Gun Broker ?

[kje54]

Like others have stated you can find some deals on GB but you have to be patient and keep your eyes open but be aware of the added cost (taxes, shipping & fees). I just made my one and only purchase on GB for a Portuguese Mauser, NRA condition good and even with the added costs was still 40% cheaper than the lowest priced ones elsewhere in the same condition. Of course having a C&R definitely saved me the transfer fee.

 

[ernbar]

Remember that when using a credit card for the purchase one can file for a a refund when things go wrong. It may take 30-60 days to get the refund but there’s a very good chance you will get your money back. I have done so on a couple of transactions that the merchant refused to issue a credit on items that were either defective, unnecessary automotive work performed, goods never received, not as advertised or just plain wrong.

 

[ernbar]

Like others have stated you can find some deals on GB but you have to be patient and keep your eyes open but be aware of the added cost (taxes, shipping & fees). I just made my one and only purchase on GB for a Portuguese Mauser, NRA condition good and even with the added costs was still 40% cheaper than the lowest priced ones elsewhere in the same condition. Of course having a C&R definitely saved me the transfer fee.

Love the crest on those. They are getting hard to find like the RCs that were actually affordable. Years ago I was SUPER lucky to score on a Luftwaffe 1939 Steyr G29o in excellent all matching condition. She is my Mauser holy grail.

 

[Shawrco]

I have bought guns on gunbroker, and might again, but...

When you buy from someone on gunbroker you are buying almost, not quite, but almost sight unseen. Yes, you saw pictures but there are a lot of things we will not buy sight unseen especially things that are not commodities.

When is the last time you bought a used car without looking at it first, shoes, mail order bride?

When you buy from gunbroker, make sure it is something you really, really want, expect it to be a little less than how it is advertised and if it is better, it is a bonus! Don't overpay and if you have to tweak it a little that is the price you pay when you buy some thing that someone else did not want.

Well put... I've bought a total of 22 items off GB (not all firearms). My most recent purchase was the TC Hawken that led me to this august group. It's the Hawken that I've been posting question about - "Thompson Center Hawken 50 caliber black powder this is a early Thompson in very good condition has been used bore in great condition, wood has a few light marks, a nice early muzzle loader." Pretty accurate description except the bore is less than stellar, certainly NOT in great condition... The stock has very nice figure, so I haven't tried to go back to the seller (yet). I've been watching quite a few TC Hawkens before and since my purchase and I'd say prices are in line with what's in the link Urban Coyote posted, some higher, but deals to be had. Most sellers have an inspection policy or could be asked for a chance to look over (I guess shy away from buying if seller not willing). Hard to inspect a ML bore without the proper equipment, I'm gonna' buy one of those USB borescopes off eBay soon. I used the borescope from work to look at my GB rifle and found the true condition. Jury's out on this one because I still haven't had a chance to shoot it, so all I can do is hope for the best. I've started shopping for a replacement barrel or another alternative, like have a liner installed.
But as far as GB goes, it's caveat emptor... do your homework, don't be in a hurry and watch for a good deal. Buy a firearm that can be inspected and returned if not to your liking. 99% of my GB purchases have worked out well or better than expected.

 

[poinlaw]

Ive done about 30 GB deals over the past 10 years, as buyer and seller, and only 2 have gone bad. One, the buyer informs me the side by side wont close (I shipped it taken apart) and sure enough, when he sends it back, it appears he dropped the barrels on the locking lug and bent it (a Savage Fox) so that repairing it was more than the gun was worth. I had no way of proving that, so I sold it at a local gun show for about 1/3 the buyers's cost, refunded all his money, and ate the difference. He gave me glowing reviews. The second was from a seller who was deliberately not clear about the condition of the barrels, and when I wanted to return the gun got all huffy and insulting, and gave me a terrible review. I kept the gun, lived with the barrels, and added to his growing list of bad reviews. So, the takeaway is, 1) sometimes you need to accommodate the buyer even if he is wrong, and 2) when you find a seller with multiple bad reviews (this guy had several hundred bad reviews out of several thousand transactions, so about 5-10% bad) run away and find another gun. No gun is worth the hassle of a bad seller.

