Howto Buy a Handgun Online and Not Get Scammed

[Gelgoog]

A) ask for a photo copy of his ID
B) call him up
C) USPS money order: You dont want the postal inspector on your ass
D) firearms fraud is taken very seriously, you don't want both the ATF and Postal inspector after you.

I have done a ton of transactions, alot of gunbroker, some on forums, and a few other auction sites.

If you are concerned about your money, then send it delivery confirmation with a signature required. This way it can only go to the gentlemen in question, and you can make sure he signed it. Make sure you work the deal over the internet as you have a transaction of what happened. If anything occurs over the phone make sure to document it.

I have done well over 100 transfers and they have all worked out in the end. A few bumps here and there (often with selling something to an overly picky collector who wants to bitch after he got a screaming deal, because its not in mint condition but exactly as advertised).

So I wouldn't worry to much about it. If your concerned you can do the things listed above, but half the time I don't even go that far. I usually send my money orders in a regular mailed envelope. At the very least I always ask the seller to contact me when he has received the money order and when he is shipping it (with a tracking number if possible). You can always check to see if the MO has been cashed if your getting worried. But fraud in firearms is more rare then you might think.

also if your worried about condition, make him break it down and take pictures of the internals. Many people have asked me to do this when I am selling firearms, and although its a bit of a pain, it they want it, then I will do it.

Your always going to be nervous your first time, just make sure to bring protection

 

[imthegrumpyone]

"ON LINE" sales on anything, you take your chances. But after saying that it's done countless times every day. I bought one gun on line and was jittery till I finally had it in my hands. It's a little scary, don't know the other party, can't touch or see what your buying, you let go of your hard earned money, and hope and wait. It's a shame you have to worry about scams so much.

 

[Missouri Boy]

Thanks for all the input. I'll probably ask for a phone number and go from there.

 

[skeeter]

PayPal will not protect you in a firearms transaction at all.
Only way I would buy is with a credit card.
I got beat on Gunbroker buying a Colt Python listed as "new in box". GB offered no protection despite their so called "buyers protection". Gun had to be sent to Colt for major repairs.
Even worse I was about to send a $950 money order for a Python on Outdoorstrader.com. To make a long story short right before I was sending out the m.o. I got an e-mail from another forum member ( the sale was a posted link to another site) saying he just sent a money order for the same serial numbered Python. After we both talked and realized what was happening he was able to get the post office to return his registered letter and we both did not loose money. It turned out the seller was a twice convicted felon who should not even own a gun. I reported the situation to the Tampa Police Dept but never heard back from them. I understand he is still "selling" firearms on a Florida gun site.
Even when looking to buy in a FTF I have had to pass on several revolvers that had too much end shake or timing that was off, or rust that did not show in the photo. At least I only wasted a 2 hour drive instead of about $1000.
I have had some good luck buying on the auction sites but it seems like more and more scams have started because people see that they can get away with stealing your money. It is easy to change names and e-mail addresses ( as the crook above did) and the sites and police do not seem to care or have the time to do anything. It is quick and easy way to make money for people who do not want to work for a living. In short it is a gamble, only play if you can afford to lose or use a good credit card like American Express.
To Gunbroker's credit they did ban this guy but no one can say he will not get another name, address or e-mail address. The Tampa guy must be able to get some type of I.D. that allows him to cash a postal money order or he has a friend cash it? I do not know how he does it but he was obviously going to cash my USPS m.o. and the other guys USPS m.o.