Armslist, Great deal or rip off?

[shipwreck2]

I have been looking for a specific gun that I found on armslist for about 200 less than what most are charging.

How do you know your not getting a stolen gun?

How do you know & prevent from getting scammed out of your money on arms list? He has about 5 guns for sale but he wants payment via moneygram?

Sounds fishy to me but there has to be a way to know.

He is in CA

[arjay]

It's a scam

[357-RevolverGuy]

Do business with people who are willing to meet you face to face at your local gun shop and who will sign (in person) a firearm bill of sale. Anyone asking for you to send a moneygram, check, or cash is scamming you. Hope you reported them.

[K_Mac]

Originally Posted by 357-RevolverGuy

Do business with people who are willing to meet you face to face at your local gun shop and who will sign (in person) a firearm bill of sale. Anyone asking for you to send a moneygram, check, or cash is scamming you. Hope you reported them.

Wouldn't go that far. Moneygram or cash maybe but I have paid by check numerous times, personal and cashiers using Gunbroker and forums including this one. I've always had good luck.


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[SDH]

A gun I had for sale, then marked sold on a legitimate forum was hijacked, photos & partial description then showed up on ArmsList. Despite hitting the sites Scam button over the course of the next three days, it wasn't until several days later the site informed me they had removed the ad. The fellow that informed me of the scam also hit the Scam button on the site to no avail.
The site has literally or no monitoring, it is a bit scary going to look at a gun for sale when you know scams are likely and you know the guy is carrying a gun!

[arjay]

The few deals Ive pursued on Armslist have all been scams,the one legitimate deal was the guy selling 12 g. hulls lol

[Buttercup]

Never do moneygrams! If he is legitimate he will call you and the transaction can be done using FFL's and US Postal Money Order. You send the money to a registered dealer after that dealer sends you a copy of his ffl. The dealer then holds the money until the seller takes his gun to the dealer and signs it over to them for shipping. Then only then does he get the money order! I have used armslist many times and have never had a problem. There are plenty of legitimate people on there.

[CatSnipah]

I keep it limited to local sales, and only with dealers.

[opaul]

If it seems fishy it probably is.

[wewaslim]

Have to agree with you guys. I was dealing with a guy on ArmsList who only would accept a wire transfer, Western Union, or MoneyGram. After communicating with him, I got 3 scam alerts within 24 hours. Obviously a rip-off. I only will pay with a US Post Office Money Order, and prefer to buy in person, if possible.

[shipwreck2]

Great stuff guys.

Thanks for your input

[S&W357]

I bought 3 or 4 on armslist. Get his number -call him and just talk to him. You will get a feeling good or bad. You will get a e-mail from armslist for scams but to have to join armslist-its free.
Also get more pictures of that gun that are Different from the ones on A.L.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by wewaslim

Have to agree with you guys. I was dealing with a guy on ArmsList who only would accept a wire transfer, Western Union, or MoneyGram. After communicating with him, I got 3 scam alerts within 24 hours. Obviously a rip-off. I only will pay with a US Post Office Money Order, and prefer to buy in person, if possible.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[S&W357]

Originally Posted by shipwreck2

I have been looking for a specific gun that I found on armslist for about 200 less than what most are charging.

How do you know your not getting a stolen gun?

How do you know & prevent from getting scammed out of your money on arms list? He has about 5 guns for sale but he wants payment via moneygram?

Sounds fishy to me but there has to be a way to know.

He is in CA

If you want -pm me and tell me the guy and i will talk to him. I'm not going to buy the gun......I will talk to him and get some vibs
Sorry -- i just saw he wants moneygram---- Don't do IT !!!!!!

[GerSan69]

I've made many purchases on GunBroker and GunAuction. I've also picked up a couple from Robertson Trading Post thru their ads on GunsAmerica. I've picked up a couple deals right here in the Forum's ads, too. I have a 100% success rate, so far. Heck, several have been in better than expected condition. The common denominator is that I look as carefully at the seller as the item. If the seller hasn't done a lot of business, or is really new to this Forum, then I move on. I don't use Armslist, but only because I don't believe they keep track of the sellers as well as other sites do. I may pass up "good" deals in the process, but I'd rather be just as certain as I would be in person before I do a deal.

[shipwreck2]

Well the deal was flagged as a scam. I told the guy I had friends in CA (I do) and that they could pick it up for me....Haven't heard back from him. This was too good to be true.

[arjay]

I had one that ran an ad that said he was in a town 5 miles from me.As soon as I told him to pick an ffl and meet me there, he was gone :-) Dont send money to an Armslist seller,ftf only.Gunbroker and gun auction are good, just make sure the seller has a reputable track record.

