GunBroker Scams!

[JayFramer]

Guys, I sell a few guns on GunBroker. Twice in the past month I’ve had two “NR” (first time) buyers both back out of transactions after they attempted to buy a gun but wanted to use either PayPal (a no no!) or some shady ghetto money orders (which are easily faked vs. USPS money orders).

Today I got an email from one of them CLAIMING their email got hacked by somebody and that they never even knew you could buy a gun online, that they were oblivious of GunBroker. Maybe, maybe not, I didn’t respond.

Guys with all the panic and craziness and first time sketchy gun buyers (or fraudsters) if you sell on GunBroker BEWARE of buyers with no previous record or who appear shady! I think this will be the END of me dealing with GunBroker. Seems the last few transaction have all been a pain in the rear.

I’ve already reported the non paying bidders to GunBroker and should (eventually) be reimbursed for my auction fees, but this is just a PSA for others. Be careful!!

-Jay

 

[Dave.357]

I have never sold a thing on
Gun broker but have bought
Quite a few guns and some
Odds and ends. Most people
I have delt with were honest
but have had a couple of
bad experiences , a nice model
17 showed up with barrel sticking
Out of the side of box.it took
3 months to get my money
back. Now I send no money
Till I talk to person selling
And find out if they have a
double digit IQ

 

[H Richard]

I have bought several guns off Gunbroker and Auction Arms, but any time I sell anything (other that locally to a friend), it is by Auction of one of a couple local auction houses. They have gotten expertise in gun auctions, and use Proxibid for the greatest audience. The fee's charged are well worth the hassle of listing, handling inquiries, taking the pictures, handling the shipping, worrying about payment, etc. The auction house does it all, and I have been well satisfied bu the results.

 

[Rule3]

I have bought several guns off Gunbroker and Auction Arms, but any time I sell anything (other that locally to a friend), it is by Auction of one of a couple local auction houses. They have gotten expertise in gun auctions, and use Proxibid for the greatest audience. The fee's charged are well worth the hassle of listing, handling inquiries, taking the pictures, handling the shipping, worrying about payment, etc. The auction house does it all, and I have been well satisfied bu the results.

Do you know of a "auction house" that works in Florida??

 

[rubiranch]

I've sold a lot guns on GunBroker.

I have never handled any of them personally.

I have a good friend handle everything for me for a minimal fee.

Works good for me.

 

[dmn57]

I've sold a few on GB with no problem but the potential to encounter an unscrupulous player always exits. Although probably not 100% foolproof I accept only USPS MO's or Cashier's Checks. That doesn't prevent scoundrels from winning the auction and not paying at all though.

 

[boatbum101]

Been awhile but I've bought & sold on GB . Vast majority were positive experiences . You do however have to do your homework . Communication before & after the fact . If selling a good honest eval with detailed pics & timely answering questions not to mention positive feedback help a great deal . One used to be able who could bid on their auctions especially if they had no feedback .

 

[jimmyj]

Folks like to use "PayPal" because one doesn't have to leave your recliner to purchase.
1. pay with "PayPal"
2. call your FFL and He fax a copy of His FFL to the seller.
3. return to your TV program (brought your firearm during a TV Ad)

 

[The Norseman]

Scammers

Buyer has to beware.

My # 1 rule: Do Not buy a Gun unless you can handle it and inspect it.

I am patient. For me there is no reason I need a Gun that bad
to buy from a Web Site.

Years ago, there was this Seller. I reviewed his Ad. What got
me into trouble was "Ask questions before you Bid".

Well, I asked all kinds of Questions. To top it off, there is no
way I can prove it, but I still think there was Shill Bidding go
on. The Seller eventually Blocked my bidding.

Well I ended up finding, and buying the Revolver I wanted
locally. The Price was $600 less and I knew who my money
went to.

Also I didn't have to deal with the Shill Bidding.

One needs to remember S&W made Millions of Revolvers
and you will run into the one you want.

 

[grendelbean]

Buying/selling on Gun Broker

Its a new world with the Covid19 complication. No one, including myself, wants to go into a possible crowd at a post office to get a USPS money order. Sellers could take a personal check and hold the gun until the check clears to their satisfaction and they have cash in hand. Depends on how much you want to sell a gun, I suppose. I'll pay the added credit card fee if necessary to avoid having to go out to potential exposure during the present peaking of the virus. Due diligence and buyer beware are always the best policy, of course.

 

[Rule3]

Buyer has to beware.

