Have a good friend who's husband is suffering from Alzheimer's and has about 80-90 guns( mostly handguns but some rifles) she needs to sell them to help with his care.Plus she doesnt shoot and he isnt capable any more. He had inherited them from his brother a few years ago. Any suggestions or ideas where to try to sell this many items? Selling them 1-2 at a time would take alot longer and she was hoping to do it quickly. They are in Houston and didn't know if people would suggest gun shows or know some dealers that they could recommend in the area. Thanks for any advice or information for her.

There is a guy in the classifieds who posts sometimes and he buys whole collections I'll try and find the pist

Buyer who buy collections

Thanks Ill take a look at it

do you know what she has? There is a place in Houston called Collectors firearms. They may be interested if its quality stuff. Be aware, any "business" will try and skin you bad if you don't know what you have and approx. value.

80-90 guns is allot. You could sell them on your own, make a detailed list of exactly what you have. Post it in the classifieds here and other forums, very time consuming but maybe more profitable.

If profit is not important, you could visit some gun shops with the list. They may buy the whole lot at one time..

i'm sure many of us here on the THF would give the list a hard look.

Thanks. She hasn't made a list and I haven't even seen all of them. They had an episode the other day where with his deteriorating health he actually fired the gun in the house. They need to be sold for safety as much as anything. All the ammo is gone. If she gets me a list I will be sure to post it. Thanks for the info.

PM me with a list if you can, I might be tempted depending on what she has.

Almost every bank has or knows someone interested in buying complete collections. Some are more inclined to pay better prices. Start with her bank.

I would not jump on the first offer and don't let anyone cherry pick what she
has...

These guys are located in Houston and will buy entire collections.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/

I don't know them and I can't vouch for them. I just know they are local and buy collections. I think it would be worth getting someone independent to appraise them before accepting any offer.

Great advice and info very appreciated. Once she gets a list together I will definitely post it and see what you guys think of it.

A collection that size warrants a legitimate appraisal
by a qualified dealer that is not in the bidding. They
can make The List and value. A lot purchase should
Obviously bring a discount.

But 1st and foremost do what you can to make the home safe
by removing the sick mans access to firearms.

Lipsey's in San Antonio buys collections.

Hopefully they are all pre 64 Winny's, K frame S&W's and Colt Pythons

with 3" barrels

Piece them out, 1-2 at a time you'll get maximum value. Sell as a lot then you probably can expect .30 to .40 cents on the dollar on average.

Collectors on Fondren is a good idea, and so is Carters Country, either the Katy Frwy store or the HQ store on Treschwig in Humble.
Ron

Collectors is known for offering little to nothing, and then turning around and multiplying what they paid for it by 4 or more, when selling it.

Maybe make a list indicating what type of rifle, what caliper, condition, and starting price, and then accept blind bids for 1 week. At the end of the week, sell each rifle to highest bidder. Anything not sold during the auction can then be sold as a "collection" to one of the buyers. I think in this manner, you will get the most value for the higher quality/more valued rifles, and will be only left with those that are less desirable which can be sold more cheaply as a group buy.

I know I would be interested in seeing the list and buying/bidding on some of the guns.

X2

What K'buggy sez about Collectors, or any other LGS is true, but like any other retailer dealing in used anything from furniture to musical insturments, old clothes, cars or guns & jewelry ...if you are looking for a take all buyer and a one stop dump site, that's how they stay in business...just another overgrown Pawn Shop business model that specializes in a limited interest item, except for gun loonies like us.

Since the move down here to Dogwood City last year we've been shopping a furniture consignment shop in Tyler very regularly ...and walked away with some bargains on stuff I'd never expected to find at a price I could afford...but the down side of that is when I also consigned them some stuff I thought should bring "X $'s" but wouldn't sell, it hit the bargain box too when they closed it out to free up some some of their inventory space & $'s.

Like it or not ...THAT's the way of the world.

If the lady has to have cash NOW, that's a problem. If she can take the time and learn how to sell stuff on Gun Broker, or one of the larger non regional or special interest Forum Classifieds she might just mebbe make more money dealing with the Public herself. So far I've not had to resort to selling stuff on Gun Broker, but have had some limited success using a larger forums Classifieds, and in a LGS that only charges a 10% Consignment fee...but they are a very very seasonal long gun market unless I am willing list an item at a ridiculous low ball blowout price & still incur the low ball 10% Consingment fee. This is why I've been downsizing & trading all my unwanted shooters to alleviate my BH from this task.

OR ...she can do as one of my older and sicker than me BinL's did when he punted and gave one of his sons about 2-300+ ?? guns and several safes and and who knows what all, only keeping 1 or 2 critter getters and half a dozen handuns hidden around the house when he thought he was getting a LOT more imminent....pretty much just got some wall hangers left to look at ...and let the son who no longer hunts much either ... deal with the disposal problems down the road....but then money is not an issue for them.
Ron

Good advise!

You could look into an auction house that specializes in guns. My experience has been that they are well advertised drawing potential buyers from good distances, conform strictly to laws, and often sell guns for retail value and more.

The auction in Sealy normally gets a very good price on guns. http://www.switzerauction.net/ There is an auction coming up in July.

I vote for cherry picking!

I may be a buyer for Smith & Wessons.

You could buy a couple of tables at local gun shows and private sell them. With some help they will prob all get sold and at more of a retail price. Pricing them is as hard as getting g on google. I've set it done a few times