I found a revolver but its out of state. Is there any way I can protect myself if the guy decides to take my money and run? I know this may sound dumb but I'm just wondering...Thanks

USPS money order is your friend here.

This one of the reasons I prefer to do a trade rather than a sale. With a trade, you have two FFL's involved, one at each end. Assuming the ffls are legit, you have some measure of assurance.

Easy...several here have sent postal money orders for items I was selling, to include 3 handguns that I've sold through here; one even sent me cash....good thing I have the fear of God in me, and I'm an officer and a gentleman. That said, get his name, address, phone number, e-mail account, etc. If you still have some trepidations, Google Earth his address and see where he/she lives. If the address shows a 30 story run down housing project smack dab in the middle of an urban combat zone, then expect...well, expect not too much. If the results of Google Earth show a beautifully manicured urban plantation like mine, then you're good to go.

Even that is iffy. More people than not have lost their money sending USPS MO.

Absolute best is credit card. You can dispute the charges.

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How MO is going to stop person from taking cash and not sending anything ?

I called my local post office and they said they offered nothing to protect me from someone just taking my money. Seems like an insurance co or someone could offer some sort of protection?

I only say USPS money order, because if they try to rip you off, it's a federal offense if a post office money order is used.

It just ups the charges against them if they want to be a thief.

I had that happen to me. It was only for a $40 holster but when i google map'd his addy it came up as a vacant lot in a ghetto in Tx. I got my holster! I figured something was wrong, sometimes these maps dont show the correct side of town because this was coming from an Australian guy who was living in Tx. I didnt think he was the type to live in an abandoned empty lot. Another thing to consider is when the video of the map was created. There are areas in Philadelphia that are run down ghettos on google maps but in actuality its a neighborhood that has $500k apartments. A lot of time has past from the moment that google car drove by to today

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Maybe a local FFL will act as broker for a small additional fee? Can't hurt to ask. Obviously the seller would need to agree. Seller sends product to FFL. On receipt FFL sends your check to seller's address from his shipment. When seller says check has cleared OR you can show it's cleared (bank copy), you get the product.

Just trying to think outside the box a bit!

After exchanging a few emails and doing some of the google earth recommendations, I actually trusted someone on this forum by sending a bank check direct (my online bill pay alloys me to send from the bank) but is was only an $80 purchase. It did cause anxiety and ran against all my basic instincts anymore Everything did work out!!!!

It's a decision we all wrestle with the first time we do it. I'm gonna say that there is a very,very small chance of you getting ripped off. Hasn't happened to me in 15 years. I've been ripped off more in my home and my driveway than doing an out of state buy. Good luck!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I read somewhere if we use a usps money order and we get ripped off the usps will fight for you. Maybe they don't advertise it. If I sell something I prefer and ask for a usps money order. It clears my bank faster. If I get anything else they will wait till it clears.

I found the add for this revolver on Armslist. I googled his phone number and he's sold several guns on there in the past. This is a $700 item and that's why I'm asking. Anyway, I will take the advice given hear and do what research I can....

OR, this via the FFL, good old COD

http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usp...Q&view%28%29=c[c_usps6519]&varset%28source%29=sourceType:embedded

or try to find a escrow co.

It must be a S&W 42 I'm selling. Just had a gentleman from Louisiana call and said he'll take it. Is that you?

Not me.....

Too bad; atleast with me, you get service, integrity, and quality....all with a smile; I even put you on my Christmas/Chanukah card list.

Well, heck dang whatcha got? I like cards!

I do a little research and if on an auction site check out his rating and how many sales has he had. More than 1 negative with less than 25 sales is "Iffy". I prefer to deal with Forum members with a few hundred posts. I have no qualms about them. So far I have bought off the forum and several auction sites with no difficulties.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The notion that a bogus seller will face "Federal charges" if he absconds with your postal money order is a myth. As much as the federal government would like to help you recoup your losses on a gun purchase, they really don't have the time or man-power. As several have stated, a credit card is the safest method of payment. On the other hand, I don't like to disclose my credit card info to anybody. The sollution? Send a cashiers check and hold your breath!

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Why, I aughta.....

Armslist is not an auction site so there is no way to do any research on the seller. I have sold and purchased a few item off there but they were all face to face transactions.

You say he is out of state..........in that case he is going to have to send it to a FFL in your state.

Any chance he will give you the FFL he will use to ship the revolver and have him contact you once he ships it?

In Arkansas you don't have to have an FFl to ship a gun but you have to ship it to a FFL. He's in TN so their laws may be different.....

If this it the first online deal the seller ever did and you aren't feeling good, don't do it. If the seller has 100 deals under his belt with a good online reputation, don't worry, he's most likely good.

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Back to back World War Champs.

Best way, and the only way, hen it comes to gun sales is simply an FFL to FFL transfer; anything else is just crazy. It costs more, since you pay for actual shipping costs plus whatever the seller's FFL charges to do the paperwork, and it leaves a paper trail. Anyone sending a bad or forged check who gets an FFL to transfer a gun to him has got to be the dumbest criminal going.

