To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Used guns are a major focal point at Murphy’s Guns, drawing customers’ attention and creating a “there’s a lot going on here” atmosphere. a garage sale and after greenbacks change hands, the warranty is good all the way to your car. A gun store purchase is different, says Denise Murphy, store manager at Murphy’s Guns. “If necessary, we clean up a used gun before putting it up for sale. We also repair any minor problems that may cause a customer to return it,” Denise said. Murphy’s Guns also backs up its sales of used firearms. “We stand behind our used guns with a 30-day, in-house warranty. Since the firearm was carefully checked out to begin with, almost none come back,” Denise said. What happens if a customer does bring a firearm back? “In the unlikely event that we cannot fully repair a used gun, we buy it back,” Denise promises. Knowing the store stands behind the purchase lends confidence and builds goodwill. “The information we supply with the used gun includes all the facts as we know them. That way, there is no problem after we sell it with either the gun or the customer,” Denise said. The best-selling used guns are guns that are no longer in production. Some are collectible. Most are simply good shooters that, for one reason or another, were dropped from manufacture. Having a rack of used guns in the store is a major customer attraction. While at Murphy’s, I conducted an informal study of the percentage of customers who studwww.shootingindustry.com ied the used guns on display. The ratio was about two out of three. Then, from the used-gun rack, most customers took a general look-see about the store. This is where visible inventory comes in, from holsters to GPS units, binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes. The rack of firearms creates a sense of activity — something happening in this store — which gets the customer into “looking mode.” And, looking is first cousin to buying. It is also wise to make buyers aware of refurbishing they may consider when buying a used firearm, such as refinishing a stock or having the metalwork refinished. Of course, stock refurbishing products. Consignment is especially ideal for the smaller store — no outlay of cash while building inventory. Consignment rates vary, with the seller usually sharing from 10 to 15 percent of the sale price. It’s an ideal way to part with a used-gun inventory. While not as trendy as cars, guns do come and go. As new models surface, shooters interested in the latest may want to let Old Betsy go after all. The gun shop is the place to make the deal. Good for seller. Good for buyer. Good for all. A 20-point “Buying Used Guns For Resale” checklist is available in the “SI Digital Bonus” section of www. shootingindustry.com. 9 JULY 2009 49 Consider Consignment Creating Buying Mood