I'm considering "thinning my heard" of revolvers, and may try to sell them on the S&W Forum (a better chance that they'll go to a good home).

I'm curious: how do weapon-selling Forum members receive payment from buyers? I ask because I abandoned my PayPal membership (for political reasons) a couple of years ago, and will never agree to a Venmo payment - don't like others to know my banking information.

So I'd be stuck with a personal check or cashier's check. I'm Ok with personal checks for trustworthy buyers. And I appreciate that buyers are reluctant to issue a cashier's check.

So I'm asking - what are your thoughts on this?

I am not a big seller but I have done personal checks and USPS money order. I do not do Zelle or any of that.
I sometime put on the ad that checks only from long established forum members and so far has been flawless

Appreciate ya bringing up the topic. Will be in similar situation sooner or later, and really not up to date. Have had people decline cashier's check in other situations, do to fraud concerns.

There are several different payment methods that are offered:

1. USPS Postal Money Order

2. Cashier's Check

3. Personal Check (usually if you know the member, have done business with him/her before, or if the prospective Buyer is a S&WCA or Historical Foundation member, etc.). The usual stipulation is that the Seller will wait fourteen days for the check to clear before shipment. This method has always worked for me.

4. EFT (Venmo, Zelle, etc.)

I always go to the "Feedback" section before I contact a Seller to check for the past history. You can Search using the member's name. The Moderators do a fantastic job weeding out the Scammers. Nothing gets past any of the Mods!

Cheers!

Bill

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That's what we do!

Will start by saying I've never had a problem dealing here on the forum

The only caveat I would recommend is to wait until the checks (both kinds) are cleared/verified before shipping the guns. Banks now are shy about cashier's checks and even USPS money orders since there are apparently a lot of scammers out there counterfeiting such. My bank will only allow you to deposit a money order into an existing account allowing you to then withdraw the amount. That way you're on the hook should there be a problem and the bank is protected. Most of the time if it's anything over a few bucks the post office's policies and practices preclude them from keeping much cash available for cashing large money orders.

I'm especially wary of obscure money order issuers and will only take USPS MO's. If it does turn out to be counterfeit the postal inspectors can run it down. They take it more seriously than the local cops.

I try to establish personal communication, often by phone and at least by email. Folks with less than a number of posts indicating they are actual forum participants bear caution. A lot more scammers out there now due to internet anonymity. That's why they love Zelle, Venmo and such. Depending on how it's set up, once you send your payment - that money is gone - whether or not you ever get your merchandise if you're buying.
Sad, but that's the world we now live in.

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Qui plantavit curabit

NFrameFred nailed it!

In today's world I don't mind waiting three weeks for the check to clear for a Seller, and for the Seller to know that his/her bank will not reject the deposit.

A few weeks ago one of my tax clients was "hit" with a "check washing" scheme. The client entered my name in the "Pay To The Order Of" line, the check was intercepted in the U S Mail system, the scammer "washed" the check and entered his name on the pay to line. Fortunately, he did not raise (increase) the amount. He deposited the check in his special account, just as been stated by NFrameFred. The amount was just under $2,000.00. The bank declined to reimburse my tax client. "Check Washing" 6 Steps You Should Take to Stop Check Washing

My bank advised me that you should review your on line and account banking agreement with your bank.

While I make almost all of my payments electronically (BillPay, ACH, Wire Transfers, etc) I do still send a few checks, i.e property taxes. I am following the six recommendations at the bottom of the article hyperlink.

Cheers!

Bill

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That's what we do!

I don't know why a buyer would feel reluctant to get a cashier's check, other than it necessitates a trip to the bank.

In addition to cashier's checks, there are also certified checks. If memory serves, the distinction is that a cashier's check is a check drawn on the bank's funds. (The buyer pays the bank for the amount of the check.) With a certified check, the bank guarantees that the buyer has sufficient finds in his account to cover the amount.

With the exception of forgery, which I have never experienced, both are very safe. And when you take the check to the bank to cash it, if it's a forgery they well tell you, so no need to send the gun.

I take personal checks. Nowadays banks have apps, and with their apps you can take a photo of the check, front and rear, and deposit it electronically, instantly. It shows up as a pending deposit in your account, which you can see with the same app. In a day or two, the pending goes away and you know the money is there. Once it clears, send the gun.

I like Zelle, Venmo and PayPal. (I don't generally consider politics for most services I use.) Especially as a seller when dealing with someone I don't know much about. Either you receive the money or you do not. Nothing in between. I sold a $700 Randall via PayPal to a guy who joined the forum just to buy it.

I think the electronic funds transfer services are pretty safe, especially for sellers. If you don't want to give them your bank info, give them your credit card info. Then you will have all the safeguards built into credit cards available to you.

As a seller, of course, you can require any means of payment you want. But the more ways you accept, the more the potential buying pool will expand.

(Looking forward to seeing the guns!)

USPS Money order, yes they are a pain if you have a crummy PO.



