Gunbroker Auctions Can be Fraudulent

[wrhk33]

I wanted to buy a nice revolver from a member on this forum but it only had one so-so pic.
I stated that I would take it if I could have a 3 day non-firing inspection period. That was too much to ask for and it was sold to the next guy.
Previously I have had good luck purchasing from members here and have always found sellers up to now that offered inspection periods.

 

[m4bgringo]

BEWARE OF BAIT AND SWITCH! MAKE SURE PICTURES ARE OF ACTUAL GUN OR PART.HAVE BEEN BURNED ON THIS BEFORE.

Dude, been there done that ****!

I did get my money back, not all of it, but what a *******' nightmare my FFL and I went through!

Since that first transaction I have been very satisfied with the rest.

I HATE people that LIE!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

I also had a guy send my FFL a 629-2 I had purchased in nothing more than the mailing box. The gun was sliding around loose in the box and no attempt was made to protect or secure the weapon from getting damaged.

I unfortunately have seen guns shipped that way (or close to it) as well. It really makes you wonder what kind of intelligence someone has to sell you something you paid for and then sacrifice completing the transaction and also having to pick up the shipping when the reason you are returning it is due to inadequate packing? Then the seller has a devalued/damaged gun he has to resell??

It just amazes me sometimes.

IC

 

[luangtom]

I have had one major disappointment on GB and it was not from a private-party. It was from an established dealer in NY. I bid, supposedly won, and was informed to send payment. Instead, I called to set things up via phone. They did not like it. They could not find the firearm in question in their inventory. They offered me a similar firearm, but at $100 more than my bid. Come to find out, they do this ploy often. I am fortunate in that I did not send them any money or take their offer of another, higher-priced, firearm. So, yes, GB can sometimes be a disappointment.

 

[DCWilson]

Lucky so far on Gunbroker, maybe 8-10 transactions in the last three years. No bad experiences. A couple of times I was about to to bid on something interesting (Pre-17 with 8-3/8" barrel, for example), but couldn't get a relevant response to basic questions (consistent serial numbers on gun parts). Not everybody is expert on a firearm they may be trying to sell, but you can usually recognize an honest effort to provide requested information. If the effort is not honest, or if a specific question is answered with a general reply, I thank them for their time and move on.

 

[dlbx2]

I still would like a clear, concise, in English, definition of the word "minty". I've seen minty with a cylinder ring completely through the bluing, with the checkering worn almost slick, and with nickel missing spots.
DLB

 

[DCWilson]

I still would like a clear, concise, in English, definition of the word "minty". I've seen minty with a cylinder ring completely through the bluing, with the checkering worn almost slick, and with nickel missing spots.
DLB

minty, adj. (MIN-tee): (1) "Looks pretty good to me, the far from disinterested seller." ; (2) 99% or better in the proprietary tri-level valuation system of amateur sellers (Bad; OK; Minty), where "Bad" = 0-10% in the standard system, "OK" = 10-75%; and percentage ratings 76-98 are not used.

Hope that's clear now.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

MIN-TEE: Not to be confused with any other "official" NRA grading condition!!!

Hypothetical exchange:

Gun Buyer who has just received their gun:
"Ahh, excuse me sir, but I just received my gun in the mail and I see this large gouge in the barrel. I thought you said it was in mint condition?"

Seller: "Well my listing specifically said MIN-TEE, not MINT. Minty is different. It's MINT except for the gouge and well within reason for a MIN-TEE gun. If i said MINT, then that's a different story"

Buyer: "Oh, sorry my mistake."

IC

 

[stang1911]

GB WISDOM

THERE IS NO SUBSITUTE FOR MULTIPLE ANGLE, SHARP, CLEAR, REAL I MEAN REAL CLOSE UP PICTURES. USED AND NEW!

 

[Kelly Green]

Mostly my GB experiences have been pleasant but i must caution dont bid unless there is a return priviledge.

Return policies are not always what they appear to be.

