[Oberndorf]

Through a series of good fortune events, I came into a bit of extra cash. I went to a local gun shop to look around. After a long time scanning the used gun racks, I came across a mint condition used Colt Mark IV Series 80 in .45 ACP. I field stripped the pistol and it is in 100 percent condition. The hang tag said $600 and the shop has a policy of discounting used guns after 30 days in the shop. This pistol qualified for some haggle room and we settled on $500 and the gun is now on layaway.

I just went to the three prominent online auction sites for a price check on Colt Mark IV Series 80 handguns. The bid prices ranged from around $700 to over $1,250. I could not believe the numbers, but they are accurate. That is why I avoid gun auction sites on line. Looks like I will continue to shop the local gun shops. Take care...
Oberndorf

 

[2Bits]

Like any auction, one has to be calm and cool about biding and know what it is your bidding on exactly! Sight unseen is NOT my way of purchasing a firearm and spending big money. I would much rather prefer to support my local gunshops verses an internet sight somewhere across the country and deal with total strangers.

 

[hailstone]

There's much to be said for local dealings. However when you collect firearms there's no way a local dealer is going to have such firearms in there store. I live in a very rural state which is good for purchasing firearms but lacks variety of older firearms that might be in a collection. I note your from PA one of the states in that 400 mile strip on each coast where 85% of the population reside. I happen to live in SD the heartland of the country well away from the population areas.

Since the option too buy on auction sites on line emerged, I've added numberous firearms to my collection, several of which never dreamed would even see for sale in my life time due to limited production. One particular rifle is one of twenty five made and personally believe it never would have been offered for sale if not for the economy. Without the on line auctions I never would have known it was up for sale let alone be able to bid.

When everything is said and done what would be the cost for one to take days off from work, travel to some other state, stand in line during an auction for a chance to bid on a unique firearms? What would be the cost for a third party to do same for you on commission? Much cheaper buying on line!

 

[Ole1830]

I have bought a few guns online and I'm pretty happy with my purchases. You have to know what something is worth. I will always buy something locally if it's available and similarly priced, however sometimes you can't find what you want locally.

 

[pisgah]

Whenever I am looking at a gun as a potential purchase, be it on an auction site or in a shop, I have some idea of the reasonable market value of the gun as I negotiate. I have found that most people are just as likely to get ripped off in a shop as they are on an auction site because they don't.

 

[leverite]

you see those marked up guns on the auction sites that never get a bid, month after month.

The ones offered at market or below are snapped up fast. Know what you want, bid smart and use the "buy now" if you want to win for sure.

 

[Pally McGee]

you see those marked up guns on the auction sites that never get a bid, month after month.

The ones offered at market or below are snapped up fast. Know what you want, bid smart and use the "buy now" if you want to win for sure.

I agree. A fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[Savage99]

I was able to get a couple of nice old "Euro" type rifles that I had never seen for sale in the USA. Thus I like the auction and internet sites for that.

On the other hand I am buying supplies local now. They need the business.

 

[mattsbox99]

I had a gun up for sale on several online classifieds and just couldn't move it. I put it on Gunbroker with a .01 start and no reserve and got more than I was asking for in my classifieds.

On the other hand, I also put a nice knife up there that went for about half its value and I'm a little smarter for that one. I could have put that on a few classifieds and sold it very quick for what I really wanted out of it. I got a little stonewalled as right after I put it on the auction block, about 6 others showed up pretty quick so the market was saturated.

 

[Jack]

I've bought a few guns from auction sites, and have been satisfied each time. I've also seen those guns that are priced like they're made of solid gold. . .
Know what something is worth to you, and don't go over that.
Also, check out the seller. Most auction sites will show you the seller's activity, and how he/she has been rated by people that have done business with them in the past. Many sellers are gun shops/pawn shops that do a lot of business on auction sites, and have a clear track record.

 

[hailstone]

One of the local gun shops I deal with does the auction site routine. I've overheard there comments at times and it surprises one at the things happening out there on those auction sites. Too think these people are among us, walking, talking and oh my god reproducing.