Bank CASHIERS check not a "certified check" Cashiers is almost the same as cash


Personal check from someone you knowhere on the forum


"weapons"sound scary!



https://www.usnews.com/banking/artic...w-do-i-get-one

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have done a few firearms transactions between members here on forum. So far all have been great. Each one I have sent a cashiers check. I always suggest to the seller to deposit it and allow a "comfort" period to pass. Usually a few days or up to a week before they ship. I think each bank has their own policies to how fast they credit funds. BUT if "Said" check were to be reported as lost by a fraudster....I am not sure of the final consequences of such a claim. It is just best to deal with established members here on the forum. I think that is the best protection. Recently I thought a cashiers check may have been lost in mail (Sent regular mail out of convenience) so I did send a replacement. It all worked out fine mainly due to the seller here on the forum being very understanding. Point is the US mail is not 100% reliable either. In the future Ill send payment either by fedex or priority mail or express

Except the same reasons that make Zelle problematic for buyers make it a secure option for sellers. You get a verified, irrevocable payment in minutes. It's not a third party. It's owned by the banks that offer it. It's no different than online bill pay.

Be careful with Zelle, Venmo and PayPal. Check their terms of service. I have read (take that with a grain of salt) that they prohibit firearms transactions and "can" confiscate funds. Don't just take my word for it, do your own research.

Also, USPS money orders are limited to $1000. They'll happily take your money to issue a money order, but good luck cashing it at the post office. You generally have to deposit them at your bank. While the post office can determine if they're forged, the banks can't. They just process them like a check. So you'd be wise to let them clear just like a check.

I’ve only sold a few guns here, but all have gone well.

I accept personal checks from folks that have been participating on the forums for a while. I can accept credit cards but don’t advertise it. Of course, I take money orders and certified checks as well as cashiers checks.

Thus far, I’ve taken personal checks only here on the forum. I threaten to hold the gun until the check clears, but I usually send the gun out pretty quickly after I get the check.

Not sure why anyone would want to tell those services they were buying a firearm. It's not a requirement to state what you are purchasing/sending funds for. None o' their beeswax, in my opinion.

You can verify USPS money orders here:
Money Orders | USPS

Venmo is the most convenient for buyers and you, if you don't think they already know your "money situation," you're mistaken.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Is it OK if I bring a bag of Golden Dollars to your house?

Anytime, my friend. Bring your chili pot.

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The best I can with what I got

That is useful. Thanks!

I have had a few issues with USPS money orders.

First my banks will not accept them.

Second my PO on most occasions cannot cash anything over $200.00 . Even going at the end of the day when some cash is coming in.

Third if by chance it gets lost or stolen the process of getting your money back can be months, after going through the claims process.

Certified or personal checks seem to work much smoother for me. This forum is great to buy and sell on if they have been a member in good standing.

If your bank has it, I recommend Zelle. It is an electronic transfer system directly from your bank account to theirs. As a benefit, your bank doesn't need to use it in order for you to receive funds (only to send them); you simply have to have either an email address or cell phone number and the first time you receive funds it will prompt you to enter your account info where you want the money deposited.

From a seller's perspective it is quite safe, as it won't transfer any money if the sender doesn't have it in his/her account, and once the money is sent it cannot be clawed back or the charge disputed (because it's a transfer, not a charge on a credit card).

From a buyer's perspective it is very quick, without any delay in getting a bank check or money order, waiting for the mail to get to the seller, or waiting for a personal check to clear. That means the seller can ship the goods just as soon as he confirms the money is in his account.

As a side note, I have used Zelle many times for many things and they don't ask what the money is used for. There's not even a place anywhere to list it, even though I understand purchasing a firearm may be against their terms of service.

Hope this helps!

Certified check ( not cashier check) and on here I have taken personal checks many times.

Here is a little primer- and note at the bottom that certified checks can/should be verified by telephone when received.

That said, I have not heard of anyone ever having a problem on here, and my transactions ( selling) have been high money. But the below is just good info for other places.
What Is a Certified Check?

A certified check is like a personal check in that the funds are drawn from the signatory’s checking account. But with certified checks, the bank first verifies that the account holder has enough money in their account to cover the check. Due to this extra step, these checks are much less convenient for an account holder and generally unnecessary for everyday purchases.

You’ll likely need a certified check for a large transaction, such as making a down payment on a home, or to buy something from a stranger you met online. The certification process protects the seller from a bounced check in these situations.

Where to Get a Certified Check
The only place to get a certified check is a brick-and-mortar bank or credit union, and you must have an account at the institution. Online-only banks don’t provide certified checks, and even some traditional financial institutions issue only cashier’s checks. Before visiting your bank or credit union, call to see if it offers certified checks.

How Do I Get a Certified Check?
If your bank or credit union offers certified checks, head to a branch with a government-issued ID and the correct spelling of the payee’s name. Also, know the exact dollar value you want to assign the check, and be sure you have that much money in your bank account. (Note that you can’t get a certified check with cash unless you first deposit it into your checking account.)

