What is the best form of payment for an online purchase from out-of-state?

[Fiddle]

I have come to an agreement with a guy who posted his revolver on ARMSLIST and am ready to make payment. He mentioned that his preferred method of payment is PAYPAL and I have not responded yet.

The purchase of firearms violates the PAYPAL policies so I would have no recourse should I not receive the item as described.

Does anyone have a recommendation for me?

thanks

 

[Tactically Fat]

You can also protect yourself with a USPS Money Order. It'll cost a few bucks - but it'll help protect both the buyer and the seller.

 

[Fiddle]

Thanks for the suggestion.

The max money order is $1000. I am buying 1 (maybe 2) Colt Pythons and will need more than that.

Is there any electronic payment suggestions?

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

One possibility is an escrow service that is firearm friendly.

https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/221688408-Using-an-Online-Escrow-Service

 

[Fiddle]

Escrow service is a good idea.

Any red flags with using an electronic payment directly from my checking account?

 

[dfcrane]

Many people use multiple USPS Money Orders.

 

[DRob]

In this age of the scam, I wouldn't have this issue. First, I'm not buying guns sight-unseen from an unknown private individual. Second, the larger the amount of money, the more leery I'd be. Third, he wants you to use a method of payment which leaves you no recourse if you never receive the items in question or they are not as advertised. Fourth, I know lots of guys do but I won't buy a gun online from any source. Hope it works out for you.

 

[2Lucky]

To buy a Python is a big ticket item. Dont think I would risk it from a individual. To add insult to injury it is a used gun so condition is subjective......

 

[jy951]

Anyone who asks you to use paypal for Gun purchase is s little shady imho.

You might buy one at a time to limit your exposure. The extra shipping cost may be worth it.

 

[crewchief888]

In this age of the scam, I wouldn't have this issue. First, I'm not buying guns sight-unseen from an unknown private individual. Second, the larger the amount of money, the more leery I'd be. Third, he wants you to use a method of payment which leaves you no recourse if you never receive the items in question or they are not as advertised. Fourth, I know lots of guys do but I won't buy a gun online from any source. Hope it works out for you.

^^^

this, in a nutshell.

i very,very rarely buy anything i cant lay my grubby hands on.

i havent bought anything using paypal for over 15 years, and that was a couple random ebay purchases..

 

[yetti462]

I've seen armlist scams just like on Craigslist. One was a Smith and Wesson 61O that I bif on on GB. Guy had same pics and description selling for $8OO less than it bid for. Called the guy he was a Mexican in Texas, wire PayPal to his cousin kinda deal.

 

[jy951]

Please do your due diligence before sending payment. I don't think you will get your money back no matter how you pay. Did you get a phone number and call the person? Ask for his address and if he owns his house, you should be able to verify that through tax records at his county web site. Is he asking to send payment to a po box? How is he gonna ship these items? Sorry to be so skeptical, I hope everything works out for you.

 

[SOUP]

I've been using PayPal for years and as long as you don't pay "as a gift" then you're 100% covered by PayPal. I've been scammed and have gotten my money back each time per PayPal's buyer protection policy. I don't pay any other way if PayPal is offered as a payment option. Been scammed sending MO's too, never saw a cent back from those. PayPal FTW.

 

[WebSnyper]

I've been using PayPal for years and as long as you don't pay "as a gift" then you're 100% covered by PayPal. I've been scammed and have gotten my money back each time per PayPal's buyer protection policy. I don't pay any other way if PayPal is offered as a payment option. Been scammed sending MO's too, never saw a cent back from those. PayPal FTW.

Even when completely violating their terms (aka, no gun purchases)?

 

[citizenkane]

First, Pythons are one of the largest scam listings on armslist. Second only to Polytech legends. If these Pythons are a great deal they are probably scams.


Second, Money orders do not offer any real protection. In my experience, the amount you will get scammed out of will not be enough for the police or the post office to care. If scammers were not getting paid or if they were getting arrested there wouldn’t be so many of them. PayPal may offer some protection if you don’t use the gift option but since you are violating their terms of service I can’t imagine how helpful they will be.

 

[SOUP]

Even when completely violating their terms (aka, no gun purchases)?

Now that I think about it I've never used Paypal for a complete firearm, just multiple parts to build them. I have purchased and sold over 100 Paintball "guns" (markers) using Paypal and have filed claims for a few of them, sketchy scammers, without any issues and have been refunded in full. Kind of a grey area there, as we all know paintball guns aren't guns or firearms at all, but they do come with that label as being a "gun".

 

[Riflemen14]

Hate to say, but this feels like a scam. Seller may now have a second python to sell. Probably made you a great deal for both also. Way to much risk here. Can't physically see the handgun, for true condition. Issues with a recourse if sale goes south to re-coup your funds. Distance between the seller and you. Do you have a dealer set who will accept a transfer from a non-FFL from out of state. To much risk with this sale for me. Don't want to downer, but be weary. Good luck.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

I've been using PayPal for years and as long as you don't pay "as a gift" then you're 100% covered by PayPal. I've been scammed and have gotten my money back each time per PayPal's buyer protection policy. I don't pay any other way if PayPal is offered as a payment option. Been scammed sending MO's too, never saw a cent back from those. PayPal FTW.

Yep, don't use Friends and Family, you also can use a MasterCard or Visa and get protection for being ripped off.

 

[55fairlane]

Do a search on rmslist, if that gun shows up in multi adds.....scam.......spend a few more bucks and buy in person....buy off gun broker.....