Need Recommendations re gun auction houses - The Firearms Forum

sck · 05-10-2006, 08:17 PM

Unfortunately, I have to sell all of my guns and even though I've done it for other folks dozens of times over the years, I just can't bring myself to spend untold weekends sitting behind tables at gun shows until they're all gone Consequently, I'm considering putting everything with one of the large gun auction houses. So far I've talked to Rock Island and they want a minimum of 17 1/2% and as much as 25% and they get to decide which it will be. To say I was shocked at such a high percentage would be an understatement. Does anyone have any experience selling things with the large gun auction houses? How did it go? All your thoughts and details would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

henry0reilly · 05-10-2006, 09:34 PM

http://www.*********.com

wolfgang2000 · 05-10-2006, 10:09 PM

I'm sorry to hear you have to sell your guns. Have you thought of listing them here on TFF?

What do have for sale?

armedandsafe · 05-11-2006, 01:05 PM

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=199255

The purpose of this link is not to highlight the poor fellows plight, but to illustrate the reputation ********* has gained over the past few years.

I agree on listing them here and giving us a chance first.

Pops

sck · 05-11-2006, 10:28 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Yes, I'm aware of most of the on-line auction sites, but I'm just not up to dealing with all the hoops and headaches of trying to sell this stuff myself. I'm simply not healthy enough to do it, but the high percentages that the auction houses are giving me have left me with second thoughts. I still want to hear from a few more places and have an appointment to take a look at one local auctioneer tomorrow. Going to see Wes Cowan who some of you may have seen on PBS. He doesn't specialize in guns, but seems to have a pretty nice operation, offering traditional paper catalogues and online listings as well. If any of you have had experience with Martin, Devine, or Amoskeag please let me know. Thanks again.

berto64 · 05-11-2006, 11:46 PM

Good luck to you sir.

pickenup · 05-11-2006, 11:57 PM

Sorry, can’t help you with any information on the “big” auction houses. I have refused to pay their fees in the past.

A WELL advertised “local” auction will often bring more than retail for used firearms. The killer here is, the percentages they charge. (I have seen more than 50% with some) When all is said and done, you end up with about half of what the firearms are worth.

Isn’t there anyone who could help you list, and ship, the firearms, so you could do it online? ( I don't know that I could find anyone, should the need arise) While Auction Arms charges a listing fee and ********* doesn’t, even after their fees, either one would “net” you more than paying the outrageous percentages charged by any of the auction houses.

I understand wanting to get rid of them all at once, and auctioning them rather than listing them with a price “could” bring in more money. You might be surprised at what would be offered if you provide a list here, of what is going on the auction block. Then again, maybe not.

Sorry to hear this is a necessity, but I will wish you GOOD luck with your endeavor. Whatever it may be.

sck · 05-12-2006, 10:53 PM

Once again, please accecpt my sincere thanks all for your thoughts, concern and advise.

358 winchester · 05-13-2006, 05:00 AM

I don't know about where you live but around here the local SMALLER gun shops will sell your guns for 10% consignment and they do all the paper work.
Ron

05-10-2006, 08:17 PM	#1
sck V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 117	Need Recommendations re gun auction houses Unfortunately, I have to sell all of my guns and even though I've done it for other folks dozens of times over the years, I just can't bring myself to spend untold weekends sitting behind tables at gun shows until they're all gone Consequently, I'm considering putting everything with one of the large gun auction houses. So far I've talked to Rock Island and they want a minimum of 17 1/2% and as much as 25% and they get to decide which it will be. To say I was shocked at such a high percentage would be an understatement. Does anyone have any experience selling things with the large gun auction houses? How did it go? All your thoughts and details would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -->

05-10-2006, 09:34 PM	#2
henry0reilly Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 553	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses http://www.*********.com __________________ The only Thing necessary for Evil to Triumph is that Good Men do Nothing. Recruit someone for the NRA today!

05-10-2006, 10:09 PM	#3
wolfgang2000 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mountain Grove MO. Posts: 542	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses I'm sorry to hear you have to sell your guns. Have you thought of listing them here on TFF? What do have for sale? __________________ Guns are like Jello, there is always room for more! Last edited by wolfgang2000; 05-10-2006 at 10:10 PM..

05-11-2006, 01:05 PM	#4
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=199255 The purpose of this link is not to highlight the poor fellows plight, but to illustrate the reputation ********* has gained over the past few years. I agree on listing them here and giving us a chance first. Pops

05-11-2006, 10:28 PM	#5
sck V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 117	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses Thanks for the suggestions guys. Yes, I'm aware of most of the on-line auction sites, but I'm just not up to dealing with all the hoops and headaches of trying to sell this stuff myself. I'm simply not healthy enough to do it, but the high percentages that the auction houses are giving me have left me with second thoughts. I still want to hear from a few more places and have an appointment to take a look at one local auctioneer tomorrow. Going to see Wes Cowan who some of you may have seen on PBS. He doesn't specialize in guns, but seems to have a pretty nice operation, offering traditional paper catalogues and online listings as well. If any of you have had experience with Martin, Devine, or Amoskeag please let me know. Thanks again.

05-11-2006, 11:46 PM	#6
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,385	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses Good luck to you sir. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

05-11-2006, 11:57 PM	#7
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,837	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses Sorry, can’t help you with any information on the “big” auction houses. I have refused to pay their fees in the past. A WELL advertised “local” auction will often bring more than retail for used firearms. The killer here is, the percentages they charge. (I have seen more than 50% with some) When all is said and done, you end up with about half of what the firearms are worth. Isn’t there anyone who could help you list, and ship, the firearms, so you could do it online? ( I don't know that I could find anyone, should the need arise) While Auction Arms charges a listing fee and ********* doesn’t, even after their fees, either one would “net” you more than paying the outrageous percentages charged by any of the auction houses. I understand wanting to get rid of them all at once, and auctioning them rather than listing them with a price “could” bring in more money. You might be surprised at what would be offered if you provide a list here, of what is going on the auction block. Then again, maybe not. Sorry to hear this is a necessity, but I will wish you GOOD luck with your endeavor. Whatever it may be. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

05-12-2006, 10:53 PM	#8
sck V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 117	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses Once again, please accecpt my sincere thanks all for your thoughts, concern and advise.

05-13-2006, 05:00 AM	#9
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: Need Recommendations re gun auction houses I don't know about where you live but around here the local SMALLER gun shops will sell your guns for 10% consignment and they do all the paper work. Ron __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?