What is the best way to sell guns?

Buffy in Dallas · #1 07/02/14, 09:31 AM

I have 2 guns I need to sell. I really need the money since the hubby ran off and these are all I have left worth selling. Would y'all take them to a gun store to sell or list them on craigslist(does craigslist allow gunsales?) ? Or something else?

I'm not really worried about the safety of craigslist since I have my BIL here who has CC and is always well armed.

Also, I don't have a clue what the laws are in Texas about selling guns.

Michael W. Smith · #2 07/02/14, 09:39 AM

A gun store won't give you top price - they need to leave enough markup that they make a profit.

Check around with somebody that is into guns that can tell you what your's is worth. And perhaps that person can tell you the best way to sell your guns that you would get top money for them.

As for the laws for selling guns, you may want to check on that because you don't want to sell guns to a person that was turned down at a gun shop because of problems. If the person you sold the guns to does something - you could be held liable.

1shotwade · #3 07/02/14, 09:52 AM

Well,to start with,if you know what you want for them you could PM me and if it is something I have been looking for I may be interested. If not then your best bet as for price and speed to move them in gunbroker.com. The are a fee based auction and all the rules are simple and easy to understand and they comply with ALL LAWS! It is also a good place to research what you have and what people are paying.Do a search for "completed auctions and the gun and model # and it will show you all that did or did not sell and the prices paid.
It's a pretty straight forward site and you will know you are legal.

Wade

big rockpile · #4 07/02/14, 09:55 AM

I would go here you can get a Good idea of worth and have everything handled legal, like going through someone with FFL.

http://www.gunauction.com/

big rockpile

Molly Mckee · #5 07/02/14, 10:03 AM

Craigslist doesn't allow guns so I'd look at the gun auction site.

cshire · #6 07/02/14, 10:46 AM

craigslist does not accept gun sales.

Most areas have some websites or bulletin boards either focused on hunting/fishing or gun hobbies that allow ads for local, face to face sales.
Check with your BIL as he may know some of these sites.

I also recommend checking gunbroker or other auction sites so you have an idea of the value of what you have so you don't get taken advantage of.

coolrunnin · #7 07/02/14, 10:58 AM

This is a free site I have used

http://www.armslist.com/

Ozarks Tom · #8 07/02/14, 12:08 PM

I second armslist.com. I've bought & sold there many times. They list geographically, so people in your area will be the ones looking.

Also, strictly cash. No checks or money orders. See if your bil can handle the sale, or at least be there. A woman alone handing someone a gun isn't the best scenario I can think of.

Glade Runner · #9 07/02/14, 12:27 PM

If you are in Dallas then http://texas.texasguntrader.com/index.php will work for you. Used them several times. They've got guidance for the process if you are a private seller.

I'm looking for a .257 Roberts or .260 Remington if by some chance you've got one to sell.

Wolf mom · #10 07/02/14, 08:09 PM

In AZ you can sell it yourself. As a gal, I'd hook up with a guy and go to a swap meet. Dunno what your state laws are. If you use someone with a FFL, they are going to want some money for their time. If you ship, it has to be to sent to someone with a FFL. I used to charge $25.00 to receive a gun. Some pawn shops will put it on consignment for about 40% =/-. You can advertise in the paper with a cell number, then meet in a public place not near your home - again, with a guy. Or stand outside a local gun show....

I used to sell through gunbroker.com when I had my FFL. Dunno if it still does, but Gunbroker used to have a list of local FFL holders that would ship for you.

plowjockey · #11 07/02/14, 08:29 PM

Just do it the American way (at least for now).

1. Figure out what they are worth

2. Advertise wherever you can.

3. meet buyer in public place.

4. Negotiate the final price, they hand you cash, you hand them a gun.

Quick, easy and 100% legal (at least by federal law).

bja105 · #12 07/02/14, 08:53 PM

Another good site is gunbroker.com. Don't look at the asking prices, look at completed auctions. There is no listing fee, so it doesn't cost sellers anything to put a much too high price. The completed auctions give a much more realistic picture of what the market thinks the guns are worth.

Laws may differ between handguns and long guns.

No gun sales on craigslist, but there is probably a local free classified site that sells guns.

Another way is go a gunshow, walk around with the guns and a for sale sign.

Nimrod · #13 07/03/14, 12:32 AM

(1) You can sell a gun to a private individual, face to face, just like selling a toaster oven or anything else. The exceptions are that the buyer must be an adult and they have to reside in the same state you do. Craigs list doesn't advertise guns but the local newspaper might. You can also post ads in the local gun stores and shooting ranges. A private buyer, not a dealer, at a local gun show might work too. You should arrange the meeting at a public place where your local law allows the buyer to openly display the gun to examine it. The gun club is a good place. Cash only!

