Gunbroker - experiences, and gotchas to look out for first time buyer?

[supranatural 66]

I am looking to purchase a pistol off gunbroker and was wondering if there are any special gotchas I need to keep in mind.  The particular dealer that is advertising the pistol I want is from Northern Firearms who seem to have good reviews (A+ with 28,081 reviews, of which only 62 are negative).  I've typically bought only from established on line dealers shipping to my local FFL so this would be my first time dealing with a gunbroker dealer.

[kirk2022 43]

Northern Firearms is A Rockwell Arms. A well established Company. Great customer service and good prices. I have dealt with them A lot.

Just remember the 15Min. Reset rule. ( No sniping on Gunbroker)  Also Go to Rockwell Arms website and checkout the price they are selling that gun for. You might just wind up buying right off them at A great price.

[djg0770 481]

62 negatives?  I'd run in the opposite direction regardless of their volume.

 

Considerations for all online auction type services:

Know the product and how much it's really worth.  If you setup an account on gunbroker you can search completed auctions - pay specific attention to what an item ACTUALLY sold for.

Do not get caught up in bidding and overbid (this I can tell you from personal experience).

Check feedback!

Consider alternate auction sites.  Gunauction.com has less of a selection and less bidders and often guns sell there for LESS than on gunbroker.  They also pimp the "penny auction" (auctions that start at a penny).  Be careful as I have seen guns go around and around for sale with a starting bid of say $299 and then the seller converts them to a penny auction and they sell for $329...  I know, it doesn't make sense and yet it happens!

[Mr.Stu 1,916]

The only time I have used GB so far was a smooth process with a gun store in WVa.

 

The only thing I should have done was make sure USPS put tracking on the MO I sent a it took just over a week to get there and I started to get nervous after 4 days. All worked out OK though.

 

I picked up a NIB XD45 tactical bi-tone for $425.

 

Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[HBecwithFn7 296]

I have had only one transaction via Gunboker, but it was very successful. I bought my Mossberg 930 from them.

 

The site itself is fine. You just have to be aware of the merchant with whom you're dealing.

 

I'll vote "Aye" for the one I worked... "Independence Firearms," in Texas.

[XDm9-3.8 2]

Northern Firearms is Reeds in Walker MN.  Buy with confidence from them.

[djg0770 481]

Read the details of the negatives on any seller. It's often an indication of their customer service attitude. Are they defiant and arrogant? Are they obnoxious? If so, guess what you're going to get if your deal with them goes sour... If they're polite and apologetic...

[supranatural 66]

Unless there is a way to show only the negatives, it's hard to find...I was scrolling through pages and pages of A+ positives woot finding that elusive negative....according to the math the have a 99.6% positive rating.

[kirk2022 43]

Northern Firearms is Reeds in Walker MN.  Buy with confidence from them.

+1  XDm9 is correct about Reeds. Had my dealers mixed up. Both are good companies to deal with.

[BMWR12 35]

I have never had issues. If you are buying a used gun make sure you know what you are getting if the seller lists as-is/no returns

and does not allow a 3 day non firing inspection.

[The_Matrix 105]

Done a few transactions- never had an issue.  As stated- check for the ratings and you should be good to go.

 

Good Luck!

[Carcano 14]

I've bought and sold a lot on GunBroker, check the sellers feedback and if possible pay via credit card. I never pay via money order/cashiers check it's too easy for someone to burn you.

 

Never had any problems, I've found mags/parts/etc I couldn't find from other sites on GunBroker.

[Carcano 14]

Also, unless the seller is an FFL be careful many NJ FFL's will not handle transfers from private non-FFL sellers. Check with your FFL if it's a private seller.

[JayWilling 33]

Never had a problem. Check the sellers rating and do everything per terms and you should be fine.

[T Bill 649]

Never had a problem. Check the sellers rating and do everything per terms and you should be fine.

Ditto that. No problems with high rated sellers.  Every transaction was completed as expected.

[supranatural 66]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  A new Heckler Koch P2000SK V3 should be shipping tomorrow to my local FFL.

[Carcano 14]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  A new Heckler Koch P2000SK V3 should be shipping tomorrow to my local FFL.

 

Congrats on the new hardware!

[CATI 0]

I ordered from Reeds before on gunbroker. No issues and fast shipping.

[NickySantoro 211]

62 negatives out of that many is 2/10 of 1%. That wouldn't bother me. Gun owners can be really finicky. If you sell something you call very good to excellent and it's not NIB, some will howl like a little girl who dropped her lollipop in the dirt

 

[Njbanshee 9]

Watch shipping charges

[Carcano 14]

Watch shipping charges

 

This is good advice, some over-charge for S&H on guns and do not refund the diff.

 

I charge $35-$40 to ship a long gun but I pack the thing like it's a faberge egg, some people just throw a rifle in a box with no packing.

[supranatural 66]

Reeds shipped my gun and it was new and perfect condition. I picked it up from Steve at Monmouth Arms a day before my drive down to Florida. Great gun for CCW, paired with a Stealthgear Onyx IWB it is vet comfortable even in 90 degree weather in the Keys.