Advice on selling a rifle
- Thread starter Linko
- Start date
Simply list it for sale. The rest takes care of itself.
GSPV
A failure to plan is a plan for failure.
You’ve been around awhile and have one sale feedback. That helps establish confidence.
Pictures, pictures, pictures.
Clear and complete description of what’s for sale. My life is so hectic that I’ve messed this up and been the worse off for it.
Prompt and courteous replies to all posts and PMs, even if it is just “I’m sorry, I’m not interested in that”. You know, basic courtesy.
You know that you’re likely to have to shop and it’ll have to go through and FFL. If you have an idea of the shipping cost and can roll it into the price asked, that’s a plus (at least it has been for me).
Pictures, pictures, pictures.
Clear and complete description of what’s for sale. My life is so hectic that I’ve messed this up and been the worse off for it.
Prompt and courteous replies to all posts and PMs, even if it is just “I’m sorry, I’m not interested in that”. You know, basic courtesy.
You know that you’re likely to have to shop and it’ll have to go through and FFL. If you have an idea of the shipping cost and can roll it into the price asked, that’s a plus (at least it has been for me).
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Full, complete description of your rifle, i.e. make, model, barrel, caliber, chamber specs, round count, trigger, stock, accessories and any other pertinent FULL disclosure information will help immensely. One thing that is a turn off is if prospective buyers have to ask a hundred questions to drag out this information. Those ads instill ZERO confidence in you as the seller. If you don't know, simply say "I don't know". Others have posted the necessary info about shipping and FFLs. Payment methods are your option but be advised, USPS money orders are NOT failsafe. Good Luck with the sale.
Just Dave
Gold $$ Contributor
.
USPS Money orders are best.
What are the recommendations for doing that?[/QUOTE]
I have only been a "Buyer" of several rifles here.....3 at last count and all the comments above are what get Buyer's attention. Each has been an excellent purchase and I've met some really nice folks in the process.
Besides details about a build, photos are probably the second most important. Post them with your ad......I don't even bother with ads that say "Pics on Request" or similar.
If you have brass or dies that are specific to the rifle, add those as part of your package as it may help the rifle sell.
Be sure you have a sturdy case to put the rifle in to ship to the Buyer's FFL. The last thing you want to happen is to have the rifle damaged in shipment. Your customer won't be happy and you will have a damage claim to adjust with the shipping company.
As far as payment is concerned, I like to get a Cashier's Check from my Bank that I send to the Seller......I'm not going into the local post office with a couple of grand in cash and stand in line to get you a USPS money order......that's just me.
Good Luck with your Sale.
Forum Boss: Do NOT, repeat do NOT use PayPal, Zelle, or VENMO, ever for gun sales!
I have only been a "Buyer" of several rifles here.....3 at last count and all the comments above are what get Buyer's attention. Each has been an excellent purchase and I've met some really nice folks in the process.
Besides details about a build, photos are probably the second most important. Post them with your ad......I don't even bother with ads that say "Pics on Request" or similar.
If you have brass or dies that are specific to the rifle, add those as part of your package as it may help the rifle sell.
Be sure you have a sturdy case to put the rifle in to ship to the Buyer's FFL. The last thing you want to happen is to have the rifle damaged in shipment. Your customer won't be happy and you will have a damage claim to adjust with the shipping company.
As far as payment is concerned, I like to get a Cashier's Check from my Bank that I send to the Seller......I'm not going into the local post office with a couple of grand in cash and stand in line to get you a USPS money order......that's just me.
Good Luck with your Sale.
Forum Boss: Do NOT, repeat do NOT use PayPal, Zelle, or VENMO, ever for gun sales!
Last edited by a moderator:
Plan ahead on how you are going to package the rifle. A factory box with the inserts is a big help. If not you may have to figure in the cost of a cheap hardcase, then find or make a cardboard box to put the hardcase in. I take pics of the rifle sitting in the box with a current Cabelas flyer to show the condition of the rifle as it was packaged. I've only sold 2 rifles (both custom actioned BR's) and had a problem with one.....the buyers check never showed up and after two weeks he sent payment by bank draft ( a lot of distrust had developed between us) and I finally shipped it. Many months later I got an envelope from the USPS- inside was a greasy mutilated envelope that contained the guy's check. Apparently it got caught in the conveyor. You will loose sleep until it is received by the buyer in good condition.
Make it easy to read. Lots of white space. Use a bullet points - not one big blocky paragraph.
Provide all the details you want to see. Look at other ads and find one that you think is effective and use that as a template.
Pictures and offer to send more upon request.
Personal checks are as good a payment as any in my opinion. Just wait until the check clears...only takes a few days any more.
Provide all the details you want to see. Look at other ads and find one that you think is effective and use that as a template.
Pictures and offer to send more upon request.
Personal checks are as good a payment as any in my opinion. Just wait until the check clears...only takes a few days any more.
If I were going to sell a firearm on a forum like this, I would find a reputable FFL dealer that will accept receipt of the rifle and have him handle the cash transaction for a fee. As a buyer, I don't really want to turn loose of that much cash until I see the goods. As a seller, I want my payment before I turn the goods over. Having a FFL dealer as the middleman negates those issues and makes for a stress free transaction on both ends. Finding one you can trust to receive the rifle, handle the transaction and then send you the proceeds would be on you.
Another alternative would be to get the "Square" for processing credit cards and have him provide a credit card number. You get payment, he gets some peace of mind knowing that if the deal goes sour he has recourse through his credit card company.
Most of us want payment before we ship. Did you ever consider that when we do so we are really asking the buyer to trust us more than we trust them?
I have bought several items on forums, none as expensive as a rifle. If I were going to either buy or sell a rifle on a forum I would use one of the methods above.
Just my 2¢
Another alternative would be to get the "Square" for processing credit cards and have him provide a credit card number. You get payment, he gets some peace of mind knowing that if the deal goes sour he has recourse through his credit card company.
Most of us want payment before we ship. Did you ever consider that when we do so we are really asking the buyer to trust us more than we trust them?
I have bought several items on forums, none as expensive as a rifle. If I were going to either buy or sell a rifle on a forum I would use one of the methods above.
Just my 2¢
My advice is to not ask for the PP Gift option. It has been abused by many scammers. I personally would never use it since you have no legal recourse if you gift your money to someone. If you want to take PP then offer to split the fees and adjust your price accordingly or have the buyer pay the fee. A bank checks works too but keep in mind they can still be subject to stop payments. A money order, on the other hand, is basically like cash.
The safest way IMO is your FFL to his FFL. You can personally ship to an FFL but make sure you check its validity.
The safest way IMO is your FFL to his FFL. You can personally ship to an FFL but make sure you check its validity.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.