Trading in guns

[certified jumbo]

I've never done it before. Looking for general ideas or thoughts. I've got 6 guns I've won at banquets that are new in box. They range from 300 to 1000 for retail. Don't want to sell them to private parties. I would like to trade them in for a different gun at a store like cabelas, gander or capras.

In general what percent retail should one except on trade in? 50 percent?

Do you get a better price on trade in vs cash?

Any thoughts on cabelas vs, gander vs capras?

Thanks

[HNTNBUX]

I was offered less than 25% once at Gander and have not been back since. On the same gun Capras gave me a very fair deal and I would certainly give them a try.

That is the only experience I have with attempting to trade a gun in.

[RebelSS]

Just my opinion, but I've bought/sold a lot of guns. (Handguns) Stay away from Gander when buying and selling. Their trade in offer's are ridiculous. Look at some of the prices on their used handguns..almost retail. You can do a lot better.

[BoxMN]

I had a good experience trading in a shotgun (used) on a new shotgun at Joes many years ago, but haven't tried lately. Good luck.

[lawdog]

I've never done very good trading in guns I've won. I've traded for guns with essentially the same retail price and had to pay 150-200 boot. It is a total rip off. I've even done it with the same exact guy who donated it to the PF banquet that I won it from and he still honked me. He got the write off for the original gun and made a couple hundred on the exchange but what did I want with a gun I didn't want?!?!? In hindsight and going forward, I will keep them or sell them outright.

[mainbutter]

The nature of the business is you will lose, guaranteed. They make a profit selling used guns for used gun prices, and buying used guns for less than used gun prices. Just because you get the short stick doesn't mean the stick should be tiny compared to what the retailer gets. Find a place where you are both happy with a trade-in offer.

To maximize a trade-in, stay away from big-box stores and find a small business that has good volume. Volume keeps them from needing gouge you, and you're more likely to be able to bargain for a good deal to get store credit from somewhere that isn't Gander Mountain/Cabelas/Bass Pro.

Do some phone legwork so you're not wasting $ on gas just trying to save some $ by finding a deal that is good for you and the place you trade at.

Just my .02, good luck!

[Mr.Seaguar]

You will have more money if you sell outright. Having cash can also help when you go to purchase

[Getanet]

My dad did this years ago when he won a gun at a banquet and wanted to use it as trade for a different one. We live in the metro and he was shocked how little they would give him for a gun that had never been fired. I think 30% was around what he was offered.

He got the best trade-in value at Prince Gun Shop in Milaca. That was probably 15 years ago or more, so can't say if they're still good to do business with, but one to put on the call list if that's in your general area.

[certified jumbo]

Wow. Thanks for responses guys. Good advice here.

What are the laws and rules if I sell guns outright to somebody. Is that legal? Would it still be registered under my name?

[BoxMN]

You could just ask that the buyer show you a handgun purchase permit if you wish, even though it is not required, and even if it is a shotgun or rifle - you are just making sure the person has already passed a check. Not sure about the registered portion, but you can legally sell to anyone allowed to buy one.

But I am not an ffl or even a rookie at it. I do have my permit just in case I ever want to buy wen I see something I like.

BTW I stopped at the Prince shop a few weeks ago and talked to guy and his wife, and they seemed very nice.

[ESSGuy]

A smart man once told me, "never sell a gun, if you need money find something else to sell" . A guy can't have too many guns IMO.

[certified jumbo]

Very thankful for all the info that came in today. Very helpful. I think I'll stop by capra's and princes since both are close and see what they say. I'll let you know how it goes.

[harvey lee]

Best bang for you buck, sell them outright. If you are concerned about who is purchasing them, meet than at a gun shop and have the gun transferred right away or ask them for a PTP and also have them sign a bill of sale.

I sold 6 guns last month and all were to pp people. No problem with the sale, meet at a public place so they do not know where you live if they do not buy. Then they would know where you live.

Public meeting place, PTP and a bill of sale or a transfer at a gun shop.

[RuddyDuck]

I've sold a few guns to Cabelas in Rogers and thought the prices were fair. They sound better than what a few guys said GM was offering.

[fr0sty]

I'm in the market for a rifle. What are you selling?

[certified jumbo]

I don't have any big game rifles. I do have .17 hmr savage and a .204 savage though. Still leaning towards a trade in. Gonna bounce around north metro Saturday and I will post what each store offers me for those wondering.

Because I didn't buy the guns outright I have a easier time parting ways with them in a trade. I have my eyes on a high end smoke pole that I'd like to get. We shall see......

[Tom7227]

If you want to see a long gun to someone a good move is to get some ID, record the information and ask the person to sign a receipt showing the make, model and serial number of the gun. Date it.

The advice about doing it in a public place makes sense. It is hard to tell but if something about the person makes you wonder about them then the best thing to do would be to walk away. I wouldn't want to find out that something I sold was used to hurt someone or be used in a crime.

[Alagnak]

By far

Best bang for you buck, sell them outright. If you are concerned about who is purchasing them, meet than at a gun shop and have the gun transferred right away or ask them for a PTP and also have them sign a bill of sale.

I sold 6 guns last month and all were to pp people. No problem with the sale, meet at a public place so they do not know where you live if they do not buy. Then they would know where you live.

Public meeting place, PTP and a bill of sale or a transfer at a gun shop.

[K_Josh87]

i just sold a rifle PP, (to someone I know well) and turned around and bought a different one... but you are better off at smaller gun shops... they will take better care of you in the big picture... example, I sold a .243, bought a 22-250... gun shop guy took all of my reloading supplies and reloaded rounds, and extra factory rounds in on trade... I let them go for 50% what I had into them, but all in all, totaled about $270 worth of traded in things towards new rifle... sold the one i had for a price simular to trade in... but also got decent money our of scope and bi pod, which would have not really helped on trade in, allowing me to upgrade scopes on the new rifle...

Walts Sportsshop in Mankato is where I did my deal... Scheels also seems to have fair trade in prices, for them to buy it out right you do not do as well... they always tell me at scheels, 75% what they can sell it for... so you have to figure a "new" rifle, in there eyes is still used, they cannot place it on the shelf and sell it as new if it has been out of the store... so, i'd say 50-60% new value on trade, if you are lucky...

[certified jumbo]

Well, made a trade today. Bounced around between a few places. In the end made a deal at capras. So I traded 5 guns which I was hoping to get around 900 for. I wanted a Thompson center bone collector. About 700 bucks they are. The guy was cool. He said he could give me bone collector and all the smoke pole accessories I wanted to make deal work. So I got the gun, 150 bucks in accessories, and no sales tax on anything.

In the end, my thoughts are the smaller shops have more wiggle room and can just grab stuff off shelves and throw it in. They were nice at gander mountain but everything is cut and dry. Everything has to be documented and such.

In the end I got 60 percent return. Thanks for all your suggestions, it really helped.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Glad it worked out good for you

[K_Josh87]

sounds like you did alright, and got what you really wanted...

[lawdog]

Good job. How much price variation did you see between the places you checked?