Opinions, please

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

I have a slight concern, that requires some third party opinions.

About 4 or 5 days ago, I reached out to a seller on GB about some brass that he was selling. Since then, the seller has been persistent about my buying brass. On Saturday in the middle of a match on Saturday, in order to save an extra trip to the post office, he offered to send me a thousand rounds of brass, with the provision that if I wasn't satisfied with the brass, I pay nothing, but if I was, to send $x plus shipping when convenient. At the time I went along with it, but now I am having some reservations. My ex feels that I should refuse the package, especially since it is coming from a southwest border town.

I am the type of person that likes to give a person the benefit of the doubt. However, considering how pushy the person has been to make a sale, I am having second thoughts. The seller has an A+ rating with over 200 feedbacks.

How would you handle this?

As always, thanks for your help!

 

[crankyoldlady]

Seller is sending brass on the chance you may or may not pay for it. Am I understanding correctly?

Does this not seem as odd to you as it does to me?

 

[dasnake]

I gotta ask......?

Unless he's a nigerian prince I can't read anything wrong with the deal, the closest I've come to a headshaker was last year I bought a cone filter for my shovel, I email the guy/company one afternoon and that night I had a response with a part declaration with a price, I phone him the next day and he asked for my US address, I gave it to him and i said I'll get back after checking the parts out, the cost was decent, 435.00 and it was exactly what I wanted so I phoned back that night and he said it had been shipped 1 day and I should look at it, I said but I haven't paid for it, he said don't worry i trust you and I have a feel for peeps.
I picked it up the next day and it WAS exactly what I needed, needless to say I got a US money order the next morning off to his company in Arizona, there was no troubles but he surprised the hell out of me and asked him why, he said you mailed, you knew exactly what you wanted, you called me back etc, I've done it before and only once a problem, so I was surprised a good way, hopefully you will also.

 

[dmar]

If he’s got over 200 positive reviews, I’d think he’s legit, and not too worried about the financial hit if you stiff him. Do you have positive reviews, where he’d be inclined to trust you?

The way I see it, if the amount of money involved is not a financial hardship if you get ripped off, and you need the brass, I’d go for it. If not, I’d back away. I say it’s most likely okay. The feedback is there for a reason.

 

[M29since14]

I can’t see a potential pitfall. I wouldn’t worry about it. In my experience it’s not unheard of for a seller to ship small items on the honor system. I’ve had that happen several times. As long as he’s not asking you to do anything wrong or illegal, I’d not spend any more time on it.

 

[lrrifleman]

I was always told, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Yes, I do have positive feedback. This is the body of the email I received:

"Let’s try this scenario because I am headed to the post office now to ship brass.

I will ship you two bags (1000+) right now.

If you are unhappy with the product, simply do not reimburse me. If you are happy, please remit $55 ($20+$20+$15 shipping) at your convenience this month.

I am clearly not in this for money. I love shooting and helping others enjoy the same. Since we follow the same set of values regarding handshakes and our word being our bond, I thought I would extend this offer."

 

[coltle6920]

Sounds like the seller was really interested in getting rid of his brass. Probably didn't really care if he got paid for it or not. His only loss would be the shipping cost but it probably meant more to give the brass to someone who really appreciated it.

 

[M29since14]

Open the box, see what you got. If you’re happy, send him the money. Simple! If you’re really worried, put on your hazmat suit before you open it. He sounds ok to me. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Onomea]

Guy sounds legit to me. I think he just thinks there is no reason you would not like the brass, and he thinks you are likely an honorable guy who will pay him.

For what it's worth, on our classifieds forum here, guys have shipped me stuff before they receive payment from me, and I have done the same for buyers of stuff I've sold.


Of course, we do sorta get to know each other on the board here, and a membership of years standing with a fair amount of posts is mutually reassuring.

 

[Sistema1927]

I don't really see any downside for you here unless I am missing something.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Sounds good to me but maybe the brass is Berdan primed. That would put te Kabosh on the whole thing.

 

[hittman77]

I’m still stuck on the taking advice from your ex part …….

 

[merl67]

I can't see anyway this is a bad situation...I have sold a few things on the honor system even telling one person send me what you think the item is worth....

 

[Golddollar]

This doesn't set off any alarms for me. I remember years ago I was at a Cowboy Action Shooting match and talking with one of the clothing vendors. He told me that he wasn't set up for using credit cards, but if a cowboy shooter didn't have enough cash to pay for an item, he told the cowboy shooter to take the item home and mail back a check. The vendor said he never got stiffed by a cowboy shooter.

 

[llowry61]

There are a lot of honorable people out there who do the right thing. Probably more than those who are not. No issues as far as I can see. Let us know the outcome.

 

[Bro. Dave]

The first thought I had was that if the "southwest border town" is in Texas he might be more comfortable with a "take your word, handshake is a contract" type of person. There are still a few folks around my area for whom one's word is a bond and a handshake clinches the deal.

Just a random thought.