Dive into stories and tips about buying, trading, and customizing safes. Learn about our unique Buyback Program that has become popular, especially for people moving or upgrading.
Discover Kael and David Jr.’s favorite safes, custom builds, dream safes, and funny delivery memories — including testing if a phone works inside a locked safe (it does!).
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Episode 15 Discussion Questions
0:44: How often does NW Safe buy back used safes?
3:24: What's the most over-the-top way someone has to customize the same?
5:50: Are there any negatives to buying a used safe?
8:25: Have you ever dropped a safe? What happened?
11:45: Can I trade my safe in for a bigger safe?
13:02: Are there any reasons a used safe wouldn’t qualify?
14:25: Have you ever wanted to keep a used safe for yourself and why that one?</p>
18:24: What is the buyback program and how does it work?
21:19: What's your personal dream safe to own and why?
23:30: You're stuck in a locked safe for 24 hours. What three things do you want in there with you?
Episode 15 Discussion Question Synopses
0:44: How often does NW Safe buy back used safes?
NW Safe is seeing more and more people sell back their safes. Ten years ago, this was rare. Now, it happens almost daily. The two most commonly reasons why include:
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Moving: Some people are moving far away and don’t want to pay to move their heavy safe.
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Upgrading: Upgrading to a larger or more secure model.
To make the process easier, NW Safe offers a buyback program. Customers can fill out a form, and the team will respond with a fair value based on the safe’s size, weight, and condition.
While people can try to sell their safes on places like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, it’s not always safe or easy. Strangers may come to your home without the right tools to move the safe, which can lead to damage or injury. NW Safe offers a smoother solution. They handle everything—from picking it up to finding it a new home.
For anyone shopping on a budget, this also means there are great deals on pre-owned safes. Selling or buying a used safe doesn't have to be stressful or risky. NW Safe makes it simple, safe, and professional for both sides of the transaction.
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3:24: What's the most over-the-top way someone has to customize the same?
The team talked about some of the wildest custom safes they’ve ever helped design. One standout was a safe turned into a fur coat closet, complete with custom shelves and a soft interior. Another customer used a safe just for handbags.
They also mentioned safes with fancy watch winders and vintage designs made to look modern. A company called tk422customs (@tk422customs on Instagram) even creates safes like the one seen in the John Wick movies. From wardrobes to luxury storage, the team agreed—people use safes for more than just guns, and the custom requests can get pretty over-the-top.
5:50: Are there any negatives to buying a used safe?
Buying a used safe can be a great way to save money. Many customers save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by choosing a pre-owned model. At NW Safe, the team carefully checks and cleans each safe before putting it back up for sale. If a lock seems worn out (especially an older electronic one) they often recommend replacing it.
Some used safes even look brand new. One thing to note is that most safe warranties only apply to the original buyer. However, Liberty Safes are different—they offer a transferable warranty, which adds extra peace of mind.
8:25: Have you ever dropped a safe? What happened?
The team also shared some stories about what happens when safes get dropped. Over the years, they’ve delivered tens of thousands of safes, and yes, a few have tipped or fallen. One team member remembered dropping a safe in the warehouse after hitting a dip in the floor.
Another recalled a forklift accident when they were younger. It’s tempting to try to stop a falling safe, but they warn against it — it’s better to let it drop than risk getting hurt. Even though dropping a safe is scary, the safes are built tough and often come through without damage thanks to strong packaging and careful handling.
11:45: Can I trade my safe in for a bigger safe?
Many people trade in their safes when they run out of space and want a bigger one. At NW Safe, they currently have about a dozen safes that were traded in for upgrades. The team always reminds customers to think about the future and buy a safe that’s big enough. Running out of room is the number one regret. Safes often become like storage closets (filled with ammo, documents, valuables, and more), so having extra space is always helpful.
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13:02: Are there any reasons a used safe wouldn’t qualify?
At NW Safe, customers sometimes buy pre-owned GSA cabinets, which can offer a few more years of adequate storage at a lower cost than a full bore safe. These cabinets are often still in great condition, making them a good alternative to purchasing brand new ones.
The team also sells a lot of pre-owned commercial safes, some of which come with transferable warranties, like those from American Security and Fort Knox. However, customers are responsible for shipping safes back to manufacturers for warranty claims, though manufacturers usually honor them.
14:25: Have you ever wanted to keep a used safe for yourself and why that one?
One team member shared the story of their first safe—a National Security Mini Mag. It was a small, five-foot safe in sapphire blue with chrome hardware and vintage scrollwork. The color and design made it extra special, and they still plan to pass it down to their son someday.
Many team members feel the same way about certain pre-owned safes that come through the store. They often get excited about unique models and even buy them for themselves.
Another story was about a heavy TL-30x6 safe with a custom green interior built for guitars and amplifiers. That safe, originally customized by one employee’s dad, is now being used by both father and son. Some team members also talked about old National safes they sold in the past and now regret letting go, like a rare Harley-Davidson silver model. These stories show how safes aren’t just for security, they can hold sentimental value too.
18:24: What is the buyback program and how does it work?
NW Safe offers a buyback and trade-in program for customers looking to sell or upgrade their safes. The process starts by filling out a form on their website, including photos and basic information. Kael reviews the request and sends back options, including pricing and pickup dates. Customers upgrading to a better safe typically receive more value. While some older safes may only be worth a small amount due to age and pickup costs, the team stays transparent about pricing. In some cases, there may even be a fee to dispose of certain types of safes.
Fort Knox Titan Safe: The Pinnacle of Reidential Security
The Fort Knox Titan is engineered not just for storage, but for uncompromising protection. This premium-level safe is ideal for serious gun collectors, preppers, or anyone wanting a high level of security in a residential safe.
21:19: What's your personal dream safe to own and why?
The team talked about their dream safes and what they would love to own one day. One person said they’d love a Fort Knox Legend for its top-level security, custom options, and quality. Though the Titan fits their budget better now, the Legend would be their dream build.
They also imagined adding a Fort Knox vault door to a future vault room in their garage. Other dream safes included round bank vault doors and vintage cannonball safes, which are both rare and very cool.
23:30: You're stuck in a locked safe for 24 hours. What three things do you want in there with you?
During a safe delivery, one customer asked the team to test if her cell phone would still get a signal from inside the safe — just in case she ever got locked inside. It worked!
As the team jokingly considered what they would like inside the safe, they agreed a cellphone would make the list. Water, beef jerky, podcasts, and even cold beer also made the list.