The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Green Mountain Gringo on March 24, 2009, 03:46:56 PM
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Who can give me an opinion on gunbroker.com?
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I've bought a few times. Went well. Just like ebay, you never know. Look at how much feed back the guy has, go from there.
I got a NEW Henry Golden Boy 22lr for $250. I must have bid on thirty guns all together, finally got lucky.
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I refer to it as gun toker just because a lot of the sellers are a bit....optimistic....about their asking price. But its a good service. For one thing, by looking at the completed auctions for the item you're interested in you get an idea of what the market will bear. I got my bond off of them and it went fine, although the seller was a gun store so I felt pretty confident dealing with them.(Gee Street Guns of Jonesboro Ar., their service was so good they deserve the plug.). If you private email the dealers many will consider trades as well. But just like ebay, its caveat emptor, read the ratings, talk on the phone etc. But I'd definately use them again, in fact I keep checking in looking for a good price on a glock 26 or a tactical carbine (yes thats a hint if anyone wants to sell/barter either of the above).
fightingquaker13
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just like ebay... things are over priced.
I've also never won a "auction" on those sites. Some one either out bids me in the last few seconds, or I don't meet the reserve.
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I have never purchased anything on Gunbroker, but I do browse it often. I use it for an idea of the going price on things (not the asking price, but look at actual bids and closed auctions for what things sold for). I have made a handful of purchases on e-bay, back when they allowed reloading stuff.
The key to Gunbroker is as others have said to look at the ratings on the seller, do the homework on what you are bidding on, and Know What You Are Willing To Spend!!!
I'm horrible at live auctions in that I can get caught up in the bidding if I'm not careful ... Really sucks when your bidding on trucks and equipment in the tens of thousands. Bidding on-line is just as dangerous. Don't forget that if you go $10 too high on that 10/22, it will get even worse when you add shipping and the FFL.
Outside of all these warnings, I've never had a bad contact experience with gunbroker, and I do know a couple people that have purchased and been pleased.
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I have purchased firearms from both GunBroker and GunsAmerica. I tend to favor GunsAmerica just because of the non-auction aspect. You know the final price up front, and don't get drawn into a bidding war, as others have mentioned falling prey to. That being said, my experience with GunBroker has been nothing but pleasant, and if you watch diligently, you can find some good deals. Happy hunting / shopping.
Swoop
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just like ebay... things are over priced.
Are their better firearms sites that someone would recommend? GunBroker and GunsAmerica typically beat my local gun shops prices, even when you take shipping and FFL into account. I still try to throw him business though, unless he's outrageously over priced.
Swoop
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I've bought four guns through them. I thought I got three pretty good deals ($100 or more cheaper than I could find locally) and one fair deal. Some new, some used. I've seen some that looked like pretty good deals get bid up into the the "you gotta be kidding" range.
I'd recommend knowing the local price and having a lot of patience. Also have a hard stop that you wont go beyond for the item you covet. The shipping and FFL fees take a big bite out the saving from not having to pay sales tax. Vet the seller as best you can. And, of course, caveat emptor.
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Haven't used Gunbroker, but have bought from GunsAmerica, yes they are both overpriced compared to local shows and dealers, but I called the dealers and talked like an Arab camel trader and got a good deal on a Kel-Tec P3AT.
The price with the FFL transfer fee, (which varies), factored in, is a major factor depending on what your looking for.
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I have been looking for a 22lr for silouhette shooting and have gone to both GunBroker and GunsAmerica. Try GunsInternational.com. Haven't bought anything yet, waiting for tax refund. Make sure if you see something you like, see all the items that dealer has, might have something better/cheaper. Looking at Anschutz, Weatherby MKII, Kimber Hunter Silouhette, Remington 513 and those types of rifles. Hint.
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The real value in these sites is tracking down the hard to find firearms....... Rare, antique, collectible, odd calibers, left handed, or just what your local shops refuse to carry.
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One of the "tricks" I have learned is to use the Advanced Search in gunbroker.com. I then Narrow the search first just (enter your state here) Iowa then go that route.. If you get lucky you will find a private seller that you won't have to pay the tax but usually never the FFL. I have purchased a few items on gunbroker and the most important thing is to know the "Scheels" price and the local gunshop price.
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I've bought three guns from Gunbroker and all went well. A few people have commented on guns being over-priced, but I've gotten three good deals on my guns. Got a Sig 556 for $1269 (around Nov 5th), a P229 with SRT and beavertail for $800, and a S&W 642 with CT grips for $611. All factory new. I'm happy with those prices. Some dealers will offer layaway, and a few will trust your personal checks, so no 3% (or more) CC fee.
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Are their better firearms sites that someone would recommend? GunBroker and GunsAmerica typically beat my local gun shops prices, even when you take shipping and FFL into account. I still try to throw him business though, unless he's outrageously over priced.
Swoop
Really? For the most part I've found them to be with in 5% of local gun store prices. Adding in shiping and FFL fees and you normally are way over. I find that to be true with most retailers in my area. When you add in the shipiing the prices are almost identical.
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I agree TAB. I'm always for the little guy anyway.. but it just depends on how long you are willing to wait for a deal too.. Again the private sales are where the deals are at and as someone else said the odd ball items. I found a NIB Weatherby Vangaurd .30-06 for $250. Deals are there just gotta wait on them.
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GBdotcom so far has been good to me. I have purchased holsters, handguns, ammunition in bulk and am in the process of purchasing yet another shotgun if the price stays within my range. I do like it better than e-bay. No "sniping". If someone bids on an item in the last 15 minutes or so it adds 15 minutes to the end time to allow bidders the opportunity to bid up or close out. Keeps folks honest ;)
As always, pay attention to descriptions and don't be afraid to ask for additional photographs if you don't feel comfortable with what is shown. Most folks are willing to work with you if you ask.
CC almost always incurs additional charges.
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I just bought through GunBroker for the first time and had a good experience.
As others have said, read previous reviews of sellers carefully before bidding. Also watch the details of the listing very closely to make sure there are no surprises. You can set alerts based upon searches you create; I found that useful to locate the particular gun I wanted. In my case, a matte stainless Taurus Tracker 44, which I couldn't find anywhere locally, for only a bit more than the blued model locally.
BTW, I bought from Red Barn Guns and had a great experience. I'd buy from them again.
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I've never bought off of GunBroker, just browsed. I did just buy 2 guns off of AuctionArms.com, one was a deal, the other not so, but I couldn't find it local, until AFTER I bought it :'(. The process was easy, non-problematic, all tho I did have to pay the extra 3% for CC :P.
Brian