 

[ernbar]

My one and only transaction on GB was about 20 years ago when I bid and won a Remington 1903A3. It was everything that was described and more, still have it. It’s a gorgeous A3 and shoots very accurately. Now I would have second thoughts with all the dishonesty and bs going around.

 

[BillRob]

I've bought eight or ten guns on GB over the years. One was substantially nicer than I expected. One was definitely not as nice. Most were just about as described. Gave the really nice one a great review. Just didn't review the bad one. I guess I have just learned to accept the bad with the good.

 

[Trapper Scott]

The only gun I have ever bought off GB was a Lyemans Trade Rifle when I got the itch to get a flintlock. I watched GB auctions for about two months until I found that deal and if I remember I got it for $360 + taxes and shipping which ended up being around $430 which was stupidly high for shipping two states away and taxes. Beware the sellers that advertise a one-price shipping charge because that's just another way of making a few more dollars. Read the fine print and ask the important questions before bidding.

 

[TDM]

I never have used GB. I’ve looked at guns from forum links a few times, but that’s it. I’ve heard of good deals being found but I don’t trust myself in an auction situation.

 

[Trapper Scott]

I never have used GB. I’ve looked at guns from forum links a few times, but that’s it. I’ve heard of good deals being found but I don’t trust myself in an auction situation.

It is very easy to get caught up in the moment of bidding and out price one's self. I got a decent deal. Not great, but it was fair because the rifle was in really good condition, but I did see a lot of crazy prices with the same rifles for sale week after week.

 

[kje54]

I never have used GB. I’ve looked at guns from forum links a few times, but that’s it. I’ve heard of good deals being found but I don’t trust myself in an auction situation.

My "trick" in any auction, anywhere is I set the price I am willing to go up to, if I reach that price and am outbid then I move on. All I lost was a little bit of time, just takes discipline.

 

[French Colonial]

Ive done about 30 GB deals over the past 10 years, as buyer and seller, and only 2 have gone bad. One, the buyer informs me the side by side wont close (I shipped it taken apart) and sure enough, when he sends it back, it appears he dropped the barrels on the locking lug and bent it (a Savage Fox) so that repairing it was more than the gun was worth. I had no way of proving that, so I sold it at a local gun show for about 1/3 the buyers's cost, refunded all his money, and ate the difference. He gave me glowing reviews. The second was from a seller who was deliberately not clear about the condition of the barrels, and when I wanted to return the gun got all huffy and insulting, and gave me a terrible review. I kept the gun, lived with the barrels, and added to his growing list of bad reviews. So, the takeaway is, 1) sometimes you need to accommodate the buyer even if he is wrong, and 2) when you find a seller with multiple bad reviews (this guy had several hundred bad reviews out of several thousand transactions, so about 5-10% bad) run away and find another gun. No gun is worth the hassle of a bad seller.

I always read the reviews of a seller before buying on GB, You can scroll through the negatives and learn a lot about a person.

 

[The Damned Yankee]

I bought a flintlock on GB a few years ago. Bid $200 over my limit but ended up with a damn fine J. Garner rifle from early 90s. Seller offered me 10 days to inspect and return. It is between you and seller. Ask questions and get the details worked out before you buy.

 

[Patched]

Many years ago, internet surfing I saw a discontinued $15 pocketknife model for auction on GB…signed up, made a $20 bid…didn’t win…then…2 days later.
got the GB notice to pay now…they said I “owe them $1, please read the fine print agreement “…my 1st and only bid cost $1….
well, apparently they charge monthly interest, so 20 years later…my GB bill for the privilege of losing a bid on a $15 Frost pocket knife is over $100…”please pay past due amount before bidding“
Back when my bill was $60 or so I contacted GB explained to some robot what and why….”your clicking the bid button is a binding contract please pay your past due amount before enjoying the deals and savings here on Gun Broker”

It‘s not that hard to find the gun shops or dealers of listed items…I’ve been able go around GunBroker and contact the seller directly several times….GunBroker can come and suck that buck outta me.

 

[Whitworth]

I've purchased a few, all went well. YMMV

 

[pamtnman]

Agree. And, its nearly unbelievable to me that they keep relisting an item at the ridiculously high price that it hasn't sold for in previous listings.

