Trading guns in at Epps?

[blueflash]

Gun shops are a business, and money makes the world go round and round. You have to make as much money you can from everything you sell. You have to sell alot of guns and related products to be able to pay your employees for all of the hours spent each day tending to the needs of tire kickers who end up buying very little, or nothing. Sure a shop makes money from a gun that is sold, but you still have to pay for you employees, and all of your daily expenses, even on the days that you don't sell any guns.

If you want to break even or not take a big loss, then sell it on EE, but if you are looking for the convenience of walking in with a old gun and walking out with a new gun then trade her in, if you don't mind taking a bit of a loss. When you figure in the amount of time spent by yourself to sell a gun on here, then you figure in your time spent packaging the gun up, and prepare it for shipping, then your time spend going to the post office, and your gas money, if you live out of town, then to trade in a gun for $100 less than you would sell it on EE, then its not such a bad loss, when you figure in your time spent selling the gun.

 

[SCHNEIDERSAUTO]

remember if you want new or used you save the tax on the value of trade in at a store .and nobody wants to work for free . stores service what they sell . its your money so spend where you please . i have traded at epps and have no bad feelings . they have a lot of stuff there. often stop in for a look on way by . another thing to remember you cant please everyone . cheers . gun people need to stick together and not fight . safety in numbers .

 

[Claybuster]

i have traded at epps and have no bad feelings .

Me too. I'm willing to accept less for dropping a gun off at Epps and waiting for my cheque to arrive as opposed to the assorted, ahem, challenges of dealing on the EE. I've consigned guns at Epps before and would do so again.

 

[scianna54]

Me too. I'm willing to accept less for dropping a gun off at Epps and waiting for my cheque to arrive as opposed to the assorted, ahem, challenges of dealing on the EE. I've consigned guns at Epps before and would do so again.

I bought and sold many guns on the EE, the biggest challenge seems to be getting pics up and packing (a total of 30 minutes effort), but otherwise I can't see any problems.

Sleepless nights because I just threw hundreds of $$$ worth away cause I wanted the convenience of a trade-In: priceless

 

[Chumlee Bumsnag]

I'm happy that there are dealers who will take trades. I traded a nice shotgun today for some ammo that's getting hard to find. Yeah I could have got more selling it online, but then I have to deal with shipping, unsatisfied buyers, etc... I did business with Reliable out west here and couldn't be happier. His offer was completely reasonable considering his costs to run a store in Vancouver and have 4-5 employees on hand. Yes, 4-5. While I was waiting for my man to do a bit of research on my trade, I had no less than 3 people ask me if I needed help. I almost thought I was in a used car lot
If he makes a big profit on it, good for him. If you don't like what a dealer offers you, go home.
The EE is great, but the ability to be able to walk into a store, trade, transfer, and walk out in half an hour is pretty sweet too.
I recommend watching the show "Pawn Stars" and listen to Rick's reasoning as to why he doesn't pay retail prices for most of the crap that comes through his door. Same principle applies to this thread.
This is just my opinion, which everyone is entitled to.

 

[traderal]

I would like to go into a gunstore and look at racks of used guns rather than the new stuff which all looks the same to me. That being said used guns do take up valuable space, many have defects, and some will never sell. If I was starting up a gun store I would get all my friends to fill up the racks with their guns on consignment for say 10%.
Epps seems to have a lot of used stuff at fair prices, wish I was about 2000 miles closer.

 

[graydog]

I think the biggest reason dealers will not give you what they can sell the gun for are easy. One they have a lot more expenses then any of us really know about. Second it works like this, a dealer sells a gun for $1000.00 so his cost is probably around $750 to $800 you walk in with a trade that is worth $800 there is no way that he is going to tie that much up in a trade that he may or may not sell right away. One if a dealer doesn't make money he is not going to be in business very long. Two if a person doesn't like that it is real easy don't deal there.

Don't be lazy do your research and sell it on here. It is real easy it just requires a little work. I am not in the gun business and I think it would be a very hard business to make a living at.

Graydog

 

[DIGAF]

I have found all the above to be true in my dealings with Epps and always come away happy.!!

 

[foxbat]

Many dealers have no interest in taking in trades, even if you only want a store credit.
Epp's is the only place I can think of, that would allow me to wake up this morning, get an 'all powerin' hankerin' for a new 'shootin' iron', jump in my car, take whatever unit(s) I have discovered that I can live without, and go and make the deal.
Their excellent hours, fantastic on hand stock, typically hassle free dealings, ability and willingness to order whatever I'm looking for, etc., etc., make them, in my books anyway.......PRICELESS!

 

[3macs1]

No doubt about it, sell them here. Do some research of the rifle you want to sell, and put them up for less that the rest you find her. They will all sell. If you have to bump your ad more than once, you are asking too much.

