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DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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Now I know what your going to say but hear me out. I know the premium is clearly stated but there are hidden costs also. I bid on a Taurus 62 stainless in box and I knew about the 20% premium but won it at auction for $400 a great price. Hess Auction group was the one handling the auction. Then when I got my invoice another hidden 6% plus tax so now i'm up to $532 still not bad then the shipping. I was expecting around $45 to $65 about what most shipping is on other sites but get hit with $140 shipping. I was looking at other guns on proxibid some of the premiums are 28% and none of them show shipping costs up front. Lesson learned. I will never buy from them again. I guess if you got a super low price it may be worth it. Also it took over 2 weeks for the item to ship. They make Gunbroker look fantastic and I don't like Gunbroker much either due to tax collection. You can still buy from many gun stores out of state without paying tax.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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I have always been hesitant to bid on these sights because of the fees they don't list up front, glad I never have.
August 8, 2016
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Stmstan 445 said
Now I know what your going to say but hear me out. I know the premium is clearly stated but there are hidden costs also. I bid on a Taurus 62 stainless in box and I knew about the 20% premium but won it at auction for $400 a great price. Hess Auction group was the one handling the auction. Then when I got my invoice another hidden 6% plus tax so now i'm up to $532 still not bad then the shipping. I was expecting around $45 to $65 about what most shipping is on other sites but get hit with $140 shipping. I was looking at other guns on proxibid some of the premiums are 28% and none of them show shipping costs up front. Lesson learned. I will never buy from them again. I guess if you got a super low price it may be worth it. Also it took over 2 weeks for the item to ship. They make Gunbroker look fantastic and I don't like Gunbroker much either due to tax collection. You can still buy from many gun stores out of state without paying tax.
I've bought many things from proxibid (really just the host of the auctions from various auction houses) and have had good success except for Poulin Auctions out of Maine - stay away from them.
That being said I'm not sure why they wouldn't post the "hidden 6%" fee. And $140 shipping is crazy unless they're next day overnighting the gun which isn't cheap.
I will say that I always email the auction house prior to bidding to get a ballpark shipping estimate. That way there's no surprises.
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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Good idea I should have done that. It just seems crazy 20% is the charge most of them have plus tax so a $1000 gun ends up $1300 plus shipping. You have to get a really good deal to make it work. Imagine being on gunbroker and winning an auction for $1000 and it really costs $1300. At least GB most listings have a shipping price (not all) It was my first purchase on proxibid and has left a bad taste in my gun buying mouth!
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Yes they have "jacked" their fees and the Handling cost have been nuts. Best I could do was leave bad feedback/review. I suggest you do the same.
I have learned that if you win there, you will pay too much in the end.
Now I bid, but I never win because I do the math with the 15%-24% Buyers Premium, the Internet Premuim, the 3% Credit card Fee, the 6.5%-12% taxes, $50 Handling and Packing Fee, AND the TBD Shipping Fee....(and any tie goes to the live auction bidder attending who doen't pay most of these fees)
Current Example: I want an Heirloom 45 with MSRP of $2399. By the slim chance I win @ $1900 Add BP of 15%=285, CC Fee of 3%=$65.55, Taxes on "Gun Only" of 6.5%=$234.65, Handling Fee of $50, and Shipping of $50
AND my total is..........$2585.20
I can drive to Abilene and get the same new gun for $2150 + $174.69tax and $30 trnsfer In-hand total TTL=$2354 before time and gasoline. Gas abt $100.
It's getting harder to find a deal unless its a private sale or local.
February 8, 2014
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I have bought several guns through Proxibid, but stopped when the internet fees went over 18%. Like Stmstan, I refused to pay the outrageous fees involved in a purchase. I have bought a couple from Gunbroker, but they have gone crazy on their prices.
Steve.
Steve S.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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I don’t even look at those auctions because they’re too expensive for me.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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I only use Gunbroker. It is a shame they started collecting tax but that is Florida's doing, not gunbroker. I won't pay a buyers premium. I seem to still find deals so I keep buying🙄
Dans Club
October 17, 2008
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eBay, Gunbroker and many other online business’s now collect state sales tax, the states realized how much revenue they were losing.
Dans Club
December 7, 2020
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Dan Fan said
eBay, Gunbroker and many other online business’s now collect state sales tax, the states realized how much revenue they were losing.
That being said;
GB looks to have charged me too much in taxes on my most recent purchase.....based on buyer State of Texas Sales Tax Rate of 0.0825% (Sellers State only charges 0.06%) I tried to fine reason on GB/Help/Tax, but only supports my conclusion.
Texas does not have an additional "internet sales tax"
Doing the math, I was charged 0.0949%
At checkout its is listed as: "Taxes / Fees" The Fee is 1% Compliance Fee. Unaccounted for is 0.0024%
What is 0.0024% of Gunbrokers Annual Gross sales???? I am guessing in the millions?
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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Hmmm that’s odd for sure
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Utah's tax rate is 7.25% 
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Scout728 said
At checkout its is listed as: "Taxes / Fees" The Fee is 1% Compliance Fee. Unaccounted for is 0.0024%
I find that some auction houses charge the tax AFTER shipping charges are added...
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
DWF Supporters
March 28, 2023
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Remember, proxy bid charges tax and then another 18 to 27% on top of the tax. A $1000 gun you end up paying at least $1300 without shipping and they don't post shipping amounts. I got burned $130 to ship a small .22 rifle. You have to get a crazy good deal to make anything worth it. And yes gunbroker is adding a separate charge on all items of 1% called a compliance fee. I read the explanation. it's to offset their costs to send the states their tax. I always check guns International, Armslist and a few others first since they do not charge any tax. most sellers including gun stores will not charge tax unless you're in the same state. Finally I have made several deals on Gunbroker without paying tax by contacting the seller directly. sometimes I use the sellers name and look them up by using google and their location if they do not put it in the listing. There can't be any bids on the item, and you have to ask when contacting them if they will sell directly. It does not work often but sometimes it does. I bought 3 guns in the last 2 months listed on GB and was able to buy them without paying tax by doing it this way.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
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I’ve done that a few times too, like you said they cannot sell it unless no bidders. And, some sellers will not end an auction early even if no bids, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
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