Gunbroker, here, consignment or what?

[tulsamal]

Edited to add: I guess what I'm trying to say is, and everyone is in a different position, but I personally feel that Apple stock is better for retirement than guns and ammo.

Absolutely! And that's why I have a quite large 401k plus four IRA's with Goldman Sachs... with even more money... and a Roth with Schwab... and gold IRA's... and god knows what else.

My gun sales aren't really central to my retirement. But "something" needs to be done with a big pile of them. Whenever I would spend "even more money on gun stuff" (imagine that in wife's voice)... I would tell her, "I'll be dead someday and you can sell it all for more than I paid for it." I would like to believe that is true!

 

[tulsamal]

What types of guns are you talking about? Polymer semi autos? Or blued steel and walnut? I'm sure you've found out that this forum mostly likes the steel and walnut.

I agree. That's why I mostly don't buy your basic polymer utility guns anymore. I have enough of them and they are sort of a commodity now. Like a toaster. You probably aren't going to make any money off them!

If I posted some guns here for sale, they would probably be Rugers. Or something with a connection to Rugers... like that Marlin lever action in .256 WM that I bought here... and I still haven't ever shot it!

 

[tulsamal]

I agree, but only if you provide a lot of good photos. 10+ photos. You aren't getting market value if you provide just one or two fuzzy photos.

I've been a "semi-pro" photographer since high school... I can do that part!

Was just taking some photos of a Ruger Montado for possible sale...

 

[tulsamal]

but again don't see a gun as an investment....gee I got a great deal on this gun for $900, then used it for three years and burned
$1000 worth of ammo with it and then sold it for $100 more then I paid for it. That's not an investment!
Bought a Security Six for $220 in 1980 and sold it tomorrow for $800....still not much of an investment, didn't even match inflation
rates.....if you could even get the $800 for it.
Edit...
T0 further my point I just did a very quick and dirty calculation ...$220 invested at 5% rate in 1980
would be worth about $1800 today. Anybody, their brother, or cousins dog, ought to have been able to hit a 5% rate.

Yeah, I don't disagree with that. I guess the word investment is tricky. I've been sending thousands of dollars to a bank in Ecuador for two year CD's earning 10.5% interest in USD... so if you just want to "earn capital"... that's an investment. I suppose I mean that when I buy a computer, I hope to get my money's worth out of it in use. I have no illusions... in 5-8 years that high end wonderful computer will be a doorstop. But if I buy a new FN SCAR 17 for $2300 mainly just because I'm curious about the design, how it works, how it feels... then I put it in a safe... never do get around to firing it... I expect to be able to sell that desirable model for quite a bit more than I bought it for. Not 10% a year kind of "more" but still more.

I've always thought that's one of the great things about being a gun guy. It's rewarding... literally... to put many thousands of dollars in the stock market and watch it grow over time. But there is no actual "use" for it during that time. But if I buy top quality guns that I enjoy having around... I can spend 20-30-40 years shooting them a bit, showing them to gun friends, just picking them up and looking at them now and then... but someday I can "get my money out of them." Seems to me that the vast majority of hobbies end up being money pits... I don't think being a gun collector should be like that.

And I haven't shot "thousands of rounds" through all my guns together in many, many years. I reload and I have my own home range and 90 acres to hunt on. I try to shoot a few rounds every week... but I don't shoot in matches or train for matches or anything like that. I shoot a couple hundred .22's a month.. maybe 50-100 9mm... then various other centerfire rounds here and there... but my guns aren't haven't been fired all that much compared to someone who really shoots guns as a sport.

 

[tulsamal]

The indoor range I shoot at charges a bomb to ship and I haven't been able to find a FFL that will do it so I have ended up eating some of the shipping charges.

I've sold a couple of handguns the last couple years. I have a local FFL who will ship for me. Depending on what USPS charges for the shipping and insurance, it usually ends up being $65-$75 total. Or was last time I did it last year.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I've done a lot of gun shows over the years and found out a lot of things. Unless you are willing to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to sell a gun for top dollar, you probably aren't going to get your price. I'm guessing many of the guns you have now mostly appeal to a certain age group. That's the age group we're in here. Chances are very high they aren't going to appeal to the younger folks that don't have much money because they don't like working, and the older guns have no appeal to them. The people who can appreciate those guns probably already have them. If they have them why would they want another one at the top of the price range. They don't. They just think back to what they paid and decide they did pretty good.
Frankly the reason they will buy it is if they think they can make a few bucks on it. Hence you need to leave a little for the next guy. You MAY find someone that's looking for exactly what you have but they will remember how much they used to be.
Everyone wants to make top dollar on their stuff. Doesn't mean they are going to get it.
It's pretty easy to outsmart yourself self in this game.
Many gun manufacturers have found the same thing. That's why you don't see Ruger manufacturing the old rifles that are so nice. If people wanted them they probably already have them. So now they sell quick put together rifles they can sell cheap, tighten the nut that holds the barrel on. Frankly they don't appeal to me. But they appeal to the folks that don't have a lot of money or know much about guns. Doubt you have any of those, and if you do, they can be bought in lots of places. So you have to make a deal. As Hittman said, don't get gready. If you go to very many gun shows, you see the same old guns every time because they want top dollar, and aren't going to get it, from the older and wiser guys that actually have some money.
I like gun shows because it's easier to sell something people can lay their hands on. But that doesn't mean they are stupid and willing to pay whatever price for a gun that's similar to what they already have.
A few years ago I had a couple of rifles Ruger didn't make many of and figured I was going to get "top dollar " on them. To do that I went the auction route. The first rifle I was amazed at how much I got, so decided to sell the other one. I got less than 2/3 the price I had got on the first one. Auctions can go either way. Many folks won't bid on a gun that has to reach a reserve amount, but no one knows what that price is.

