Auction timing opinions

[TPED]

I've been watching a few firearm auction sites for a couple months and am about to pull the trigger and place a couple long guns in auction to see how they do. I am at a current age where I need to thin out the herd, so to speak, of items I will no longer shoot or need. I have read other auction related threads on here and consensus is to try to sell on here. Might be a better idea but I just don't want to deal with all the details involved of collecting funds and shipping and the legalities of individual states. Right now anything I consign at auction would go into November auctions. I am concerned on the timing with the election earlier in the month of what effect the current political climate might be on selling/buying right after the election. I am seeing more an more companies with declining business and laying off people as we tend to see most tightening spending pending major elections. I guess to cut to the chase - just go with it or wait and see. I don't have to sell for financial reasons so keeping them in the safe is not an issue.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've only used Gunbroker but it became a little work to figure out how much money you need to get from the buyer to cover Gunbrokers fees and tax.

I find it easier to work with individuals on this website or other discussion forums that have good feedback. If what you're selling or buying is expensive you might want to consider the services of a online firearms escrow such as GunTab to validate and manage the payment.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Put them on consignment at a trusted gun shop?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I would consider October and November the best time to sell hunting rifles and January or February best on comp rifles.

 

[lb-ft]

Great advice above.

Economy appears to be in decline. A blue victory in the elections will have little to no effect on the gun value market. Blue is the incumbent. No increase in demand.

A red victory will cause a drop in the gun values. Red will give a four year reprieve from the seemingly incessant attacks on 2A. Decrease in demand.

I’d put them up for sale right now.

What I’ve said above, I feel applies to the more common items. Collector or unique or scarce items I feel are less affected by election cycles and more dependent on the health of the economy. 401k is fat and happy, wages are on the rise and bonuses are good, money is loose and those fine Sako and Anschutz and S&W and fill in the blank, they go up in value.

Best of luck.

 

[dryhumor]

I peruse GB with morning coffee a good bit. If I see something interesting, I save it to favorites. That way after the auction ends I can get back to it and see what it sold for.

I’ve noticed several things in doing this. Rarer chamberings bring retail or better than retail. Some models are harder to find and bring the same.

Penny start auctions that last two weeks bring fair prices, but not necessarily good prices. Depends on the item.

Better sale prices occur with auctions that end after working hours, and generally on days when people are more likely to be home in the evenings. Thursday comes to mind.

Since they raised the fees, and started charging state tax, figure that cost on top.

Shipping costs average $30-50-60 for long guns. About the same for handguns, though handguns must be shipped by an FFL, and that could be an additional fee.

There are several big multi listing sellers there, with a lot of consigned items. They get a percentage of the sale. The good ones take a lot of photos from different angles and in good lighting. Their descriptions are pretty good. I imagine there is a shipping cost for getting the item to them. Not sure how they work that out.

GB has started to require a bank account linked to them to sell. Not something I’d be interested in, at this point.

 

[hoz53]

I peruse GB with morning coffee a good bit. If I see something interesting, I save it to favorites. That way after the auction ends I can get back to it and see what it sold for.

I’ve noticed several things in doing this. Rarer chamberings bring retail or better than retail. Some models are harder to find and bring the same.

Penny start auctions that last two weeks bring fair prices, but not necessarily good prices. Depends on the item.

Better sale prices occur with auctions that end after working hours, and generally on days when people are more likely to be home in the evenings. Thursday comes to mind.

Since they raised the fees, and started charging state tax, figure that cost on top.

Shipping costs average $30-50-60 for long guns. About the same for handguns, though handguns must be shipped by an FFL, and that could be an additional fee.

There are several big multi listing sellers there, with a lot of consigned items. They get a percentage of the sale. The good ones take a lot of photos from different angles and in good lighting. Their descriptions are pretty good. I imagine there is a shipping cost for getting the item to them. Not sure how they work that out.

GB has started to require a bank account linked to them to sell. Not something I’d be interested in, at this point.

thats some good info --Thanks

 

[hoz53]

I've been watching a few firearm auction sites for a couple months and am about to pull the trigger and place a couple long guns in auction to see how they do. I am at a current age where I need to thin out the herd, so to speak, of items I will no longer shoot or need. I have read other auction related threads on here and consensus is to try to sell on here. Might be a better idea but I just don't want to deal with all the details involved of collecting funds and shipping and the legalities of individual states. Right now anything I consign at auction would go into November auctions. I am concerned on the timing with the election earlier in the month of what effect the current political climate might be on selling/buying right after the election. I am seeing more an more companies with declining business and laying off people as we tend to see most tightening spending pending major elections. I guess to cut to the chase - just go with it or wait and see. I don't have to sell for financial reasons so keeping them in the safe is not an issue.