 

[Gil Martin]

Let the shopper beware

I have seen auction site prices that gave me chest pains. I usually buy from local gun shops and they get a lot excellent used stuff coming through their doors. A few of the local shops sell online and admit they often get higher prices than the local market would pay. All the best...
Gil

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I like Gunbroker, it's like the world's largest gun show running 24/7 and free admission. And, like any gunshow, some people have "pie in the sky" prices but I see a lot more of that at gunshows than on Gunbroker. At a typical gunshow it seems to me that about 75% of the vendors have totally outrageous prices if they even show a tag at all. Now maybe they expect you to haggle so they set the price high enough to allow some room to bargain downward but I don't enjoy haggling, I'd rather see a price and take it or leave it.
I also like the fact that I can do a search and find a specific gun I may want. Can't do that at a gun show. I can even maintain a standing search and receive an email notice when ever such a gun turns up for auction. There also are regional factors. You're not likely to find a .35 Remington carbine in a Colorado gun shop, where as they are common in the east. Gunbroker is nation wide, I don't have to drive to a gunshow in Pennsylavnia.
I've bought quite a few firearms from Gunbroker and only once was I disappointed with a gun that was misrepresented. I should have know better, it was a new seller with no rating and just one blurry photo. Even there all was not lost. I put it back on Gunbroker with full disclosure (rifle needed a new stock) and good photos and eventually sold it for most of what I had paid and the buyer was happy because he knew up front what he was getting. And those dealer ratings are yet another advantage you don't find at a gunshow.
Come to think of it, I really don't like Gunbroker, I love it!

 

[mattsbox99]

I agree CJ, you don't have to pay to drool and I personally don't like wading through hundreds of smelly people at gunshows with super narrow aisles filled with tables that have nothing to do with guns or shooting (why is a smelly candle table at a gunshow? or a table with dolls?)

Unlike eBay, Gunbroker is actually free to list something unless you want special features and you only pay a small final value fee if the item sells, much lower than taking an ad out in the paper. If it doesn't sell, you can relist it for free.

 

[jodum]

I too try to shop locally but when I am looking for a particular firearm, it is sometimes hard to obtain it locally especially if it is a much desired item. I leave a list of certain guns I am looking for at several pawn shops in case one shows up. I have been looking for a S&W mod 15 for several months and none of my local dealers have been able to locate one for me. I just bought one off of GunBroker for a very reasonable price. I buy enough stuff from a local pawn shop, they don't charge me any transfer fee to take delivery on online purchases. Like Mattsbox and Hailstone, I use the online gun brokers to see what the going price is before I buy or sell. Nothing like free info...

 

[magnumitis]

I buy from both online auctions and local dealers.

Like Hailstone said.....if you are a collector (or accumulator, like me), there's little or no chance you are going to find all your needs filled locally.

FWIW.......I have gotten some deals online that actually made me feel almost guilty............ ...........but not quite.

 

[fcfirearms]

When I owned a gun shop in a small rural area I used the services of gunsamerica, gunbroker, and auctionarms. nearly 20% of my business came from those sales and kept my inventory fresh for my regular customers. Many of them would buy a new gun just before hunting season then sell it back when it was time to pay their taxes. Their loss but they just keep coming back. my internet customers made out with some very lightly used pieces.

 

[jaybirdjtski]

Set up a "Watch List" and use the search engine to find what you are looking for. Don't buy anything unless you know what it is worth and you see a deal. Generally auctions with a reserve price are a waste of time. Anyway, it is kind of fun to see what stuff is selling for. Many times item will get zero bids. Just by watching what items attract bids will alert you to calibers and guns to avoid and which ones might be worth acquiring. Plus, some of the best deals are on supplies, like brass, etc.

If you can stomach eBay, you can find some deals there on scopes, holsters, etc.

 

[Nite Ryder]

I shop locally, but I often buy and sell on line. I just sold two Ruger #1's and got a bit more than what I was asking. These two guns sold for more because they were in unusual calibers. Couldn't find either of these rifles in a local shop. Sometimes you see a gun you have wanted for a long time, and price doesn't matter.

 

[m141a]

congrats on your great find!
Just did a trade with a guy who came into my dealer and asked if he had any Smith 4506's. My dealer called me and asked if I was willing to sell or trade mine?

The fella that was craving the 4506 was willing to trade, and I ended up with a near new in box Colt Deltal elite. The guy just really wanted the Smith.

The Delta is like new, and shoots well, short of a lack of 10mm ammo in this area.
The deal for the smith-for-Delta was surely one sided on my end, and I told the fella that, but he said he didn't care.....he just wanted the Smith.

One man's gold is anothers...

Again, good luck with your find!