I'm interested in selling a gun or two, but have some questions about the process. Specifically, I'm wondering how people typically collect the payment. If I were to post a gun for sale on this forum, how would I collect payment. Are most deals done face-to-face and payment in a cash transaction? What about those of you who are willing to ship to an FFL? When in the process and how do you collect payment.

Sorry for the newbie questions....I've been buying guns for a long time, but haven't done a whole lot of selling.

Thanks,

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*** Made in Texas ***

Good communications are the key to a satisfactory conclusion to any deal. If your buyer responds readily to e-mails, provides name/address/phone number, etc, that is a good start. Be prepared to do the same in return. Keep copies of every communication for your records, and follow-up any phone calls with a confirmation e-mail addressing the issues discussed.

Familiarize yourself with all applicable laws pertaining to firearms transfers. Follow those laws as scrupulously as you can, and don't hesitate to exceed the requirements of the law. Make it as clear as possible that you are engaging only in lawful commerce and that you will not overlook any details just to complete a sale.

As an individual, you may ship interstate to any valid FFL holder for final delivery to your buyer after completion of the "Brady Bunch" background check. Some FFL holders will accept shipments from you, as an individual, some will require that you take the piece to a local FFL holder for shipment to them. Comply with the requirements of any transfer dealer that is involved and provide full documentation at every step of the way.

Long guns (rifles and shotguns) can usually be shipped by common carrier (FedEx, UPS, etc) ground delivery, which is reasonably inexpensive. Handguns, when shipped by an individual to a FFL holder, must be shipped "next day air" service, which can be rather expensive ($70-plus in many cases). FFL-to-FFL shipments may use USPS Priority Mail, which costs only about $12 for most deliveries, so paying a local FFL-holder can actually result in less expense overall.

Some states, such as California and Massachussetts, have rather strict requirements, and you must be careful about what you send and how you send it. Make sure that your purchaser is aware that he/she must comply with all applicable federal/state/local laws when completing the transaction, and that you assume no responsibility based upon their inability to collect the firearm from the FFL dealer they select to complete the transaction at their end.

Don't ship anything until you have received full payment. I like USPS money orders, which can be cashed at any post office. Other forms of payment may require delays while clearing at the bank. There are lots of forgers hard at work, and they don't hesitate to turn out cashier's checks and certified checks on their home computers and printers.

Watch out for parts thieves! There are countless stories about collector-grade firearms purchased and delivered, then raided for valuable parts, and returned for refund after "inspection" at delivery.

Finally, be completely honest and up-front in all of your representations and advertising. Don't expect someone to accept your "as new in the original box" piece when you ship them an obviously worn/damaged/repaired, etc pawn shop reject in a mis-matched container.

Best regards.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

I would add that there is a huge number of people forging USPS money orders these days. Its a hassle taking them to the post office to verify them but better safe than sorry.
There is also a feedback section on this forum that you can view and use.
Regards, Chef

As an afterthought, I absolutely was not refering to forum members here when it comes to forgery, every transaction I have ever made with fellow forum members has been a pleasurable experience. My apologies if anyone here took it that way. Be extra careful when dealing outside of familiar company. Best Regards, Chef

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Alabama Hunter Ed Instructor

The normal procedure is that you would not ship the gun to the buyer's FFL until you have received payment, either a USPO money order, cerified check or a personal check that has cleared.

This does put the buyer at risk because he/she has put out money and is relying on you to ship the gun to his FFL.

I have to say that I have never been disappointed by a fellow S&W forum member. The communications have been good to great, the description of the gun or accessories have been either accurate or understated at times and the shipping and follow up have always been prompt. Maybe I have been lucky in the people that I have dealt with on the forum but every transaction has been A+.

When I have sold guns or other items I also try to treat the purchaser like I would like to be treated.

I have bought a lot of revolvers on this forum, first I pay, then the seller ships to my FFL. I am out of the country and I picked up six revolvers from my FFL this last Christmas.
I have not bought from the big auction sites, but I strongly suggest checking out feedback or asking for references. The seller should not be offended. I bought a model 631 from a forum member who only had ONE POST. He provided me his LGS information and I contacted the manager. The deal went great, the seller got my money, the LGS shipped the 631 to my FFL.