Marketplace Question

[geoint]

At long last Ive finally found a buyer for my 220 X-Six. However, I do have a question. What are my options if he writes a bad check or money order?


I have no reason to believe (so far) that my buyer is any type of scam artist. But the $ amount for this sale is significantly higher than any other Ive ever done so I am just a little nervous wondering if my gun could be held indefinitely by the FFL or the police if the buyer turns out to be a flake or worse. All I have to go off so far is his Itrader rating (0) and that his calguns account is only a few months old.

[LowThudd]

Don't ship till it clears.

[Gem1950]

FTF or shipped? If FTF - cash. If shipped - see above.

[baih777]

Cash or postal money order. Safest. If a check, check must clear before shipping.

[Helixfury]

Cash only

[TKM]

Cash in hand before the paperwork starts.

[EMR]

I avoid checks and MOs, but if I were to use them, I would cash them and make sure they're legit before I even think about beginning the PPT.

[trigger945]

It will be quite a hassle for you if the check bounces. Is it worth it?

I don't think the gun can be held by the FFL or police. Once the transfer is completed, you are releasing your ownership of (and any liability related to) the gun. No one knows what happened before the paperwork (i.e. exchange of money) and it is your word vs the buyer's word. I may be wrong, but that's how I understand it.

If the buyer has funds in the checking account, then maybe give the buyer more time to withdraw the cash from the bank? If shipping, use money order and have it clear before shipping. If FTF, then cash.

Good luck!

[geoint]

This is going to be face to face, but ok I will change my tune and ask for cash rather than check or MO.

[tonyxcom]

Be EXTREMELY careful with cashiers check and money orders. They are counterfeited all the time and your bank can't truly clear them for sometimes up to a month. Money in your account DOES NOT mean it cleared. Postal money orders are harder to fake - most prefer them because you can cash them at the post office and know right away if its legit, unfortunately most post offices can't cash large amounts. But at least you know its legit before you deposit into your bank.

Personal checks are a little easier to deal with if they are from a major bank. You can just walk into a local branch and cash it. They might verify with the writer to make sure it's not a stolen check though.

Once the DROS is started you won't have much recourse if any payment fails though. The FFL or Police will generally not get involved in resolving what amounts to a civil matter.

[Untamed1972]

This is going to be face to face, but ok I will change my tune and ask for cash rather than check or MO.

Yep...if it's FTF.....CASH CASH CASH. Period. No exceptions. That's how I sell things, and that's how I expect to buy things when I'm looking to buy.

Anyone that's wants to quibble about paying cash is prolly not someone I should trust.

[meno377]

If you have a good relationship with the FFL, they could cancel the dros if the check goes bad. Then you can get your firearm back. At least that's what I was told by a local FFL who I know well.

[9mmepiphany]

This is going to be face to face, but ok I will change my tune and ask for cash rather than check or MO.

I don't understand why you'd even consider anything besides cash in a FTF transaction.

I've bought and sold cars for a lot more than guns and have always dealt in cash...it was just expected/understood

[geoint]

Be EXTREMELY careful with cashiers check and money orders. They are counterfeited all the time and your bank can't truly clear them for sometimes up to a month. Money in your account DOES NOT mean it cleared. Postal money orders are harder to fake - most prefer them because you can cash them at the post office and know right away if its legit, unfortunately most post offices can't cash large amounts. But at least you know its legit before you deposit into your bank.

Personal checks are a little easier to deal with if they are from a major bank. You can just walk into a local branch and cash it. They might verify with the writer to make sure it's not a stolen check though.

Once the DROS is started you won't have much recourse if any payment fails though. The FFL or Police will generally not get involved in resolving what amounts to a civil matter.

Thanks for clearing that up. Im a total noobie to checks and money orders. That explains the potential dangers perfectly to somebody in my shoes. Appreciate the info


Normally Id say cash only but Im asking $2700 and the first jackass who was interested led me on for three weeks before I tried to move on but my other interested parties had since moved on.

[tonyxcom]

I've had that happen a few times on this site so I started requiring a non refundable deposit of $50-100 when selling a gun. I understand it can be challenging not only finding a good FFL for the PPT, but also a time that works for both sides. But I ask my buyers to understand that there are too many flakes on gun forums so I can't hold a gun for 2 weeks and excuse after excuse (while the guy is actually looking for a better deal).

The deposit separates the real buyers from the tire kickers. Just look for some of my gun listings in my thread started history. I also don't delete my asking prices or any other details from my original listing. There are some other terms you should stipulate with regards to failed or denied DROS. They are important to work out prior to the sale and even memorialized in writing.