X2. I always traded in including epps until I joined this form. Much better off to sell on the EE and walk in epps with the cash.
Pending the gun I would say I end up with at least 100.00 more a gun by selling here

 

[4Horse]

Many dealers have no interest in taking in trades, even if you only want a store credit.
Epp's is the only place I can think of, that would allow me to wake up this morning, get an 'all powerin' hankerin' for a new 'shootin' iron', jump in my car, take whatever unit(s) I have discovered that I can live without, and go and make the deal.
Their excellent hours, fantastic on hand stock, typically hassle free dealings, ability and willingness to order whatever I'm looking for, etc., etc., make them, in my books anyway.......PRICELESS!

That's very true. And I have observed that all the staff, not only just three or four, are helpful and always patient with customers - repeat or new.

 

[Bigbubba]

yes they provide a service for those who do not want the bother of selling privately. You cant expect them to do it for nothing

 

[dale9805]

the only advantage is if your trading in on a new rifle, if your rifle is worth $575. and you can get $500.00 on a trade in you really got $575.00 because you don't need to pay the tax on that $500.00

 

[3macs1]

the only advantage is if your trading in on a new rifle, if your rifle is worth $575. and you can get $500.00 on a trade in you really got $575.00 because you don't need to pay the tax on that $500.00

For us fools that live in eastern canada yes to some degree. Some are probally asking now what is tax?? But what I find is if I sell it on EE for 575 and call epps or who ever with cash they will take a few bucks off vs when I trade it is list price period.So it is still better to sell it on EE for 575
Have to ship either way so shipping is equal.

 

[BillR]

I have bought many guns at Epps, sometimes I have brought in a trade, other times I have sold my gun outright and twice put in guns on consignment that I couldn't move at any gunshows. They have always been fair in my dealings with them.
Passing by Epps without stopping in is simply not ever going to happen!
BillR

 

[HKMark23]

A car dealer will often give you top dollar for a trade in, just to get your business for a new car.

This is good! I can see you have a sense of humor.

If I owned a Gun Shop, I would'nt mind if I just broke even on a used gun traded in,,,,

,,, and your gun shop becomes a used gun shop shortly before going out of business. You're right about attracting customers though, and they'd be happy ones too !

Sorry to pick on your post bluefish. I think it posits the same notions many non business folks have.

A business must maintain operating margins. Wages, property (rent or purchase), equipment, taxes, utilities, maintenance, insurance, interest, etc. (called overhead) must all come out of that margin. Then, whats left is profit and its usually a lot smaller than most people think.

Obviously there is no overhead involved in EE transactions.

Neither Mr Epps nor your local car dealer intentionally takes in inventory then moves it at par. The proof of this lies in the fact that they still exist.

Flogging Mr Epps' operation like this , is just plain god damned nasty!

 

[JAGDMORDER]

I love Epps, but man they need a bigger gun room. Its like you have to snuggle up to about 50 other people in that little room. I have traded in a few guns to get others that have caught my eye, trade ins at dealers will never fetch top dollar that is just expected.

 

[mctonyb]

It's been said already, but go the private route to sell it if you have the time. I really wanted a gun Epps had and took a significant hit on the value of the gun I traded in to get it (and I was fine with it).

I got about 50% of what it would have been worth if sold privately. Sucks, but I went into the deal knowing this.

My only gripe with Epps is the lack of customer service. Even when the gun room is empty it's like you're inconveniencing them by standing there. Maybe it's because I'm 30 and not 50+ but I've been there numerous times over the last 8 or so years and it hasn't changed. I go in with what I want to get and get out. It's a shame really!

 

[Ballox]

I have friends that are v ery happy with their trades and purchases with Epps and I am sure that they are good to deal with normally but last week I was in the market for a stainless Beretta so I emailed them asking if it was in stock and quote for a total price shipped because they are far from my house and they responded with a lousy email telling me just to go to their website for pricing instead.
... I was a little disappointed by their lack of customer service so I contacted Simmons in Hamilton with the same question and they responded right away so I instantly purchased my shiny new pistol from them instead.

 

[ostrof]

I see on there website in the used bolt action rifles section that there are a couple of guns I'd love to have. Like most CGNers I have some guns that I don't use anymore that are in great to new shape.
How have any of you found Epp's evaluation of your used firearms that you have traded in?
Did you feel they were fair?
I'm really considering a road trip up there to check these guns out in person and bringing in my potential trade items. Just want some feedback before I get too serious.

Not fair at all . I got for my 2 handguns 30% more when I sold them myself.
But I can't blame EEps for low offer - they need to get a profit and it is a business in the end .Wont to get decent price ? Sell it yourself.