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How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:01 am
by TexasGuy
I sold a few items through craigslist, as standard goes, one meets with another at starbucks where goods are tested or looked over and transaction is made.
However, how do you sell a gun locally? You cannot look it over in public but then you don't want to meet without public around you due to safety (especially because a gun is in question) .
Thus, I am thinking a shooting range... But then, would another party be ok with paying their range fee?
Basically, how do YOU sell a gun face to face?
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:12 am
by AEA
One more post (45) and you are eligible to sell it here on the Firearms section (the one you used before but was deleted).
Once someone responds to your item (usually by PM) you exchange phone numbers and vehicles driven and set up a date/place/time to meet. The actual look over/inspection/transfer/money hand over usually takes place in either persons vehicle and the place is usually a public parking lot somewhere where there are lots of people.
This forum and it's members are nothing like what you may find on Craigslist or the like. We are more like family here and we respect each other and have common interests. You will see this more the longer you participate in discussions here.
One more thing......
We here have a good knowledge of all types/brands of handguns and their value. It is just a waste of your time to try and sell a gun here that is overpriced. Before posting a gun for sale, do some research on gunsamerica and gunbroker on what the prices are for used guns of the same type. Even those two sites are overpriced so take it for what it is worth and make a determination of what you really need to get out of the gun. You will be successful quicker if you have it priced right. Accessories do not normally increase the value of a used gun unless they are high dollar items that you have reduced in price included in the sale.
Good luck on your sale.

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:15 am
by Oldgringo
TexasGuy wrote:I sold a few items through craigslist, as standard goes, one meets with another at starbucks where goods are tested or looked over and transaction is made.
However, how do you sell a gun locally? You cannot look it over in public but then you don't want to meet without public around you due to safety (especially because a gun is in question) .
Thus, I am thinking a shooting range... But then, would another party be ok with paying their range fee?
Basically, how do YOU sell a gun face to face?
I show the gun and the purchaser shows the money. Is this a trick question?
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:16 am
by RPB
Most, I have just traded to a friend, but for others (like forum members here):
Locations
The gun store parking lot/gun show parking lot/
shooting range OR shooting range parking lot are good locations since fewer people would be alarmed if accidentally unconcealed
I have had the person meet me somewhere like close to WalMart gas station parking lot too; (somewhere enough people close, none close enough to see inside the car)
We flash our CHLs at each other, just long enough to recognize that each has a CHL, not really long enough to take down addresses, but long enough to see what it is
And I open the case/bag/whatever enough that he/she can open it the rest of the way and see what's in it and buy it if interested.
I get out of my car with my keys; He/she can get in my car and examine the gun closer if they want to.
I assume they are armed and I'm sure they assume I am armed, we should be anyway.... we could back each other up if there was trouble
Yeah, I'd use the forum instead of Craigslist

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:16 am
by ddstuder
Just find a public parking lot that you feel safe in (I usually use an Acadamy or Bass Pro). Meet the buyer/seller and just pass the weapon to them in a bag or factory case for inspection inside of their vehicle. Most times I have them sit inside of my truck while the inspection takes place. If both parties are satisfied with the deal, then check for TX DL or CHL, and exchange money. Some people want a bill of sale for the transaction. I dont care either way. In all of the transactions I have been part of, only once did I have to sign a bill of sale.
Just that simple.
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:18 am
by ddstuder
Looks like four of us posted at the same time! How is that for service?

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:57 am
by 74novaman
One more +1 to selling through the forum. I've had 3 interactions. One in front of a gun store and 2 in fast food parking lots. Craigslist is always a gamble. I feel the people here are not.
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:47 am
by RPB
74novaman wrote:One more +1 to selling through the forum. I've had 3 interactions. One in front of a gun store and 2 in fast food parking lots. Craigslist is always a gamble. I feel the people here are not.
Considering I read news about "Craigslist murders" and all CHLs went through background checks, I agree

I"m comfortable that I'm not selling to a criminal or person not legally qualified to own a gun
I'm comfortable that I personally will be safer during the transaction with a law abiding background checked citizen as a buyer.
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:47 am
by wgoforth
Stand on a corner and go "psst. Wanna buy a gun?" like everyone else!

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:49 am
by RPB
wgoforth wrote:Stand on a corner and go "psst. Wanna buy a gun?" like everyone else!


Probably works great in Chicago
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:36 am
by wgoforth
RPB wrote:wgoforth wrote:Stand on a corner and go "psst. Wanna buy a gun?" like everyone else!


Probably works great in Chicago

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:48 pm
by mikeintexas
wgoforth wrote:RPB wrote:wgoforth wrote:Stand on a corner and go "psst. Wanna buy a gun?" like everyone else!


Probably works great in Chicago

I'm confused, aren't handguns banned in Chicago...
Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:52 pm
by Beiruty
mikeintexas wrote:wgoforth wrote:RPB wrote:wgoforth wrote:Stand on a corner and go "psst. Wanna buy a gun?" like everyone else!


Probably works great in Chicago

I'm confused, aren't handguns banned in Chicago...
Not anymore, as long as you pay lke 1000 for permit or something like that. However, gangbangers are exempted from lic.

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:59 pm
by AEA
The Politicians carry all the guns they want up there I am sure!

Re: How do you sell a gun face to face?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:25 pm
by thelurker
I have only sold one gun in almost 20 years of buying them, and it was sold to a fellow forum member. We communicated via the board, then by phone a few times and then we met in a parking lot to do the deal. I think most of us on here should be pretty good judges of character and would probably have our spidey senses going off if something was weird. If that were the case, and I wasn't able to clue in until we'd met, I would've found a way to bow out of the meeting and keep the gun, but my experience was just fine and we were both happy afterwards.