Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Listing Policies and Best Practices

Updated

GunBroker.com is committed to maintaining a secure, professional, and compliant online marketplace. Sellers are responsible for following the listing policies and best practices outlined below to ensure a fair and reliable experience for buyers and sellers.

Failure to comply may result in listing removal, penalties, account restrictions, or suspension of selling privileges.

Listing Violation Policy

Purpose

This policy establishes consistent standards for managing listings and addressing violations. GunBroker.com uses a progressive enforcement process to promote compliance and maintain marketplace integrity. Certain violations may warrant immediate enforcement action.

Progressive Violation Process

1. First Violation – Warning

  • Notification: The seller receives a notification identifying the violation(s).
  • Correction Period: The seller has five (5) calendar days to correct the issue.
  • Failure to Comply: Listings that are not corrected within this period will be ended without being sold or removed, and associated listing fees will not be refunded.

2. Second Violation – Penalty

  • Notification: The seller receives a penalty notification, and noncompliant listings will be ended without being sold or removed.
  • Fees: Associated listing fees will not be refunded.
  • Relisting: Any relisted items must comply with GunBroker.com policies.

3. Third Violation – Suspension of Selling Privileges

  • Notification: The seller receives a penalty notification, and noncompliant listings will be ended without being sold or removed. Associated listing fees will not be refunded.
  • Suspension: Selling privileges will be suspended for 30 calendar days.
  • Reinstatement: After the suspension period, the seller must contact Customer Support to request reinstatement of selling privileges.

Violation Categories

1. Keyword Spamming or Stuffing

Sellers may not use irrelevant, excessive, or repeated keywords to manipulate search results.

  • Listing descriptions must contain only information relevant to the item.
  • Repeated identical words in titles or subtitles are prohibited.
  • Keywords must accurately describe the item being offered.

2. Out-of-Stock or Backorder Listings

Items listed for sale must be available as required by the listing format.

  • Listings marked "Out of Stock," "Backorder," or similar wording are prohibited and will be terminated and purged.
  • Excessive starting prices may not be used as placeholders for unavailable merchandise. Such listings are subject to immediate termination and permanent removal.
  • Used items must be in stock and ready to ship.

3. Off-Site Linking

Links or references directing buyers to external websites are prohibited unless expressly permitted by GunBroker.com. This includes URLs, email addresses, phone numbers, or other contact information within listings.

4. Selling Off-Site

Sellers may not use GunBroker.com listings to direct or complete transactions outside the marketplace.

  • Attempts to bypass GunBroker.com fees or taxes by moving transactions off-site are prohibited and will result in immediate listing termination and removal.
  • Contact information intended to facilitate off-site transactions is not permitted.
  • Websites, phone numbers, email addresses, or other contact information may not be embedded in listing images.

5. Misleading Pricing and Fee Avoidance

Sellers may not use misleading pricing practices to attract buyers or avoid GunBroker.com fees. This includes listing items at artificially low prices while charging excessive shipping or handling fees to offset the item's actual value.

For example, listing an item for $1.00 with an unjustified $1000.00 shipping charge is prohibited.

Violations may result in listing removal or account restrictions.

6. Hidden Text

Hidden text or irrelevant images intended to manipulate search results, misrepresent listings, or deceive buyers are prohibited and may result in immediate enforcement action.

7. Counterfeit Items

Counterfeit items are strictly prohibited. Sellers must offer authentic merchandise and accurately represent each item's origin.

Listings suspected of containing counterfeit items or unauthorized reproductions will be removed and may result in immediate account suspension or legal action.

8. Vulgar, Offensive, or Discriminatory Language

Vulgar, offensive, or discriminatory language is prohibited in listings and usernames.

Appeals

Sellers may appeal penalties or enforcement actions taken under this policy by submitting a support ticket to Customer Support.

Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 

General Listing Requirements

All listings must meet the following requirements:

  • Specific Item and Price: Every listing must offer a specific product or service at a specific price.
  • Prohibited and Accepted Payment Methods: Sellers may not solicit or accept prohibited payment methods, including PayPal Friends and Family, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Ria, Walmart2Walmart, MoneyGram, wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or other prohibited person-to-person payment services. For acceptable payment methods please see Accepted Payment Method Options
  • Standard PayPal: Because PayPal can be used as a payment method for many items sold on the GunBroker site, we do allow sellers to list it as a payment option. PayPal may be used on GunBroker for the purchase of fishing merchandise, archery merchandise, articles of clothing, accessories, and other merchandise. PayPal Friends and Family is strictly prohibited for all transactions. See Use of PayPal
  • Product-Specific Listings: Listings intended primarily for general advertising rather than offering a specific item may be removed at GunBroker.com's discretion.
  • UPC Codes: Include Universal Product Codes (UPCs) when available for new or commercially packaged products. UPCs improve listing accuracy, search visibility, and buyer confidence.
  • Appropriate Content: Listings and usernames must comply with GunBroker.com's restrictions on offensive language, counterfeit merchandise, and prohibited content.

