How do I sell?

gbclarkson · January 31, 2019, 10:03 AM

Sadly, an impending divorce is forcing me to sell my firearms, accessories and unopened boxes of ammo. I will need to whittle my accumulation down to a single multi-purpose pistol, my son's .22s, and what has been gifted to me. Any suggestions? Local pawns shop will likely not pay as much as I could get from other avenues of sale. I have never sold a firearm to anyone other than a cash transaction with a buddy and the last was years ago. I have never purchased or sold through an online service. I am not desperate... yet. Any suggestions?

Doyle · January 31, 2019, 10:09 AM

Sadly, it all depends on WHERE you are. Please post your location and this forum will help. Local and state firearms transfer laws vary greatly from one place to another.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 31, 2019, 11:30 AM

Do you have a local FFL who will work with you on shipping and transfers? If so, you can set up an account on Gunbroker or Auction Arms, sell (or not) to the highest bidder, and let the FFL handle the shipping. FFLs can ship handguns through the U.S. Mail, which is far cheaper than shipping by UPS or FedEx. Technically, we ordinary mortals can mail long guns, but I'd rather let an FFL handle all that for all firearms, to save me from having to argue with a postal counter clerk.

Sharkbite · January 31, 2019, 11:36 AM

You should speak to your lawyer about selling ANYTHING wth the divorce pending. Most States dont allow “Marital assets”to be sold or hidden.

Be careful here

mcb66 · January 31, 2019, 12:27 PM

Find a local auction house who lists on Proxibid. Negotiate to somewhere around a 10% commission. They handle everything and you get a check.

Onward Allusion · January 31, 2019, 12:32 PM

Damn, I feel for ya. I went thru the same crap 20-something years ago.

To get top dollar, Gunbroker is your best shot. Otherwise, Face-to-Face transactions also get top dollar, depending on your location. Also, look into consignment. Smaller shops are usually happy to show your stuff in their display cases. Whatever you do, don't sell directly to a gun shop or pawn shop.

FITASC · January 31, 2019, 01:13 PM

Gunbroker collects a fee; face to face (if legal where you live), will net the most proceeds. Local ads in papers or local web sale sites will gain good exposure as will placing ads at local gun clubs.
As mentioned, check with your lawyer first.

tlm225 · January 31, 2019, 08:21 PM

Like it was posted above, knowing your location (State) would help with advice but:

I've bought and sold through Armslist. You'll have to be prepared to deal with tire kickers and lowballers and have a safe location to do face to face sales (if legal in your state). Your state may require all private sales go through an FFL.

Gunbroker is another option but will add the pain of shipping. In my case the nearest UPS/FEDEX hub is 40 miles away and expensive. In addition the receiving FFL may not accept from a private person (it's not illegal but some will not). An accommodating FFL will probably charge $25.00-$50.00 to ship for you.

Another option is a consignment sale through a local FFL.

2ndsojourn · January 31, 2019, 09:08 PM

How about renting a table at a gun show?

Number10GI · January 31, 2019, 09:16 PM

Check with local gun shops, some will do consignment sales.

peterg7 · February 1, 2019, 01:43 PM

Last handgun I sold was on gunrunner, no fuss no muss just dropped the gun off and did a bit of paperwork.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

gbclarkson · February 2, 2019, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Sadly, it all depends on WHERE you are. Please post your location and this forum will help.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I live in Mattoon, IL.

Doyle · February 2, 2019, 11:13 AM

Illinois is stricter than most states (although not as bad as some others). This might help:
https://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/firearms052104.pdf

Soclosenotnear · February 2, 2019, 12:38 PM

I've managed a pawn shop for the last ten+ years. Today is actually my last day here, ironically, but we are happy if we recover a 25% margin on used guns. I know that's not great when you're trying to catch every penny, but not nearly as bad as many people think. It's a point of reference for you, if nothing else.

