I'm selling guns on Gunbroker: questions

AlongCameJones · November 23, 2021, 12:23 AM

I'm not an FFL holder but a private individual. Let's say I ship a gun to a buyer's FFL for transfer and the buyer gets denied by his FFL.

I plan to ship via FedEx.

How do I get my gun back?

Can I just deduct the return shipping costs from the money he sends me?
Will FedEx hand me the gun back or will I have to go through my own FFL to get my gun back?

I don't want any money out of my pocket in case the buyer gets denied.

Also, why is it prudent to auction a gun penny-no-reserve? Could that mean I could actually get stuck selling the gun for a penny?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLx9pM8p1Sk&t=2203s

ligonierbill · November 23, 2021, 08:52 AM

First, you have the buyer's money, right? If you ship a gun for repair, it can be returned directly to you. Not so sure about a sale, legally. But I'm pretty sure the FFL that receives the gun and records it in his bound book will only ship it to another FFL. And someone, probably you, will have to pay the shipping. And you will probably have to pay the transfer fee at your FFL to get it back. The good news is, you have the buyer's money. Take your costs out and return the balance to him.

In any case, it's on the buyer. Maybe they can make a deal with the receiving FFL, if it is a gun shop, to buy the gun or sell it on consignment. And, of course, report the miscreant to Gunbroker. Personally, I have never had this happen in at least a dozen GB sales.

AlongCameJones · November 23, 2021, 09:05 AM

I have the buyer's money BEFORE it's even shipped out. Whatever it costs me out of pocket to get my gun back will be subtracted from the denied buyer's refund. The gun should also be insured to protect the gun from damage. I have made a note in the selling terms that the buyer will have to pay for shipping INSURANCE to cover the gun's value.

Rockrivr1 · November 23, 2021, 01:13 PM

Yep, as others have said. You have the buyers money and the gun now with an FFL. Not your problem unless you decide to take the gun back and refund the money. NEVER send the gun without payment first.

AlongCameJones · November 23, 2021, 04:11 PM

I would never want to see the gun again once UPS takes it out of my hands and my money has been collected.

The guns are nothing special and not high value anyway. They are lisited on online auction.

<snip>

GunBlue490 in his video suggested using the penny-no-reserve method for something high value, rare and/or exclusive like a 1950's Browning Superposed over/under or an early minty Colt Python.

I used to have good luck moving guns on Armslist but not lately. It's gets pricey having to pay $7 to renew Armslist each month. They used to be free.

ligonierbill · November 23, 2021, 05:18 PM

Everyone has their own strategy. And lots of bidders wait until late to bid. Good luck.

natman · November 24, 2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlongCameJones

I'm not an FFL holder but a private individual. Let's say I ship a gun to a buyer's FFL for transfer and the buyer gets denied by his FFL.

I plan to ship via FedEx.

How do I get my gun back?

Can I just deduct the return shipping costs from the money he sends me?
Will FedEx hand me the gun back or will I have to go through my own FFL to get my gun back?

I don't want any money out of my pocket in case the buyer gets denied.

Federal law allows a gun to be returned directly to you if it was sent to the FFL for gunsmithing. Most FFLs will not return a gun directly to you if it was sent to them for a transfer. I sell my guns on a no return basis for just this reason. This is especially true because I live in California, where transfer fees, background check fees and shipping can be near $200.

If you are going to take it back because the buyer was denied, every penny of costs to return it should be on the buyer. Personally I'd let the buyer leave the gun on consignment at the FFL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlongCameJones

Also, why is it prudent to auction a gun penny-no-reserve? Could that mean I could actually get stuck selling the gun for a penny?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLx9pM8p1Sk&t=2203s

Penny auctions will build a lot of interest, but should only be used on something that you are SURE will attract a lot of bidders, like a NIB original Python or mint Model 12 or the like, because you will have to sell the gun for the final price. The idea is to get people emotionally invested in getting the amazing deal it is in the beginning and having them bid it up to a good price to you.

For more ordinary transactions, I'd recommend having an honest soul searching talk with yourself and deciding what's the absolute lowest price you'd accept for the gun. Then start it there.

AlongCameJones · November 24, 2021, 03:37 PM

I've already gotten one bid on my <snip> My starting bid price has been met. Yes, the buyer who is denied at his FFL will have to eat every penny for it's return to me or keep it there on consignment.

I think penny starting bids might still be risky, especially for something not so special. If I did that on my <snip>, the best I might get for it might be $50 or maybe less.

What if $50 was the best bid at the close of the auction and I were to refuse to sell the gun anyway and keep it? Could I get in legal trouble for backing out of the deal? I don't think I can raise the "starting bid" once somebody posts a bid.

Most auction sellers on gunbroker have guns listed no reserve. GB charges 2% for reserve. When is it ever advantageous to have a reserve?

