Internet purchasing from individuals

[Kensterfly]

I may have a really good deal on a gun I want. It's listed on Armslist. It shows the seller as "Private Party" registered in August 2013. He has many other listings. I have exchange a couple of emails with him. No alarms are going off but how can you tell if a seller is legit? What are the chances of sending him money and not getting my gun? I don't see any Sellers ratings on Armslist.

I'm new at this. The only guns I've ever bought were at gun shows and one face-to-face buy.

I would appreciate some tips or guidance.

Ken

 

[Sailfish 40]

if its a significant amount maybe ask him to use an escrow company.

 

[Kensterfly]

I think the price of any gun these days would make it 'significant,' at least to me. I was just wondering if anyone had ever had problems buying guns on-line from individuals through Websites like Armslist.

In this particular case, the seller just told me that he only does face to face and does not ship guns. I'm not driving 500 miles to buy a gun so, that's that. But the original question remains because the search continues.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Well...On ANY Online Gun deal your *** is in the breeze.I always insist on speaking to the person on the phone and send USPS Postal money orders only with a signature required.If the seller does not send the goods he has commited a handful of felonies.

 

[gunnails]

I,ve never done business through Armslist, but I have heard bad things, I still browse Arms list but would only do a local face to face.

I have used Gunbroker and my one experience was fantastic.

I have heard only good things about this forums classifieds.

 

[Kensterfly]

Well...On ANY Online Gun deal your *** is in the breeze.I always insist on speaking to the person on the phone and send USPS Postal money orders only with a signature required.If the seller does not send the goods he has commited a handful of felonies.

I offered to do PayPal and he is good with that. That offers both of us some protections.

 

[gunnails]

I offered to do PayPal and he is good with that. That offers both of us some protections.

====================================

It was my impression that PayPal was not gun friendly, not that you could not slip it by, just saying it could cause a hiccup.

 

[quinn]

PayPal does not allow gun trades. The seller might be the one hanging in the breeze if you cancel payment after he's shipped the gun...?? Just my understanding...

 

[oldafsp]

You might want to approach a 3 day unfired inspection period on the sale. If your doing business via email, keep copies of them. Phone conversations, log the date and time.

Most people are realtivly honest. I have done several transactions on Armslist and have never had a problem. FTF or shipped to my FFL.

A friend of mine has sold several high priced pieces on AL and shipped them to various parts of the country without an issue.

Good luck.

 

[kennyb]

gunbroker has been good to me...

 

[Kensterfly]

The seller tells me he will talk to his FFL about shipping. He normally sells only face-to-face. I wasn't aware that PayPal doesn't allow guns.
Heck, you don't even have to buy anything to send money on PayPal. I could be sending him money for a birthday gift. I know Ebay doesn't allow guns.
Still, Maybe a USPS money order is the best way. Does it take long for the seller to get the money?

 

[gunnails]

I think the PayPal issue is mostly with gun stores being told by PayPal that they do not want there business. I am sure some one could sneak a payment by.

I myself stopped all business with PayPal due to there anti gun policy, but I am kinda freak when it comes to meaningless protests.

 

[arjay]

Armslist is a crapshoot as far as buying a gun from out of state.Scammers love that site,so be cautious.A money order offers you no protection.I use them when I have to,but only from a seller who has done a lot of deals and has an excellent rating.

 

[Sebago Son]

Legalities...

".. In this particular case, the seller just told me that he only does face to face and does not ship guns. I'm not driving 500 miles to buy a gun... "

Well if there's a state line to cross in the process, then NO YOU AREN'T.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

You might "slip" a Paypal payment by but in the event that something goes wrong with the transaction all of the Paypal "protection" will be VOID when they find out it was for a Firearm.

 

[pownal55]

If he ships through a legit FFL dealer you should be okay. You can verify the dealers license number online first. Tell him you would like to make the check out to the dealer for reasons of security and legality, if they both agree you're all set. It may cost you a transaction fee but peace of mind is worth it.

 

[Bent-Twig]

Armslist is a crapshoot as far as buying a gun from out of state.Scammers love that site,so be cautious.A money order offers you no protection.I use them when I have to,but only from a seller who has done a lot of deals and has an excellent rating.

I second this! Big time place for scammers. As far as Armslist goes , I have had probably a half dozen purchases that have gone without a single problem, but all have been face to face.Have the seller meet you at the local gunshop or public place to make the transaction. I work too hard to send my money off to a scammer and Armslist is loaded with them.

Shop your state and buy only if face to face. This is the one sure way to keep from being scamed.

Twig.

 

[Buttercup]

I have completed a transaction via armslist with a private party and it went great. We used our FFL dealers to broker the transaction. He sent the money (US Postal MO) to my dealer. After my dealer received the money I went down and checked the gun in with him to ship and only then did he give me the money order. It is a safe way so that both sides are protected and is the only way I would personally do it should the need arise again.

 

[TucsonMTB]

I offered to do PayPal and he is good with that. That offers both of us some protections.

What PayPal doesn't know, won't hurt them, or you as the buyer.

On the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) forum people often request a "discrete PayPal payment" and ask you to pay the 3% fee. Lots of M1 Garand rifles get paid for that way and shipped successfully.

The seller is at more of a risk because PayPal will have his money and might do something stupid if they realize the purchase is "OMG a gun!"

So, be as discrete as possible.

You will still need to use an FFL.

 

[Bent-Twig]

I have completed a transaction via armslist with a private party and it went great. We used our FFL dealers to broker the transaction. He sent the money (US Postal MO) to my dealer. After my dealer received the money I went down and checked the gun in with him to ship and only then did he give me the money order. It is a safe way so that both sides are protected and is the only way I would personally do it should the need arise again.

I like this!
Sounds good and safe for both buyer and seller.
It is good that your FFL connections would both handle this for you.
Twig.