January 31, 2019, 10:03 AM	#1
gbclarkson Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: None of yer business, sonny Posts: 440	How do I sell? Sadly, an impending divorce is forcing me to sell my firearms, accessories and unopened boxes of ammo. I will need to whittle my accumulation down to a single multi-purpose pistol, my son's .22s, and what has been gifted to me. Any suggestions? Local pawns shop will likely not pay as much as I could get from other avenues of sale. I have never sold a firearm to anyone other than a cash transaction with a buddy and the last was years ago. I have never purchased or sold through an online service. I am not desperate... yet. Any suggestions?

January 31, 2019, 12:32 PM	#6
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Damn, I feel for ya. I went thru the same crap 20-something years ago. To get top dollar, Gunbroker is your best shot. Otherwise, Face-to-Face transactions also get top dollar, depending on your location. Also, look into consignment. Smaller shops are usually happy to show your stuff in their display cases. Whatever you do, don't sell directly to a gun shop or pawn shop. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

January 31, 2019, 01:13 PM	#7
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Gunbroker collects a fee; face to face (if legal where you live), will net the most proceeds. Local ads in papers or local web sale sites will gain good exposure as will placing ads at local gun clubs. As mentioned, check with your lawyer first. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 31, 2019, 08:21 PM	#8
tlm225 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 962	Like it was posted above, knowing your location (State) would help with advice but: I've bought and sold through Armslist. You'll have to be prepared to deal with tire kickers and lowballers and have a safe location to do face to face sales (if legal in your state). Your state may require all private sales go through an FFL. Gunbroker is another option but will add the pain of shipping. In my case the nearest UPS/FEDEX hub is 40 miles away and expensive. In addition the receiving FFL may not accept from a private person (it's not illegal but some will not). An accommodating FFL will probably charge $25.00-$50.00 to ship for you. Another option is a consignment sale through a local FFL. __________________ All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

January 31, 2019, 10:09 AM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Sadly, it all depends on WHERE you are. Please post your location and this forum will help. Local and state firearms transfer laws vary greatly from one place to another.

January 31, 2019, 11:30 AM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	Do you have a local FFL who will work with you on shipping and transfers? If so, you can set up an account on Gunbroker or Auction Arms, sell (or not) to the highest bidder, and let the FFL handle the shipping. FFLs can ship handguns through the U.S. Mail, which is far cheaper than shipping by UPS or FedEx. Technically, we ordinary mortals can mail long guns, but I'd rather let an FFL handle all that for all firearms, to save me from having to argue with a postal counter clerk.

January 31, 2019, 11:36 AM	#4
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	You should speak to your lawyer about selling ANYTHING wth the divorce pending. Most States dont allow “Marital assets”to be sold or hidden. Be careful here

January 31, 2019, 12:27 PM	#5
mcb66 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2013 Posts: 117	Find a local auction house who lists on Proxibid. Negotiate to somewhere around a 10% commission. They handle everything and you get a check.

January 31, 2019, 09:08 PM	#9
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	How about renting a table at a gun show?

January 31, 2019, 09:16 PM	#10
Number10GI Member Join Date: November 13, 2017 Posts: 26	Check with local gun shops, some will do consignment sales.

February 1, 2019, 01:43 PM	#11
peterg7 Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2017 Posts: 316	Last handgun I sold was on gunrunner, no fuss no muss just dropped the gun off and did a bit of paperwork. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

February 2, 2019, 11:13 AM	#13
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Illinois is stricter than most states (although not as bad as some others). This might help: https://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/firearms052104.pdf

February 2, 2019, 12:38 PM	#14
Soclosenotnear Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2016 Location: Summerville, sc Posts: 163	I've managed a pawn shop for the last ten+ years. Today is actually my last day here, ironically, but we are happy if we recover a 25% margin on used guns. I know that's not great when you're trying to catch every penny, but not nearly as bad as many people think. It's a point of reference for you, if nothing else.