Online auctions?

seattlesetters · 07-10-2003, 11:00 PM

Where is a good online auction to sell rifles?

MBuckH72 · 07-10-2003, 11:14 PM

I know an excellent one

www.auctionarms.com

handloader1 · 07-11-2003, 12:10 AM

www.gunbroker.com www.gunsamerica.com www.ebay.com

ELKampMaster · 07-11-2003, 01:06 AM

Seattle,
I used www.gunbroker.com. Sold one and bought one so far. I am cleaning house on my rifle rack and replacing the dead wood with stuff I care about. I searched around a bit and put myself in the shoes of the buyer. Are there lots and lots of guns (inventory)? Is there a good search engine so you don' t have to wade aimlessly through page after page of what you DON' T want? Can I see the feed back on the seller or buyer? Is there a good FAQ? Is there a way for buyers and sellers to contact each other and clarify issues before the deal is done? Is there a way to save your searches as a buyer?

Tips: Take plenty of GOOD pictures of what you are selling and post them in your advertisement! Pay the extra buck or two to be a " featured item" (i.e. you are at the " top" of the list. Mention any defects (bluing wear, chips, scratches) that might be a surprise to your buyer (avoid negative feedback posts). I like posting my " End the auction now price" as well as the starting bid. Make sure you don' t ship until you have real money in the bank -- I recommend money orders or cashiers checks -- credit cards can involve charge backs up to six months later and you don' t want to go there. Indicate that the money is to be sent UPS with a tracking number and the gun will be sent UPS with a tracking number as well -- this eliminates the " where is it?" question. If you find yourself dealing with a gun dealer (952 feedbacks behind his name) then don' t expect real fast response times. On the other hand someone with low numbers while " inexperienced" is more likely to be passionate and excited about getting the deal done and will be quite responsive.

So far I' ve found that using an online auction puts you WAY AHEAD of the retail shop scene -- you can " move your money" out of guns and back into guns almost straight across. I sold a Siamese Mauser in 45-70 and bought a 416 Rigby with reloading supplies -- neither of these items is mainstream -- I had it done (both) in a week.

That' s my short career in internet gun trading to date. I like it.

EKM

diyj98 · 07-11-2003, 05:24 AM

Handloader, Ebay doesn' t allow firearms sales.

seattlesetters · 07-11-2003, 06:52 AM

Master - Thank you and the others for the info. I am doing much the same thing...getting rid of what I don' t really use/need and putting together a collection of working rifles I can live with. I' ll try gunbroker.com. [:-]

ELKampMaster · 07-11-2003, 12:44 PM

Seattle,

I get pumped on this topic! As long as you " play smart" I think it is a good deal!

1. Be careful of any appraising a gun shop may have done for you. Gunbroker.com is not real well laid out but if you hunt around you can see recent auctions that have taken place and closed. Search for something like what you have, look at the photos and info and PRICING and if it helps your case then quote that auction # in your ad as a reference. My gunshop said 190, I got 350. My gunshop said 290, I got 350. Make sure the buyer pays the freight and insurance.

2. The photo " spaces" avaialble are long (horizontally) and short (like a panoramic box camera prints). There are four spaces. I got eight photos in on mine by having my son who is a whiz on photoshop put two pictures together as one, lighten them, brighten them (no retouching) and then uploading it. This isn' t hard, but like any computer program if its your first time, then it can be time consuming and frustrating -- if you know someone else use them.

3. In " crafting" your ad to make it look decent, they give you an example you can download -- beats nothing; however, I will try to dig up my old ad and " strip' the text out of it and email it to you (embedded html codes and all) and you can modify it to your own needs.

4. (A) If you are selling long guns it is HARD to take a good photo of the whole thing. (B) The more light you use (trouble or flood lights) the better what you are selling will look. (C) Use something discreet to " prop" it up and make it look better.

Best Regards,
EKM

BoltactionMan · 07-13-2003, 10:21 PM

I have sold four guns on gunbroker and bought about 25, they seem to reach a wide audience. Put in decent photos, explain your sale terms, set a realistic price and you will do fine.

I have purchased about 7 on auctionarms, and they also have a nice setup. It will cost you money up front to become a seller here.

KC

oldelkhunter · 07-14-2003, 08:37 AM

I did a massive reorg this past year on the guns I had and what I wanted to shift to...using Gunbroker and Auctionarms helped me out immensely in this regard.

Hector500 · 07-14-2003, 10:43 PM

My only issue with the online auction is this. I have seen plenty of nice rifles on there for a decent price, but by time you pay shipping and whatever the FFL dealer charges you, it seems like not such a good deal. Maybe I should find out what it would take to get my own FFL. I would go broke buying guns on there!
Hector