Auction, Classified Ad, or Buy It Now Compared

On Gunfinder you'll find three types of listings: Auction, Classified Ad, and "Buy It Now". They work differently – here's what sets them apart and when each one makes sense.

Auction

In an auction, you place bids; whoever holds the highest bid when the listing ends wins the item. A bid agent can automatically bid on your behalf up to your maximum amount. Auctions are great when you're hunting for a bargain and the market price isn't fixed. You can read all about how they work under Auctions: bidding, winning, and completing the deal.

Classified Ad

A classified ad has a fixed price. You get in touch with the seller and sort out the details – often there's a little room to negotiate too. This is the classic route if you want to take your time and coordinate directly.

Buy It Now

"Buy It Now" lets you secure an item immediately and bindingly – no waiting for an auction to end, no negotiating. The seller can activate this option on both auctions and classified ads. Perfect if you don't want to risk someone else getting there first. More on this under Buy It Now for buyers.

What do all three have in common?

With all three options, payment and shipping are handled directly between you and the seller – Gunfinder is not involved in the transaction. Always check the required purchase authorization and follow our tips for safe trading.