dogtown tom
Member
While used guns have the greatest profit margins, the majority of retail buyers want a new gun.I think used stuff is key! I can look at new stuff online all the time.
I disagree strongly. A gun store isn't for displaying old guns like a museum until by chance, a guy walks in thats looking for a Remington Model 51 or a Colt Bankers Special. Your local collectors.....they have the internet as well. Holding guns off the market on the off chance that a local is just going to pop in and buy? Oh heck no. I fully understand that YOU want to find those gems before anyone else. What you dont get is the dealer needs to flip guns fast, often and get the highest price he can realize. Listing on Gun Broker before millions vs displaying in a dusty gun case waiting weeks? Give me a break. That ain't good business.Don't put things on gunbroker too quickly. I have stopped going to shops who put everything on GB as soon as it comes in the door. They will kill themselves over time as the locals (and their used guns) will stop coming in. Doesn't need to be a hard policy, but let a used item sit on the shelf for a month or so to sell locally if possible. Now, if Al Capones transferrable Thompson comes in (if there is such a gun) that is different......
That doesn't preclude the dealer from emailing locals about his most recent acquisitions or waiting a day before his listing begins. It also doesn't stop the dealer from listing on GB with the notation "gun is available for local sale until first online bid". That means a local can come in a buy it before some GB bidder reaches the reserve auction price.
Gun shops are chock full of inventory that dealers bought because customers told them "you should stock more ____".Have what your market wants, not necessarily what you like.
They won't have a transfer fee but they'll have higher shipping costs. A dealer can't use USPS to ship a handgun to an 03FFL. That increases the collectors cost 3X. Not to mention verifying a C&R takes more time. Its a headache that many don't want.If you sell on GB, accept C&R FFL's on things which qualify for them. You'll get more $$ for your items that way as people bid higher since they don't have the transfer fee on the other side.
Ive been blessed for the last fifteen years to have local gun stores with exorbitant transfer fees. They just don't want the business and want people to buy their in stock inventory. Fact is, getting butts through your doors for any reason should be a priority. No in store traffic, no in store sales. Thats why having a range helps the bottom line.Not sure where to be on the transfer fee for guys who buy online. Depends on local market and how far away the next shop is as well as how much you want to be doing that.
True.Consignments can be good, like used stuff, they are more interesting to some people. Plus, gives you inventory to sell and fill the shop up with no $$ tied up on your end. Do have to have things figured out there though regarding helping people price stuff and how to hand the guy who wants to put stuff on consignment with crazy high prices on them which sort of make you also look bad.
Unrealistic pricing means someone elses gun takes up the dealers display space. A sales commission with a minimum. The key to successful consignment sales is in-store traffic. If you don't have hundreds of walk ins every week it won't matter how many consignment guns you have or how cheap they are.