Guide to purchasing gun online from an individual

[TWEAKD4]

I have been looking online for a particular model for a few weeks now. I found an individual on a board that has it for sale but they have lower post count and not much history. They are located 1000 miles from me so meeting is out of the question but they will send to FFL. I would like to know what is the best steps to take to purchase to protect myself or should I just run and wait for the next deal. I searched on INGO for similar questions but nothing matched exactly or my search skills suck. Thanks

 

[Gunaria]

Silly question, but have you actually talked to the seller? Meaning more than emails and texting.

 

[canterbc]

If I were to make a deal like that, I would pay with a USPS money order. I believe there are some protections of the seller doesn't ship the gun or it isn't as described or something. PayPal may offer some protections as well.

I am personally kind of nervous about doing deals like that. You just don't know what you are getting into

 

[throttletony]

I'd suggest:
- Talk (phone) with him/her
- Ask to see the item in real time and ask questions about it (skype, FaceTime, etc) before anything else. This lets you verify that it's in their possession and lets you "feel them out" when talking about the item.
- Consider payment options that can protect buyer and seller -- Paypal might be beneficial to buyer with some built in protections (don't do it as a "gift" cause then the protections don't apply, If I remember correctly), and you'll pay a small percentage for that protection.

Is it through a site like gunbuyer/gunbroker/gunsamerica or is it through a forum??

It's a bit of a risk regardless

 

[2in1evtime]

paypal is not gun friendly last i knew. just fly there and look it over good before having it shipped to your local ffl.

 

[TWEAKD4]

This is my first rodeo but I knew members of INGO have much more experience at this. I haven't completely made the deal yet but I wanted to get advice first. This is through a forum but a phone call is a good place to start.

 

[wtburnette]

I'm very curious about this whole "talk on the phone" kind of advice. Aside from being able to quickly answer questions, what good is it exactly? You may be able to tell something is off, if it's a scam, but more likely not. People pulling phone scams and such are generally very persuasive on the phone, which is why they do what they do. Social engineering at its finest. I've bought a gun from a private seller in another state in the past and it's easy enough to have them ship it to your FFL and use a safe payment option like a USPS money order. I believe those can be cancelled if you don't receive anything, or the gun isn't as expected. If you're unsure of the gun, have them take several more photos and send it to you. My

 

[spec4]

The low post count and history concerns me. Ask yourself what you would do if you send the money and he disappears.

 

[Parrthed]

Ive done this with a machinegun once. Had a few conversations on the phone, talked the talk to see if they really know what they were selling. Wasn't that hard to do some searching of usernames on google ( a lot of people use the same name on multiple sites) to see if everything lines up ( locations, names, ect.). You can also do a google image search to see if the images may be stolen. Have the seller send you pics with a requested item in the photos ( dollar bill, can of beer ect).

Although this is not a 100% way to protect yourself short of traveling you can get a good feel for things

Scammers are getting more and more creative these days so you have to do your due diligence and watch out. If your gut tells you something's off then trust it.

As stated above use USPS money order as well

 

[snowwalker]

I'm very curious about this whole "talk on the phone" kind of advice. Aside from being able to quickly answer questions, what good is it exactly? You may be able to tell something is off, if it's a scam, but more likely not. People pulling phone scams and such are generally very persuasive on the phone, which is why they do what they do. Social engineering at its finest. I've bought a gun from a private seller in another state in the past and it's easy enough to have them ship it to your FFL and use a safe payment option like a USPS money order. I believe those can be cancelled if you don't receive anything, or the gun isn't as expected. If you're unsure of the gun, have them take several more photos and send it to you. My

There is an art/skill in being able to read people and some have it some don't. I have trouble communicating in this type of forum which is like texting (which I don't do) and I tend to come across as brass (which I'm not).

 

[JettaKnight]

There is an art/skill in being able to read people and some have it some don't. I have trouble communicating in this type of forum which is like texting (which I don't do) and I tend to come across as brass (which I'm not).

Hmm, would you say you're more pewter in real life?





Unless this gun is something you have to have and can't get anywhere else - pass.

 

[Gary119]

I find this post most interesting. I have bought quite a few item "pictures only" ranging from a rifle to tractors/farm equipment. Basically looked at the photos, a couple of emails, sent a USPS money order and off we went. Probably a couple of dozen times...... a short story, wanted a round baler in another state, email the guy, I asked about delivery, we agreed on price of baler with delivery. I told him I would send out a money order, he said no wait till I get there (from another state mind you) when he showed up I asked if he was concerned I wouldn't pay? He said no that if I was going to send a money order and trust him he could trust me.........but back to you, the way I look at it don't send money you can't afford to lose. I think most deals go good but you only hear about the bad ones. I don't know maybe I've been lucky. If truly concerned don't do it there will be others.

 

[Frosty]

As already stated, if you feel uneasy about it, pass. Better to lose something you didn't have than to lose a chunk of money.

 

[wizardfitz]

i sold a gun to a guy in florida. i sent him all my info, name , address, phone, email etc. once i received his payment and was sure it had cleared. i went to a ffl and mailed him the gun. everyone was happy.

 

[Hop]

There's an Indy1500 coming up soon. Are you sure you wouldn't find it locally at the show?

 

[Novabeast69]

A USPS MO is the only MO that will be investigated if it is under 10000. Due to it being a Federal Money Order. Maybe a FFL local to seller YOU pick as a escrow. They hold gun you send payment to them and they do transfer? Just ideas if you want it that badly.

 

[TWEAKD4]

The individual had cold feet and changed their mind about selling the gun. Oh well, maybe it wasn't ment to be. Thanks all.