Need suggestions on best way to sell guns.

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Guns.com Vault
I have sold lots of guns in the past ten years. Only one was an out of state sale which of course required a FFL transfer. The rest were either through my gun clubs for sale section of their website or ACCURATESHOOTER.COM.
If I’m not mistaken you might have to pay a yearly fee to advertise on accurate shooter but it’s very reasonable.
The thing I hate most about selling guns is packaging. If you have the original box it helps in two ways. 1. Buyers love the original box, often times it means they are re-selling and are beating the snot out of you on the price. 2nd, factory box does a good job of protecting the rifle during shipping but of course needs to go into an outer box. I generally save factory and outer box because I eventually sell the gun for the next gun I can’t live without.
And then there’s about 30 emails back and forth working out the details, and all that is for just one gun.
My local gun club that I belong to has an annual swap meet and members and non-members get a table for $20 or so and put out their items, so check your local gun clubs.
Bottom line, selling a collection of guns is a pain in the butt.
Good luck to you.
 
I like Comtemders suggestion above. I would say the gun show or classifieds here. Gun shop will not give you what they are worth commission same thing when fees deducted.
 
RE: USPS updated shipping of handguns.
Don't expect every counter employee in every Post Office to be immediately familiar with this update.
When I was a Postmaster and also had an FFL, I often shipped guns for customers in my area. I became quite familiar with the regulations and wrote a tutorial for the Gateway District on the subject of shipping firearms.
Another point of interest: at least some shipping venues may ask/require verification of condition and/or safety status (no ammo present) of the firearm. It's really frustrating to have your package wrapped and taped securely only to be asked to open for inspection.
 
"Blume can make a bill of sale,, noting the buyer's name & address to show he was doing his "due diligence" in trying to sell to a legal resident."
Good advice. this would go a long way to CYA if the firearm was later used in a crime. Plus would probably put off a 'prohibited person' from proceeding with an illegal purchase.
 
With 60+ responses, has anyone thought of a PTA gun sale ? Sorta like an old fashioned 'bake-sale' without the calories or cholesterol.
J.
 
Getting a table at a gun show cuts out the middle man and more of the profits go into your pocket.

Next best is a good well advertised auction house for the better stuff. A friend goes to a monthly auction where he lives. They sold 313 guns in three hours there on Thursday night. You should have a couple of good auction houses near you in S.C.

Never sell to a gun shop, as they will low ball you every time. Dealers buy low and sell high. Dealers here buy at less than 50% of Blue Book value (they use an old Blue Book as the sellers usually have never seen one before). Then the Dealer will try to sell it for over new Blue Book value.
 
I cant begin to say how many times I hav driven to Tulsa, or Ft Worth to go to a GOOD gunshow. I hav spent lots of $$$ to do what you can do for free. And when we seen that they sold Beer at Tulsa, we would just carry a 30pk in. Or hav Bloody Mary's of a Morn and JB/Coke all eve. Thise were good days of gun shows. But, I can see where a lot of yall would not have the personality to buy/sell/trade/swap/wheel deal w the public. Jus sayn
 
TScott said:
https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/s...are-regulated-items/prohibited-items/firearms
UPS accepts packages containing Firearm Products for shipment only as a contractual service and only from Shippers who are licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors (as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code) to authorized recipients, as outlined in an approved UPS agreement for the transportation of Firearm Products.
Click to expand...
Can somebody clear this up... seems we have two different opinions on shipping with UPS.
 
contender said:
"If an private individual gets a table at a gun show does he, (the seller) have to do a background check like a dealer would?
Any paperwork to get done?
Just curious, thanks"

Many states do allow the private sale of your personal property,, including guns w/o the restrictions a FFL dealer who is in business to buy & sell firearms for a profit.
So, no background check is required. No paperwork necessary by law. HOWEVER,, as Blume has mentioned a simple bill of sale,, and in many private sales,, a look at the buyer's driver license will prove they are a resident of the state.
Blume can make a bill of sale,, noting the buyer's name & address to show he was doing his "due diligence" in trying to sell to a legal resident.
If a person is a felon, or not a resident of SC,, then they will be the one to walk away from the simple request by Blume.
Click to expand...

