Purchasing on ARMSLIST...any experiences?

[bronconagurski]

All my best experiences buying and selling on armslist come from dealing with LEOs. Civilians have been ok, but ask many questions and ask for extra pictures of different angles, especially if a certain part of the gun is said to have a blemish. Don't travel too far. I got burned by a no show after traveling over an hour. Ask if they bought it new, and if they say they did, say no offense, but could I see your bill of sale. Many people will buy a gun and say "I only put 300 rounds thru it", conveniently forgetting to tell you they aren't the original owner unless you ask. The last rule: you can always walk away if you don't like the gun. Don't think you are committed just because you are meeting FTF.

 

[mstuhr]

I'll add a little

Howdy,
I wasn't going to post. I'm sitting here feeling like the dumbest buyer in the world. I just got it for $540.00 day before yesterday.
This goes back to the 7th when I communicated with the seller on the phone. He sounded a bit confused but claimed to be 85 years old. Had his birthday as part of his e-mail address. I researched Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, AA etc and couldn't find the gun I was looking at or even one like it. I matched the name of the seller to the address that I was to mail the USPS M.O. to. I viewed the house and neighborhood on Google street view. It looked like a decent home in a good neighborhood.
The gun was about 50.00 under what it was worth and pictures showed it to be a really nice one. So off went the M.O and FFL via priority mail.
I have two of my own listed as we speak on Armslist. I wouldn't cheat you. I have bought a few and sold a couple there in the past. Not everyone there is a crook but they are there.
I think the person I sent the M.O. to may not even know they are being used. I'm suspicious there maybe a postal employee involved.
My postmaster has been good. The M.O. looked to be lost at first at the destination P.O. but was probably being held or stolen. My postmaster called there and raised a stink and it popped back. The next day it mysteriously pops back into the system and is scanned as "Delivered" at a time when deliveries were not being made. This has the attention of the P.O. inspectors but I don't know where it will take us.
Anyway, they got me. I need to get over it. There have been times today where I have been really angry. I don't need it to live. It wasn't savings. I don't even think it is the money. It's the fact I was duped or cheated.
What concerns me the most is the person still has listings and I can't find a agency interested in trying to do anything. His state, my state, ATF, FBI, nobody but a little interest from USPS.
I haven't flagged the seller yet as I meet with a postal inspector, in person, in the morning.
If nothing is presented then I'll flag the seller.
The discovery was by accident. The pictures and info were pulled from a completed auction a couple of months old. I encountered another item from a legitimate seller whose pictures shared the same background as the bogus add. I went through all his (numerous) sales that were only listed by auction numbers opening them one at a time. It wouldn't show under completed auctions by description.
So, be careful. If they get you you will experience a great lack of interest, lose your money and fill out an awful lot of forms for nothing.
I will continue to use Armslist and hope I get better at it.
Thanks and be careful
Mike

 

[weblance]

I have bought a couple, sold two, and traded many. I will only do face to face, in a public place. I arrive early, know what they are driving, and write down the licence plate number before we speak. I have been very satisfied with my Armslist experience.

 

[Venenoindy]

I got burned once, I met a seller pistol looked like new and price was good to later find out that the frame was modified ( in a bad way) so I'm staying away.

 

[Stan O]

Armslist

Several high end and some smaller transactions. A few, out of state. Never had a problem. It's also the only place I buy 5.56/.223 and never pay more than .28 a round. Get a phone number. Talk to the seller or buyer in person and use common sense.

 

[sheep.dog]

Had a bunch of good experiences on Armslist. Bought and sold. Just like everyone else says meet FTF, inspect firearm carefully, check DL (i take a picture with my phone), have a bill of sale.
I often suggest meeting at my range on a day that I know plenty of people will be around. No one is gonna freak out if they see a gun being inspected and a transaction go down. Heck, I have even let the guy shoot before he buys.
I would not send funds for a gun I found on armslist. I feel that people on this forum are worthy of some trust and I feel safe sending money for purchases here, but the world is full of scumbags and armslist is a great place to run a scam.

 

[kip_j]

The ARMSLIST Conundrum

Thanks all for commenting on ARMSLIST.

All I really would be willing to do on that website is buy ammo locally; not the least bit interested in purchasing firearms there.

From what you all have said, it's sort of a mixed bag as to whether it's safe or reliable. I guess I'll just keep looking and see if any particular ads seem do-able to me.

 

[Bkreutz]

Had a bunch of good experiences on Armslist. Bought and sold. Just like everyone else says meet FTF, inspect firearm carefully, check DL (i take a picture with my phone), have a bill of sale.
I often suggest meeting at my range on a day that I know plenty of people will be around. No one is gonna freak out if they see a gun being inspected and a transaction go down. Heck, I have even let the guy shoot before he buys.
I would not send funds for a gun I found on armslist. I feel that people on this forum are worthy of some trust and I feel safe sending money for purchases here, but the world is full of scumbags and armslist is a great place to run a scam.

I've already commented on this subject so this post has nothing to do with Armslist. I noticed your username and avatar and wondered if you could post pictures of your OES? (most people here love dog pictures)

 

[sheep.dog]

I've already commented on this subject so this post has nothing to do with Armslist. I noticed your username and avatar and wondered if you could post pictures of your OES? (most people here love dog pictures)

I like dog pics too, I'll post some in the lounge

 

[jagular]

Good advice above. I sold a pistol on Armslist for the first time last weekend and all went well. If you wanted to feel more comfortable you could always have the seller meet you at an FFL with a gun range to try out the pistol and then do a transfer. I've seen this as a condition on some sellers ads to get the gun out of their name and make sure that the buyer is legally able to own a firearm.

 

[buckeyedave]

I have sold two times and traded once. I require a valid ID and signed a bill of sale. All good experiences.