[Engine49guy]

I have seen 3 scam ads using Pythons as bait because of the high selling prices luring buyers with bargain basement prices,

I limit the search to my state and only will do FTF transactions then run the serial through the FDLE online stolen gun database with my cellphone .

inquired once about a Python seller advertised as being in Tampa, I asked if we could do FTF suddenly he was visiting a relative in Texas but he wanted funds to ship it right away , Said I can wait until you return...never heard back...
Be careful there are scams out there for sure.

[S&W357]

I just got a scam alert --I was looking for a Sig P210 and out of no wear - got a e-mailed me -that he had one. I was to smart. This all happen last week. Armslist send me a scam alert on that same guy just now.......

[vipermd]

Engine49: Unfortunately not all states offer a means to check a SN# like Florida does. I do not know of any other states that offer non-LE the option of doing a trace. Do you know of any other states that do? If all or most states do offer this, ( my ignorance not withstanding ) It would be great to have it as a sticky on the forum to allow people to check SN#'s. Obviously this only has stolen firearms that have been reported to the police. OP: If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck,...
Good Luck, Be Safe,

[Kensterfly]

I was close to doing an Armslist deal just yesterday. A really good deal on a gun I wanted. I said it need to be between our FFLs. He said he could save me the FFL fee by shipping straight to my FFL. Red Flag!

I replied that, to be legal, the transaction had to be between our FFLs. I told him that I would send his FFL a USPS money order. He could have the money when he delivered the gun to his FFL for shipping to my FFL.

Sounds reasonable, right? I also told him that my FFL has limited hours since he's a local Deputy Sheriff.

Never heard another word from him.

Question: Do you guys never pay with cash in a Face-to-Face transaction? I don't see why not?

[zac0419]

Originally Posted by Kensterfly

I was close to doing an Armslist deal just yesterday. A really good deal on a gun I wanted. I said it need to be between our FFLs. He said he could save me the FFL fee by shipping straight to my FFL. Red Flag!

I replied that, to be legal, the transaction had to be between our FFLs. I told him that I would send his FFL a USPS money order. He could have the money when he delivered the gun to his FFL for shipping to my FFL.

Well, to be legal it only has to be shipped and transfered "to" an FFL. It doesn't have to ship "from" an FFL. Unless maybe you have a state or local law that says so. Most of my Gunbroker buys get shipped direct to my FFL from a private party, perfectly legal where I am.

Now if you "want" it to ship to and from an FFL that's different, but it isn't necessary to be legal.


And I think cash is OK on a FTF transaction. I usually exchange information and check ID to make sure we are both in state residents. Above and beyond I know but it gives a level of CYA.

[Kensterfly]

Originally Posted by zac0419

Well, to be legal it only has to be shipped and transfered "to" an FFL. It doesn't have to ship "from" an FFL. Unless maybe you have a state or local law that says so. Most of my Gunbroker buys get shipped direct to my FFL from a private party, perfectly legal where I am.

Now if you "want" it to ship to and from an FFL that's different, but it isn't necessary to be legal.


And I think cash is OK on a FTF transaction. I usually exchange information and check ID to make sure we are both in state residents. Above and beyond I know but it gives a level of CYA.

good to know. I had understood that out of state transactions had to go through FFLs. Not sure about the laws in my state: Texas.

[Jagrmaister]

With Armslist, I only deal face to face.

[S&W Fan]

Like many here, mark me as another with good experiences though all have been face to face.

[jmmitc06]

I for one am a large fan of armslist, I have purchased three firearms from armslist in the last six months. All the transactions have been in public places and in cash so while there are certainly scams, I don't blame the site.

I would be wary of the moneygram, but the 'too good to be true' doesn't turn me off as much. Every firearm I've purchased from armslist has been way underpriced, mainly because they have been old milsurp guns in need of some TLC or in an exotic reloading only caliber.

Seems like your original post has already been addressed but these would be steps I would take to check for a scam:

1. If it's too good to be true, ask why they are selling it. I've done this when I bought my martini-henry from Armslist because it was at such a great price, but when he told me he didn't reload, it made sense why it was so cheap. May be percieved as intrusive but I think it's a fair question. Recently I traded my M&P pro 9mm with someone, and he asked wary something was wrong with it, but it alleviated his concern when I told him I was just bored with 9 and polymer.

2a. Reverse google image search the pictures of the gun provided on the ad. If it is scam, chances are they got the pictures from a website or ad, this should find duplicate images.

2b. If 2a finds duplicates, see if the ads are from the same people, if they appear not to be, something is afoot and I would be wary.

2c. Else, it's not an indication one way or another.

4. Offer alternative payment options, money orders always set off a red flag for me if they insist on one if you are willing to send a certified check or alternative payment option.