(2) Trading it in, putting it on consignment, or selling it to a dealer won't get you the best price.

(3) Gunbroker is an online auction place. Guns America lets you set the price and the gun won't sell unless someone offers that price. They charge a fee to sell your gun. Both places require that you ship the gun to the buyer after you are paid. The law says that you can only ship a gun from one Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer to another. Find an FFL dealer that will ship the gun before you list it and include their charges as shipping costs on the listing. The buyer will designate an FFL to receive it and pay their fee too.

(4) Reinhart auctions will take a gun and auction it off. http://www.reinhardtauctions.com/
They are handy for me and have reasonable charge. There may be something similar near you.

1shotwade · #14 07/03/14, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimrod

(1) You can sell a gun to a private individual, face to face, just like selling a toaster oven or anything else. The exceptions are that the buyer must be an adult and they have to reside in the same state you do. Craigs list doesn't advertise guns but the local newspaper might. You can also post ads in the local gun stores and shooting ranges. A private buyer, not a dealer, at a local gun show might work too. You should arrange the meeting at a public place where your local law allows the buyer to openly display the gun to examine it. The gun club is a good place. Cash only!

(2) Trading it in, putting it on consignment, or selling it to a dealer won't get you the best price.

(3) Gunbroker is an online auction place. Guns America lets you set the price and the gun won't sell unless someone offers that price. They charge a fee to sell your gun. Both places require that you ship the gun to the buyer after you are paid. The law says that you can only ship a gun from one Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer to another. Find an FFL dealer that will ship the gun before you list it and include their charges as shipping costs on the listing. The buyer will designate an FFL to receive it and pay their fee too.

(4) Reinhart auctions will take a gun and auction it off. http://www.reinhardtauctions.com/
They are handy for me and have reasonable charge. There may be something similar near you.

You are correct that guns must be shipped to an FFL. The fact is any gun that is not a handgun can be shipped by you through USPS but then again it has to go to an FFL. What many people don't understand is that the receiving FFL will Do the paperwork and insure you are qualified to own a firearm.They have the exact same responsibility as if you just walked in off the street and wanted to buy.All the "garb" you hear about internet sales are just political lies.

Wade

Buffy in Dallas · #15 07/03/14, 04:36 AM

Thanks for all the info. everyone! I love Homesteading Today!

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't even know what kind of guns they are.

I'm going to have my BIL look at them today, do some research and then list them on one of the sites.

1shotwade, do you have one of those FFL thingies?

Fire-Man · #16 07/03/14, 05:12 AM

Buffy, if you do Face Book-----There probably is several sites on FB in your area where you can sell the guns-----not have to send them off/mail/etc. Just look the Guns up------to get a idea on value before you post them. Would be a shame to sell them for alot less than their value.

Okie-Dokie · #17 07/03/14, 06:42 AM

I have had some luck with armslist.com because you expose your item to people close enough to come see your weapons in person.

1shotwade · #18 07/03/14, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffy in Dallas

Thanks for all the info. everyone! I love Homesteading Today!

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't even know what kind of guns they are.

I'm going to have my BIL look at them today, do some research and then list them on one of the sites.

1shotwade, do you have one of those FFL thingies?

No mam! The FFL is a federal firearms license. I say,you decided to sell me a gun,if it is a rifle you could ship it through usps but it would have to go to an FFL. If it were a pistol you would have to take it to an FFL in your area and they would have to ship it to another FFL. That's how it's done legally.
When the FFL receives the gun they would contact the buyer and the buyer would have to go to the FFL and show ID's etc. and that ffl would call the feds aan check your info to see if you qualified to make the purchase/and register the gun.If you did not qualify the gun would be sold through that ffl at the buyers expense since you would not ship the gun until you had received full payment.
I'm sure there are some variations that I haven't included but that is the basic way it works.

Wade

michael ark · #19 07/03/14, 07:56 AM

If you post pictures most of us gun folk can tell you what you have.

Wolf mom · #20 07/03/14, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffy in Dallas

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't even know what kind of guns they are.

I'm going to have my BIL look at them today, do some research and then list them on one of the sites.

1shotwade, do you have one of those FFL thingies?

1. An FFL "thingie" is a Federal Firearm License...

2. You want a local FFL holder - not one in Indiana when you are located in Texas. (if you look in the upper right corner of a post, you'll see where the poster is located. I'm sure you can figure our why by some of the other posts here.

3. If you look around on the metal part of your guns, you'll usually see the manufacturer and many times the caliber. (what size bullets it uses).

I'm so glad you're selling them.......