Moderator note: Do not include detail regarding the item on offer. They can be interpreted as inviting an offer to buy -- which are permitted only in the Gun Show Forum.

November 23, 2021, 12:23 AM	#1
AlongCameJones Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2021 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 182	I'm selling guns on Gunbroker: questions I'm not an FFL holder but a private individual. Let's say I ship a gun to a buyer's FFL for transfer and the buyer gets denied by his FFL. I plan to ship via FedEx. How do I get my gun back? Can I just deduct the return shipping costs from the money he sends me? Will FedEx hand me the gun back or will I have to go through my own FFL to get my gun back? I don't want any money out of my pocket in case the buyer gets denied. Also, why is it prudent to auction a gun penny-no-reserve? Could that mean I could actually get stuck selling the gun for a penny? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLx9pM8p1Sk&t=2203s __________________ Keep America and this planet beautiful. Don't litter. Take the time to find a garbage can. Don't be lazy. Report litterers in to the police. Use peer pressure against those you know who litter. Litter is ugly. Litter hurts animals. Litter injures people. Please pass it on. Last edited by AlongCameJones; November 23, 2021 at 01:25 PM.

November 23, 2021, 09:05 AM	#3
AlongCameJones Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2021 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 182	That makes sense. I have the buyer's money BEFORE it's even shipped out. Whatever it costs me out of pocket to get my gun back will be subtracted from the denied buyer's refund. The gun should also be insured to protect the gun from damage. I have made a note in the selling terms that the buyer will have to pay for shipping INSURANCE to cover the gun's value. __________________ Keep America and this planet beautiful. Don't litter. Take the time to find a garbage can. Don't be lazy. Report litterers in to the police. Use peer pressure against those you know who litter. Litter is ugly. Litter hurts animals. Litter injures people. Please pass it on.

November 23, 2021, 04:11 PM	#5
AlongCameJones Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2021 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 182	I would never want to see the gun again once UPS takes it out of my hands and my money has been collected. The guns are nothing special and not high value anyway. They are lisited on online auction. <snip> GunBlue490 in his video suggested using the penny-no-reserve method for something high value, rare and/or exclusive like a 1950's Browning Superposed over/under or an early minty Colt Python. I used to have good luck moving guns on Armslist but not lately. It's gets pricey having to pay $7 to renew Armslist each month. They used to be free. __________________ Keep America and this planet beautiful. Don't litter. Take the time to find a garbage can. Don't be lazy. Report litterers in to the police. Use peer pressure against those you know who litter. Litter is ugly. Litter hurts animals. Litter injures people. Please pass it on. Last edited by Frank Ettin; November 24, 2021 at 02:24 PM. Reason: Deleted list of guns offered for sale

November 24, 2021, 03:37 PM	#8
AlongCameJones Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2021 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 182	I've already gotten one bid on my <snip> My starting bid price has been met. Yes, the buyer who is denied at his FFL will have to eat every penny for it's return to me or keep it there on consignment. I think penny starting bids might still be risky, especially for something not so special. If I did that on my <snip>, the best I might get for it might be $50 or maybe less. What if $50 was the best bid at the close of the auction and I were to refuse to sell the gun anyway and keep it? Could I get in legal trouble for backing out of the deal? I don't think I can raise the "starting bid" once somebody posts a bid. Most auction sellers on gunbroker have guns listed no reserve. GB charges 2% for reserve. When is it ever advantageous to have a reserve? Moderator note: Do not include detail regarding the item on offer. They can be interpreted as inviting an offer to buy -- which are permitted only in the Gun Show Forum. __________________ Keep America and this planet beautiful. Don't litter. Take the time to find a garbage can. Don't be lazy. Report litterers in to the police. Use peer pressure against those you know who litter. Litter is ugly. Litter hurts animals. Litter injures people. Please pass it on. Last edited by AlongCameJones; November 24, 2021 at 04:12 PM.

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November 23, 2021, 08:52 AM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,008	First, you have the buyer's money, right? If you ship a gun for repair, it can be returned directly to you. Not so sure about a sale, legally. But I'm pretty sure the FFL that receives the gun and records it in his bound book will only ship it to another FFL. And someone, probably you, will have to pay the shipping. And you will probably have to pay the transfer fee at your FFL to get it back. The good news is, you have the buyer's money. Take your costs out and return the balance to him. In any case, it's on the buyer. Maybe they can make a deal with the receiving FFL, if it is a gun shop, to buy the gun or sell it on consignment. And, of course, report the miscreant to Gunbroker. Personally, I have never had this happen in at least a dozen GB sales.

November 23, 2021, 01:13 PM	#4
Rockrivr1 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 261	Yep, as others have said. You have the buyers money and the gun now with an FFL. Not your problem unless you decide to take the gun back and refund the money. NEVER send the gun without payment first.

November 23, 2021, 05:18 PM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,008	Everyone has their own strategy. And lots of bidders wait until late to bid. Good luck.