doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Sellers on Gunbroker - What Gives?

Yeh, question-asking sellers are merely tire-kickers. A more probably scenario: a certain aspect of condition or spec isn't divulged. You ask. You get a strait answer=it may or may not be what you want to hear. You don't get a strait answer=not what you want to hear. You get a load of diversonary crap about the seller's rep, or how he shot this one at SC last month and did well, or he's just on his way to the PTA meeting, send you the info later. Doesn't send=not what you want to hear. The sound of your money staying in your pocket=not what Mr. Seller wants to hear. Hard to get the ice out from under some hogs so why bother.

jack

It is not just sellers on the auction sites.

I have given up on Cabelas Gun Libraries. They never answer emails and the local guys know less about guns than my 20 y.o. son.

EDIT: I forgot to add that calling the Libraries at out of state locations seems to be a waste of time also. Simple questions seem beyond them.

The ONE exception that I have found is Tom Bryant at the Sidney, NE location. He knows guns and how to help interested customers.

Most of the times I send an email to a seller is to point out a listing mistake. A few sellers really do not know what they have and make honest mistakes. Most of them are polite when they reply. The ones who are misleading to deceive are the nasty repliers unless you have asked a question that is plainly covered or are the person who ask the dumbest questions on Earth.

A seller on Gunbroker listed a Fox as a 12 gauge when it was a 16 by serial number. Pointed out that mistake and he sent a nasty reply, said that he knew guns and knew what a 12 was. I must have a bad computer. Took another look at the gun, decided $600.00 min. bid, with no reserve, was a good price for the "12" and bought it at the last minute for $600.00. Funny thing is that in shipping it shrunk to a 16 when the box was opened. Made it a much better buy. Sold it later for over a grand over the original price. Funny thing is that the seller is I am sure as happy as I am. Watched his listing for over a year for a few more 12's. Sad to say none came along.

Fuzzy pictures cover crappy guns most of the time but I have bought two or three guns that were real cherries that just were very poor pictures. If you have a 3 day return you can afford to take a chance. Just do not buy from a Master Gunsmith.

I have had almost 100% polite and understandable communication with GunBroker sellers and buyers. Even the dealers answer the on site seller questions. GunsAmerica, better have unlimited long distance. Auction Arms, never know what to expect. Guys that give the appearance of being trap-door spiders aren't; some that look legit and upscale are. Go figure.

jack

I sell on Gunbroker. I do my best to answer questions. Family, reserves, etc can dealy answers. I do what I can. If a mistake is pointed out I respond and correct it. you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. But there are those guys who email and if you arent sittign at the computer 24/7 to answer thier question sinstantly they get pissed. They are rare but it does make your day sometimes!!!!! If you know what I mean.
ANy I have refuneded two buyers gun purchases in 7 years. Both due to them not reading the description. They bought guns as original and I stated they had replacement stocks. They were both good about it and admitted they missed it. I ended up relisting and selling anyway. I offer 3 day and stick to it.

I have purchased two guns in the last month over the internet, not from auction sites but dealers - both were NOT as described on the web sites. These were dealers listed on this sites Gun Rack area. One was said to have M/F chokes - nope - C/I. The other was said to be "unfired" - swabed what looked like coal dust out of both barrels after it arrived. You're being a sucker if you don't ask questions, even then you may not get what you expeted.

Brian-

That is another thing i always do with guns and do with other stuff os significant value. I offer a 3 day no-questions-asked return policy. All they are out is shipping both ways and if they used paypayl, any fees associated with such.

I know what it is like to get something in your hands and it not being what you thought for whatever reason. I have had 2 return 2 guns (one bought through THIS site!) that were vastly different than the descriptions I had in black and white. To this day I kick myself for not keeping one of them, as it was still a good buy. My stomach was so turned by the outright lies I had in the emails made me hate the gun. Had I kept it, I oculd have turned a very, very nice profit in a couple of years, or more likely would still be happily using it today. I let too much emotion get involved in the decision to get my money back.

I have never had anything returned to me. I do make sure to have good pics and descriptions before the item goes on the block.

By all means ask questions. Get off your cheap a$$ and call the seller on your nickel. Don't base a big deal entirely on e-mails. If you don't like the answers or if it smells a bit, walk on by. It's your money.

Mark,
I've done the same thing.....if one of you gents is shooting a hammerless sidelock non ejector side lever grant with damscus barrels and over 15" of original wood too heel and toe clips, you can thank me for importing that gun. It was lovely and I should have kept it, but I hate being lied to. Bit of my nose to spite my face as mt grandma would have said. Ahhh live and learn, what can I say. By the way, I'd love to by that gun back.
Steve

I have bought guns from Brian and can tell you he is first class. Would buy again, without any worries. Over the last five years I have bought more guns over the net than I would be willing to admit to buying. Only Mr. Brown has been accused of buying more, or at least trading more. Brian is on my short list of first class dealers.

The other list is much longer and getting longer every year. Top of the list is ED and SLY. Others on the list will be mentioned only if direct questions are asked or if someone post a question on this or other bbs..

Phone calls work well, but pictures are sometimes better if you know what to look for or figure out what view is missing or just slightly out of focus or off angle. Looking in person is always best and the good gunsmith to go over the gun is always a smart idea on large dollar purchases. Less than a grand or maybe two grand I look for myself much over five I let the gunsmith go over the gun before I see it and fall in love. To the smith it is just another gun and warts are his thing to find. To me it is another member of my gun family and I get a little touchy about family.