First time selling a pistol...what to expect

[ck279 0]

I'm looking to sell my [pistols]. I have never sold any of my firearms before and I'm wondering what I can expect to have a dealer offer me. Both guns are in excellent condition with no visible blemishes, kept clean after shooting, and have around 500 rounds on either. For reference I was looking to go to Heritage Guild (Rahway).

 

I know I can get more from a private sale, but I'm scared as hell of not having my I's dotted and t's crossed and some BS coming back to bite me legally.

 

Thanks for your help!

[Blake 50]

As you stated, you will get more from a private sale.  Read up on NJ's laws for private transfers and you will be good to go.  It is very easy and there are a plentiful amount of members here who have completed them without any issues.

 

Here is a good starting point:

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/29389-read-before-posting-nj-gun-law-faq/ 

 

 

If you decide to sell to a dealer expect to get ~70% of a private sale price or possibly less.  

[9X19 125]

Some stores may give you more if you are trading instead of selling outright.

[Donobieus 15]

I had an ffl explain to me that he offers half of the wholesale price for trade in or a straight purchase. I'm sure some may pay a bit more but I think you're better off with a private sale.

[Jim Hartman 31]

I know someone who works at one of the biggest stores in central jersey. If they offer you 1/2 its value id be surprised.

[iCARRY 0]

Sell it on here. At the right price, both of those guns will go fast.

[oneshot 45]

do not sell it to FFL they will low ball you so bad it wont be worth it. Like its been said here, sell it privately

[PK90 3,570]

Sell it on here. At the right price, both of those guns will go fast.

 

I think, by this post, he is already advertising them for sale on here. The only thing missing is the price.

[DSD1026 48]

no joke..  list them here..  both those guns are very nice and will sell here for much more than you would get at a dealer/FFL..  PM someone who has sold privately if you are nervous about it..  (i have not sold anything myself, but tons here have)..  you will get 25-40% more on a private sale.. 

 

edit - yeah, PK90 is correct..  de facto listing here..  lol.. 

[JT Custom Guns 957]

What guns are you selling?

[67gtonut 847]

This will be locked and deleted if it becomes a For Sale thread.

 

Keep it on topic to answering the OP questions and concerns....

[ck279 0]

Thanks everyone for the input.  That gives me a much better sense of what to expect % wise from going through a dealer.  

 

I would love to sell them on here, but I will need to research the law.  What makes me nervous is accounts I hear of different local PD's telling people different things.  In THIS state and with the current extra scrutiny concerning all things gun related I just want to be SUPER cautious that my selling them is, of course, to the absolute letter of the law. 

 

Thanks again for all the help.

 

Carl

[Sludog 0]

Do dealers give more if you ask for store credit? I know some pawn shops used to do that.

[paulnj088 9]

and what is the name and location of this biggff store

I know someone who works at one of the biggest stores in central jersey. If they offer you 1/2 its value id be surprised.

[iCARRY 0]

Here is an option, if you find someone to buy it, you can bring it to an FFL and the buyer pays the transfer fee and nics fees. It will be done correctly and you won't have to worry about anything.

[maintenanceguy 510]

Ridiculous that we're so afraid of gun ownership that we're even afraid to do things that are perfectly legal like a private sale.  This state is insane and they've obviously managed to break us all.

[pbkid6974 1]

if the buyer has a matching p2p, fid, and dl, you should be good to go. you keep a copy of p2p, buyer gets one, you send one to his local pd that issued the p2p, and njsp. its really simple. meet at a range or shop and im sure someone there will guide you through it if you have any more questions.

[average joe 5]

Expect less than half its value.   They have to resell it,  to make a profit, since its used, it will be less than the cost of a new one...

[AlDente67 563]

I sold an old knuckle-duster pistol from 1875 to my local FFL.  It needed some repair (laying in a drawer for 50 years).  He had it appraised and showed me the retail value from the appraiser (I don't think he meant to do that, but too late).  I took his offer knowing he had to have some meat on the bone after he paid for repairs.

On the other hand, anything fully functional and recent would be guns that I would try to sell privately anywhere I could.  I'm not giving a $700 new pistol to any FFL for $250 unless I had to move it by tomorrow.

Sort of like selling a car...give the keys to a dealer and make it simple...and low-return, or deal with tire-kickers and assorted miscreants to wrestle out the extra value.  Depends on your tolerance for that extra work.

[Sludog 0]

Try a consignment gun shop if you are in no rush to sell. This is the only way you can recoup some of the loss in value.

I know Woods and Water in Wall Township does consignments for long guns but not sure about pistols.