Walter Rego
Member
What is the safest payment method to accept these days if I were to list a gun for sale on one of the online auction sites ? A US Postal Service Money Order ? I know the scammers are out there. Thanks
Best/Safest Payment Method For Online Gun Selling ?
- Thread starter Walter Rego
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I've used USPS money orders over the years with no problems, both selling and buying.
Same here, forgery of one of those get's you put under the jail. However you can't always cash them at any Post Office (as I found out). Only if they took in enough cash that day to cover it. Banks may still hold for 3 days, depending on the bank.
If it's a really nice gun, it will take more than one MO, as the limit is $1,000. You cannot purchase them with a credit card, must be cash, debit card or a bank check for purchase. I feel safe using them.
If it's a really nice gun, it will take more than one MO, as the limit is $1,000. You cannot purchase them with a credit card, must be cash, debit card or a bank check for purchase. I feel safe using them.
As for USPS money orders, my banks ATM's are unable to scan them for some reason. When they were open I never cared for standing in line in the lobby to make a deposit.
I gladly accept personal checks with a three day hold, to clear. I received one yesterday about Noon time, got into the local branch ATM before 1:00 P.M. so I can ship the pistol Th. early A.M. That way I'm happy and the buyer is happy
I gladly accept personal checks with a three day hold, to clear. I received one yesterday about Noon time, got into the local branch ATM before 1:00 P.M. so I can ship the pistol Th. early A.M. That way I'm happy and the buyer is happy
USPS MO's are great when selling and the PO will cash them, provided they have enough money in the drawer. If they don't have the funds to cash it, they can at least verify that it's legitimate.
Buying from a verified FFL holder should pose little risk. There are still risks with USPS MO's when buying from a private party seller (non-FFL holder) that you don't know, if you send it directly to them. Don't count on the PO to recover your money and prosecute if a scammer cashes it and disappears.
IMO, the safest way to buy online from a private party seller is to speak with them on the phone and have them ship through an FFL. If you get a bad vibe from your conversation, walk away. If they seem legit, contact their FFL directly (look up their phone number yourself and verify that they have a valid FFL through the ATF website). Send the payment to the FFL holder, with the understanding that they won't release funds until the gun is turned over for shippment and is as represented.
Scammers are everywhere. We catch a number of them in our classifieds and I frequently see ads on Armslist and other sites that are definitely fraudulent. It should raise your suspicions when you see a desirable gun at a really good price. These conmen often copy photos off the internet and a simple Google image search often comes up with the same photos that were used elsewhere by legitimate sellers. Don't let the prospects of a potential good deal cloud your better judgement. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Buying from a verified FFL holder should pose little risk. There are still risks with USPS MO's when buying from a private party seller (non-FFL holder) that you don't know, if you send it directly to them. Don't count on the PO to recover your money and prosecute if a scammer cashes it and disappears.
IMO, the safest way to buy online from a private party seller is to speak with them on the phone and have them ship through an FFL. If you get a bad vibe from your conversation, walk away. If they seem legit, contact their FFL directly (look up their phone number yourself and verify that they have a valid FFL through the ATF website). Send the payment to the FFL holder, with the understanding that they won't release funds until the gun is turned over for shippment and is as represented.
Scammers are everywhere. We catch a number of them in our classifieds and I frequently see ads on Armslist and other sites that are definitely fraudulent. It should raise your suspicions when you see a desirable gun at a really good price. These conmen often copy photos off the internet and a simple Google image search often comes up with the same photos that were used elsewhere by legitimate sellers. Don't let the prospects of a potential good deal cloud your better judgement. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
It could be logically argued that Paypal may be the absolute worst method currently available. If Paypal gets even a whiff that you are doing a gun transaction, they will freeze the account and then neither party gets the money while Paypal holds on to it for who knows how long.
Paypal is openly, proudly and rabidly anti-gun. That gun folks continue to use it remains a mystery to me.
Down with Paypal.
Paypal is openly, proudly and rabidly anti-gun. That gun folks continue to use it remains a mystery to me.
Down with Paypal.
There is an outfit called "Guntab" a sort of PayPal for gun sales.
PayPal will not finance a gun sale according to "Google". in general P/P can hold funds until the buyer receives the product even though transaction shows "shipped"!
Smile,
PayPal will not finance a gun sale according to "Google". in general P/P can hold funds until the buyer receives the product even though transaction shows "shipped"!
Smile,
schutzen-jager
Member
if paypal catches ypu using them for any firearm purchase they will lock your account + suspend or drop you - strict violation of paypal policy , + yes they do enforce it !-
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metrotps
Member
I use USPS money orders and take them to the local PO and verify that they are genuine before shipping.
