...if you are not a serious gun seller. This evening, while browsing a gun forum which I frequent, I came across a thread by way of which someone was trying to sell some guns. I read the title of the thread, the sale was called a "SAFE CLEANOUT", then I read the opening post and saw only three guns were being offered for sale. The info given about two of the firearms included: make, model, caliber. It gave the barrel length for one of those two and its finish; for the other of those two it mentioned an optic and number of mags it came with. For the third gun, there was a date, supposedly of manufacture, make and model and its condition listed as "great" and said it was accurate. A price was listed for all three. That was essentially all the info given for the guns.
The seller did list location of the sale. There were no photographs of the guns. The seller went on to say that photos would be available only to serious buyers. I laughed at that most of all.
You may be wondering why I laughed. It was because I found it ludicrous as far as gun sales go. The ineptness of some folks to use what should be common sense when trying to sell a firearm or almost anything else is astounding. So what was it exactly that set me off laughing? Well that was a combination of things but one final thing really got me guffawing.
First of all, the description of the sale as a "Safe Cleanout" had me thinking, wow it must be a really small safe because the seller was only offering three guns for sale. Then, the descriptions of each were lacking. If you want to sell anything, especially a firearm let me assure that most potential buyers would prefer as much info as possible right up front. They mostly do not want to have to ask lots of questions, the answers to which should have already been made clear, with a very good description, by the buyer in his offering advertisement. Those things, with reference should include: make, model, issue (many models of firearms have various issues, or versions, with differing modifications); caliber, MM (millimeter size of ammo), gauge or bore size (last two for shotguns); finish, type of grips, type of sights and or optics, number of magazines or cylinders, type of action and so on.
The last thing that made me laugh and guffaw the loudest, was that the seller stated he would send pictures to only serious buyers! First of all, it is insulting to any potential buyer that they are not serious enough for the seller to have posted pics without them asking. Secondly, what actual serious buyer wants to buy from a seller who is not serious enough about selling an item to list pictures in his offering; sure some folks will ask for pictures and then buy but why have to bother if the seller was not serious enough in the first place to include pics! It is a turnoff for many potentially SERIOUS buyers.
The condition of each gun, both cosmetic and mechanical (if known) are important pieces of info to include when listing a firearm. As for mechanical condition, saying it is fully functional, has functional issues, and or is missing parts (and therefor is a parts gun or gunsmith special) should be stated. As to cosmetic condition, the seller should be telling potential buyers the estimated condition by using an accepted format, such as NRA condition codes for modern firearms, or the NRA condition codes for antique firearms. As for me, I much prefer a simpler description for the cosmetic condition, one that plainly states the metal condition as a percentage of remaining finish. Other important condition info to include is whether or not there is any rust, how bad is any rust, or are mars of any type on the metal, wood or polymer parts. More info can be supplied by the seller but the things I just mentioned are basic.
One of the most important pieces of info to include is a visual representation of the actual gun for sale. In other words, post good, very clear photographs of what is being sold. Picture the complete gun from both sides, and from the top and bottom too. Offer close-ups also of any special features, engraving, markings, or of any damage.
What including that info does is this:
1. Shows that the seller is serious.
2. Saves both the seller and potential buyers a lot of time because when that info is there for all to see, the potential buyers do not need to contact the seller and each potential buyer ask several questions about it.
Telling a potential buyer the seller's terms in advance is very important. Knowing whether or not the seller will ship or is only making an offer for a face to face sale is important to most buyers. Showing types of payment acceptable to the seller is also imperative. This also rules out unnecessary inquiries of the buyer by potential buyers and thus saves each of them time and effort.
If you post a gun for sale ad, don't leave out information or pictures and then say something like: photos will be emailed to serious buyers only! The reason to to not say that and to provide photos and a really good description is to show potential buyers that you are a serious seller and not some nefarious buffoon trying to screw them. It is of benefit to the seller in another way, giving all that info shows the seller is serious and thus let's the buyers see the seller is making a serious, good and hopefully an honest effort as opposed to trying to rid himself of items he failed to show pictures of in the first place. It also helps weed out some buyers with ill intent by way of alerting the seller to those who ask unnecessary questions about what already was made obvious and by way of those who question and try to change your seller's terms. Beware of them. It can also offer protection to the buyer when a seller later claims the gun was in poor condition and then leave you bad feedback. If you showed everything in your offering you have proof otherwise when bad feedback or a bad claim made against you as the seller. Along those lines, giving the serial number of a gun, in an offering, and of course sending the gun with that number, protects the seller as well. For some reason, unknown to me though, many sellers think showing the serial number somehow puts them at great risk. Unless you were trying to sell a stolen firearm, I cannot figure the fear of showing the serial number; and if it was stolen and offered by you: go to jail - go directly to jail, do not pass go.
Thus, in brief, what you should try to accomplish, if offering a gun for sale, is to attract serious potential customers, and ultimately someone to buy it, by way of showing you are a serious seller.
One last thing and this should be obvious to all: Make certain your offer to sell and your terms of sale follow all laws an regulations in the area in which you are selling, in the area to where you are shipping (shipping company rules and local, state a federal laws on shipping must also be adhered to) and where the buyer resides also make certain it is legal under federal law and regulations. Some, if not all, gun laws suck but you need to obey them to stay out of prison. You also would want to follow all rules of the venue through which you are selling it: such as gun forum rules as to sales, auction house rules, online auction company rules such as those of GunBroker.com to name one such company (my favorite).
Note, the above is a basic rundown but not all inclusive of how to sell a gun via an ad. If I was selling one right now and listing it, say on GunBroker, I'd probably think of some other points to make. So, there are other things you can list in an offering to show yourself as a serious seller if you ever list an ad for a firearm sale and actually make a good and quick sale.
Good luck with your sales.
Al the best,
Glenn B
