Transactions on this forum

[Jack Flash]

As much as we all like to think this is a community of like-minded people, and we all share the same values, we need to realize that ANYBODY can join the forum and represent themselves fraudulently.

This isn't Mayberry RFD. It's the internet.

I had my worst experience was with a guy who took my money and never sent me anything. At least one other forum member got the same treatment from the same guy. I contacted the Post Office but never got anywhere with them even though I provided the guy's name and address.

What was truly strange was that many long-time members here were big buddies with the guy.

 

[Bald1]

Posted a gun for sale, and 7 minutes later I had a "I'll take it."

We exchanged info, and he gave me his good friends name who owned a gun shop and told me he would accept the gun shipped from me with a copy of my drivers licenses. He was sending a postal money order. Days went by and he said the money order had been mailed, it never showed up. Just for the heck of it I called the "good friend" who never heard of the guy and said he never accepts a gun not sent through another FF. Money order never showed up. I ended up trading the gun to another member here. That transaction was perfect.

You can't judge some people on here by how long they've been here.

Edited out the personal info.

Click it to make it bigger.

So he's a gold contributor and an 11 yr member. Is he still active on the forum?

 

[Bald1]

I've probably bough and sold a dozen items here. Never a problem. Some people ask a ton of questions and you realize they are just tire kickers. But my experiences have always been great.

 

[paplinker]

As much as we all like to think this is a community of like-minded people, and we all share the same values, we need to realize that ANYBODY can join the forum and represent themselves fraudulently.

This isn't Mayberry RFD. It's the internet.

I had my worst experience was with a guy who took my money and never sent me anything. At least one other forum member got the same treatment from the same guy. I contacted the Post Office but never got anywhere with them even though I provided the guy's name and address.

What was truly strange was that many long-time members here were big buddies with the guy.

Sorry to hear that,
Are they still on the forum?
Did any friend of his on the forum put the heat on the guy to do right by you?

 

[lihpster]

I've never had a bad transaction on the Forum, and would be shocked if I did.

Regarding "buyer's remorse", or backing out after committing to buy something...just don't do it. If you commit to buy something, send the seller the money. I've never bought anything on here that was valued more highly than my word and reputation...

I found your word and reputation untarnished when we did business. It was a great transaction. As every transaction here has been for me.

 

[mike4sigs]

Back in the day with many of the old timers here.
Funds for the gun and the gun passed each other
in the mail.

I had this happen to me just a few weeks ago. I sent a pic of the Money order and addressed envelope they sent me tracking info. when i tracked it. It was moving already.

 

[Patrick L]

I must say, with 1 exception my experiences here have all been absolutely A+.

The only bad experience was this past spring. I posted my 24-3 for sale. almost immediately I got three replies from the same person, 1st was can I see more pictures, followed by can I call you I really want this, followed by "I'll take it." This all within like an hour or two, before I had even seen the first reply. I would have gladly done both if given time.

Anyhow, a phone call the next day sealed the deal, the requested USPS money order was going to be sent the next day (Monday) along with a tracking number. Come Thursday I had no tracking number, and my Spidey sense was starting to tingle. I received a call Friday, basically a tear jerking story about I don't have the money, wherever he was going to get it fell through, etc. I told him we had a deal and I was very dissappointed, changing the ad to "sold" robbed me of more potential buyers etc. He said he really wanted the gun, he would just take the money out of savings, etc... I told him that was his business, if he wanted the gun send payment. The next day curiously he texted asking if a certified check would be OK, he claimed he couldn't get to the post office over the weekend, followed by would a personal check be OK (But I don't mind if you wait till it clears). At this point I'm feeling WAY uncomfortable, but before I can reply I get another text, asking for a series of pictures of various areas (which would have been fine at the beginning of the process) and oh, the guns serial number. I replied with a "what the hell" and the buyer had the nerve to say "I'm cancelling this deal!"

Was it a scam, or was it truly a clod who doesn't know how to conduct a deal over an internet forum? I don't know. I contacted administration, who advised me that I acted correctly and did nothing wrong, but that they really didn't see any point in pursuing it either since I hadn't actually been cheated.

I won't post the buyers name, but I also will NEVER do business with him should I ever decide to sell anything else.

Happy ending though, another member ended up buying the gun almost immediately. I had previously done business with him, I knew him to be trustworthy, so I knocked $75 off as a sort of goodwill/thank you gesture.