[vipermd]

Federal law states that out of state transfers must go through an FFL, and may be sent by a private citizen. Do not listen to the " cops", some a very knowledgeable but do not know firearms laws, and can give you well meaning but incorrect advice. I would suggest that you look at your state laws and ATF laws on line, also calling a "knowledgeable " FFL would be a help. Remember it is your responsibility to know the law, stating that someone told you regardless of their profession will not be enough to prevent prosecution. Be Safe,

[SAWMAN]

A nice 'security' measure a guy showed me was to request specific pictures and have the seller write your name on a post-it and include in the photo with the gun to prove they actually have it.

Most gun guys I know have no problems sending additional pictures, if they are hesitant or make excuses.... then forget it

[Elkins45]

Simple rule for Armslist: if the gun isn't available for a FTF transfer then it's a scam. I wouldn't even dream of sending money for a gun located through Armslist.

If you want to do firearm transactions that involve sending money to strangers (I don't) then do it through Gunbroker. I won't even do that: I limit my Gunbroker searches to my home state.

Maybe I just have bad luck, but I've never seen an Armslist or Gunbroker deal that would beat what I could find locally by the time shipping and FFL transfer fees were tacked on.

[clevolver]

Originally Posted by SDH

A gun I had for sale, then marked sold on a legitimate forum was hijacked, photos & partial description then showed up on ArmsList. Despite hitting the sites Scam button over the course of the next three days, it wasn't until several days later the site informed me they had removed the ad. The fellow that informed me of the scam also hit the Scam button on the site to no avail.
The site has literally or no monitoring, it is a bit scary going to look at a gun for sale when you know scams are likely and you know the guy is carrying a gun!

The flag function on the listing works by voting. Enough distinct users of the site have to flag a listing before it will be taken down. This prevents misuse of the flagging system.

If you have real proof of a scam, you can always send an email to [email protected] with details of your evidence, he will act immediately. I've done this multiple times with good results. I watch gunbroker, gunsamerica, etc and if I see a photo there I usually will remember it when I see the same photo misappropriated on armslist.com. Check to make sure it's not the same seller, and report it.

Or if you have other reasons, such as the seller seems suspicious, etc. Just lay out your reasons. Armslist is community moderated, so the more people who are vigilant in catching and reporting scams, the better.

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[hotrod150]

I have bought and sold several guns through the local armslist site as well as a couple of other local sites. Always face-to-face, always for cash, always with a bill of sale for each party. I require a concealed-carry license or other "good-guy card" when I'm the seller.
I have only bought one gun sight unseen. I'm the suspicious type and always felt that there was too much chance for a rip-off or substandard gun. The one time I did buy sight unseen was through this site-- it was a positive experience and I would do it again if the seller was a site regular. I wouldn't care to do a sight-unseen deal through armslist.

[Wheeler57]

I use armslist. I prefer FTF but some of the guns I want are out of state. They must go through a FFL at my end so they have to send them to me. If they accept what I offer we send each others names and phone numbers. From there with simple internet quizzing I get an address and usually some other info about the persons life. And I look at how long they have been on AL. Sure its always a chance and I am anxious until I get gun in hand.
Just picked up a revolver this afternoon. All went well. A little checking found the seller was a gun instructor. Very happy with my purchase.
Don't be stupid. If something feels fishy don't do it. But don't be paranoid. Use your head and you should have no problems.

[Kensterfly]

The guy I was communicating with from Armlist disappeared when I mentioned that my FFL was hard to reach sometimes because he's a Deputy Sheriff here. hmmmm.

All's well that ends well. Just this morning I spotted a new listing on Texas Gun Trader for a Model 37 Nickel with box, wrapper and owners manual. Only asking $450! (It cost me a four and a half hour road trip and probably $50 gas- but saved shipping and two FFL fees!)

I contacted him right away. It was two hours away but I said I'm on the way. Met the gent in a WalMart parking lot near his home. Really great guy. We had a nice chat about... well, you know. I showed him my 'new' Model 10 snub that I brought along for the ride.
This M37 is just about perfect. He had owned it a little over a year and had never fired it. His gunsmith said it was quite certain that it had never been fired. I've seen well used M37s that were selling for a lot more. I bought it for a CCW for my bride, (maybe me.) But I'm not so sure I want to fire it, now. I had no intention of buying a safe queen.

Anyway, as far as the transaction, you just can't beat a face to face and maybe it's better to have a bit of patience til the right one comes up.

I'm posting pics in a new thread.

[Malpasowildlifer]

I've seen some too good to be true deals for HK P7's. Contacted the owners and you could tell they were scams. Vague answers/ wouldn't answer specific questions/ can't talk on the phone because they are deaf, text only, unlikely names (Habib Juarez was one)

So many bots and scams I don't even look at it anymore

[Cpo1944]

I really like Armslist and I have a bunch of good items to show for it. I ONLY do FTF and cash . If I`m the seller I get a proper bill of sale and check the buyers credentials carefully. I have met some nice folks and look forward to my next experience.