Payment Gateways for GunBroker: Fees, Features & Setup Guide

[0:00] If you're selling on GunBroker, setting up the right payment gateway is one of the most important decisions you'll make. It determines how fast you get paid, how smooth the buyer experience is, and whether you're getting competitive rates or leaving money on the table. So, in this episode, we're breaking down how GunBroker payments work, which gateways are supported, and how to set up your payment gateway on GunBroker, step-by-step. Welcome to FFL Launch, the show for anyone building a firearms business. Whether you're thinking about getting your FFL, just opened your doors, or already in the game and want more, you're in the right place. Brought to you by TacticalPay. Let's go. [0:43] Okay, now before we get into the specifics, it helps to understand the difference between a payment gateway and a merchant processor, because GunBroker lists them separately, and a lot of sellers aren't sure why. So, a payment gateway is the technology that captures and securely transmits credit card data from the buyer's checkout to the processor. A merchant processor, or merchant services company, is the entity that manages your merchant account and actually moves the funds into your bank account. Some companies function as both. Knowing the difference helps you ask the right questions when evaluating your options. [1:24] GunBroker gives sellers two ways to handle payment. The first is standard checkout, where payment happens entirely outside the platform. The buyer contacts you directly after the listing ends, and you collect payment through your own system. It's straightforward, but it adds friction to the buyer experience and slows down the transaction. Now, the second option is immediate checkout, and this is the one worth setting up. With immediate checkout, buyers can pay directly through GunBroker as soon as the listing ends. Funds go straight to your bank account through your connected payment gateway. It's faster, cleaner, and gives buyers a more professional experience. To use it, you'll need a merchant account tied to one of GunBroker's supported payment gateways. [2:13] Now, GunBroker publishes two lists, Preferred Payment Gateways and Preferred Merchant Processors. The Preferred Gateways include Authorize.net, Elavon, FluidPay, Fortis, and NMI. The Preferred Merchant Processors include ETI, EBizCharge, FortPoint Payments, Inovio, and eCrypt. Now, being on GunBroker's preferred list means these providers are compatible with the platform. It does not mean they're the best fit for your business or that they offer the most competitive pricing for firearms dealers. Many FFLs discover after the fact that these preferred processors come with higher rates or less favorable terms than specialized providers, which is why a lot of GunBroker sellers end up working with TacticalPay instead. [3:03] OK, here's how to actually get set up with immediate checkout. Once you have a firearms-friendly merchant account and gateway in place, the process inside GunBroker is straightforward. Start by logging into your GunBroker account and navigating to your My GunBroker page. From there, go to Toolbox. Then select Setup Checkout. You'll see a checkbox that says you'd like to enable a payment gateway for your auctions. Check that box. Then select your gateway from the dropdown list of supported options, and fill in the required credentials that your gateway provider will give you. [3:40] Once everything is entered, save your changes. From there, GunBroker offers a built-in test to confirm your setup is working. They'll run a $1 charge through your gateway and notify you whether it's approved or declined, along with details to help diagnose any issues. If something doesn't go through, you'll need to work directly with your gateway provider to troubleshoot. GunBroker support is not able to assist with gateway setup or troubleshooting. Oh, and one more thing to know. Since 2022, GunBroker has prohibited PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and similar apps for firearms transactions. Wire transfers are also off the table. [4:20] This is precisely why configuring a firearms-friendly payment gateway to your GunBroker account matters. It's the right way to get paid, and to keep both buyers and sellers protected. Alright, for more tips just like these, make sure you're subscribed. And to learn more about our GunBroker payment gateway solutions, visit us at TacticalPay.com.