I think I am in a position similar to you. Just sold a few guns last month at what I believe to be the best gun auctioneers around here. Ended up i got fair prices for them. Guns like R700s from discount stores I havent had much luck with at auctions and Id sell them here from now on. Thought of gunbroker but i dont want to go through all the BS to sell there. I waited a few years before i actually auctioned anything and really I would have got the same or better prices had i auctioned them at the start-

 

[Tesoro]

Persobally I despise GB and its plethora of pawn shop clients. I have had much better experiences buying and selling with guns international, however I buy and sell 90% of my firearms on private forums like this one.

 

[SteveOak]

As far as shipping a gun, I have used Ship My Gun. Handy link to Ship My Gun

They handle all of the legal concerns and give you a lower shipping cost than I can get through my accounts. They make it a piece of cake to ship a firearm.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I peruse GB with morning coffee a good bit. If I see something interesting, I save it to favorites. That way after the auction ends I can get back to it and see what it sold for.

I’ve noticed several things in doing this. Rarer chamberings bring retail or better than retail. Some models are harder to find and bring the same.

Penny start auctions that last two weeks bring fair prices, but not necessarily good prices. Depends on the item.

Better sale prices occur with auctions that end after working hours, and generally on days when people are more likely to be home in the evenings. Thursday comes to mind.

Since they raised the fees, and started charging state tax, figure that cost on top.

Shipping costs average $30-50-60 for long guns. About the same for handguns, though handguns must be shipped by an FFL, and that could be an additional fee.

There are several big multi listing sellers there, with a lot of consigned items. They get a percentage of the sale. The good ones take a lot of photos from different angles and in good lighting. Their descriptions are pretty good. I imagine there is a shipping cost for getting the item to them. Not sure how they work that out.

GB has started to require a bank account linked to them to sell. Not something I’d be interested in, at this point.

GB did not start the Sales Tax, it's always been there for you to claim at the end of the year that you owe it, and you've always paid it on Shipping as it's figured in.

 

[dryhumor]

GB did not start the Sales Tax, it's always been there for you to claim at the end of the year that you owe it, and you've always paid it on Shipping as it's figured in.

They started incorporating it into the transaction as the rules changed on the internet sales tax requirement. For clarification on my post…

 

[shortgrass]

GunBroker now also charges a 1% 'compliance fee' . I guess they didn't think they were making enough money. GunBroker has become a pia with all of the 'hoops' they have installed, the checkout thing and all of that stuff

 

[TPED]

Thanks for the opinions. Allot of reference to GB which I don't plan to use. I have been watching several local to me auctions and probably going with ones where there auction by both internet and live in person at the same time. Both of the final considerations seem to historically brought what I would consider as fair pricing and run their firearm auctions on Saturday's.

 

[CJ6]

We have a regional auction site that I use/buy from fairly often. There's been some decent prices (high) on rifles like Winchester featherweight and Sakos. There's also been some good deals on Remington, TC, Savage etc.
It's kinda nuts but people are paying more for factory ammo than you can get in the stores.

 

[Knotwild]

Check with the people you know first. A friend can get a good deal if you are willing to discount him the amount it will cost you to sell them in auctions. I gave also had good results using escrow services to sell to people I don't know.

I'm going to sell some myself and my preacher has two sons - he wants a list.

 

[BobT]

I found myself in the same boat, I had some health concerns and in the event that something happened I didn't want my wife stuck trying to liquidate my collection. I don't like the fees and regulations of the auction sites so I started renting tables at the local gun shows and have been very successful. I do have to watch that I don't bring home more guns than I left with though!

 

[Kittitas George]

I've never used GB,.I have bought through Guns International, rifles, revolvers and scopes. It has always been very positive. I always have phone conversations and get pictures, then send a USPS money order and have it shipped to my FFL dealer/gunsmith. Of course the scopes or what ever are sent to my home. The small town Post Office I use is very helpful and happy for my business. I've bought and sold on this sight and it has also always been satisfactory. I helped sell my brother in laws shooting equipment, it was difficult and not pleasant. I need to start getting rid of my stuff, a life time of treasure and memories. I'll keep the memories.

 

[FNSafari]

Trying to time the gun value market is about as useless as trying to time the stock market. Most of us simply do not have the access to real time info to do it. If you have valuable guns you can always put a minimum bid on it.

 

[jxb]

You are not required to sell, you can set a min or reserve and just keep relisting it if no takers. For a few years I was keeping tabs on Ruger No. 1's and there's definitely a cycle they go through for pricing and given it can swing $1000 it's worth being patient whether you're a buyer or seller as they seem to sell in all periods, in fact it seemed better in higher price segments.