I some states, doing any/all the above will also open you up to having to collect sales tax.
Here is a link to the type of law I'm talking about. This one is in full force in Texas, and has been for several years....Note that to be exempt, one can't sell more than two items per year. That ain't two guns mind you, it is two items....holster, box of ammo, an old scope, whatever:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-211.php

Also note that obtaining a necessary sales tax permit may also entail needing a commercial bank account because most banks do not allow one to conduct business matters through a personal checking account., which in turn, often requires that one obtain a "DBA" (aka Doing Business As) from the State, which also cost money, ..plus...once you get a DBA and commercial (business) account going down at the bank so you can handle the tax transactions, you can bet the farm that it won't be long before the BATFE drops by your gun show table to see whether you've got an FFL or not....
Just saying that in many locales, the old-timey gun show is long gone. And that when one starts dealing with government(s) the whole thing can soon turn into a can of worms....which it did to me, which is why I don't fool around with selling at gun shows any longer.

S.C. might have a similar law. Maybe N.C. too....dunno.
It's just something that I thought you may want to be aware of.

DGW
 
Busterswoodshop said:
I have mailed several rifles with UPS with no problem.
I had to take them to a UPS hub.
No third party UPS store will do it.
Click to expand...
When was the last time you did it? A 3rd party (UPS store) will accept from an individual using SMG. No hub or facility according to their website, and their local hub that I used for years to ship long guns, will not accept from non-licensed individuals per their revised national policy.
 
Last edited:
kentucky yeti said:
When was the last time you did it? A 3rd party (UPS store) will accept from an individual using SMG. No hub or facility according to their website, and their local hub that I used for years to ship long guns, will accept from non-licensed individuals per their revised national policy.
Click to expand...
It has been a few years since I did that. Maybe 10 or more.
I just took the rifle to the UPS hub in Tucson and handed the box to the cashier.
I showed him a copy of the FFL I was sending it to , and he weighed it and charged me.
That was it.
I did it a couple of times.
Then I found an FFL that could do it as cheap , so I started using him.
Last time I used him the price was ridiculous , so I haven't shipped anything since.
I have been wondering about ship my gun. I have several guns I would like to sell , and shipping has kept me from doing so.
 
Busterswoodshop said:
It has been a few years since I did that. Maybe 10 or more.
I just took the rifle to the UPS hub in Tucson and handed the box to the cashier.
I showed him a copy of the FFL I was sending it to , and he weighed it and charged me.
That was it.
I did it a couple of times.
Then I found an FFL that could do it as cheap , so I started using him.
Last time I used him the price was ridiculous , so I haven't shipped anything since.
I have been wondering about ship my gun. I have several guns I would like to sell , and shipping has kept me from doing so.
Click to expand...
Do it sir. Sign up for SMG. Easy and cheap, and passes all legal muster.
 
DGW1949 said:
I some states, doing any/all the above will also open you up to having to collect sales tax.
Here is a link to the type of law I'm talking about. This one is in full force in Texas, and has been for several years....Note that to be exempt, one can't sell more than two items per year. That ain't two guns mind you, it is two items....holster, box of ammo, an old scope, whatever:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-211.php
Click to expand...
An individual can sell $3,000 of tangible personal property and not have to collect sales tax in Texas during a 12 month period.
A hyper link is in the above...Blue letters .... occasional sales
 
blume357 said:
Can somebody clear this up... seems we have two different opinions on shipping with UPS.
Click to expand...
I copied and pasted directly from UPS policy and placed a link if you wanted to go read it yourself. What else is there to clear up. You have to have a firearm shipping contract with UPS to ship firearms or parts. You have to have an FFL and jump through hoops to get it. Ask me how I know. I have one. The same is true of Fedex except after a certain date about two years ago fedex is no longer granting firearms shipping contracts. No new ones, Old ones are grandfathered in. They don't want our business. I have been an FFL for about 14 years and ship a lot of firearms. I try to keep abreast of theses things.
 
