High-quality used guns are not hard to come by when you know your stuff and take your time looking around. And if you want fixer-uppers, there are plenty of those, too! While some used guns are big wastes of money to buy, the good news is that a number of used gun dealers will purchase firearms in any condition, depending on what they are looking for and if they can make money reselling, whether as-is or refurbished. Here’s what a gun shop in Olathe, KS has to say about selling and estimating the trade-in value of firearms.
Estimating the trade-in value
To get the most money or best trade for your gun, be sure to do some research beforehand. Hop online, phone a gun-owner friend, browse catalogs and even visit a few local gun shops so you’re armed with all the information you need to make the right decision:
- Know the condition of the gun: Even if you don’t know much about the make and model of the gun, its appearance can tell you a lot about its condition. A mint condition firearm is still in the box, free of scratches and has barely been handled. A gun that’s been used for target shooting many times may have scratches, corrosion and slight discoloration, which is normal. It’s more difficult to estimate the condition of an antique gun, but a knowledgeable collector can help. Keep in mind that a gun does not have to be in perfect condition to fetch a reasonable price.
- Find out the used value: Several websites let you find the going rate for your gun, including armslist.com, gunbroker.com and bluebookofgunvalues.com. Click around until you find the exact gun you’re selling. It needs to be exactly your gun, including the make, model, manufacturer and year. You should also check the going rate for used guns in your area. A good way to find out if gun prices in your area are lower or higher than average is to visit gun stores and compare those prices to used firearm prices on the internet.
- A useful formula: Once you do your homework and have zeroed in on a numerical value for your used gun, the next step is to get an idea of how much dealers might offer. It’s kind of easy to calculate—take the average going rate for the gun and cut that number in half. Round up or down accordingly, and this number is a safe starting point.
- Be confident: Now, take all this information and your gun to a used gun shop in Olathe, KS. The person behind the counter will look over your gun and either give you an offer or ask what you want to get for it. If they ask, don’t be shy about asking for 50 percent of the used selling price. Chances are, the dealer or pawnbroker will offer less than that, but it’s worth a try!
Come visit Harrison Street Pawn today to check out our selection of new and used guns, or bring us your own firearms for a valuation!