OT: thinking about selling my pistol, what is the best way?

Bobwhite?

Here's the cautions I put in an ad I created to sell a rifle recently. The signed FFL is the key for legality. U.S. Post Office won't send guns via the air, has to go parcel post, which in my case, meant it had to leave Wisconsin, go to Chicago, and then back up to the guy who bought it. Had I known I would have used UPS, even though it meant driving a bit to get to a spot that shipped around here.

UPS is faster and better.

Gun Broker, GunsAmerica, Auction Arms....all reach a huge audience. Figure on $25 FFL fee on your end.

Good fortune to you. It really wasn't a hassle.

Please take notice: ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE THE AUCTION IS WON. Current & "wet signed with ink" FFL required from dealer in your state of residence to ship. (PLEASE have dealer ID gun, auction # or buyer on form.) M.O. or cashier checks only accepted; no PayPal, credit cards, credit card checks or personal checks. We charge $25.00 for shipping We are not responsible for items that are not insured. Insurance runs on average $5.00 extra. Please make sure you ask all questions and address all concerns before bidding or purchasing. Sold as pictured, as is.
 
If you feel alittle uncomfortable about selling at a gun show, just ask the guy for ID and record his drivers license info. If he is of dubious character, he will probably walk away. My experience is most people at gun shows are just guys like us looking for something specific or looking for a good deal. Most criminals don't want that kind of profile and will buy from another criminal or just steal one. Good luck which ever way you go.
Terry
 
For the law about who can do what, I suggest you look at the ATF website FAQ's where you will probably decide just to sell to someone in-state. As for the price the local dealer offered, keep in mind several things...he does this to make a living, not as a charity....he pays a wholesale price and then sells retail to make the profit which must cover tax and shipping of the firearm....you would probably not be pleased if he generously offered you what he pays wholesale for a new gun...he won't do that because he can get a new gun at the same price and can sell it for more than he can yours....so, he MUST offer you substantially less than the wholesale of a new gun if he expects to turn a profit....know YOUR state laws regarding legal firearms transfers between individuals...my state has no requirements above the Federal requirements, while states such as NY require all handgun sales be approved through the local law enforcement office, the firearm be registered, and there is a cap on handguns one can own...ignorance of those laws will be no protection from the penalties for breaking them....as for gunshow sales, most folk walking around a show live in a fantasy world where desperate individuals and dealers are trying to give guns away and so fair market value is rarely offered....you might get lucky, but don't count on it....your best bet is to sell on consignment at a local shop or advertise....if you advertise, meet the buyer in daylight and in the open, as guns can be looked over quite well without waving flags, and can be taken quite easily by persons unknown in the dark....the auction sites are a good indicator of current going rates, dream rates, and steals, which you should be able to figure out....best bet is to keep it and that way you lose nothing, and gain the value it will have in the future....
 
Bri in Chi said:
I wish that I had every one I've ever sold back.
Click to expand...

Not me. There are a few that I will not miss. The one that really sticks in my mind was a Jennings .22 LR that someone gave me for free and it was still a bad deal. Three rounds into the first magazine the weapon fieldstripped itself. I in turn passed it on to a dealer for free after advising him of its...defects. Although I didn't know it at the time, that particular shop was somewhat well known for its questionable business practices and I sincerely hope that they didn't dump this lemon on someone else as-is. They've since gone out of business and I don't miss them either.

IIRC Jeff Cooper had something to say about the issue: "Sell something else." I'm guessing that he's never owned a Jennings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top