Frustrated with sellers on GB

[Lance Boyle]

I got caught up in this once as a seller on this very forum. Guy asks for my phone# so we can talk. Fine. No problem. He's not the buyer. Can his friend the actual buyer call me. Fine. No problem. Friend asks for more pics after a 20 min phone conversation. Fine. No problem. Upon viewing pics he passed on gun due to "the looks" of the pin in barrel. This was a model 36 2" that appeared unfired and had box and all the goodies including original purchase receipt. Beautiful gun but not a super expensive gun. Eventual buyer from this forum was ecstatic when he received it. These other two were tire kickers trying to play high end collectors.

I could see that happening. Same as the same seller relisting the same gun three times in six months, just like gunjoker. Looking to find the "right" buyer.

I'd only been burned a few times, once as a seller where I shipped a $40 part on faith in the word that the guy was simultaneously sending payment. He did not, he said he changed his mind and decided to wait until he had the item and did not ship and wanted to renegotiate price despite a full disclosure of pictures from all angles including a photo of a tiny ding that was listed in the description. I told him no I'm not lowering my price, it's already give away priced, you can send payment in full or the part back. He sent payment. I don't usually worry about less than $50 deals so I shipped to someone I never dealt with before. Other boards I am on I kind of know the old timers and shipped on reputation without waiting. With all the account hacking on boards one shouldn't do that anymore either.

I got burned a bit on gunjoker on a Smith 31-1, they used a shill bidder (FFL less than 30 miles from the seller, hmmm and I only caught on and stopped bidding and I think they retracted a bid that exceeded my last. On top of that the cold blue they hid the muzzle and cylinder holster wear with wiped right off when I got it.

On another board I bot a lot with some revolver items mostly safariland speedloaders. One was unusable due to being worn out, one was close to unusable for the same reason, the third was just barely ok. Frankly that was crappy and they should have been circular filed not bulking up a sale lot.

 

[Gun Relics]

The seller's are limited by both their level of expertise and willingness to disclose. One of the top sellers on GB listed a Model 29 with "beautiful cokes" which were actually "pretty nice targets". When I and another member here messaged the seller, I do not believe they changed the description. There are numerous mistakes in listings. Gun collecting sort of breeds that.

The term "Buyer Beware" is and shall ever be...eternal.

.

 

[flundertaker]

It's insane most sellers won't simply remove 1 grip screw to show what's lurking underneath the stocks. That doesn't require special tools or any knowledge. It takes literally 15 seconds. I assume they're intentionally hiding something if they refuse and bid accordingly. I've been pleasantly suprised on one or 2 cases. Lazy seller likely could have made more easily if he posted more and better pics.

 

[bananaman]

I have personally contacted 2 sellers by phone. My 17-2 had terrible pics. Asked seller to be specific on condition. He assured me you will like it. Used buy it now and when it arrived it exceeded my expectations. I am sure not all sellers tell the truth though. My 14-3 was the same way as the 17. Bob

 

[1Celticfozzie]

I have asked questions several times and here are responses I usually get.
1. I am not home and will send you the info/pic when I get home.
-I never get the follow-up
2. It's in the listing.
- if it was I wouldn't ask
3. No response at all
I don't bid with the above responses.

Now when I get responses that answer my question I will bid on the item.

I also have taken gambles a few times on items that are not labeled correctly and/or have poor pics. Some I have won some I have not and the ones I did win worked out. So I have been lucky

 

[1Celticfozzie]

On GB, do wonder sometimes if some the bidders are from this forum.