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First Sale Advice
Bjn74
Member Posts: 1 ✭
I have two revolvers I am hoping to sell on Gunbroker ASAP. One of them is a 6" Colt Python. From what I gather from the Colt website, it was manufactured in 1968 (also has an "M" by serial #) and it appears to me to be in great shape.
Just wanted to see if anyone wants to give me some advice/suggestions for a first time seller. I thought shipping to the buyer would be cumbersome, but it appears very straightforward. But I would love to hear anyone's suggestions regarding the auction, value, pics, description, shipping, etc.
Thank you for looking !!!
Comments
Leave your auction number so we can have a look. And welcome to the forums.
Selling for the first time on GB can be fun, interesting and educational. You say you want to sell ASAP, by running your auction for two weeks you will have more buyers looking and can be more profitable than trying to get rid of something fast. Starting at a penny seems to attract more buyers as well. Taking quality pictures and giving a detailed description is always a plus. Above all be honest in your description. Shipping a hand gun is pretty straight forward if your an FFL. dealer, if not you will have to have an FFL dealer ship it for you.
Good luck with your sale.
Here is another opinion. First time or sellers with low feedback counts are something some buyers look at with caution. This effects their willingness to place high dollar bids on something like your Python. As noted above selling in general, but especially with something like your Python requires an honest and clear description . It also requires many well taken pictures that are up close and IN FOCUS.
We have a seller named Locust Fork here that sells hundreds of firearms on consignment. I think she charges 10% but she has a large following, sets up awesome auctions, and nets top dollar from guns like your python. You should at least contact her through this forum and talk to her.
Unless you plan to sell more than a couple items, I agree with HPD. Contact Kasey (Locust Fork) and leave the driving to her. Trust me…been there, done that.
LOTS of clear pictures from every angle. I have looked at too many auctions with a nice item which includes one or two pics. Hard for a buyer to make a decision if they feel like they are guessing !!!! Good luck with the auction…
You will face challenges already mentioned, like if your pictures aren’t adequate, lack of a track record does put buyers off, and just simple inexperience putting together a good description.
Here’s another recommendation for Locust Fork. The big difference not yet mentioned, she has a huge following that looks at her auctions every week. I do. The benefit of this to you can’t be understated
I have over 100 perfect A+ feedbacks as a buyer and seller, but when I have sold things I rarely get more than one bid and I’ve never sold for top dollar. When I accumulate a few things I need to sell, I hand them off to Kasey. My net from her is way more that I can do on my own because it seems no one even sees my auctions. If you were selling a couple things for a couple hundred bucks each, it’s fun and not a big deal to do it yourself. But that python will net you significantly more handing it off to a true pro. My opnion FWTW.
As others have stated, as a first-time seller with a feedback score of "NR" you will have a challenge as many buyers are not willing to commit to first time sellers or those with no feedback rating. You mentioned shipping of your revolvers being "very straightforward" and I'm not sure what you mean by that phrase. However, unless you have an FFL, you cannot ship a handgun yourself. Instead, you will have to get an FFL to ship for you which could mean that the FFL first transfers your handguns to his FFL book and then transfers it to another FFL on behalf of the buyer. Also, please keep up with the every changing ATF rule referred to as "Engaged In The Business" as they want everyone to have an FFL even possibly for the sale of a single firearm. That is being fought vigorously within courts and is not likely going to stand after the recent US Supreme Court ruling striking down Chevon Deference. However, the ATF often ignores court ruling against them to go after gun owners.
Sell some smaller items to build up some feedback first. When you do list your firearms, put plenty of high resolution pictures of them from all angles. Pictures sell! Buyers want to see exactly what they are getting. Not only will the pictures help it sell, it will help them sell for top dollar. Also, be as descriptive as you can (only what you are sure of, don't speculate). Lastly, don't use a reserve. It turns buyers off. Personally, I will NOT bid on something with a reserve. To me, it just means they want too much for it and are embarrassed to show the price. Many people swear by the penny start auctions as it gets bidders interested. I don't sell a ton and I am not brave enough on most things I sell unless I know it is a popular item and a lower cost (sub $1k) item. Good luck and post the link here when you do list.