Is this a scam?

[Arkyvarminter]

I've bought several guns online but this one is different. The seller won't take a money order or cashiers check. They said they wanted me to send the money though "Zelle". I told this person i dont use Zelle and they said they would take money through Apple Pay. I again asked about money order and they said NO. Would you be concerned? The gun is a good buy but nothing special....

[RWPBR]

I would walk away. Actually I don't buy a gun or ammo from anyone online who doesn't take a credit card through Gun Broker checkout.

[hittman77]

Can't say it's a scam but if you're not comfortable with the terms .....walk away.

[walkin jack]

Originally Posted by hittman77

Can't say it's a scam but if you're not comfortable with the terms .....walk away.

^^^THIS^^^

[Onomea]

Zelle and ApplePay are legit means to transfer cash. (Though I think Venmo and PayPal more widespread.) Absent something else that seems off, I don't think it a scam, but just a seller who wants his money in a certain way. Maybe it's the speed of the Zelle/ApplePay transaction that appeals to him.

If you don't want to jump through his hoops, though, just walk away. Sellers can be peculiar. Buyers don't need to comply. It's all choices, sellers and buyers.

[Golphin]

I would not touch it. If you don't get your gun there will not be much you can do. Much safer with a USPS money order through the mail. That can cause much more problems for the seller if they scam you and why many scammers avoid it. I know Paypal has rules against gun purchase's and would be of no help if you got ripped off. Not sure about Apple and the others.

[magmag]

Its probably a millennial, as they don't want get up from the couch.

[Jeff423]

Do you know anything about this seller? Have you dealt with them in the past? If the answers are "no" then I'd walk away.

[Rudi]

Follow your gut feeling.

[StrawHat]

In our business we accept them all, paypal, venmo, zelle, credit cards over the phone, apple pay, pretty much anything except bitcoins and children. Just another way to do business.

Kevin

[PPS1980]

Both are legitimate ways to transfer cash. Zelle is used/offered by my bank through their online portal. BUT, and its a big one, neither of them allow the use of their service for firearms or related purchases. So, if you do have a problem you are probably out of luck asking them for help.

[Camster]

Pass on that one. I happily sold dozens of mine, m.o, bank check, personal check. Never a problem. If none of those work for someone, and it's not a dealer who can accept a cc, that's a red flag for me.
Anyone who sets too many rules or unusual rules, will most likely be a bugger if you want to return it. Not to worry though, because you wouldn't be getting anything sent to you.

PS: I'm not doubting that it's a legit way of sending money and a useful tool.
However, once you pay, it's a done deal, same as any other. You still have to trust the seller. Sellers that are also too rigid in the deal going precisely as they specify, aren't for me. Right off the bat, some of the fun goes out of the buy.

[wheelgun28]

Money orders can be faked, postal money orders can be changed in value shown on the face.

I would guess with a firearm sale going to an FFL the chances of a buyer ripping off a seller is very low. It's not like it's a video game or tennis shoes.

[Bugkiller99]

I’ve paid for purchases on this Forum using Zelle. Seller had funds within minutes of my “I’ll take it”.
I offered this option to the seller, who accepted. So not the same as the OP.
Zelle is not a scam. Can’t speak specifically to the OP potential transaction.

[Ron In MD]

I recently bought an S&W M64 from an online ad.
The seller asked if I had a Zelle account, I told him no, that I would send him an USPS MO.
Well it took 4 weeks for him to get the MO using Priority Mail.
He had no problem waiting on it.
The M64 was sent USPS Priority Mail to my FFL. He received it 4 days later.

I have spoken to others about Zelle who use it, they like it, they said it’s fast safe payment.

[robrossk]

I have used zelle and venmo to buy and sell. Each person needs to be comfortable with other party and transaction. Someone "demanding" a certain form of payment would be a no deal for me personally.

[llowry61]

I have used multiple on-line payment forms to make purchases as well as PO MO etc. If it doesn't feel right then don't do it. I have to admit it gets them the money fast and guaranteed so they can ship it that much faster. I tend to only buy from folks who have been on-line in the forums for a long period of time and get all their info up front. Honestly, there is always a risk when you send money before you get the item.

[wood714]

Originally Posted by Arkyvarminter

I've bought several guns online but this one is different. The seller won't take a money order or cashiers check. They said they wanted me to send the money though "Zelle". I told this person i dont use Zelle and they said they would take money through Apple Pay. I again asked about money order and they said NO. Would you be concerned? The gun is a good buy but nothing special....

Would depend on what site your buying it off of.

If it's GB, and the seller has good reviews I'd not worry about it.

If it was a long time member on here, I wouldn't worry about it.

If it was a Armslist or something similar...I'd walk away.

[mbliss57]

You are fine using Zelle or Venmo..But like others have said you need to be comfortable. He doesn't want a M.O because he can't deposit it in is account from his phone. He will have to physically drive to a bank or PO to get it cashed or deposited. I prefer Zelle and Venmo for all transactions and I like USPS MO the least. They can be faked as well. I have never seen why folks think they are the end all safety payment method. I did a transaction with Zelle recently and had the gun 4 days after it was posted as a sale. No one can say this last 2 months the mail has been the safest or fasted way to get someone a payment. I had payments taking 4 weeks to arrive. I will pay someone with them if I really ,really want the gun. I won't take them as payment. I will take a personal check 1st.

[Absalom]

I know nothing about Zelle.

