Buying Used Out Of State - Money Order vs Paypal Gift?

[Psychbiker]

Whats your way of thinking?

I've never purchased something expensive out of state before used where I couldnt use my credit card....it's a $2,000 purchase. Only options are Paypal Gift or a Money Order being its a used private party deal.

In my mind, both are the same. At least with Paypal I can use my discover card I think, might eat a %3 fee if I choose not to use my debit card. Gotta check that out.

[Merc1138]

Paypal gift = ZERO protection in the event of fraud, and is actually against their TOS if you're using it to make a purchase. Sellers go this route because they don't want paypal taking a 3% cut for an actual transaction.

A post office money order in theory has the backing of the post office and a seller failing to keep up his end of the bargain could be postal fraud.

[audiophil2]

Paypal gift means you are giving away your money. Be careful about that as a bad seller can keep your money and Paypal will not help you. I used to accept Paypal gift until a Calgunner wrote in the notes that he was getting a gun related item and Paypal almost locked my 10+ year old account.

Money order is slightly less risky but if the seller wants to rip you off he can and it might take a long time to get your money back if you ever get it back but it is still better than paypal gift or even paypal purchase. Just by sending funds through paypal for a firearm related item you are violating their use policy.

[the_natterjack]

Amazon pay? Not sure what the policy is on weapons but I'd trust it more than PayPal.

[Quiet]

In the past...
I have used USPS money orders and have not got burned.

[TURNKEY13]

FWIW.. PayPal is very anti 2A!!! I have passed on two firearms because the seller would only accept PP. I have bought several items via auction and paid via USPS money order with no issues. Just make sure the seller is reputable and you are gtg. Good luck

[JDay]

I hope you're not buying an off-roster handgun. If you are it will not be considered a private party transfer.

[4DSJW]

I hope you're not buying an off-roster handgun. If you are it will not be considered a private party transfer.

^^This^^

If it is an out of State purchase it is not a PPT, it is a Transfer, and must go through an FFL (federal requirement). If it is also off-roster then you would have to be exempt (LEO, etc.) to make the purchase.

Good Luck with the purchase

[Librarian]

Since you did post in the General Guns section, seems like you might be contemplating purchasing a gun.

See http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=503873

C&R FFLs have different rules, so if you have C&R and the supposed gun might be C&R, you would be ok.

[Chaos47]

[...]
In my mind, both are the same.
[...]

No, no they are not.
USPS Money order.. not Western Union or any other brand.
USPS.

[Deadon]

I would do money order.

[Psychbiker]

Went with a USPS money order. Liked how I could put a memo of the gun and have tracking and a that. Now I gotta wait for it to ship to hold a nice cz tactical sport in 40.

[Oceanbob]

For large transactions out of my area, I require a Wire Transfer. Very, very simple.

The days of snail mail are over. Screw PayPal by the way.

A wire transfer takes less than 6 hours. Also you could wire the money to his FFL when he has the item in his hand.

[BigPimping]

USPS Money order. Anything else is a bad idea.