Gunboards vs. Ebay?

[snipershot1944]

Guys, I could use some advice please. For the past couple of years, I've been holding on to an original 90L series Long Branch bracket and REL No 32 Mk III scope (12-C), waiting on an original Long Branch 90L rifle to come along. Well, I just bought a complete matching rifle, bracket and scope, leaving me with the extra bracket and scope that I will probably sell to help recoup some of my money spent on the matching rig.

I have sold a few things on GunBoards and on Ebay but never optics. Most of my sales have been in the US and I'd like to be able to show this to the Canadian and UK buyers too. I've seen what the sets have gone for on ebay but there are often hassles in dealing with paypal, etc. Does anyone have prior experience they can share with me as to the right way to go?

Thanks in advance for your wise advice.
David

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[Badger]

I've used both, but make sure you get paid first if you're going to trans-border ship anything ...

You might also want to cross post your ad here in our Quartermaster Stores (click here), which accepts PayPal besides giving you the option of collecting payment yourself.

I've had really good luck selling my collection through it and you often see some rarer items there you don't see on regular non-auction gun sites, such as this listing for a 1944 No.4 Canadian Lightweight Experimental Rifle (click here) that was posted recently...

Regards,
Doug

[Peter Laidler]

Selling optics is just the same as selling anything else. I have sold a couple of optical things on that auction site and just so long as they are properly and accurately described then that's all that matters.

As for payment, then you jus' gotta accept that paypal are going to take an 8% cut as are the auction site. You can lessen the pay pal commission by telling the buyer at the end of the auction that you'll knock 4% OFF the final price if he sends you a cheque/cash to by-pass pay pal. He wins 4% and so do you. But hey, you're going to make a killing so what the xxxx.

If it's going abroad, tell him to get a cheque payable to you in YOUR currency.

People give ebay a bit of a pasting but they ain't never done me no harm. And hey....., they ain't running a charity, they're in business

[husk]

I recently sold a Brit Mk3 scope and mount by placing it in the WTS section of one of the LE forums. The buyer was somewhat nervous about sending a complete stranger such a large sum of money, so I entered it in GB to complete the transaction. We both ended up happy, and I saved a lot in fees vs EB.

[Brian Dick]

Export licensing is required for telescopes leaving the USA. If you just ship it, it's an ITAR violation. Be careful.

[snipershot1944]

Brian, do I need to use an exporter to handle the transfer overseas? What a bummer, a 70 year old scope that is a restricted item.

[bigduke6]

Export licensing is required for telescopes leaving the USA. If you just ship it, it's an ITAR violation. Be careful.

Brian, Does this include shipping it for repair ?

[Brian Dick]

David, the short answer is yes. Welcome to my world.

Geoff, the longer answer is no but it needs the correct paperwork and declarations. Sometimes they still get hung up in HM Customs. Taxes must be paid and then more paperwork submitted to reclaim the money.

[Cold_Zero]

I have posted this in the OT section as well. The Canadian Boarder Service Agency is cracking down on Low/Under Valuation. I was informed today by my Canadian Broker. Lots of red tape and delays if a package is flagged.

Customs Notice 15-002 - New Seizure Policy for Significant Undervaluation of Commercial Goods in the Courier Low Value Shipment (CLVS) Program

[snipershot1944]

Well, I guess Lee-Enfields are current military issue in certain parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the wilds of Canada. We can't let that equipment fall into the wrong hands.