Category Selection

  • List items in the most appropriate product category.
  • Listings placed in incorrect categories may be edited or removed by GunBroker.com.

Use of Item Characteristics

Select all applicable item characteristics, such as caliber, finish, and round count, when creating a listing.

Accurate characteristics improve search visibility and help buyers locate the correct products.

Prohibited Listing Content

The following are prohibited in listing titles, subtitles, descriptions, and images:

  • 80% lowers
  • Vulgar, offensive, or discriminatory language
  • Counterfeit merchandise
  • Prohibited payment methods, including PayPal Friends and Family, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App
  • Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum

GunBroker.com reserves the right to remove listings or usernames containing inappropriate or noncompliant content.

 

Title and Subtitle Guidelines

Clear, accurate titles help buyers identify merchandise and improve listing visibility.

DO:

  • Do include the manufacturer, model, caliber/gauge, and important features.
  • Do use correct spelling and consistent formatting.
  • Do include at least two descriptive words.

Examples:

  • Speer Lawman 380 ACP 95 Grain TMJ – 50 Rounds
  • Sig Sauer P365 9MM 3.1" Barrel – 2 Mags

DON'T:

  • Don't repeat keywords or phrases (e.g., P220 P220 P220).
  • Don't use unrelated brand names to attract attention (e.g., "Not Glock" or "Like Surefire").
  • Don't use the word "not" in legality references. Instead, state the applicable restriction clearly (e.g., "Restricted in California").
  • Don't use all capital letters, excessive punctuation (!!!, **), or attention-grabbing phrases such as "WOW" or "L@@K."

Listings containing detected violations may be flagged and prevented from posting until corrected.

 

Description Guidelines

Listing descriptions must accurately represent the item being offered and provide buyers with sufficient information to make an informed purchasing decision.

DO:

  • Do include the manufacturer, make, model, caliber/gauge, and included accessories.
  • Do disclose cosmetic or functional defects and identify them in photographs.
  • Do clearly disclose when stock photographs are used.
  • Do place shipping, payment, and other transaction terms in the Additional Terms of Sale section.

DON'T:

  • Don't include unrelated products, brands, or keywords.
  • Don't add contact information, including email addresses or phone numbers.
  • Don't link to external websites or promote off-site transactions.
  • Don't use offensive, vulgar, or unrelated language.
  • Don't request or promote prohibited payment methods.

 

Additional Terms of Sale

Use the Additional Terms of Sale section to clearly communicate the policies and conditions applicable to the transaction.

DO:

  • Do specify shipping methods, costs, and estimated timeframes.
  • Do clearly explain return and warranty policies.
  • Do disclose additional charges, including applicable credit card, FFL transfer, or insurance fees.

DON'T:

  • Don't include contact information or external website links.
  • Don't advertise the availability of other items outside the listing.
  • Don't request or promote prohibited payment methods.

 

Picture Guidelines

Listing photographs must accurately represent the merchandise offered for sale. Clear, detailed images help buyers evaluate the item's condition and included accessories.

DO:

  • Do provide multiple photographs showing different angles and important details.
  • Do clearly photograph blemishes, damage, or other defects.
  • Do disclose when stock photographs are used.

DON'T:

  • Don't add contact information, website addresses, or promotional overlays to images.
  • Don't include unrelated or excluded merchandise in photographs.
  • Don't use photographs belonging to another seller or images you do not own or have permission to use.

Important Reminder

GunBroker.com's listing system may identify potential policy violations and provide warnings; however, automated detection is limited.

Sellers are responsible for ensuring that all listings comply with GunBroker.com policies. The ability to create or publish a listing does not mean the listing has been reviewed or approved for compliance.

 

Payment Policy Reminder

GunBroker.com prohibits certain payment methods for marketplace transactions, including:

  • PayPal Friends and Family
  • Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Ria, Walmart2Walmart, and MoneyGram
  • Wire transfers
  • Cryptocurrencies and other prohibited person-to-person payment services

Sellers should use payment methods permitted under GunBroker.com policies and clearly disclose their accepted methods in their listings. GunBroker preferred payment methods are Credit Cards and USPS Money Order. See Accepted Payment Method Options

Additional Resources:

📄 GunBroker.com User Agreement

❗ Counterfeit Item Policy

Need Help? Contact Customer Support