just selling guns and gun related stuff. The gun sat on several forums for weeks with no action prior to listing it. It sold for asking price and I had 3 guys fighting over who called first. So it depends on the type of weapon, and if it's a collector piece of just a commercial pistol, like a Glock. Chances a Glock will sell anyware if you price it right. I look at a lot of websites as I am sure other members do also. If someone is trying to sell a used Glock, "example" for $600.00, and you can buy a new one for $5-550, then you know one of two things. Either they have no experience selling firearms, or they don't care who they are selling to. Criminals will pay a premium for a private sale with no questions asked. Once you ask for a ccw or a bill of sale they will dissapear. List it here and at least you will have peace of mind that our members are law abiding gun owners. Then if you decide you can't get your asking price, reevaluate your sale, either you are asking too much, or you may be in the wrong market for a specific weapon.

 

[Nick5182]

In my experience, if you sell your guns privately, you can generally get how much you want out of them, if your asking price is reasonable. It'd be better to know how much you want and put an ad in the paper.

 

[oneounceload]

Thanks for the clarification natman