Don't get me wrong, I like the top dollar price idea myself, but I don't necessarily expect to actually get it. I'm more of a take the money and run type of guy. I try to price things at what I think they will actually go for and not the pipe dream.

 

[NH Rugerman]

I suggest you consider an reputable auction house, yes, they may charge UP TO 20% commission but that really depends on the quantity and quality of the guns, they will PICK THEM UP FROM YOU, and do all the work to sell them, including collecting the money, taxes and shipping the guns and be responsible from an FFL standpoint.

Personally, I am leaning that direction and I am lucky enough to have a very good auction company, Amoskeag, close by….Jason is a good man and does a great job maximizing the value of guns, and he has sold many unique Ruger collections for example as many of the former Ruger employees (and some current ones!) use Amoskeag regularly.

Just another option to consider…..

The website is: amoskeagauction.com

 

[tulsamal]

thread drifting here.... I'm guessing the investments in Ecuador will help you get a residence type of visa?
Do they let you transfer the interest back to a US bank without penalties and is your money "secure" there?
I have a customer that does some offshore investing with good results but there's a lot to learn.

Interest rates at the big banks and credit unions in EC vary from 8.5% to 10.5%. Their version of a government FDIC insures them... but only up to $32k per financial institution. And not all of them... have to do your research... and don't put more than $32k in one account.

EC used to have a 5% "taking money out of the country" tax. Which was reduced to 3% and is going down to 1.5%. The government and newly elected President have said numerous times they plan to take it to 0% to encourage foreign investment.

In my case... I plan to use it there.

The current Investor Visor requirements are all the usual things... plus a $45k "investment in EC." You could buy or start a business. You could buy property. Or you can put $45k in a CD. It is perfectly OK to put the money into a CD and have the interest paid monthly into a different account. Then you can use that monthly interest to pay your local expenses. As long as you want to keep the visa, you have to leave the $45k in place. That amount is grandfathered in from the year you qualified... since it does tend to go up a bit every year.

We hope to move down there summer 2024 and stay until we are both 65 and qualify for Medicare. So that would be May 2027. I would probably never come back but the wife wants to return to go back to her dog shows and dog training classes. I hope she changes her mind... but that was what I agreed to do.

Low cost of living. Friendly people. Excellent and inexpensive healthcare. Great variety of super high quality restaurants. Fresh fruit and vegetables at local markets for pennies. Four different rivers that cross the city west to east... each one with miles and miles of green space and walking paths on both sides. Parks everywhere. And the weather stays pretty much the same all year round. High 60's to low 70's. Most houses don't even have a heater or AC since it isn't needed. We stayed in a super nice Air BNB last August and thought it was amusing that everybody leaves their windows open.. and yet they have no screens. Since they are over 8000 feet... virtually no insects. And the church with the three blue domes touches me on an emotional level... I love going up into Centro and just hanging out in the general area for hours.

 

[tulsamal]

This last August... I was there for 35 days... it wasn't enough...

 

[larry8]

Although I agree with most here that guns aren't a good investment, but what is?? Certainly not vehicles, or anything of value that you find for sale anywhere. It's rare to sell an item for more than you bought it for a few weeks or months ago. I had a good friend that bought guns from people that inherited them and just wanted to get rid of them, so the price paid was 50% of their value so he could make a few bucks when he sold them at the gun shows. But that is a different story. Just try to sell a stove or refrigerator for anything near its new value, won't happen.

 

[SWR]

I have a similar problem. Live in the middle of no where and at least 1.5 hours to the nearest decent gun store.

Shipping is the big problem !!!!!!!!!
Has anyone tried using "Ship My Gun" service ? If so how did it work out ?

Any dealers on this forum in the southern or southeast states willing to work with one of us ??

Regards
Steve

 

[Johnnu2]

If I had that kind of money, I'd just donate them to the poor/homeless.......
Of course, you'd have to come up with a story for the wife, that sorta supports your years-long "investment" rationale....

J.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

consider listing them with top sellers on Gunbroker ,,

Locust Fork is one of them , she will come right to you and pick up your items for a small fee ,, here is one of her auctions and what she says about her consignments

Nearly all of our sales are consignment listings. If you like how our items are presented and would like us to handle your sales please contact us.....click on " Ask seller a question" and send me a message. We have very competitive rates...ONLY 10% for consignment sales. We have a long history on Gun Broker, and all items are insured that are in our possession. We travel to pick up collections and we send boxes with return labels to make getting your items to us as easy as possible.

