Concern on buying on line, a LOT!

[Changeling]

Hello to all.

There are some revolvers I am interested in on line but squemish to say the least about pulling the trigger relative to buying.

I need some educated buyers to give me some directions on how does one know or protect themselves when doing revolver transactions?

Just because a seller gives some account/condition of the firearm he wishes to sell, Internet pictures NEVER disclose the true condition as one would have in person. I've been stung pretty bad on the Internet, and have no intention of it happening anymore.
I need some Internet buyers that have learned what they are doing to help me protect myself.

Thanks

 

[Jaysq]

I can appreciate your concern and the only way I would buy on the internet would be new through a dealer. Now I am sure there will be others that have had success buying from individuals and maybe they can give you some pointers.

 

[gdnagle]

Not always possible but FTF is the way to go. Good return policy is also a good thing for you. Been several here lately that have bought and they looked good until they stripped them and some were Bubba'd up. Chance you take with anything used. Remember the ol' sawdust in the oil for used cars.

 

[shouldazagged]

I've never bought a gun without examining it and looking the seller in the eye. If in retirement I had money to buy guns (I don't) I'd stick to that policy.

 

[Comrad]

I buy online but only from sellers who have a huge track record of 100% satisfied customers. I have not had any problems. Sellers like that do care about their online presence and reputation and will make sure you are happy. I would never buy from a one gun seller.

 

[spad124]

I've only recently bought two firearms on line. One was new and I had to send it back to the manufacturer for a cosmetic defect, and the other was a LEO trade in revolver. Both were purchased from online retailers in KY or TN. Both offered inspection and return as long as I didn't accept the firearm from my FFL. My fault I missed the cosmetic defect. However S&W replaced the scuffed part under warranty- no questions asked. So, I'm comfortable purchasing from volume on line retailers with good track records.

As far as private sellers, I started to negotiate with one once for an old Marlin O/U. When I asked for some close up photos, the guy stopped answering my emails. Game over.

While I'm sure most on line sellers are good folks, there are some who aren't. There are a few threads on the subject on this forum. Search for shipping and FFL. From those threads it seems that a respectable seller will ship through his FFL to yours. Your FFL should confirm the firearm is at seller's FFL before you send payment. Payment should be sent by traceable means and a signature should be required. Some sellers offer a no-fire inspection period with the buyer paying return shipping if rejected by buyer.

One comment I've read as far as qualifying a seller is to call and talk with them. If they won't give you a phone their phone number, walk away. Also, by talking with them you'll be able to tell If they know guns.

 

[walkin jack]

There are many thing I would never buy on line under any circumstance. The top item on my list is a gun...any gun.

 

[arjay]

I've bought 17 or 18 online and sold 3-4 the same way.Look at the sellers reputation first and read the comments that have been left by his buyers.Some sellers omit flaws in the description and/or the photos.Learn to read between the lines.It pays to be a little cynical and ask questions and request photos on anything that gives you doubts.If it feels hinky,just pass.Another one will come along.

 

[Jessie]

All the above.get as much contact info as you can. Address, name, phone #, etc. if they hesitate, be very cautious. From their address you can do a search with that county for records as to who really lives there and make sure it matches up. I use a real estate listing company called Zillow. It's free, just google it and start with the address then click on links to county records etc.
Like mentioned, a big indicator is number of transactions and feedback.
If it doesn't feel right after that, walk away. There will be more.
Waiting to pay until its confirmed at his FFL by your FFL is good advice.
Gunbroker also offers some help with problems that arise and some protection.
Their whole operation depends on satisfied customers and they would cease to be if they allowed fraud and con artists to operate long there.
There's a good group of folks selling here on this sight don't forget.

 

[perrazi]

don't rely on gunbroker if you have a problem as a buyer. do your homework, such as, how much feedback do the seller have, is it all positive, do the pics show everything you want to know? if not, ask for more. talk to the seller on the phone. pay attention to what he says and how he says it. know what you are buying. does he have an inspection privilege? how a good idea what the gun has been selling for in the past, use completed sales on the site for that. these should give you some ideas on what to do and how to do it. good luck on your search for truth, goodness and fine guns.+

 

[A-37]

I've bought many guns on-line with no problems. When on Gunbroker, I read the seller's feedback before even reading the gun's description. If he has consistent "....better than described..." feedback, he's okay in my book. If he charges $65 to ship a gun, that tells me something about him and I read no further.

You must ask specific questions and demand specific photos. For example, I always ask for photos of the butt with the grips removed and close-ups of any factory stamp codes showing reblue, re-nickeled, etc. If he won't provide that, I'm gone.