Once at the bank, a teller will typically verify your account is active and in good standing and confirm you have the authority to write a check. You’ll need to present a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, then fill out the check in front of the teller, who will check your account balance to see if the necessary funds are available. If the money is available, it’ll be earmarked for the check, and you’ll be unable to spend it. Finally, the teller will stamp the check to show it is certified.

After paying the fee, if any, you’ll get a receipt. Hang onto it at least until the check clears. For major transactions, such as purchasing a car or home, you may want to file the receipt with your other papers related to the deal.

Beware Certified and Cashier’s Check Fraud

Although certified checks and cashier’s checks offer some additional security to both the check writer and the recipient, they aren’t foolproof. According to the Federal Trade Commission, several fraudulent check schemes rely on the fact that it can take banks weeks to detect a fraudulent check.

By law, banks must make the funds from official bank checks (including cashier’s and certified checks) available within one business day after those checks are deposited. This means a seller who accepts a fraudulent check will not only lose the items they handed over in exchange for the check, but they may also be on the hook for any money spent from the fraudulent funds.

Fraudsters often provide a certified or cashier’s check for more than a sale price, then ask the seller to send back the difference. But even if a potential buyer is offering you a certified or cashier’s check for the correct amount, it’s always a smart idea to make sure the check is good before completing the transaction.

Call the bank that issued the check—and don’t just call the phone number listed on the check, because that may also be fraudulent. Look up the bank’s phone number yourself, and ask the bank to verify the check number and the account holder’s name or check requester (if it’s a cashier’s check).

I don't understand why a seller, of whatever— gun, house, car, etc. — would prefer a cashier's check over a certified check, or vice versa...

Read the difference between a cashier and a certified.
And both can be counterfeited, hence the importance of calling the Bank it is drawn on and verifying.

These days NOTHING is 100%.

I’ve sold several guns and some accessories on this forum. Any kind of certified check/money order was ok with me. If you receive a personal check just state in post you will not ship till payment clears. Every experience I’ve had buying or selling on this forum has been easy and quick. Buyers are anxious ( myself included) to get their item so they expedite the process. Good luck.

Venmo is, goes in and it's there. That's why I suggested it.
No backing out once sent and recieved.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I sell occasionally on Gunbroker and never sell "weapons". I sell firearms if post 1898- or antique guns if pre-1899. The word weapon, when applied to a handgun, always gives me a bad connotation and falls into the lingo of the daily news usually with "assault" in front of it.

I sell, only accepting US Post Office Money Orders. Everyone has access to a post office and it is simple to get the money order. Next best thing to cash! I believe the limit is around $750, but you can buy more than one MO there.

Your bigger problem is that most states require that all firearms go through an FFL and it is illegal to mail a modern firearm to an unlicensed individual across state lines.

Another issue is how to ship, since neither UPS or US Post Office allows an unlicensed firearm seller to send a post-1898 handgun by either carrier. FedEx may allow, but it is a little unclear if they will accept such a package as well. It seems that you just cannot ship a handgun out of state without being licensed yourself.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. This is very good information. I've not seen this level of detail before, anywhere. So maybe this is good for others in addition to me.

I did read the difference, and posted the distinction in post 7 above:

It seems to me a distinction without a practical difference. What am I missing?

What Is the Difference Between a Certified Check, a Cashiers Check and a Money Order?

Certified checks, cashiers checks and money orders accomplish the same goal of providing guaranteed funds to a recipient. But there are some differences between the three. Here's a look at how these forms of payment compare.

Funding Source

When you get a cashiers check, you give the bank the amount the check will be made out for. The bank then deposits the funds into its account and writes the check. In essence, this ensures the check will go through because you've already provided the cash to cover the value of the check.


The funds from a certified check come directly from your bank account when the receiver cashes or deposits it. Your bank will place a hold on your account for the amount of the certified check.

Certified Check vs. Cashier's Check: Here Are the Differences | GOBankingRates

Since the bank places a hold on the amount of money for the certified check in your account, it seems equally safe to me.

Maybe the point is if, say, the IRS swoops in and freezes the buyer's assets, or if the buyer is a bankrupt and a court order prioritizes hizzer debt obligations, it would have been better for a seller to have asked for a cashier's check...

But, most fundamentally, as long as you don't ship the gun until you confirm the money is in your account or in your wallet, you're protected.

That's the bottom line, regardless of who the buyer is or what the payment method is.

This. Pure and simple. As far as dealing with people here, if I know you I'll take a check. I figure that if something goes south, eternal public shame will swiftly come upon you . Money order usually satisfies me. As far as sending money, I will happily send whatever payment the seller wants as long as it is a money order. How can you trust me, one might ask. Hell I'm a lawyer for crying out loud-do you think I would risk my bar license over a bounced check or some sort of scam!!! I do NOT do venmo zello harpo or any other forms of transfer. I can however pay with magic beans and voodoo chicken bones if the seller so desires.

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