Buying a gun from a stranger
- Thread starter Zetti1
- Start date
I've done quite a bit of trading/buying/selling on the forums and only one time have I almost gotten taken (took me 9 weeks to get my money but I got it). I mainly only deal with people that have been around a little while (read their threads/post and it'll tell you a little about them), have some good feedback and it's also good to exchange phone numbers and work the deal out over the phone.
If you don't feel right about the deal....don't do it.
If you don't feel right about the deal....don't do it.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I don't buy guns from people I haven't talked with by telephone. If the seller sounds even the least bit flaky, I back off.
I've had good success buying guns from people offering them on forums, and nearly equal success buying from the auction sites.
I've had good success buying guns from people offering them on forums, and nearly equal success buying from the auction sites.
hoghunting
New member
Buying a used gun from a dealer doesn't exempt a gun from being used in a crime.
lomaxanderson
New member
Today, 01:32 AM #7
greyson97
Senior Member
Join Date: June 29, 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 727 " or the classic:
he gives me the money, i give him the gun, he puts bullets in the gun, i give him the money "
...or he gets to see my other gun while he is trying to load up the gun I just sold him...
Never go to a FTF without an extra gun just in case...
greyson97
Senior Member
Join Date: June 29, 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 727 " or the classic:
he gives me the money, i give him the gun, he puts bullets in the gun, i give him the money "
...or he gets to see my other gun while he is trying to load up the gun I just sold him...
Never go to a FTF without an extra gun just in case...
Suwannee Tim
New member
I have been burned a couple of times in online auctions most notably a Beeman air rifle with a damaged barrel. You have to be cautious and there is a risk. I deduct ten percent for the risk.
SilentHitz
New member
I've purchased or traded more than a few times, mostly on this forum, and never had a problem...not to say it will never happen. I always provide more than just the forum as a way to contact me. Address, email, phone#...if the other party doesn't provide the same, I don't do the deal.
FTF deals never bother me, my main carry and bug are always loaded...the gun I'm selling is not.
Always use a Postal MO if you're not sure, they are less likely to try to take the $$ and run, if they know they can be charged with mail fraud...doesn't stop some thieves from doing something stupid though.
Never had to yet, but I would sick the authority on someone if I had to. Was a dealer for 15 years, and still have some good connections with ATF and local police...plus a brother on the gun interdiction team. Pays to have LEO in the family sometimes. And like Hoytinak said..
FTF deals never bother me, my main carry and bug are always loaded...the gun I'm selling is not.
Always use a Postal MO if you're not sure, they are less likely to try to take the $$ and run, if they know they can be charged with mail fraud...doesn't stop some thieves from doing something stupid though.Never had to yet, but I would sick the authority on someone if I had to. Was a dealer for 15 years, and still have some good connections with ATF and local police...plus a brother on the gun interdiction team. Pays to have LEO in the family sometimes.
And like Hoytinak said..
Last edited:
goodspeed(TPF)
New member
Nothing. So be careful.
Search the forums and read the recomended sellers list. Look for feedback.
Search the forums and read the recomended sellers list. Look for feedback.
Deal face to face.
Mike Faires
Moderator
I have been burnt once in many deals. It was on a major auction site. The fact that it occured on the internet made it an FBI juristition cyber crime, the fact that I paid with a US Postal service money order made it mail fraud. Amazing what a little Fed level pressure will accomplish. As with anything in life weigh the risk against the benefit. The only way I know to not take risks is to not live.
SilentHitz
New member
True, nobody wants a cellmate named Bubba calling them baby....well, almost nobody.LOL
wnycollector
New member
Last year I took a ride with a buddy who was meeting a guy for a FTF to sell an AR. Everything went smooth and we ended up having lunch with them (he brought a friend also...go figure) at a local diner. I know I had a pistol with me and I'm 99.99% sure the other guys at the table did as well. I figure better safe than sorry!
Buying a gun without knowing the person can be a risky at best. I have bought/traded twice with people that I have met thru this Forum. Both times were face to face deals. I don't think I would do it any other way as there are some very unscrupulous people out there (yes, difficult to believe, isn't it?).
Even doing a face to face deal is a bit unnerving. As some one mentioned, how do you know the other person is going to show up with a loaded gun and relieve you of your money? I came with a concealed gun, Condition One. After everything went the way I hoped it would, I decided it wasn't the most comfortable feeling in the world keeping hyper-vigilant that the situation wouldn't go south in a hurry.
