Gun Safe - How to Sell? - The Firearms Forum

LockedNLoaded · 08-22-2011, 06:21 PM

Hi All -

I have a gun safe that I am wanting to sell. It is a cheaper Stack On safe with model number GC-908-5. I've never sold anything like this before and I am wondering what the best way to sell it is?

My first thought is Craigs List, but I'm always a little nervous about who I may have coming to my house from Craigs List, especially for something like this.

Are the wanted ads, like Craigs List, the best way to sell a gun safe or is there something else that I should look into?

Thanks in advance!

woolleyworm · 08-22-2011, 06:41 PM

I will usually ask friends first and post an ad at the gun range. Next option is CL or newspaper. I usually try to meet away from my home if I can, the Wallyworld parking lot is a good place. A gunsafe can be a bit large to do that with though, so just use your better judgement and talk to the prospective buyer on the phone first to feel him out.

Hope this helps you and welcome to the forum,

Woolley

JLA · 08-22-2011, 06:45 PM

Solid advice as usual Worm.

Run an ad for it here on TFF in Buy/Sell/Trade and see if someone in your area hits on it. Course you will have to include your location in the ad.

CampingJosh · 08-22-2011, 06:53 PM

Perhaps your local gun shop would consign it for you? I think they'd want a decent cut just based on how big it would be in the shop, but it's way better than letting every idiot on Craigslist come to your house.

If it were me, I'd load it onto a trailer. That trailer (under shelter) would be its home until it sold, so I could always meet people in town. Even offer delivery for a bit extra

But I have the means to do that, even if it took a month or two to sell, and most don't have that luxury.

CampingJosh · 08-22-2011, 06:54 PM

Depending on your state, ********.com is a great place to sell firearms-related stuff. Indiana is very active, with 25 or so new posts every day.

I made another deal on there just today.

todd51 · 08-22-2011, 08:05 PM

Don't know where you live but most larger cities have at least on dealer in used safes of all kinds. We have one and his used safe business is larger than the new safe business. That might be an angle for you and he will be equipped to move it.

LockedNLoaded · 08-22-2011, 09:05 PM

Wow! Thanks for the quick and varied replies! I really appreciate it a ton. I'm not sure what I will do exactly, but I'll surely look into all of the presented options.

armedandsafe · 08-22-2011, 10:12 PM

If you do have prospective customers coming to your house after having advertised a gun anything, make sure you have an appointment time agreed upon and have a friend or two there when they show up. There are many stories out there where the word gun in an advertisement attracted attention from unwanted guests.

Pops

Juker · 08-23-2011, 07:54 AM

I know there have been a few true stories about bad experiences with craigslist, but I've sold dozens of items through CL without a single problem.

Big advantage of CL - it's free, and you keep it local without worrying about shipping.

If I have something to sell, I put it in my garage - if that's feasible for you, it avoids the issue of having strangers in your house. My ads always state, "cash only, pickup only". When you receive an email from an interested buyer, your email address is scrambled - you can often get a sense of the buyer from their reply. So you decide whether to answer or not. I always get a phone number - if something did go wrong, you'd at least have that number later. I set a firm time for them to come over, and I'm waiting outside the garage. Never at night, no exceptions. Most of my CL sales have taken less than two minutes.

I've sold appliances, tools, yard equipment - a wide variety of stuff. I've also bought a few things though CL, and I never go into someone's home - I always have them bring it outside. Interestingly, I've encountered several sellers who always seem to have an extra person hanging around for security.

medalguy · 08-24-2011, 06:33 PM

Check at any ranges near you and see if you can put up a flyer with the safe listed. Finally, if someone comes over to see the safe, you can mention that you are moving and have to get rid of the safe. That *might* prevent someone from coming back later.

08-22-2011, 06:21 PM	#1
LockedNLoaded Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	Gun Safe - How to Sell? Hi All - I have a gun safe that I am wanting to sell. It is a cheaper Stack On safe with model number GC-908-5. I've never sold anything like this before and I am wondering what the best way to sell it is? My first thought is Craigs List, but I'm always a little nervous about who I may have coming to my house from Craigs List, especially for something like this. Are the wanted ads, like Craigs List, the best way to sell a gun safe or is there something else that I should look into? Thanks in advance! -->

08-22-2011, 06:41 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? I will usually ask friends first and post an ad at the gun range. Next option is CL or newspaper. I usually try to meet away from my home if I can, the Wallyworld parking lot is a good place. A gunsafe can be a bit large to do that with though, so just use your better judgement and talk to the prospective buyer on the phone first to feel him out. Hope this helps you and welcome to the forum, Woolley __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

08-22-2011, 06:45 PM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Solid advice as usual Worm. Run an ad for it here on TFF in Buy/Sell/Trade and see if someone in your area hits on it. Course you will have to include your location in the ad. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

08-22-2011, 06:53 PM	#4
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Perhaps your local gun shop would consign it for you? I think they'd want a decent cut just based on how big it would be in the shop, but it's way better than letting every idiot on Craigslist come to your house. If it were me, I'd load it onto a trailer. That trailer (under shelter) would be its home until it sold, so I could always meet people in town. Even offer delivery for a bit extra But I have the means to do that, even if it took a month or two to sell, and most don't have that luxury. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

08-22-2011, 06:54 PM	#5
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Depending on your state, *******.com is a great place to sell firearms-related stuff. Indiana is very active, with 25 or so new posts every day. I made another deal on there just today. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do. Last edited by CampingJosh; 08-22-2011 at 06:57 PM..*

08-22-2011, 08:05 PM	#6
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Don't know where you live but most larger cities have at least on dealer in used safes of all kinds. We have one and his used safe business is larger than the new safe business. That might be an angle for you and he will be equipped to move it. __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

08-22-2011, 09:05 PM	#7
LockedNLoaded Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Wow! Thanks for the quick and varied replies! I really appreciate it a ton. I'm not sure what I will do exactly, but I'll surely look into all of the presented options.

08-22-2011, 10:12 PM	#8
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? If you do have prospective customers coming to your house after having advertised a gun anything, make sure you have an appointment time agreed upon and have a friend or two there when they show up. There are many stories out there where the word gun in an advertisement attracted attention from unwanted guests. Pops

08-23-2011, 07:54 AM	#9
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? I know there have been a few true stories about bad experiences with craigslist, but I've sold dozens of items through CL without a single problem. Big advantage of CL - it's free, and you keep it local without worrying about shipping. If I have something to sell, I put it in my garage - if that's feasible for you, it avoids the issue of having strangers in your house. My ads always state, "cash only, pickup only". When you receive an email from an interested buyer, your email address is scrambled - you can often get a sense of the buyer from their reply. So you decide whether to answer or not. I always get a phone number - if something did go wrong, you'd at least have that number later. I set a firm time for them to come over, and I'm waiting outside the garage. Never at night, no exceptions. Most of my CL sales have taken less than two minutes. I've sold appliances, tools, yard equipment - a wide variety of stuff. I've also bought a few things though CL, and I never go into someone's home - I always have them bring it outside. Interestingly, I've encountered several sellers who always seem to have an extra person hanging around for security. __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

08-24-2011, 06:33 PM	#10
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: Gun Safe - How to Sell? Check at any ranges near you and see if you can put up a flyer with the safe listed. Finally, if someone comes over to see the safe, you can mention that you are moving and have to get rid of the safe. That might prevent someone from coming back later.