I will add that many people still ship guns with Fedex and UPS and just claim it is something else when buying the label. There is no law against it, just company policy. The problem is that if you lie about what is in the package and it gets lost or stolen enroute, their insurance will not cover it. Take your own chances, many do and get away with it.
 
Busterswoodshop said:
I have mailed several rifles with UPS with no problem.
I had to take them to a UPS hub.
No third party UPS store will do it.
Click to expand...
Under their old policy that was ok. Now you cannot ship a gun at all with UPS. If using SMG or similar service, you are shipping under their license and their shipping contract. Same as if Ruger sends you a Fedex label to return your gun for repair. You are shipping under Ruger's license and their shipping contract. I can e-mail you a label under my shipping contract and you can drop it off at a UPS store because I am a licensed and contractual dealer.
 
contender said:
"If an private individual gets a table at a gun show does he, (the seller) have to do a background check like a dealer would?
Any paperwork to get done?
Just curious, thanks"

Many states do allow the private sale of your personal property,, including guns w/o the restrictions a FFL dealer who is in business to buy & sell firearms for a profit.
So, no background check is required. No paperwork necessary by law. HOWEVER,, as Blume has mentioned a simple bill of sale,, and in many private sales,, a look at the buyer's driver license will prove they are a resident of the state.
Blume can make a bill of sale,, noting the buyer's name & address to show he was doing his "due diligence" in trying to sell to a legal resident.
If a person is a felon, or not a resident of SC,, then they will be the one to walk away from the simple request by Blume.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the information and your response.
 
Yaworski said:
There is law, the GCA'68 says that you have to notify the carrier that you're shipping a firearm.
Click to expand...
You are right. It actually says you are required to give them written notice that you are shipping a firearm. I just meant to say there is no law against shipping a firearm with a private carrier but it is against their company policy.
 
Not worried about the sales tax issue if I do a gun show... since I have a retail sales tax license but I guess it would be good to know if they show up and so I can have the 6% add on to the price I'm asking for.
I guess if I sell any here then I probably just need to do the Ship My Gun thing... cost?
I know I need to go look.....
 
blume357 said:
I guess if I sell any here then I probably just need to do the Ship My Gun thing... cost?
I know I need to go look.....
Click to expand...
Generally, $20 per sale for their license plus actual shipping cost (which is cheaper than I could ship on my own before UPS stopped accepting from individuals. Best of all- instead of getting all your info here, you can contact them with questions and either answer right then or they get back to you fast.
 
The good news is my wife is really happy and excited that I am planning to get rid of some of my stock investments....
I have pretty much all the factory boxes for my handguns but will need to try and find long skinny boxes for many of the rifles...
Uline think might be the way to go with that...

Also, like said, I'm not really out to make a profit ... but my wife, who is the financial wizard, says I need to get top dollar and not be negotiated down.
 
DGW1949 said:
I some states, doing any/all the above will also open you up to having to collect sales tax.
Here is a link to the type of law I'm talking about. This one is in full force in Texas, and has been for several years....Note that to be exempt, one can't sell more than two items per year. That ain't two guns mind you, it is two items....holster, box of ammo, an old scope, whatever:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-211.php

Also note that obtaining a necessary sales tax permit may also entail needing a commercial bank account because most banks do not allow one to conduct business matters through a personal checking account., which in turn, often requires that one obtain a "DBA" (aka Doing Business As) from the State, which also cost money, ..plus...once you get a DBA and commercial (business) account going down at the bank so you can handle the tax transactions, you can bet the farm that it won't be long before the BATFE drops by your gun show table to see whether you've got an FFL or not....
Just saying that in many locales, the old-timey gun show is long gone. And that when one starts dealing with government(s) the whole thing can soon turn into a can of worms....which it did to me, which is why I don't fool around with selling at gun shows any longer.

S.C. might have a similar law. Maybe N.C. too....dunno.
It's just something that I thought you may want to be aware of.

DGW
Click to expand...
I’m not arguing with you, but the very first sentence of that article says “if you are selling taxable items.”

I don’t believe personal items are taxable. Blume didn’t buy those guns to be resold for a profit.
 
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