My # 1 rule: Do Not buy a Gun unless you can handle it and inspect it.

I am patient. For me there is no reason I need a Gun that bad
to buy from a Web Site.

Years ago, there was this Seller. I reviewed his Ad. What got
me into trouble was "Ask questions before you Bid".

Well, I asked all kinds of Questions. To top it off, there is no
way I can prove it, but I still think there was Shill Bidding go
on. The Seller eventually Blocked my bidding.

Well I ended up finding, and buying the Revolver I wanted
locally. The Price was $600 less and I knew who my money
went to.

Also I didn't have to deal with the Shill Bidding.

One needs to remember S&W made Millions of Revolvers
and you will run into the one you want.

I firmly believe there is shill bidding on GB. No, I can not prove it but have seen many bidding wars that made no sense from unknown people Not a darn thing you can do about it.



I have bought and sold only a few on GB it is a PITA.(the selling part)

 

[Telecaster]

I bought some magazines from a company on GB with good ratings, and they claim they're delaying everyone's shipments because of the virus, and I guess because of higher sales volume. I'm sorry, but that makes no sense to me. Over three weeks to put a couple mags in an envelope? We're back to the old days of "Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery."

 

[Univibe]

I saw a guy advertising a 6920 for $9,000. There was something on there that indicated that the sale went down for a bit over $2K. I couldn't figure out what was going on because even that price was too high.

 

[pantannojack]

I got a serviceable and desirable rifle on gunbbr a while back had been describes as pristine. When I got it i saw it hadn't experienced a drop of oil in 30 years among other misinformation issues. The seller with a University of Montana pn # agreed to take it back but refused to provide a FFL; said "just ship it, no big deal." Then suggested meeting half way over state lines. Obviously it may have been a trap, so I just kept it, put on a spare bbl and replacement stock. It is one of my favorites now. Beware of anyone without references.

 

[anonymouscow]

Also keep in mind someone can make a bunch of small purchases to boost their rating.

I can understand either wanting to pay by credit card or PayPal, if I have the option I pay by credit card.

I have unfortunately made some bad Gunbroker purchases. Pictures taken that don’t show a defect or not detailed enough to show a refinish. Maybe I was too trusting that people would be honest with their descriptions.

I am probably done buying over the Internet.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Buying or selling, check "feedback" first.

When buying I like to send a question or two before bidding. No response, no bid.

When selling I try to respond to every question or request for photos every day, always making sure that the terms of sale are clearly understood at every point.

Antiques and vintage collectibles? Be very careful about parts thieves! I have experienced this twice, buyers taking delivery and demanding refund, then returning a gun with parts changed out. I have also had to make a strong stand on "as is, no warranties, no returns" on any sale.

It seems that there are quite a few deposed Nigerian princes who will gladly send certified checks if I will just refund the excess before shipping to them. I haven't followed through to see how that might work out, but maybe others have. Seems to be pretty common.

 

[RGNewell]

I firmly believe there is shill bidding on GB. No, I can not prove it but have seen many bidding wars that made no sense from unknown people Not a darn thing you can do about it.



I have bought and sold only a few on GB it is a PITA.(the selling part)

Shill bidding? Ya think!
When a 27-2 goes for $3300 and the 2 buyers bidding it up both had a feedback 2.
A 4" 547 goes for $2350 winner had a FB of 2 competitor NR.

 

[bigmtnman]

Sometimes Gunbroker can be a GOOd surprise...Here is a link to an older post of mine about my TOTAL SURPRISE Model 10-5 from a Gunbroker auction -- I just wanted a cheap "beater" M10 - SURPRISE !!

 

[muddocktor]

One thing I remember of one of my first purchases on GunBroker was the fact that the seller had a stipulation about accepting bids from people that had less than 5 positive feedback ratings on GB. Basically, if you weren't rated or had less than 5 feedbacks you needed to ask the seller to let you bid on his gun. I did so in that case and won the gun, IIRC. I don't know if that helps, but you could do much the same thing with your guns you sell too. I don't know if they allow it, but if they let you not accept bids from people with less than 5 feedback ratings that would stop that kind of humbug deadbeat bidders you are having problems with.

 

[delcrossv]

I've had generally good luck buying off the broker. Of course, as said above, you really gotta check the feedback. Sticking with established sellers really minimizes risk for higher value items.- flipside is they bring higher prices.

There are a couple of ultra deep pocket folks that, if they show, I'm gone. They'll pay fantastic prices to get what they want. Just not worth playing then.