[t94nambu]

sorry for the off topic post, feel free not to post if this wastes your time. that aside, i have been thinking about my collection and the burden placed on my family should i meet an untimely demise. with that in mind, i have gone through my collection and found several rare rifles that i have talked myself into selling. i know that offering them here is a cheap way to rid myself of such items, but i have noticed that market prices and trader prices are not the same. in fact, trader prices are sometimes far below what the same items sell for on auction. I'm not against giving someone a deal, but i need the money for the little guy's future....not my pocket. i know there are fees associated with auction sites, but even with fees taken out of the sale price, a seller can do better at auction rather than selling on here lately. that is only my opinion though and i have been watching the auction sites and markets do the roller coaster performance with highs and lows all over the place but would like to know what everyone else thinks.

 

[kablam]

I'd send them to RIA. They seem to get the best prices overall for military stuff.

 

[BIG ED]

The only problem with rare high dollar items. If you are only selling Japanese items you have a very narrow market. My thoughts are once you get above the 1000.00 mark any firearm is hard to sell to the average Joe. The people with the big bucks can easily afford the mint to new examples. I like the Japanese rifles but I have always shyed away from the very rare high dollar items.If you want to go the GB route with high reserves thats your choice. It may takes several reductions in reserve to sell? If you want to gather them all up and send them to an auction take the hit and be done with it all. Just sit back and wait for the check to arrive.I myself am very finicky about what I buy.

 

[45Guy]

If you're not a fan of huge auction fees, toss them on Auction Arms. Try a two week auction and set the reserve at your bottom dollar. I've had some really surprising results on my last two sales, such as the BEAT Winchester '93 that went for over 600. If you are patient, eventually someone will want to spend the money.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Gunbroker has produced some extremely outlandish prices for rare pieces lately. Especially, if you put them on a greasy grey blanket. Just not when I'm selling. Their audience has outgrown ebays, in some areas. If you can use the view counter as a guage.

 

[45Guy]

I don't think the mods will take issue with linking to closed auctions, but like I said odd stuff has been selling well as of late(hopefully I got the right ones.): http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10649612
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7702916
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=10695934

 

[kablam]

On second thought, I'd try the online auction first with a high starting bid.

 

[t94nambu]

yeah.....im amazed at what some of these auctions are netting!

 

[03man]

You know the answer to your own question, if you are close enough to take them to RIA, or Julia, do it. If not put them on Gunbroker, more work.

You take a chance on the price either place.

You can always put them on the trader here at an outrageous price, I've seen a couple guys here that have deep pockets that will buy anything scarce at a big price!

The sure bet is to buy a big term life insurance policy!!!!!!!11

 

[t94nambu]

i agree Don, but life insurance is not an option for me as i have been turned down many times for being Diabetic. they don't want to touch you with a 10 foot pole.

 

[fredh]

I think Big Ed hit the nail on the head. I'm in the process of selling a late friend's collection for his wife. I talked to RIA about the sell, but their 25% take plus buyer premium turned my friend's wife off, so I volunteered to do the work on GB. AA may be just as well. Commissions are dirt cheap, and so far the realized price has been better than expected, actually surprising. Last week, I finally sold one of the Lugers. I listed the Luger 3 times, each time lowering the starting bid, but it finally sold on third listing at a price higher than the second listing open bid. Two collectors found it and fought over it. I've been putting a few of my duplicates on there also and have been pleasantly surprised. And T94, please send people like me a private message when you put something up for auction. I, for example, am usually too busy to get out there and search and, on occasion, only stumble onto stuff of interest, for example, that experimental Garand I'm restoring. That acquisition was pure serendipity.

 

[03man]

GB is a much "better" venue in m opinion than AA.

I agree with the PM "heads up" to members here to peak interest.

 

[garnettstancil]

Gun Broker

GB is a much "better" venue in m opinion than AA.

I agree with the PM "heads up" to members here to peak interest.

I have had excellent results and surprisingly high sale prices on GB.

 

[t94nambu]

sounds like the best way to go is GB. i like the 15 minute rule as well. i will try and drop members a PM, but I'm not sure if i will get to all of them. so, to help fellow members out, i will be listing them on Sundays and will more than likely be featured auctions. seller name is t94nambu

 

[arisakadogs]

The featured section is the way to go

 

[gremlin1945]

Go for the blue or red colored text.Really stands out.And pictures,pictures,pictures.Good luck.

 

[45Guy]

Holy crap! After a quick check of site traffic I will be taking 03's advice and use GB for all my future sales. It appears as though AA is in its death throes. In January AA had ~400,000 unique visitors compared to GB's 1.6 MILLION.

 

[smzeigler]

Jarrod,

Agree. Use GB, AA stinks. On the other hand, just give them to me now and I'll raise your son later - promise hee hee. Seriously, not having the life insurance option stinks, however, you can always set up your will to sell them upon your death - a form of life insurance. Assuming you live a good long time, it won't be an issue. Life is short no matter how long we live, but you may regret selling hard to find guns down the road. Granted this is just a hobby, but a hobby you and your son may enjoy together. I have fun shooting with my Son. Hey, I thought you young guys were invincible? Anyway, My wife will give (or maybe that's shoot) my stuff away to the first person that shows up with a truck to haul them away. Just think hard before you do something rash. Good luck and keep me in mind.

Best Regards, Shannon

 

[mike radford]

You can away do what so many others do, post them on this trader and the regular trader at the price you want for a week or 10 days, then off to GB or other auction. Jack the Dog gets amazing prices for the stuff he sales and at last check he got 15% for his aggravation and work. From the auctions of his which I have followed, he averages way more than 15% over normal selling price. I would not use RIA or the other biggies if it were me.

 

[sssniper]

As a long time GB seller, tried AA not as good, Antique Arms good for older stuff, and Strumgewehr for class 3 stuff works good. Overall though GB is the best bet. As a couple have mentioned, start as low as you can go, you will get more interest and once the first bidder hits others will follow (I have also had one sell the 3rd lowered listing for more than the first !!) And, take the best pictures you can and lots of them, keep your descriptions short and to the point. Point out high points and be sure to identify the flaws. Also, offer return privledges, guarentees. Reasonable shipping fixed price fees also work best. As these are your own items, you are not shareing with anyone so if you miss one or two fixed pricing (try 18 pounds to NY Priority !! Fortune!!) you will still be ahead of the game. You also need to make sure you have key words in the header. I shouldn't say this, but I still pick up some great stuff, because the average antique dealer has no idea what he is looking at when it comes to militaria. My handle on GB is SSSNIPER, check out some of my listings for ideas. Or if you have questions give me a email. Oh, yeah, "Jack the dog" Starts everything at a penny or .99 and does great, I doubt if he ever looses money!!
Good luck- Skid