Ed

 

[LVSteve]

I buy milsurp rifles online because the choice here is too small. I sniff out the less than pristine examples at good prices and occasionally score real gems. With Smiths things are a bit more narrow in terms of what is acceptable condition within the community. They also cost more, so I have yet to risk buying one online.

 

[alwslate]

I've bought quite a few guns online of various types. I look at the
seller's feedback, his shipping fee, his description of the gun and his
other auction items. Often a seller will reveal his general attitude
through his descriptions and his payment and shipping procedures.
Most of all I carefully study the pictures of the gun. The blunt truth
is that you really need to know what you're doing. If you know what
to look for a long study of the pictures can give a very good indication
of a gun's condition. Some sellers show close up clear pictures of the
worst areas of a gun so there's no deception involved. Others do not.
Bottom line is that it's buyer beware online, in a gun shop or gun
show or dealing with some individual. I've had a few disappointments
but the vast majority of my purchases have been satisfactory. I like
to read feedback from other buyers that their gun was better than
described.

 

[Autococker07]

I have often wondered why gun stores do not offer an escrow service for online purchase guns. An honest shop could alleviate a buyers nerves without the seller taking too much risk.... ie....

I sell you a gun for $1000, you pick the FFL and pay them for the total... lets say $1050, plus 5% for escrow=1103...... the seller receives the license, and ships to the FFL, who calls the customer.... if you are unhappy, dealer ships it back using the funds you paid, (minus his commission) and refunds the unused money. If you take it out of the store, FFL wires the money to the seller....

Not ideal, but I would much rather have the option for an unknown party transfer....

 

[MrSurly]

How does one create or check feedback on THIS forum?

I want to leave a rating for the member that I traded with.

Is there a rating system here?

 

[ladyT]

Hello to all.

There are some revolvers I am interested in on line but squemish to say the least about pulling the trigger relative to buying.

I need some educated buyers to give me some directions on how does one know or protect themselves when doing revolver transactions?

Just because a seller gives some account/condition of the firearm he wishes to sell, Internet pictures NEVER disclose the true condition as one would have in person. I've been stung pretty bad on the Internet, and have no intention of it happening anymore.
I need some Internet buyers that have learned what they are doing to help me protect myself.

Thanks

If I can't hold it or examine it I don't buy. That standard means I don't buy online.

 

[blackpowder30]

I do most of my communication with sellers by email. Then I have something in writing. Phone conversations do but little for you when you are dealing with a cheat. When buying a used gun I always ask for conditions you don't normally see, like rifling, timing, lock-up, matching numbers.

Don't depend too much on the web sight, including the large ones, for any post purchase assistance. Read the sight's support rules.

The more written info and photos in the listing the better chance you have of a good purchase. For used guns I don't even read the listings that offer but one photo. Check out Robertsons Trading Post on Guns America for a good example.

 

[NYlakesider]

I'm normally a very cautious consumer. I really like to look at, handle anything I'm spending a few bucks for. I'm still a novice at online buying but I did purchase a revolver here and all went well.

Seller had some decent pictures and it was I gun I have been looking to get for quite a while. I checked him out on the forum; he had been on here for a long time had plenty of posts, no negatives that I could find so I sent a PM. To be honest I'm quite leery about doing business with many of the gun selling sites I see!

He was willing to accept my personal check and sent the gun out as soon as my check arrived. I had a period to examine the gun (no firing Natch) and all went well. Went to my FFL dealer looked at gun all was wel9as described)l, sent seller a PM. Of course this was NY so had to leave the gun at dealer till the paperwork went though.

As stated this was my first purchase like this and really was out of character for me. Heck I only bough one used pistol from a local dealer after I was allowed to pull the side plate.

If I see another gun I'm interested in and all appears well I would do a online purchase again

 

[timn8er]

Blackpowder30 mentions Robertson's Trading Post. I bought my first 3rd Gen from them & I've bought a couple more since. They are a little higher than others, but I feel confident dealing with them. They usually post a ton of pics so you can get a good idea of what you're buying, & they're an actual brick & mortar store, not someone that will just fade away into the net.

 

[Changeling]

Thanks to everyone for there input. A lot was just common sense, but there was a lot of things I didn't know or realize.
I'm still extremely leary of dealing on line and expect I will probably stay that way, however these days it's hard to even find used revolvers in a local gun store.

I did like the idea of buying from established individuals on this web site. However even then I will be very very careful .

Thanks guys.