FTF transactions

[iouri]

So I've seen few times items for sale that I might be interested in on local gun board or armslist, but what stops me everytime is the fact that I have no idea of how to do a FTF transaction safely. So I meet seller in public place and I can pass my hard earned money in public place but how on earth I can inspect what I am receiving safely without someone calling a SWAT team ? Can you guys share your experience on how do you do inspection ?

 

[5-Shot]

I've done transactions in cars mostly in crowded parking lots like Burger King etc. Never a problem.

Ed

 

[jdh]

A public parking lot monitored by video has always worked for me.

 

[-db-]

I've done transactions in cars mostly in crowded parking lots like Burger King etc. Never a problem.

Ed

That is how it has always happened for me, too, with about a dozen FTF deals. Someone typically offers the other to get in the vehicle to do the actual inspection(s) and/or money trading hands. As long as you're parked a bit away from the lot traffic and other cars, it's doubtful anyone's going to notice what you're doing.

However, I've ever only met guys for FTF deals who I know have established histories on gun forums and such. I've never met someone I know absolutely nothing about, such as a random seller on Craigslist or Arms List, and wouldn't jump in some absolute stranger's car, especially knowing he's got a gun.

If getting in a stranger's vehicle makes you uncomfortable, you can always pop the trunk or hatch out back and check things out pretty well that way, standing behind the vehicle, too. No matter how it's done, inside or out, I bring my wife or a friend and have them sit watching while I go out and do the deal at the other guy's car. If anything were to happen, they're right there with a phone at the ready.

 

[Bekeart]

Kentucky Trading

Kentucky Trading

I meet at Wal-Mart parking lot over by where the semis park.

Inspeciton usually on trunk lid.

Only few people in Kentucky will be shocked at seeing a gun.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

Been there...done that. Keeping handguns out of sight inside a vehicle parked away from the crowded area of the parking lot, is fairly easy, safe, and reasonably well hidden from those who might panic at the sight of a gun. Long guns do make it a bit more difficult.

 

[finesse_r]

A public parking lot monitored by video has always worked for me.

Same here and I either use tail gate of a pickup with a camper on it or inside truck or car.

I much prefer FTF transactions to buying by mail, but I do always go fully armed. I always meet in a very public place, preferably with security cameras. Also having someone with you can be reassuring, but most of the time I have been by myself and so has the buyer or seller I meet.

First of all you get to see the gun before you buy it, which is a huge plus.

Second you don’t have to risk the delays of sending money in and waiting for the mail, which is far from 100%. Guns get lost and stolen all too often by delivery companies.

Second you save the cost of shipping and of a transfer fee, which can add a lot of cost to the gun.

Third you don’t have a federal paper trail. You either have no paper trail or just a bill of sale, depending on how the sale is negotiated. This should be settled and made clear long before you meet FTF.

Forth, how scary is it to send several hundred dollars off to someone you have never met and hope that they will send you the gun as advertised. Now that is risky business. LOL I do it a lot, but I never like doing it.

On the downside is it limits you to guns in your area or to buyers in your area, and you have to take precautions that the buyer or seller you meet is not there to rob you. That is why you go armed, meet in a public place. I like Wal-Mart parking lots where there are security cameras and lots of people) and if possible have someone with you. However I have met in highway rest areas, at gun shows, and gas stations/convenience stores. I try and get a feel for the other person before we meet and I don’t answer just any gun listing. So far they have all been very pleasant meetings.

 

[hangnoose]

FTF SALES

I've done ftf in my home, their home, meet 1/2 way, or meet near me in public. normally I will have spoken with them over the phone or online first. I trust my instincts and if I get ANY kind of bad vibe, back out. don't meet them at night in a dark alley. inspections need to be fast and not as thorough as you might like. you need to know what to look for and how, before the meet. I ALWAYS have my cc on my person and situational awareness is in code orange. me nor anybody I know has ever been ripped off or attempted to be. We don't look or act like an easy target though. get a drivers license, bill of sale, phone pic of car/license plate/person if allowed and you feel it needed. KNOW YOUR STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.

 

[iouri]

Thanks all, for sharing your experience !

 

[hangnoose]

FTF

A couple other things. a truck bed, open trunk or hatchback work fine. I don't care to get in anyone's vehicle or to be crowded & absolutely nobody behind me. I don't care for third wheels, they don't need to be there, & I have no problem asking them to step away or wait in the car as I'm "just being overly cautious", no need to be insulting. If you feel the guy is selling hot guns, back off slowly politely and notify police from a safe place. and NEVER buy a hot gun, no matter how good a deal it may be. you have no idea of the crime you may be buying with it.

 

[Alpo]

I understand the part about "having someone with you", but if I was selling my gun, and when the buyer showed up, there were two or three of them, I would not be happy.

If I was the buyer, and when I showed up with my wad of cash, there were two or three people waiting, I'd just keep driving.

Every gun I've ever sold, FTF, was to someone I knew. Just about all I've ever bought FTF were from someone I knew. Twice I've gone to the seller's house, because of ads in the Thrifty Nickel. But that was back in the 90s. Don't know if anyone would allow you to come to their house, nowadays. Don't know as I'd want to, for that matter.

 

[USMCHEROS]

I meet in a public busy place keep the weapon in my truck let the buyer look at it and see what he thinks and hopefully buy it never had a problem same with when I'm buying ammo from someone.

 

[timn8er]

The only FTF I've done I did at an LGS. They've made plenty of money off me so they didn't mind. That way when we decided to transact our business I was able to have the transfer done by the LGS. Yes, even though its not required in mt state. I feel better doing it that way & I won't change my mind, so don't bother lighting the flame throwers!

 

[crofoot629]

I've done many a FTF transaction in the local stop and rob parking lot.

It's no big deal.

Emory

 

[gatchelguy]

Last buy I made was an M10, from a Minister, in his office, in the Church. We were both armed. Couldn't have been much safer than that.