And then it will eventually sell for their asking price, because selling something online or retail depends on finding the right buyer at the right time. I have both bought and sold on gunbroker, and what always amazes me is how a set of buyers will focus exclusively on one item and bid it way up between them, while ignoring a similar item of same or even better quality going for less money. For a lot of buyers, auctions elicit ego-driven decisions, instead of dollars and cents calculated decisions. So in an environment like that, a seller just has to wait for the right buyer. And for most items sold there, there are no listing or relisting fees. So when you and I take a shot at something that is too high for us, it usually turns out that we are not the right buyer. Also, if you are buying on GB or any other online site, ask to see photos of everything. A seller who won’t send us more photos is either a poor seller or a deceptive seller, and either way is not someone any of us wants to deal with. If the item arrives not as described, then it’s going to be an uphill battle, which is no fun.

 

[BP Addict]

I will never again buy on GB. Bad experience. Bought a TC Hawken advertised in good condition. After 11 shots the hammer would not catch in full cock. Removed cap lock and found the tumbler worn past the notch. I asked the seller to contribute to the cost of replacement parts. He refused. Filed a claim with GB. They refused bc I removed the lock.
Burned once. Never again.

GB is a tricky thing. I've bought Muzzle Loaders that were shot and never cleaned but looked nice on the outside. Some with defects not listed, and one that was STILL LOADED! The last one was a 50 cal CVA Hawken Flintlock which I bought from a first-time seller (a mistake) It had a 1" barrel instead of the 15/16" I was wanting. I forgot CVA made them in both sizes. The rear sight had been painted black which flowed onto the barrel (didn't notice it in the photos). I swapped it out with a fixed one and was able to get the paint off the barrel without killing the bluing.

For me, to increase the chances of a successful buying experience, I ask a lot of questions. I ask for extra photos. I buy from experienced sellers. I've bucked that on a few rare items I've really wanted (like the FL Hawken) and ended up with something different than what I expected.

In your case, that was on the seller's part and they should have made it good. I will not list something that is defective or unsafe. I completely clean it before I take any photos. There's nothing like a coat of dust or crud to turn a buyer off. I provide 4 or 5 pictures of each side; right, left, top & bottom plus muzzle and butt. I give a detailed description, especially pointing out any flaws or defects. I don't like "gotchas" and neither do most folks out there. They also have a 3-day right to inspect, although most folks won't pay the money to ship it back.

After a purchase. the first thing I do is take the gun apart, inspect, clean, and lube it. Their policy of saying they won't help you is total BS! I'd like to see where it says that disassembly is not part of that process.

You can find things there that you haven't seen in a while, often from someone getting out of it or another selling off an estate. Lastly, look at the seller's rating. If they're new or have far less than 100% good Feedback, pass on by! Also, beware of Gun Stores and Pawn Shops. Chances are all they did was snap photos and list them. I'd rather buy from a Muzzle Loader person. Lastly, set a limit you are willing to pay for the item including shipping. Although, I have lost auctions by as little as $1!

Sorry for your troubles,

Walt

 

[FishDFly]

I never have used GB. I’ve looked at guns from forum links a few times, but that’s it. I’ve heard of good deals being found but I don’t trust myself in an auction situation.

I do not buy if I cannot inspect/fondle it, I learned my lesson years ago on e-bay.

 

[BP Addict]

I do not buy if I cannot inspect/fondle it, I learned my lesson years ago on e-bay.

I'm fortunate enough to have The Guns Works Muzzle Loading Emporium about 20 miles away. Their prices are usually higher than the auctions but I can feel, smell, and even taste the item if I want to. Also, they have a nice lay-a-way program that allows you to pay it off little by little with 20% down!

Walt

 

[user 31257]

Agree. And, it’s nearly unbelievable to me that they keep relisting an item at the ridiculously high price that it hasn't sold for in previous listings.

There are sellers at gun shows that do the same thing. I’ve seen the same dealers with the same guns and high prices for years at the same shows. The tags on their guns are worn and faded from being looked at. I don’t get it but they aren’t really interested in selling.