Buying and Selling Questions

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Polishrifleman

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Apr 19, 2005
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I have bought several firearms from this forum, Auction Arms, TFL, Gun Broker etc.... and luckily have never had a problem that wasn't over come by communication or the like.


The questions I have are:

As a seller do you clean the weapon before it goes in the packing box?

As a buyer do you expect a weapon in the condition stated in the add but overall cleaned?

I have seen a couple threads related to cleaning and different peoples opinions, which I am in the don't like to clean camp, but if I were selling a firearm to someone I would give them a clean weapon.
 
As a seller do you clean the weapon before it goes in the packing box?
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From the one I sold FTF, I made sure the firearm was fully cleaned before selling.


As a buyer do you expect a weapon in the condition stated in the add but overall cleaned?
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Yes. While I wouldn't make a big deal if it wasn't cleaned, I at least expect the outside and visible inner surfaces to be cleaned up.
 
Buying or selling

As a seller do you clean the weapon before it goes in the packing box?

As a buyer do you expect a weapon in the condition stated in the add but overall cleaned?
Click to expand...

Yes and Yes.

I would only sell/ ship a gun in the same condition that I would like to receive one in. That means clean. If I bought a gun and it arrived dirty, I would have second thoughts about how the seller cared for his/her weapons and if the one that I bought was abused or neglected.

I used to frequent a gun shop that had good prices, but his used guns were always sold in the condition that they were when the owner brought them in. some were clean, some were given a quick once over, but some were filthy. It just really put me off.
 
People are more likely to buy a clean product than a dirty one. If I were to sell mine, I would give them a good cleaning in and out, hit the important spots with extra CLP, wrap in wax paper, then box and ship. Everyone should take the time to thoroughly clean a gun they buy, because you familiarize yourself with it. That's an important part of safety, in my mind.
 
Clean is relative. I'd field strip a pistol and give it a normal cleaning. I would not detail strip it to clean. I do not expect a used gun, car, or anything to look the way it did when it left the factory. If it does, great. However, if it is nasty and mungified, then I expect a discount.
 
When buying a gun over the internet you don't have the opportunity to see the gun before you open the box. You are expecting a gun as advertised, scratch here, mar here, split here whatever and that is all good and dandy.

What got me this time was I opened the box and this thing looks like it went from about 300 rounds at the range straight into the UPS box not even a quick wipe down of the finger prints. It is in the condition as stated in the add from a fit, function, and physical condition standpoint just not what I had expected from a clenliness standpoint. Thanks for your opinions on this too!
 
Clean is relative. I'd field strip a pistol and give it a normal cleaning. I would not detail strip it to clean.
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Exactly! Give the Barrel and Action a good cleaning, wipe down the external and send it. Too many times I have seen dirty firearms and it is just not a good introduction to the buyer meeting it for the first time as it raises eyebrows as to the prior care it had received.

A clean firearm is what we the buyers are looking for and really thats all I expect. Unless there is something grossly dirty (carbon build up, possible rust, etc) with the trigger housing, bottom reciever, or detected by visual/quick swab check then dont worry about doing anything outside the norm cleaning prior to shipping. If you can see something wrong or detect it during your final ship cleaning let the buyer know so there are no "surprises" in store for them. Its just good business. Good Luck :D
 
I field strip and clean mine when they go out.

I usually don't care whether they are clean when they come in. The first thing I do is take them apart and clean them anyway. Most of them are pretty clean when they get here.
 
cleaning

I purchased a pistol from one of the members here. FTF. I was shocked, but did not say anything, that the pistol was very dirty. I overlooked it and am happy with the sale. I did not get a great deal and did pay what would be considered the "going price." I guess I just wanted it ;)
 
I have field stripped and cleaned every gun I have ever sold, whether FTF or on line. I don't sell all that many, but want any buyer I sell to to be completely happy with the deal. Thus far, I'm batting a thousand.

When it comes to buying, I'd much prefer to buy a clean gun, but my biggest concern is that it be "as advertised." I'm likely going to detail strip it and clean it anyway before taking it to the range. I bought a very dirty Mossberg 500 at a gun shop once, but it was clear that the action was solid and that's what I really wanted anyway. But I also bought a new Remington 700 that my dealer had shipped in from a distributor, and the test ammo must have been very dirty and the barrel fairly rough, because the bore was pretty badly powder and copper fouled. It took quite a cleaning to get it cleaned up before I went to the range the first time! It cleans easily at this point.
 
I'm pretty thorough when it comes to cleaning as it is, and everytime I've let one go I think it's common courtesy to clean it good and make it presentable to the new owner. I never though have had the favor returned to me when buying a used gun, but it's just one of those things you can't change. No store in my area takes the time to clean a gun before they put it on the shelf-they just turn it around and let it go dirty as can be. It really hurts the sales of used guns in my opinion when you go to check the gun and find nothing but fouling and dust bunnies inside and out. I don't expect anyone to sell a cleaned used gun, but one day I may be surprised.
 
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