GunBroker.com - Error

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here is another seller that you might look at
lock-stock-and-barrel

GunBroker.com - Error

just some thing to consider ,, oh and I have nothing to do with either of them but have purchased from both

 

[SWR]

Locust Fork seems to have some poor reviews(Google). Any insight into this ?? There are always going to be a few for any business, but these make me wonder

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

Locust Fork seems to have some poor reviews(Google). Any insight into this ?? There are always going to be a few for any business, but these make me wonder

nothing that I can put any light on , Her feedback on GB is darn good and i know every one on the forums speak very highly of her


I've spent the last 20 minutes or so trying to find some poor reviews about LF using google and haven't been able too , care to share what you are talking about ?

 

[tulsamal]

That's an interesting idea about using a consignment dealer on GB. I've never heard of that.

I've also seen that Ship My Gun web site. One of the gun places I've looked at to do a plating job on a handgun uses it. I've only gone in and looked at the pricing, etc... never actually used it.

Although I agree with most here that guns aren't a good investment, but what is??

I would say the Colt Python I bought a few years ago for $900 was a good investment. Or the Rockola M1 Carbine I bought for $350. I would honestly say I DO have a lot of guns that were at least decent investments... and I got to enjoy them. My Apple stock made a lot more money... but the guns were more fun.

As far as "now"... my 90 acre property appears to now be worth 7-10x what I paid for it in 1999. That seems like a good deal. My silver and gold has at least held its value. My children haven't really been a good financial return... but it is good to have them around!

 

[Johnnu2]

"We hope to move down there summer 2024 and stay until we are both 65 and qualify for Medicare"

I had no idea that Medicare would be "use-able" in another country..????? I assume the doctors there actually accept Medicare payments; and that Medicare actually pays them...????

J.

 

[tulsamal]

Actually you can use Medicare in Mexico. One of the many reason that 1 to 2 million US citizens live in Mexico.

But not in Ecuador. I meant we will move to EC and use EC healthcare... which is better than the US... check the international rankings... then when we turn 65 we will return to the US... because at that point we will qualify for Medicare. Up until 65 as a retired person, you get to do the healthcare insurance dance.. and I prefer to avoid it.

 

[SWR]

nothing that I can put any light on , Her feedback on GB is darn good and i know every one on the forums speak very highly of her


I've spent the last 20 minutes or so trying to find some poor reviews about LF using google and haven't been able too , care to share what you are talking about ?

Type in " locust fork gun, remlap alabama " and her business name Mckayco llc opens in the right side of the page. There you will see the current 5 reviews, 4 which are negative. Yea I now its only 5 and complaints are always a first response instead of accolades but consideration must be given to how and why in a decision of importance

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

Yes I see what you are saying , I'n not really wanting to defend LF but come on,,, did you read thru them ?

the first guy lets his dealer open the package without his self being there and then claims he got shorted 1 mag, question ,,, How does he know? it's possible that LF left one out but why would she ? on the other hand it's also very possible that the receiving FFL seen a chance to get a mag that he could made money on or maybe he just missed it and threw it out with the packaging,, either could have happened and the buyer just choose to believe his dealer

2nd person says LF is <<in their word >> " ( willingly violate a listing company's (Gunbroker) user agreement/policy )" but fails to say what part of the policy is and or if they bother to contact Gunbroker about it ..

3rd guy says he knew the gun was being sold as is but bitches that it doesn't work, yet he writes >> They refuse to acknowledge any implied use or functionality and hide behind their "as is" statement.<<< so he must have read
{ what is in Her descriptions which is >>> Our sales are all listed "AS IS"...if an item is factory new and there are any issues they will be covered by the factory, all used items are NOT covered by any return policy. Please ask questions if you have any concerns or ask for pictures of any areas you do not see in the detailed pictures. BIDDING ON THIS AUCTION MEANS YOU HAVE READ THIS AND AGREE TO THESE TERMS.}

if he knew why did he bid ??

4th person says they
Absolutely wonderful seller! They sold my collection of around 450 guns and did a fantastic job! Kasey was a joy to deal with, and their organization was top-notch! They do a great presentation, and their management is superb! I couldn't have been more pleased!

Me >>>wow 450 guns and the guy is please as punch , that says way more to me than the first 3 <<<<

sorry about the bold black type,, not me doing that ,,, the computer change it up and I can't get back to the normal type

last is complaining about a 4% credit charge , well it is stated in bold that is what she charges, IF you choose to use that type of payment why the complaining about it >
here is a link to a review about LF from 2021, again take it for what it's worth

Consignment brokers on Gunbroker - Page 2

I am planning to sell some safe queens and I would like to use a consignment dealer on gunbroker. Any suggestions? I already follow Bryant Ridge and Sarah15guns on gunbroker.

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