Last year my nephew bought a Chief Special on GB that was advertised as unfired and in original box. When he brought it out to my place to test fire it, I could tell that it had been fired, possibly a lot, and the box that he received was not original to the gun.

When he contacted the seller, he was told that the gun was unfired when it left his possession and if it had been fired then my nephew had done the firing. He also stated that the box was the one he received when he bought the gun. Sorry, no refund.

 

[TACC1]

On GB, first I look at the pics, if blurry, I pass. If seller says
"no returns", then it's another pass. I've been very happy
with the GB experience. I think it's a great resource, if I'm careful.
TACC1

 

[semperfi71]

I have, so far, done well on Gunbroker, AuctionArms, and Gunsamerica. I have been lucky.

BUT, I always follow this rule first: "If I win it, I keep it." Meaning I expect to get stuck with whatever comes in the mail.

Therefore I try to buy from sellers with LOTS of positive feedback, ask lot of questions if necessary, and expect to see enough clear pictures of the weapon.

It also helps to buy from someone who allows the use of a Credit Card to pay. Even if they charge the "extra fee" for its usage. With a Credit Card purchase one should be able to refute the payment if problems arise.

 

[kbm6893]

I was just looking for that guy's stuff. I wanted to see what new listings he had.

He's back. Same scam. Polished guns advertised as new or "100% finish". He has far less auctions, though.

 

[Camster]

Return policies are not always what they appear to be.

Last year my nephew bought a Chief Special on GB that was advertised as unfired and in original box. When he brought it out to my place to test fire it, I could tell that it had been fired, possibly a lot, and the box that he received was not original to the gun.

When he contacted the seller, he was told that the gun was unfired when it left his possession and if it had been fired then my nephew had done the firing. He also stated that the box was the one he received when he bought the gun. Sorry, no refund.

I went through that sort of nonsense with a fellow in Ct.The NIB gun had a ding in one cylinder flute.He denied that it was there.....of course when I got the gun, the ding was conveniently under the top strap,which defies the odds.I must have done it or was trying to get away with something.No refund.
On another gun,some damage from an unknowing person trying to remove the cylinder without removing the screw.It took me a while to realize it,honestly think the dealer missed it too,and had no problem getting a refund.

 

[NFrameFred]

I've had fairly good luck with GB auctions, but it's always a shot in the dark.

Someone asked why a seller would state 'sold as is - no returns' unless he had "something to hide"?

True, there are people who try to peddle their "problem child" this way, no denying it. But another point to consider is there are those (some of them hang around the edges of the classifieds here) that are always going to "buy two of those when my rich uncle gets out of the poor house". They make an "I'll take it" statement and then you never hear from them again, or worse the wife happens to be home when the package comes in (and apparently wasn't when the commitment was made) and all of a sudden the whiner finds every imagined conceivable flaw that you 'didn't tell him about' to try to return a gun there is nothing wrong with, rather than buck "she-who-must-be-obeyed".

Then there are the yahoos that will actually take parts off of your gun and replace them with their junk that needed repair, send the gun back and claim they never had it apart. I've seen it happen. Those are just a couple of reasons some decide to sell as is. Like others have said, Caveat Emptor. I try to speak to the seller personally, get lot's of good pix, and make a snap judgement as to if it 'smells' OK. Part of allure and danger of finding a "good deal". Many times if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But all of us like to hope we'd be the stiff that lucks up and finds a registered magnum for $300. Because it has happened. But odds are . . . . . best to get an inspection period if possible. But having said that, I have bought some that had no inspection/return period and I haven't been burned . . . yet.

I sold a set of grips to a guy from the classifieds here, described them in detail and sent numerous pictures and offered more pics if he desired. He decided when he received them he didn't want them after all (probably found another set after he bought these) and gave me some lame excuse about the coloring of the grips and informed me he was sending them back. I tore up his check and took them back. I just learned not to do business with him. Takes all kinds.

