Use caution on sales

[Jaytil]

MO are the same way unless you get a USPS money order and cash it at the USPS.

I felt the same way but just did a large deal with MoneyGram MOs purchased at WalMart. I have read that Western Union MOs are often counterfeited (they own MoneyGram) and that you can deposit them and much later have the deposit reversed so I didn't just want to put them in my bank. Because these were marked as being purchased at WM, WM was willing to cash them on the spot. A little legwork, but no problem.

[shooter5]

First of all, personally i wouldn't sell a FIREARM to someone thats only been on CG for a few weeks period.. Thats just me. So that would be much more sound advice in my opinion rather than the PP issue..
Sound judgement should be used anytime you buy or sell firearms and ammo , no matter how its paid for. Hell I dont like buying cars with a big wad of cash.. Never know who your gonna run into on the web. So While Im not dismissing the OP's concern here by any means, Im just saying PP is pretty low on the risk-scale if you know the buyer has a good reputation.

Sometimes you see something you don't have the cash for and want to slam it on a credit card. If the seller says no PP I'd say thanks and move along too..

You guys are missing the point.

It is common paypal scam when people pay using paypal and then take possession of the item. Once they have the item in hand they go back and file a claim with paypal that the item was not recived and then paypal would take the money out of your account.

Thats why you take the money out first.. PP issues debit cards.. If they are meeting you with an ID that matches their PP info and an FFL has to do the transfer then whats the problem? And they cant file a complaint because they cant tell PP they bought a firearm.. And as far as theyre concerned your paying someone "for a service" to deliver something to a FFL for you..

This was attempted fraud. The fraudster is insistent that you give him your Paypal email address so he can send you a Paypal Transfer. He then sends you a phishing email that appears to be from Paypal that asks you to log in, and if you click through and log in, the fraudster then has your email address and your password. He then logs into Paypal using your login information and buys himself something nice. With your money.

Anyone dumb enough not to spot bogus email like this shouldn't be transferring money on the web anyway..

[dkindrumr]

Simple, refer to iTrader. Dont deal with 0/0 Newbies

[Apec]

So Im lost where the scam takes place. The guy is buying a gun. He has to show his DL to the FFL when you transfer it, he has to leave his thumb print, and he has to wait 10 days before he can pick it up. So whats the scam - he's going to stiff you on the funds or use a stolen credit card then leave all of his contact information, as well as a thumb print behind and hope he can do that within 10 days?

Exactly. This fuss is purely chicken little at its best.

[mabilis_matulis]

[khw9mm]

The OP is warning us for a (unfortunately) more and more common form of a scam and I thank him for that.

Anything else in between as far as how the deal could have gone down is just pure speculation.

[forgiven]

Simple, refer to iTrader. Dont deal with 0/0 Newbies

[shooter5]

I also submit, a legitimate PP BUYER assumes MORE of a risk that your not going to show up at the FFL..

So the moral of this story isn't about PP.. its about the credibility of the other party, regardless of the payment method.

[j54gonzalez]

First of all, personally i wouldn't sell a FIREARM to someone thats only been on CG for a few weeks period.. Thats just me. So that would be much more sound advice in my opinion rather than the PP issue..

Simple, refer to iTrader. Dont deal with 0/0 Newbies

Much as i'd like to take offense to these (being a newbie myself) i just can't. I'd have a hard time trusting someone with no transaction history or reputation to check out before hand. I guess i was just lucky to find someone willing to show mercy and deal with a person who as far as they know is an axe murderer

[shooter5]

Much as i'd like to take offense to these (being a newbie myself) i just can't. I'd have a hard time trusting someone with no transaction history or reputation to check out before hand. I guess i was just lucky to find someone willing to show mercy and deal with a person who as far as they know is an axe murderer

Your exactly right.. And while some "newbies" will piss and moan, you understand being a gun owner comes with more responsibility then just hoping not to get ripped off.. This comunity is supposed to be about protecting our rights and sharing information.. In case we haven't noticed recently it only take one irresponsible gun owner to start a whole new mess for every free individual..

So yeah this transcends "potentially" getting scammed on the web..

[wpage]

This is a community... However folks are always trying in any group to make a buck.

[amd64]

CASH ONLY! Meet FTF at FFL.

This.

And check the buyer's post history and content.

[ZapThyCat]

another scam I've run into is they will email a copy of the paypal notification email, so it looks like PayPal is telling you they sent the funds.

This would be my guess. Them sending a fake paypal email...

[MotoriousRacing]

You guys are missing the point.

It is common paypal scam when people pay using paypal and then take possession of the item. Once they have the item in hand they go back and file a claim with paypal that the item was not recived and then paypal would take the money out of your account.

This^^

My buddies dad does on-line sales of stuff he imports from India. He stopped using PayPal (Amazon now only) because, he tells me, "PayPal always favors the buyer."

Burden of proof on the seller. Always demand shipping cost to include proof of delivery, or FTF cash only.

[Atlantaboi2012]

This is why cash is king and why I would rather drive hours to do a transaction the good ole fashioned way...in person! Whats a few gallons of gas when there are hundreds or maybe thousands at stake? I hated using PAypal and I was on the receiving end. Had a guy send me $300 upfront and the other half would come when we did the FTF... I couldnt help but think how sketchy that was... I guess for some people its more convenient, but not for me...