But Apple Pay is actually just another way to pay with a credit card you have previously set up to be your Apple Pay card. So it’s just as safe with all protections, well probably safer, than giving somebody your card number over the phone or elsewise. The recipient may not even get your card number.

It’s definitely safer than mailing a physical money order.

But of course you need to be set up for it and be comfortable with it. A major sum is not the best way to start practicing.

[mbliss57]

Originally Posted by Absalom

I know nothing about Zelle.

But Apple Pay is actually just another way to pay with a credit card you have previously set up to be your Apple Pay card. So it’s just as safe with all protections, well probably safer, than giving somebody your card number over the phone or elsewise. The recipient may not even get your card number.

It’s definitely safer than mailing a physical money order.

But of course you need to be set up for it and be comfortable with it. A major sum is not the best way to start practicing.

Zelle is a Bank to Bank transfer. I don't know what banks offer this but Chase does and I can send money to anyones bank account The sender and receiver only know the email address, or phone # of the person receiving/ sending the money. There are no fees and its straight from one bank account to another instantly. I pay my FFL for all my transfer fees and guns if I buy from him with it.

[Onomea]

BOA (Bank of America) offers Zelle as well. Haven't tried it yet, m'self, but I know it is legit.

There's so many things, so many aspects, to consider, when buying anything, to avoid being taken advantage of, or scammed.

Heck, if you don't know what you're about, you can get scammed as you pull cash out of your pocket with your right hand and receive whatever you're buying with your left.

Hence the advice caveat emptor.

I do agree with the advice, though, that if it feels wrong, walk away. (Also, if it is too good to be true, skip it.)

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

the juice may not be worth the squeeze

[Ron In MD]

Originally Posted by Absalom

I know nothing about Zelle.

But Apple Pay is actually just another way to pay with a credit card you have previously set up to be your Apple Pay card. So it’s just as safe with all protections, well probably safer, than giving somebody your card number over the phone or elsewise. The recipient may not even get your card number.

It’s definitely safer than mailing a physical money order.

But of course you need to be set up for it and be comfortable with it. A major sum is not the best way to start practicing.

I personally have not used Apple Pay, but my son swears by it. He uses it all the time, with no troubles.

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by Onomea

Zelle and ApplePay are legit means to transfer cash. (Though I think Venmo and PayPal more widespread.) Absent something else that seems off, I don't think it a scam, but just a seller who wants his money in a certain way. Maybe it's the speed of the Zelle/ApplePay transaction that appeals to him.

If you don't want to jump through his hoops, though, just walk away. Sellers can be peculiar. Buyers don't need to comply. It's all choices, sellers and buyers.

This is kinda it. I use Venmo, Ca$hApp, Zelle, et. al to take payment for the business and never had an issue. I've had invoices that wouldn't have been paid were it not for money transfer apps, and that's business I'm not willing to pass up. I've also never been asked by any of the apps what was being paid for.

We use Venmo all the time with family to reimburse, pay for stuff, etc., and have for years.
When the kids were in high school, it was way easier to Venmo the teacher $15 for a club t shirt or dues than to send a check or cash. With Venmo, I know it got paid.

If you don't want to do it, don't, just recognize you'll slow your purchase down or maybe not get something you want if you don't adapt. First time I was asked to use Venmo, my son's high school soccer coach told me it was how the cool kids sent money . . .

Edit: And there are no fees unless you want an instantaneous transfer, which is about 1.5% or so. Otherwise, you get it transferred from the app to the bank in a day or two.

[Jon651]

I use Zelle because my bank offers it for free. PayPal Transfer, CashApp, ApplePay and several others are all alike - they transfer money from Point A to Point B. Sometimes the sender pays a fee, sometimes the recipient, occasionally both or neither. It is quick and it's not difficult if you use your bank's online services. This is probably why your seller wants to use it - he doesn't have to wait for a check or money order in the mail and then deposit it to get his money; he just gets it right away.

Just remember - once the transfer is made there is NO going back. This is very much like a money order - once cashed there is no way to backtrack. There is also no insurance or guarantee against fraud, no way to charge-back like a credit card, and no way to verify the identity of (or punish) a fraudster. You have to really trust the seller because while he gets his cash right away, you still have to wait to get your goods - and if you have an issue with what you received you are at the mercy of the seller because there is no way to cancel or charge-back your transaction.

Frankly, if your seller was a crook he would have asked for payment in Bitcoin...

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

....
If you don't want to do it, don't, just recognize you'll slow your purchase down or maybe not get something you want if you don't adapt.....

This ^^^^

Ultimately, a lot of the discussions we have here in the “Department of Mostly Old Guys“ over new-fangled things, be it folks who insist on paying cash, won‘t get a smartphone, won‘t buy on the internet, etc. etc., are just about limiting your own options.

Stick to what keeps you comfortable, but the world moves on just fine without you

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by StrawHat

In our business we accept them all, paypal, venmo, zelle, credit cards over the phone, apple pay, pretty much anything except bitcoins and children. Just another way to do business.

Kevin

I can understand bitcoin but what is wrong with children????

[Muss Muggins]

Lotta unreimbursed associated expenses . . .

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

I can understand bitcoin but what is wrong with children????

[yaktamer]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

I can understand bitcoin but what is wrong with children????

As long as they'll take ex-wives, I'm good.

[16thVACav]

Never accept a form of payment that eats!

[StrawHat]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

I can understand bitcoin but what is wrong with children????

Been there, done that, got the scars. Time for someone else to experience the “fun”.

Kevin