Guns and Pawn Shops

[General RE LEE]

I typically sell firearms via private sale through forums. Has anyone had any luck selling to pawn shops? I’m assuming they will low ball, but it removes the hassle of shipping a firearm or waiting to find a buyer.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Lowball is a mild word for it.

 

[LostArra]

I know a guy who owns a pawn/gun/archery shop. I was selling some inherited guns. He told me his offers would be about 25-35% lower than what I could get selling on my own to an individual. He offers wholesale, you want fair retail. He did offer some archery trade deals but I wasn't in the bow market since I was giving the money to my daughters. He was right. I ended up selling to a single buyer for a fair price.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I guess you haven’t seen pawn stars…

 

[GSPHUNTER]

One word. Stay away from pawn shops, okay five words.

 

[TN2shot07]

Never sold anything to one but I have come across some deals that would make me think you wouldn’t want to sell to them. Most gun shops aren’t much better though, and to be fair they are in business to make money

 

[insanelupus]

A local auction might yield better numbers than a pawn shop and less headaches than selling to individuals. But it'll have a sellers premium on it, most likely.

 

[Snowwolfe]

A decent gun shop will charge 15-20% commission to sell your guns. Any thing more than that, sell them yourself.
And no, they probably are not worth what you thought they were. Figure on roughly 60-70% of what they cost new if in like new condition.
If it is a custom build you are looking at getting roughly 50% of your money back.

 

[gledeasy]

I know a guy who owns a pawn/gun/archery shop. I was selling some inherited guns. He told me his offers would be about 25-35% lower than what I could get selling on my own to an individual. He offers wholesale, you want fair retail. He did offer some archery trade deals but I wasn't in the bow market since I was giving the money to my daughters. He was right. I ended up selling to a single buyer for a fair price.

I worked in a pawn shop while I was in college. This statement is accurate. We would use the blue book of gun values, offer 25-35% lower than value.

Some people walked away with more than they expected.

 

[Marble]

I've done it a few times and just sell them on consignment. I'm on a first name basis with them and they treat me really well. This place is a gun store/pawn shop. I guess it just depends on the shop and what your relationship with them is.

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[TandKHunting]

 

[Boarmaster]

Pawn shops are going to give you the lowest price. They are for generating instant cash. That , like every other convenience comes at a cost. They got their cash and time invested in it and will have until it sells. Then they might get their investment back and some profit to live on and reinvest in the next purchase.
And people who buy from pawn shops are very likely are looking for a deal themselves.

Pawn shops are for people looking for money for something they want or need worse than what they are bringing in to sell. If you want a better price you have to do the work and spend the time involved to market it.

With so many places online to sell to buyers who know what firearms and gear are worth I cant see using a pawn shop unless I was desperate and in a bad way. They serve a purpose for some.

 

[Weldor]

A decent gun shop will charge 15-20% commission to sell your guns. Any thing more than that, sell them yourself.
And no, they probably are not worth what you thought they were. Figure on roughly 60-70% of what they cost new if in like new condition.
If it is a custom build you are looking at getting roughly 50% of your money back.

Agreed 100%. Customs for sure. Most guys want what they paid for it or more. I could never understand that. Used is used. Not talking about collector stuff . And then again the old saying "there is a buyer for everything" If you have the time.

 

[Thinkingman]

A decent gun shop will charge 15-20% commission to sell your guns. Any thing more than that, sell them yourself.
And no, they probably are not worth what you thought they were. Figure on roughly 60-70% of what they cost new if in like new condition.
If it is a custom build you are looking at getting roughly 50% of your money back.

This.
I have seen a number of guns sitting on gunshop racks for a year or more on consignment because the shop owner agreed to take it in to close a deal and the gun owner wants an unrealistic $ for the item.
If I was the shop owner, I would have an agreement that includes a expiration time.
Completely agree with the custom comment.
Just like cars/trucks, you never get your money back on customs. Especially when it’s lipstick on a pig.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

As against it as I am, tays auctions

 

[def90]

I typically sell firearms via private sale through forums. Has anyone had any luck selling to pawn shops? I’m assuming they will low ball, but it removes the hassle of shipping a firearm or waiting to find a buyer.

Most firearms shops will consign for you, will probably get a few more $$ than a pawn shop would give you.

 

[Yoder]

They will buy anything and will give you about 1/2 of what it's worth.

 

[def90]

All second hand stores and pawn shops operate pretty much the same. They are going to give you under wholesale value regardless of condition. If it's a used item in good condition you will get maybe 60% of wholesale?

Why would they pay you any more if they can buy the same item brand new through distribution or the manufacturer and sell it as a new item with the appropriate markup? Pawn shops and second hand stores are for people that are desperate and need cash now.

 

[TaperPin]

I typically sell firearms via private sale through forums. Has anyone had any luck selling to pawn shops? I’m assuming they will low ball, but it removes the hassle of shipping a firearm or waiting to find a buyer.

Once upon a time I did run across a pawnshop that used the same values a typical gun store would for used guns, but most really lowball. Some gun stores will let consignment guns sit on the rack, but they are typically overpriced and sit for a year until the owner puts them back in the safe.

 

[Rich M]

Pawn shops are the debbil.

Gun shops of old are mostly gone - I miss the racks of used guns at reasonable prices.