Your experience with sellers that have zero feedback?

blackdeuce

blackdeuce

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I have 70+ transactions on Gunbroker, but I've never purchased from one with zero feedback until Saturday. I Googled their address and found out that they operate a rare coin shop. They recently acquired an FFL and are just starting to sell guns along with bullion, coins, etc. Communications by email have been good and the girl on the phone sounds too sweet for this to be a scam. :)

I've got my fingers crossed, but I feel pretty good about it. We'll see.....

What has your experience been?
 
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It might seem a little "shaky" being the first but if you trust your instincts you are usually right. I would be OK with it.
 
If your going through and ffl I think you are a lot safer than if it were on your C&R and he says he'll ship that way. Or "your ffl must accept shipment from and individual." The crossing state lines, ffl, and other things about a gun sale are not as attractive to a scammer as a gold coin, beanie baby, or a Helen Reddy record collection. Singing "I am woman hear me roar." Now there is a setup for a real scam.
 
I've done it without reason to regret it.

A few precautions I take include having a verified ground address (not a P.O. Box or a fedex 'suite') for the seller, speaking to the seller personally, and having a verifiable name for the seller

Every seller starts with no feedback.

Sometimes I think other folks are over cautious with new sellers, which may reduce the competition for their items.

You need to know what you're buying - be familiar with the gun you're buying (not the specific firearm: similar firearms) so you aren't depending on the seller to educate you about it.

Of course, I employ these guidelines whenever I buy a firearm, regardless of the 'experience' of the seller.
 
Could be that no one has left feed back for them. I don't sell much but out of 30 or so sales I've yet to get feedback for a sale on a different auction site. Don't forget to give your feed back for them good or bad.

I've also gotten better deals from those with zero or low feedback as others are weary and don't want to deal with them also.
 
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arjay said:
Why not talk to them via phone or email.Youll get a feel for them.
Click to expand...

Yep. I did that. I almost always do that even when I'm dealing with a seller that has feedback. You can tell a lot about someone by talking to them on the phone. There are a few good actors that are hard to detect, but I can usually tell if I'm dealing with a shady character. Actually, I usually figure that out before I bid on something.
 
Indeed, a little conversation goes a long way!
There was a MR73 on auction recently and when I asked for some supplemental photos I got pictures of what was obviously a different gun! (not even the same sub-model, different sights and grips)
I filed a fraud notice with Gunbroker and they didn't do anything about it as yet.
I know they have to keep costs low and all that but you would think with the business and legal climate being what they are they would prioritize attention to legal issues.
 
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I bought something from a fellow who was a very new member on this forum. When I observed that he only had a couple of posts, he referred me to an AR forum of which he was a long term member,where one could see his post count and years of membership. He also, at my request sent me a photo of the item (1970s S&W pellet pistol) juxtaposed to his toothbrush (who's gonna find that pic to snatch?).

I proceeded and it was a very smooth transaction. He asked for feedback on our forum here, and I was happy to give it to him.

(Lee's advice, to ask for a picture of the item, along with a handwritten sheet of paper with today's date included in the photo, is better than my idea.)

I think if you're careful, take precautions, you are reasonably well protected.
 
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Unfortunately i have been shafted twice... both time by a longtime members here on Smith-wesson forum :(
Don't ask.. i can't remember by who
 
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I sure don't mind dealing with a new guy. A few have turned into pen pals.

Many must be terrified to deal with a seller with "NR" next to their name -- some of the best deals and the best service I've gotten have come from them.

If you remember the old Avis Rental Car commercials, the NR folks I've dealt with seem to follow that old ad: they "try harder."
 
Phone calls and google maps visuals (little orange figure) are your friend
 
I have had two experiences with no-feedback sellers. Both times I requested 'supplemental' pictures. One sent pictures requested, and the other sent something he found on the Internet I guess, wrong gun anyway.
In the end I did business with only one. The second was banned from GB the next day, and I received a warning from GB. Bottom line seems to be if the seller can comply with picture requests, and doesn't insist on some kind of instant electronic payment like PayPal, things are likely okay. Like Bob (Two-Bit) said, some of the best deals and service may be waiting for you with them. Just be alert and inquisitive.
 
With over 130 GB purchases I've done business with zero feedback sellers only a couple of times. I'd say the precautions are about the same as evaluating any seller on GB. If the description is good/accurate, photos clear and revealing, and they respond to a question with reasonable promptness - probably okay. Virtually all GB purchases are calculated risks and some of my best gems have been from sellers I felt I was "taking-a-chance" on. I pass on lots of otherwise interesting things on GB because something doesn't "feel" right even from sellers with tons of decent feedback.

Most recent GB acquisition was from a seller with less than five feedback posts - all A+. Nice guy, novice gun seller, poor general firearms knowledge, slow shipper, forgot to charge me state tax and needed more cash after the "deal," but was generally pretty responsive communications-wise and came through as honest (and he is).

It was a very, very, nice vintage revolver, not a S&W. The seller had misinterpreted the manufacturing date by several decades but cheerfully sent me the serial number. Pics were poor but virtually everything I've bought through GB has looked better "in-person" than in the photos. Opening bid was almost too low for reality as was the "Buy it Now" price. I convinced myself he didn't know what he had - and I firmly believe that now - worth the risk for the opening bid. It's a beauty.

To further illustrate this seller's level of knowledge about selling firearms he sent the revolver with almost 30 rounds of vintage ammo wrapped in the same box! Luckily the whole kit came directly to me on my C&R.
 
Gee BlackDeuce, it's been almost two weeks since your last post. How about an update with the rest of the story?
 
Well, IF I had my druthers I'd prefer someone with several sales under their belt, but I always check the "Feedback" ratings before I even think about bidding. Along these lines, some of the Sellers with the highest number of GB transactions have some atrocious ratings. Just because you have a large number of ratings is no guarantee or indication that the Seller has a strong business ethic, Customer Satisfaction, or transaction rating.

In May 2014 I was on my "Python Acquisition" path. A Seller with an NR rating had one for $2,500.00. As has already been recommended, I called him and "tested the waters". Turns our that he was a Navy fighter pilot who was going through Pensacola about the same time that I did. He bought the Python at a LGS in Pensacola. Never fired it, but needed the money. He left the Navy and became a Captain for a regional airlines in the west. I took a chance, broke out my "Prayer Rug" and sent him a check. Turns out the Python was exactly as was shown in the GB pictures. I "lettered" it from Colt - Shipped 3/29/78, just like he said.

My prayers were answered. However, I'd still be crying in my beer if I had been "hornswoggled"!

Cheers!

Bill
 
I don't like Gun Broker. Nuff said there. Bought several guns from members here, and from members of the Ruger forum (.net, not .com). Never a problem, all FFL legal. Years from now, I may need to load up my collection to a local FFL, and start selling. Glad to know there are good sellers and buyers on both forums.
 
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