Handgun purchase ettiquette

[fonzy]

I interested in purchasing a firearm from a fellow member. We have come to an agreement on the details. He will be shipping the gun to my FFL. Do you guys pay before he sends it or after, or when it's at the FFL. What method of payment do you use? Paypal? Also since the gun is not on the roster is it ok to ship?

Anyhelp is appreciated. If I left anything else please add. Thank you.

[honeywalnutshrimp]

if its not on the roster it has to be an in person transfer no shipping...

as far as payment goes if i were the seller i wouldnt let anybody the purchaser, ffl, or parcel company have my weapon until the money was in my hands just my opinion

[fonzy]

Thanks for reply.

[hk91666]

When I have sold guns I expect a postal money order prior to shipment. If you use paypal do so discreetly send funds as a gift do not mention what you are buying because you may be banned from paypal. The other poster was right regarding roster details.

[rareair]

Buyers usually want the funds in their hands before the firearm(s) leaves theirs

[CaliforniaLiberal]

For off Roster handgun transfers a PPT is required. With PPTs the two parties meet at a FFL to fill out paperwork, examine the gun and exchange money. Then the 10 day waiting period. If the gun is on the Roster the seller can ship to your FFL.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/faq.php

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf

In any firearms sale I've been a party to, either from a private person or a dealer, funds are always clear and in hand before the seller releases or ships the firearm.

[anothergunnut]

Traditionally, the buyer sends funds before the firearm is shipped. This has always struck me as funny; the seller doesn't trust that the buyer's funds will be good but what if the seller doesn't ship the gun?

[Bobula]

I've gone as far as dropping the gun off at my shipping ffl. awaiting payment and then giving the ffl OK to ship. Kind of like an escrow.
It helps being on a first name basis with your ffl.

[dfletcher]

When I have sold guns I expect a postal money order prior to shipment. If you use paypal do so discreetly send funds as a gift do not mention what you are buying because you may be banned from paypal. The other poster was right regarding roster details.

Here's my problem with the "quietly using PayPal" approach.

Let's say you buy a "banned" item and the deal goes bad - to whom do you complain? If you contact PayPal & complain the "other guy" can threaten to fess up to PP and you risk being banned too. Were I going to scam folks I'd have them buy something banned, pay on the QT & when they gripe respond with "look, do you really want to be banned from PP for a $100.00 item?"

[fonzy]

Thanks, I did not know all these points. The gun is not on the roster and there is no way I would be able to drive there to pick it up. I guess I'm SOL.

[hk91666]

Here's my problem with the "quietly using PayPal" approach.

Let's say you buy a "banned" item and the deal goes bad - to whom do you complain? If you contact PayPal & complain the "other guy" can threaten to fess up to PP and you risk being banned too. Were I going to scam folks I'd have them buy something banned, pay on the QT & when they gripe respond with "look, do you really want to be banned from PP for a $100.00 item?"

I do not disagree, I only stated how to use paypal because OP mentioned it. I have always preferred PO money order. In fact most collectors I have worked with like the Postal money order.

[rogervzv]

Paypal has some kind of rule that you can't use Paypal to buy a firearm?

[CaliforniaLiberal]

Try Googling "PayPal firearms policy."

Prohibited Activities
You may not use the PayPal service for activities that:

.....relate to sales of .......(h) ammunition, firearms, or certain firearm parts or accessories, or ......

[oldsmoboat]

When I have sold guns I expect a postal money order prior to shipment. If you use paypal do so discreetly send funds as a gift do not mention what you are buying because you may be banned from paypal. The other poster was right regarding roster details.

Don't send the money as a gift with PayPal.
If you have issues later on with the seller, PayPal will do nothing for you.
1. You can't say you didn't get the item since it was a gift.
2. PayPal doesn't allow for firearm transactions so they will tell you that you are SOL.

[Jonathan Doe]

I have shipped the item before I received the payment. Conversely, a seller have sent an item before he received my payment in the past on Calguns. Also, had many transactions with personal checks, buying and selling. Have never had a problem. It works on mutual trust and respect.