Armslist now worthless

[ScottinTexas]

Armslist has always been a den of thieves but I used to peruse it and actually bought and sold a few things there over the years.

But they've been changing their structure gradually and now it is to the point that unless you pay $7.00 per month you can't even see the prices or descriptions, let alone list something yourself.

My understanding is that various anti-gun lawsuits are behind these changes but that may not be true of the full story. The site was notorious from scamming.

Still unfortunate; that for me leaves only the Texas-based site texasguntrader.com and Gunbroker.

 

[Gaujo]

Yeah. It totally imploded. That's where I used to sell ammo, which is impractical to ship. It's been frustrating. I'm moving to Texas soon which means I'll try those sites!

 

[rybread]

It has been totally worthless for a long time but the subscription model may actually be an attempt on their part to filter out some of the thieves and scammers to make it more legitimate. Of course they blame it on regulation!

 

[Gaujo]

It has been totally worthless for a long time but the subscription model may actually be an attempt on their part to filter out some of the thieves and scammers to make it more legitimate. Of course they blame it on regulation!

They could have just had a review system like this site, or, charged $2 a month to list items.

 

[kanewtervalve]

I use Guns.com quite a bit, they let you haggle the price if it's a used gun, got a lot of good deals, even during the pandemic bullshit.

 

[Member13]

It is still way better price than gun joker.....$7 a month for five ads or pay a crap load on % on the auction site. Then again I sell a lot on gun broker and have little activities through armslist.

 

[rybread]

They could have just had a review system like this site, or, charged $2 a month to list items.

Agree there are almost certainly better and more effective ways to deter bullshit.

 

[Strangeranger]

The monthly subscription fee is a minor PITA that carries a big plus. Because they require a credit card or linked bank account they can ID and block scammers. I used to flag one or two listings a day as scams, now it's down to maybe one a month so it has improved things quite a bit. What I dislike intensely is their newly-implemented direct message system which requires you to log on to the site to see if you've had any traffic on your listings. Previously they came directly to my phone so I got a notification with no action on my part. My other big gripe is that searching from my phone or tablet is virtually impossible since none of the filtering options are accessible. A minor issue is that their re-instated power search function simply does not work

The sales tax requirement and the 1% buyer's premium has driven a lot of buyers and virtually all the non-vendors off of GB so the "virtual gun show" that is Armslist remains the most viable place for private sellers to buy or sell stuff

 

[deadduck]

Armslist now worthless

NOW? :tongue

 

[Bret]

the 1% buyer's premium has driven a lot of buyers and virtually all the non-vendors off of GB

Since when does GunBroker charge a 1% buyer's premium?

 

[Strangeranger]

For a couple of months now. They call it something else but they add 1% onto the buyer's cost so it's a buyer's premium no matter how they try to deny it.

"Compliance Fee" I had to look it up. It's Orwellian Newspeak for "Buyer's Premium."

https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403265895579-Compliance-Fee

 

[Bret]

I have not bought or sold anything on GunBroker since they started the sales tax things. I have no desire to pay sales tax just because the transaction goes through a "market facilitator". It's better just to save the six percent in my case. So at what point in time do they spring it on a buyer that he'll owe another 1% on top of the sales tax? I've looked through several listings and see nothing about it.

 

[ScottinTexas]

I have not bought or sold anything on GunBroker since they started the sales tax things. I have no desire to pay sales tax just because the transaction goes through a "market facilitator". It's better just to save the six percent in my case. So at what point in time do they spring it on a buyer that he'll owe another 1% on top of the sales tax? I've looked through several listings and see nothing about it.

Based on my recent sales I would guess the 'Taxes / Fees' portion is where they add in the 1%. That line item on the invoice probably is the State tax plus the 1% 'fee'. I don't like it either.

 

[mattnh]

Fwiw, I’ve purchased a couple items off GB in the past few weeks
and there was no 1% buyer fees added on.
I live in NH, so no sales tax either…

They prob add these fees onto the seller’s fees

 

[Strangeranger]

The last thing I bought on GB they charged me 7.75% "tax and fees." My local sales tax rate is 6.75% I emailed them to complain and they told me about the 1% bite

 

[Jmacken37]

Collecting and paying the sales tax is a pain for GB, I'm sure and why they are likely charging the extra fee.

 

[ScottinTexas]

Fwiw, I’ve purchased a couple items off GB in the past few weeks
and there was no 1% buyer fees added on.
I live in NH, so no sales tax either…

They prob add these fees onto the seller’s fees

Pretty sure they only ding the buyer for the 1%; maybe if the buyer lives in a state with no sales tax the buyer escapes the 'compliance fee' as well for obvious reasons.

 

[Member13]

Here is a small snapshot of how expensive it is to sell on GB


https://imgur.com/a/gvE100w

 

[ScottinTexas]

Here is a small snapshot of how expensive it is to sell on GB


https://imgur.com/a/gvE100w

Sell...or Buy?

Neither are great.

 

[Member13]

Sell...or Buy?

Neither are great.

I mainly buy but as far as money amount it is way more money spent buying. I have two AR-15's listed on armslist....haven't had any inquiries about them even though they are listed cheap. But anytime I list a shotgun on there is sales fast. I try to refrain from listing guns on GB due to transfer fees.