 

[Patrick L]

Oh, a second small observation (not about my previous post, but more in general), do people not realize a US Postal Money Order is a specific thing? My last two transactions (one here, and one on another very reputable forum) buyers were prompt, funds were sent immediately, but I received Western Union money orders instead of USPS. I honored them since in each case the amounts were small, but I think it's another one of those things. When terms are spelled out, you follow the terms, or at very least ask first.

 

[old bear]

I had something along the same lines happen to me several years back. He sent me a I'll take it. Then wanted a slug more photos, which I sent ones I had then he finally said he changed his mind
Live and learn.

 

[BKLooney]

I've always stood behind my word, even if I had to sacrifice something to make sure I follow through with my word, which is my promise. If my word or promise is given and I do not follow through with it, I have passed on.

 

[sceva]

Just my own opinion: If you commit to buying something it is a contract. Communication is very important and IF something comes up where you feel you are unable to complete the transaction you should contact the other party, explain things and ASK if you can cancel. Most people are understanding.

 

[taz666]

Start a "BOOB" thread in the feedback area.
People can just add user names to the thread when they have the same "Backed Out Of Buying" encounter.

 

[wood714]

So he's a gold contributor and an 11 yr member. Is he still active on the forum?

Yes he is.

 

[Jack Flash]

...

I had my worst experience was with a guy who took my money and never sent me anything. At least one other forum member got the same treatment from the same guy. I contacted the Post Office but never got anywhere with them even though I provided the guy's name and address.

What was truly strange was that many long-time members here were big buddies with the guy.

Sorry to hear that,
Are they still on the forum?
Did any friend of his on the forum put the heat on the guy to do right by you?

Short answers
"I don't think so"
"Yes"

It's a long convoluted story, here is a summary for those who care:

The saga begins when the forum was under different management. Just prior to my problem, someone else reported a forum "sale" where a different seller kept the money and sent nothing. The previous administrator told the buyer "Let me handle it".

Well, time went by and I guess the buyer thought nothing was being done so he made more posts, talked about going to the authorities, etc.

This enraged the previous admin who posted what I can only describe as an unhinged rant, laced with profanity, which distilled down to "You will not allow me to handle it my way, I wash my hands of it, go handle it yourself!"

Mindful of this, when my problem occurred (different seller), I meekly sent a pm to that administrator detailing the problem. I never got any reply and as far as I could tell, nothing was done.

In all fairness, this was at the time that ownership was being transferred to the present administrator and his team, so maybe my measly $43 was low priority.

The new owner, Mr. Jarrett, instituted the "Feedback" Section of the forum. I forget exactly how it came about, but another forum member had also been gyped by the same seller and contacted me asking if I would post my experience as a response to his feedback post. So I did.

Mr. Jarrett handled it the best that anyone could have. He contacted the seller and after some back and forth, banned the guy.

If you're still with me , there's a postscript to this.

Apparently, the seller rejoined the forum under a new forum name and listed more items in the classifieds! A prospective buyer agreed to buy something, but when he got the seller's name for the money order, the buyer checked the feedback and when he found the negative feedback, alerted the admins.

So the guy was banned again. Did it "stick" this time. Let's hope.

 

[steelslaver]

My nightmare is saying I will take it early in the AM, then getting busy and forgetting. I away send a PM tight behind the I'll take it so that I get a reminder.

I have done quite a bit of business here and so far it has all been good.

 

[Vtgw938]

I have had nothing but good luck and with only a few exceptions I send items out the next day or two after an "I'll take it". Only a couple times has a member needed reminding that payment hadn't been sent. Normally members are more worried about getting prompt payment to me.

I do agree that when you post an "I'll take it" you should be willing to purchase it even if you change your mind or discover you made a mistake.

 

[Jack Flash]

Agree. "I'll take it" means "I'll take it, NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS".

Some people seem to think it means "Hold it for me while I mull it over and look around for a better price."

 

[wood714]

If you say I'll take it, I think of it as a digital handshake kinda like a gentleman's code.

I've not done too many forum transactions, sold a part, traded revolver for revolver, bought a revolver, bought a holster, and a Colt 20 round AR magazine.

I put a wanted to buy ad for the mag. He asked $20 for it, when he sent me pics of it I saw it was a really early one in perfect condition, and wrote him a check for $40. I was most happy to have it.

 

[Auburn4]

My daughter is the executor of my estate. When I pass, all my firearms and accessories that are not distributed, are to be listed on this forum 1st. I have REALLY, REALLY enjoyed my time on this Forum. May it continue
for a long time. There are some very kind, knowledgeable individuals from all walks of life that post, sell, trade and voice their opinion. What a ride!!.