I have purchased 21 guns on Gunbroker.com. All but two were NIB from reputable stores with a proven A+ rating. The two used guns I purchased were from people that had numerous A+ ratings. I don't think I would buy anything from anyone that was NR (not rated) or didn't have a proven track record.
Even doing a face to face deal is a bit unnerving. As some one mentioned, how do you know the other person is going to show up with a loaded gun and relieve you of your money? I came with a concealed gun, Condition One. After everything went the way I hoped it would, I decided it wasn't the most comfortable feeling in the world keeping hyper-vigilant that the situation wouldn't go south in a hurry.
I have purchased 21 guns on Gunbroker.com. All but two were NIB from reputable stores with a proven A+ rating. The two used guns I purchased were from people that had numerous A+ ratings. I don't think I would buy anything from anyone that was NR (not rated) or didn't have a proven track record.
What's to prevent a fella from stealing your money? In some cases nothing I suppose but in buying a gun from a forum member you are what prevents or at least minimizes the risk. You can minimize the risk by doing business in a normal way with the standard guarantees. You can do this with little risk even with someone in another state. Because they sell or buy face to face is no guarantee of anything if the sale ain't business like.
The seller and the buyer need protection. If you do business right everyone is protected.
First a person is offering a gun for sale on a forum. First thing is to look at their join date and how many posts they have. If all their posts are in the classified section and they only sell things, be cautious or pass on it. Some forums ban such folks because they are using the forum as EBay or Gunbroker without paying any fees.
But if they are a regular forum member, been around and known, well take the next step. (You can also ask them for a reference, maybe another forum member a stand up guy won't hesitate to do this if they can).
You want to buy the gun, you reach agreement on price and you reach an agreement on an inspection time. The latter means that from the time you receive the gun you have so many days to look it over to make sure it's what you expected and is as described. 5 days is good. At the end of that time you can keep the gun or return it and get your money back. You must also tell the seller at the end of the inspection time that you are either keeping it or returning it.
You exchange phone numbers and addresses (you have to send the check somewhere right?). When you send the check require a signature for pick up. This gives you a record that the check or M.O. was picked up. M.O.s can also be traced.
You require that the gun be sent FFL to FFL. One gunstore to another. This means the seller has to provide you with their FFLs info. You can check with their FFL as to when the gun was sent and if they know the person, etc.
This is simple and common stuff and if you follow it you can buy and sell at minimal risk.
tipoc
The seller and the buyer need protection. If you do business right everyone is protected.
First a person is offering a gun for sale on a forum. First thing is to look at their join date and how many posts they have. If all their posts are in the classified section and they only sell things, be cautious or pass on it. Some forums ban such folks because they are using the forum as EBay or Gunbroker without paying any fees.
But if they are a regular forum member, been around and known, well take the next step. (You can also ask them for a reference, maybe another forum member a stand up guy won't hesitate to do this if they can).
You want to buy the gun, you reach agreement on price and you reach an agreement on an inspection time. The latter means that from the time you receive the gun you have so many days to look it over to make sure it's what you expected and is as described. 5 days is good. At the end of that time you can keep the gun or return it and get your money back. You must also tell the seller at the end of the inspection time that you are either keeping it or returning it.
You exchange phone numbers and addresses (you have to send the check somewhere right?). When you send the check require a signature for pick up. This gives you a record that the check or M.O. was picked up. M.O.s can also be traced.
You require that the gun be sent FFL to FFL. One gunstore to another. This means the seller has to provide you with their FFLs info. You can check with their FFL as to when the gun was sent and if they know the person, etc.
This is simple and common stuff and if you follow it you can buy and sell at minimal risk.
tipoc
Walt Sherrill
New member
That's been my experience, too.
But, if shipping, working with known FFLs, and using US Postal Money Orders also helps. (As does doing business with folks who have been on these forums for years, and who have good track records.)
Onward Allusion
New member
I haven't had a problem with Gunbroker and Auction Arms after a few dozen transactions, thus far - knock on wood. As for doing business with someone on the forums, I have not done so. However, like others have said, you can usually tell if the person is a flake or for real by their posts and length of time on the board.
Rule of thumb, don't do business with folks with posts in single digits, low or no feedback unless they take credit cards. I also take negative feedback with a grain of salt when the merchant has had a bunch of transactions under their belt.
Rule of thumb, don't do business with folks with posts in single digits, low or no feedback unless they take credit cards. I also take negative feedback with a grain of salt when the merchant has had a bunch of transactions under their belt.