I also verify that the FFL is valid with this: FFLeZCheck 3.1.2 - Federal Firearms License Search
I also verify that the FFL is valid with this: FFLeZCheck 3.1.2 - Federal Firearms License Search
I also like Venmo and Zelle, but like others have said buyer always be aware. I also like the idea of sending direct to sellers FFL
As for USPS money orders, my banks ATM's are unable to scan them for some reason. When they were open I never cared for standing in line in the lobby to make a deposit.
I gladly accept personal checks with a three day hold, to clear. I received one yesterday about Noon time, got into the local branch ATM before 1:00 P.M. so I can ship the pistol Th. early A.M. That way I'm happy and the buyer is happy
A three day hold is not enough to clear a personal check. If check is bad or stolen your bank can come back to you for the money weeks or months later. A scam used on lawyers is for a new client to ask a lawyer to help with a settlement. A legit looking settlement check is sent to the lawyer who then deposits it into the lawyer's trust account. The check "clears" after a week or so and the lawyer takes their fee from the account and cuts a check to the new client for the remainder. Weeks or months later it turns out that the settlement check was stolen or forged and the lawyer gets stuck giving back the entire amount to their bank and the new client is now in the wind.
IIRC, under the Uniform Commercial Code the person who deposits or cashes a check is representing to the bank that the check is good. If a problem turns up the depositor has to make the bank whole and it is the depositor who has to go after the person who gave the depositor the check.
To me, the best is to take a money order to the Post Office and get cash in hand before shipping the item. Next best is to take it to your bank and have them run the money order to try and see if it is good. If so deposit the money order with your bank, wait a few days and if no bad news ship the item.
[The flip side is the innocent good faith purchaser buying a gun that later turns out to have been stolen sometime in the past. The buyer has to give the gun back to the rightful owner and the buyer's recourse is to go after the person who sold the stolen gun. Good luck with that.]
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akoda
Member
I was recently interested in a pistol but couldn't bear to send 1000 bucks via mail to an individual, had I had the option to send to a ffl and made sure when they got paid I got gun I would have done it. but then I wouldn't have got my new SA 1911, locally
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Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
J. R. WEEMS
Member
PAYMENTS
Most of the above. I am an old guy but am amazed at the number of people who have NO idea what APPLE PAY is.
Come DIRECT out of your account is instant and NO chance of any scamming I know of. Use it ALL the time, if I can. Just need your phone number.. Of course you have to have APPLE PAY as well.
Most of the above. I am an old guy but am amazed at the number of people who have NO idea what APPLE PAY is.
Come DIRECT out of your account is instant and NO chance of any scamming I know of. Use it ALL the time, if I can. Just need your phone number.. Of course you have to have APPLE PAY as well.
OP
Walter Rego
Member
I would be the seller. i would verify the FFL on the BATF Government website before I ship, and would send FedEx adult signature required method.
I did not know that you could actually cash a USPS money order at a post office. I figured that I would just deposit the M.O. in my local ATM. But as I have to go to town a few times a week to pick up my mail anyway, it would be convenient to verify the M.O. at the post office and cash it then and there if they have the cash. Which I wouldn't count on if it was a large amount since it seems everyone pays for postal services with their debit card these days.
I did not know that you could actually cash a USPS money order at a post office. I figured that I would just deposit the M.O. in my local ATM. But as I have to go to town a few times a week to pick up my mail anyway, it would be convenient to verify the M.O. at the post office and cash it then and there if they have the cash. Which I wouldn't count on if it was a large amount since it seems everyone pays for postal services with their debit card these days.
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Rpg
Member
You can take credit card payment with Square.
Same transaction fees as PayPal: about 3%.
Being able to accept credit cards is very attractive to buyers.
Same transaction fees as PayPal: about 3%.
Being able to accept credit cards is very attractive to buyers.
schutzen-jager
Member
if you presented the bad check or money order to bank in good faith + believing it is real , many banks have insurance + policies protecting their customer - bad paper is fraud + theft by deception in all U.S. jurisdictions + felony depending on amount - if bad paper crossed a state line it is a federal offense + is investigated by FBI - if it was sent by U.S. mail it is another federal offense investigated by federal postal police + inspectors - both agencies have an excellent record in solving + prosecuting this type of crime -
john14_18
Member
I have been selling online for about 11 years and never had a problem accepting USPS money orders and depositing at bank. I would recommend that you advise seller to send mo with tracking number and also take a picture of it after it is filled out, so that way you both have proof that it was mailed and received.
OP
Walter Rego
Member
Excellent advice, thanks !
I have found that the first of the month is the best time to cash large USPS MO at the PO. Most people receive their Gon't. payments and those who do not have a checking account, get USPS MOs to pay their bills. Also if you cash $5000 or more in USPS MOs at one time you are required to complete additional forms.
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