I am going through that RIGHT NOW. Sent P.O. Money Orders for a gun and seller said he never got it.
You have to wait 60 days to open a "money order inquiry." If they were lost you get a refund check in 3 weeks. If was a fraud deal the Postal Inspectors get involved.
You MUST use Postal Money Orders and it helps, but not necessary, to sent it Priority Mail with tracking.

Bob

I just sold some mags online and opened a Square account in case the buyer wanted to use a credit card. That was for HIS protection and to make my ad safer and more appealing to all bidders.

A Square account is free. The company charges me 2.75% plus 15 cents to process a credit card. I then send the merchandise with tracking info. If it arrives I know it, and if it is disputed I have the tracking info.

If I don't send it the buyer can dispute the charges.

This makes it pretty safe for all involved, and at the low fee, I think it is well worth it.

On your $700 gun it's less than $20 for all that protection.

I'm sure I could figure out a way to still scam the purchaser, but not as easily. So while nothing is as foolproof as face to face transactions, this is as good as it gets online.

If he won't accept a card, I'd have him leave the gun at his FFL, send your check to him, and the FFL then ships your gun out after the check clears his bank.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

You need to be face to face to use the square reader; you just don't upload a credit card number someone far away gives you.

Wrong again.

Give me your info and I'll run it through my Square account.

I've done it. Piece of cake.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Well I sent the guy a money order for the gun. I guess I'll know in a few days whether I did the right thing or not.

Well, you took a chance. Hopefully it will work out for you.
Regarding USPS money orders.... I don't think your small money order would be a big concern for them to launch an investigation if you had a problem. Seller is holding all the cards.
I've run into a lot of scammers on Armslist. I usually email the seller and ask if we can meet in person (making believe I am in driving distance). In reality, he doesn't know where I live.
If he gives me a song and dance about being out of town or doesn't have the time to meet in person, I can be pretty sure he's a phony. If he's willing to meet, that's a good sign.
Another red flag to me is if the seller doesn't list a phone number, and the only way to contact them is via email. Having a seller's phone number can be very helpful if things go bad.
UPDATE:
Today I replied to an Armlist ad for a Colt. I knew it was a scam because #1, there was no phone #, and #2, his wording didn't go along with his pictures. He said something about picture of the gun in the box, but there was no such picture. It was obvious he copied the photos and ad copy from a honest ad.
So I wrote him asking if we could meet and for him to send me his phone #. I never heard back, but got this email from Armslist about this ad:

You previously responded to the listing:

"Rare Colt PYTHON 357 Mag 4" Nickel SA/DA"

This listing has been flagged as a potential scam by other users.

Check our FAQs for information on how to avoid being scammed.

No matter what form of payment is used.

Bottom line, you will be dealing with a honest or dishonest man.
Do your homework.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

Know the sad thing here? Most of us been shooting 20+ years and FOREVER shooters were the most honest, stand up, people on the planet. It was UNHEARD of that someone took advantage of you......your word, and reputation, were gold.
Now? There are scams everywhere and unless it's a FTF deal you keep your fingers crossed.

This has been discussed and re hashed over and over again. A Postal MO is no better than one from Wal Mart or 7-11. It offers no extra protection. There are several threads on it and direct links to the USPS and what Postal Inspectors do. For individual transactions they do nothing.

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Still Running Against the Wind

If you do an FFL to FFL transfer, and yes, it will cost you more and cut into your bottom line, then I cannot imagine anyone with crooked intent, giving up his life history with the intent of ripping off another gun owner. That said, if you do the following (both seller & buyer), then all should be good in 99.9999% of the cases:

1. Get verifiable names, addresses, phones, cell phones, and e-mail addresses.
2. Get the FFL's that will be responsible for the transfers. My FFL, as I suspect all, will check and verify a FFL license that they get through the FAX, and until they're satisfied, no transfer occurs.
3. Call each other and discuss how it will all go down. Communication is the big key here. Keep your buyer informed, as to when you received the M.O., when you went to your FFL, when his FFL should receive the gun, etc.
4. If you're still hinky about something, then say so. If necessary, have the buyer/seller give you his employment number, and verify he/she actually works where they say they do.
5. Lastly, know full well that I respect law enforcement, and given the current economic state of affairs, I will not trouble federal or local LEO's if I'm ripped off. I'm a pull myself up by my bootstraps kind of guy, and I will take care of it myself...I will find you, have the financial wherewithal to do so, and make no mistake, I don't take kindly to thieves.
6. One more thing, be happy...you sold a gun, you get your name in lights in the Feedback Forum, and the buyer is happy 'cause he got a gun he probably couldn't find locally.

Does any of this make any sense?

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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Sure you did

I know ladder13 and many others are familiar with the process.

I know nothing about shipping firearms. I'm so honest, it makes me sick at times.
I have sold and transferred through a FFL in state only.

One question, is it possible to have the FFL receive payment from the buyer before handing the product over?.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I doubt a dealer would want to do that for tax purposes unless the check was made out to the seller.

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Luke 22:36