 

[Black Dog]

NRA Condition System

I know this makes me another old guy lamenting better days now gone, but the NRA Gun Grading system was always the accepted standard for defining condition, often used with specific details in the pre digital photo age. Sellers who don`t use it today either don`t know about it, or are looking for "wiggle room" IMO.

FACTORY NEW
All original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.

EXCELLENT
All original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals, and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.

FINE
All original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals, and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood; good bore.

VERY GOOD
All original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.

GOOD
Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued; principal lettering, numerals, and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised, or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

FAIR
Some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or reblued; rounded edges on metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals, and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked, or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.

POOR
Major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals, and design obliterated; wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked, or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collector's firearm.

FWIW, I won`t buy on the Gun Auctions without a 3 day inspection stated in a EMail, and a phone call with the seller who has at least some completed transactions.

 

[skeete]

I bought three firearms on Gunbroker. One was a new Socom 16 that came to me with a frozen rear sight, Smith Enterprises fixed for an extra $125 (plus travel time)to the price. To the credit of the dealer he did send me $100.
Then there was the "flawless, like new in box" Colt Python that would not fire on the second shot plus it had totally mismatched stock that was impossible to see as the photos were one side at a time and the lighting did not pick up the difference. That cost me an extra $300.
Finally there was a Custom Shop Python that was on GB but it was a private party in my area. I saw the gun in person and it was a buy of a lifetime.
I have since learned even clear photographs can be misleading. There are too many things to look out for on a firearm. I have noticed several GB Pythons with the rear sight blade all the way to one side which in my experience is a barrel that is not on center. Maybe you are safe with a credit card but that is not always 100%.
With Pythons there are several sellers trying to unload counterfeit, Made in China, manuals, test targets,boxes and even labels (including the Colt Custom Shop yellow label).

 

[rollin_hot]

GB

I also like the GB auctions where the seller goes out of their way to hide the fact that the gun has a lock.

Tons of pictures of everything except the side the lock is on, or it will have a pic of the side but the camera will be angled so the lock is hidden behind the cylinder release.

Watch for it, it's almost comical.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I've had good luck with GB with one exception. I bought a Police Positive last year from a private party. It was advertised as "original finish," "locks up tight." It looked OK in the not-great pictures, and a bargain price. Of course it turned out it was an obvious reblue and did not "lock up tight." I sent the seller an Email that tore him a new one and could probably have gotten a refund. However I determined that, though it was not as advertised, it was worth the low price.

 

[geotech]

Been in this boat myself with a fella in PA who always sells S&W stocks on GB. Wanted a pair of good condition factories of the era for my Model 15 shooter. I was totally amazed this seller had one-pair of new-old-stock! Corresponded via email and even a phone call about them, and seemed to have passed my sniff test so I bid with confidence. I win and send my money order next day by Certified Mail. He gets it the following day according to tracking. Seven days later I get an email thanking me for payment and my grips were packed and ready to ship - great, I just had my shooter gone through mechanically at S&W and they'd arrive a day apart.

I get the package and in it are not a set of new old stock, but two mismatched stocks with very different color, grain, and one with a severely peeled medallion. Also included was a hand-scribbled note saying I dropped your grips on the concrete and one cracked. Please accept these very finely matched, but used grips and a $20 refund! Umm.... I paid an outstanding premium for new old stock stocks, and get a pair of lackluster, mismatched used stocks and $20 back, which then is about $50 higher than other GB sellers that have very nice sets for! REALLY!?!? I ended up getting my purchase money back after some hardnosed exchanges, but the *** robbed me for shipping $15 (he actually sent for $4.95 in a USPS FREE flat-rate box) and I ate the $4.95 returning the garbage to him (wanted tracking/delivery confirmation), and he thought that was fair! The $20 wasn't worth any more of my time to fight, but this guy is a FRAUD since he could have emailed me that what I purchased was damaged and simply sent back my money order and not lied in an email to me saying my grips were packed and ready to ship! Caveat emptor, I know.