Luger sales to: Legacy;Pre98;Simpson Ltd.;Phoenix

[sdmark777]

We all need to decide how our collections will be disposed of some day or I suppose we can ignore our own mortality until it is too late to choose. Or sometimes we want the money out of a Luger to buy something else (another Luger obviously). We can give them to our heirs, sell over time at gun shows, sell to or consign at a gun shop, sell on the Gun Broker etc Websites, sell through an auction house, sell on this Luger Forum or sell through Luger/Collector Gun specific Websites.

So I have done some research regarding this last option and wanted to pass along my recent experience with four Luger oriented Web sale sites: Legacy Collectibles, Pre98 Antiques, Simpson's Ltd. and Phoenix Investment Arms. Let me preface this with the caution that I understand these are businesses which must make a profit and my experience is for just one specific Luger. So results will surely vary upon the specific Luger or Lugers for sale. I only contacted these businesses through Email. Only two have responded so far. They responded with-in a day.

That said, here is my recent experience. I chose to offer up a Mauser 1935-06 GNR Luger. I chose this because it is in minty original condition that I do not believe could ever be upgraded in an all original GNR. I also chose the GNR because Portuguese Lugers while desirable in their various configurations are not always the fastest sellers. I asked each business what price they would sell my GNR for and what they would buy it for. I sent them the following 16 high detail photos and a description, so they could easily see the minty original condition of this GNR.

Legacy Collectibles: Quick response from Chris Joiner. Chris replied they would not be interested in purchasing my GNR. Chris elaborated that Portuguese Lugers have been moving slow over the last several months. Chris offered a value of $2,000.00 to $2,500.00 Legacy's fees: "We pride ourselves in being straightforward, giving transparent offers based on “retail” value. Our buyout offers are typically 20-25% below retail, and our consignment rate is 15%." But if you read their contract fine print, Legacy reserves the right to lower the price of your item up to ten percent before getting your approval, in order to make a sale. So with Legacy I would be allowing up to a 25% cut off the agreed sale price at the start. This is important to note, since with my GNR, I feel they priced too low. If you want your item returned they charge a $50.00 fee.

Pre98 Antiques: Quick response from Scotty Benedict. Scotty replied they would not be interested in purchasing my GNR as they tend to be slow movers. Scotty said they would be happy to sell the GNR for me at $3,650.00. Scotty said it was probably the finest GNR they had seen. Pre98's fees: "Our consignment fees are structured upon the net sales price; they are 20% on items over $1,000 and 25% on items below that amount." I did not find a consignment agreement on their site, so I do not know if they can reduce the price with-out seller agreement or the fee if you want the item returned, when it does not sell at the agreed price.

Phoenix Investment Arms: No response. Possibly too busy to answer single item Email inquiries. You may need to call to get a response. Phoenix fees: "Owner agrees to pay to the seller either, (a) 15% of the established sales price or minimum $450, (b) any amount exceeding the established sales price requested by the seller or, (c) minimum of $450@ if the weapon is withdrawn by the seller prior to sale (covers the cost of photography, auction advertising and shipping). If the Owner agrees to a lesser price then we charge 15% of whatever price we sell it for but not less than $450 fee per item." So Phoenix gets at least $450.00 or 15% commission. Their sale period is 6 months, if you want it back sooner it will cost you $450.00. I don’t like their option (b). Sounds to me like a sucker punch, if you price too low and it sells high, they make the profit off the pricing point (JMHO).

Simpson's Ltd: No response. Possibly too busy to answer single item Email inquiries. You may need to call to get a response. Simpson Ltd. fees: 20% commission with a minimum of 90 days to sell. Returned to you before 90 days will cost you 10% of the sale price.

So this gives you some idea of the process if you or your heirs decide to sell your Luger through one of these four Luger specific Websites. You need to check with as many as possible, before you decide on one of them. If I am selling off my Lugers I think I would first try getting a table at gun shows and enjoy the process. Second, I would list it here on this Luger Forum. Third, I would try Gun Broker or one of those gun sale sites. Fourth, I would go with Pre98 or one of these sites I just discussed. Fifth, sell on consignment at a gun shop. But they get limited exposure unless they also sell on Gun Broker etc. Sixth and absolute last resort I would go through one of the big auction houses. Now this only applies if I still have the time and ability I have today and if I am the one to dispose of them. If my family has to handle disposition, that is another thing. They wouldn't be up for gun show selling, offering for sale on this forum or selling on Gun Broker. Probably my heirs would best be suited to go to a local gun shop or through Pre98 or one of the others. Better yet, they just keep 'em all for the future generations. I know they would appreciate and keep a few items, but reality is, I fear I have too much for them to hang on to it all. I am sure a lot of you have already made your plans. Some of you are like me and trying to figure it out or determine when to start the process. There is one other option, to bequeath your Lugers to a museum, like the NRA National Firearms Museum. I don’t like this option. Truth is when people donate to museums, you or your heirs usually have no control over the items donated. The items might not even be put out on display. Worse yet, museums will sometimes sell the donated items. If you want the museum to get money, donate money. If I donated Himmler’s Luger to the NRA Museum, it might get put on display. But with-out a specific pre agreement, (especially on Lugers not connected to persons of high interest), it might not!

Other options? Anyone actually sold through one of these four or another site?

Well, food for thought I guess.