FTF transfer etiquette

[rvr350]

Haven't done a ftf transfer for a while, especially after the internet age. What to look for when meeting at a LGS for a transfer, besides looking at the firearm itself? How to protect the buyer (me) from a bad transaction? Once the firearm is handed over to the FFL, is the seller releases from all responsibility? ie if firearm is defective or any trouble? If the firearm isn't legal for whatever reason, am I stuck with the firearm for any gunsmithing job fees?

Thanks!

[dozer wright]

Haven't done a ftf transfer for a while, especially after the internet age. What to look for when meeting at a LGS for a transfer, besides looking at the firearm itself? How to protect the buyer (me) from a bad transaction? Once the firearm is handed over to the FFL, is the seller releases from all responsibility? ie if firearm is defective or any trouble? If the firearm isn't legal for whatever reason, am I stuck with the firearm for any gunsmithing job fees?

Thanks!

Kind of a roll of the dice . On function of the firearm look for anything that soul don't be we'd dings from the wrong tools . Examples someone beating sights on with a hammer . I'm unsure of what would happen if say the firearm is stolen but pretty unlikely considering the info needed to sell a Firearm . The one thing I would do is call the lgs and say hey I'm doing a ppt and plan on meeting seller at your shop at xyz time Just a heads up .Some shops are Illegally saying they don't or won't do ppt or are excessively over charging .The Two shops I use for ppt have no problem with money exchange at the counter and will just ask to check the firearm before it is uncased . Make sure you have all your paper work . License, second form of Id and hand gun saftey or whatever it's called now . Oh yeah and cash .I would never do a money or inspection in a parking lot to many problems can happen . Passerby s calling police , rip offs and generally nervous people you don't know .

[003]

While I have never had a bad experience with buying a used gun via PPT, I suspect that once in a while an issue of some sort does come up. First, be sure the shop you plan on using is PPT friendly and willing to let you complete the transaction (inspection and money exchange) in the shop. Once you inspect the gun and determine it is as advertised, the money is given to the seller, and he is no longer the owner. In effect, the buyer is the owner from that moment on, but being this is California the new owner cannot legally take possession for 10 days.

If it turns out the gun is stolen, the local police will seize the gun and conduct an investigation, which hopefully will lead to the gun being returned to the rightful owner. You will be out the money you paid to the seller. If the police determine that the seller knew the gun was stolen, he will be prosecuted for a variety of charges. You will have the opportunity to sue the seller in small claims court for your loss.

If after picking up the gun, you discover some defect that you missed during your initial inspection, you can of course contact the seller and discuss the issue. From that point on it is no different than buying any other item of personal property.

Caveat Emptor

Do your "due diligence".

[psango]

Treat people fair and most of the time they will do the same.

I am alway armed when I do a transfer. I meet the buyer or seller in the parking lot and do the inspection in my car. I do the money transfer outside the store. I hold the gun till we reach the sales counter.

After the PPT, if seller is denied I will re-claim, re-dros the gun and refund the the money. If there is a problem with a firearm I will repair or replace it. If not obviously damaged by the buyer.

I expect others to stand behind what they sell as well. this has worked for me since I began using the for sale forum to augment my collection. I do not sell for profit. I believe the for sale forum is for members to use for personal sales and should not be used to run a business.

I have met very honest and nice people here.

[Barbarosa]

Everyone has their own preference but I would be leery of doing an inspection out in the parking lot. Some soccer mom might freak if she sees someone with a gun and call the Po-po. Every gun store I have done a transfer in is willing to let you do your inspection inside the store; some require their staff to do a safety inspection first to make sure it is unloaded. I always ask them if they want to do a safety check first, they usually say no. Turners requires you to check the gun at the front before you go to the gun counter. I've never had trouble with Turners but prefer to use a dedicated LGS because Turners takes sooooo long.

If you have one take a bore light for checking the barrel. If you don't have one buy one - they are pretty cheap.

Make sure you bring your FSC, CDL and a second form of ID; either current DMV registration, current utility bill, etc. The addresses have to match.

[T19gun04]

Some great advice above.

Reeds in Santa Clara asks that you inspect firearm outside the shop before coming in for PPT.

Do research prior (know what you are buying, what model, markings). Take your time when inspecting firearm (I like Test action). Ask the right questions (why you selling/where it come from/have you fired).

[Icypu]

Be on time and on the money

I agree with the above, and ill add in additional information. Inspect outside because most stores don't want cash passing between customers inside the store. Also this allows you to hand all the gun accessories like case, extra mags and stuff to the buyer beforehand. All he will need is the lock and a low cap mag.

Being on time or a little early helps you answer seller's questions. Usually I answer most questions prior to meeting. Be sure to explain the takedown methods and idiosyncrasies of the gun. Some guns have barrels or barrel lugs that get marked up which are signs of normal usage like the Sig smile. Other guns you can explain to a buyer what maintenance is required. I also think it's better to check in the parking lot to ensure the buyer won't haggle at the gun counter or just kick tires.

[ugimports]

Make sure you have a written contract something similar to:

http://www.ugimports.com/docs/Private_Sales_Receipt_Template.doc

While this isn't required by any means it ensures all the terms of the transaction are spelled out up front. Modify as necessary for your scenario. If the seller isn't willing to sign it then you can decide how big of a red flag that is for you.

[Wallabing]

I would not sell to anybody without a I trader history, way too many devious People out there looking to screw you over, even if they are a notable member on this forum.

[-hanko]

I am alway armed when I do a transfer. I meet the buyer or seller in the parking lot and do the inspection in my car. I do the money transfer outside the store. I hold the gun till we reach the sales counter.

After the PPT, if seller is denied I will re-claim, re-dros the gun and refund the the money. If there is a problem with a firearm I will repair or replace it. If not obviously damaged by the buyer.

I expect others to stand behind what they sell as well. this has worked for me since I began using the for sale forum to augment my collection. I do not sell for profit. I believe the for sale forum is for members to use for personal sales and should not be used to run a business.

I have met very honest and nice people here.

I do the same, but not at a gun store...usually at a busy corner on streets with major traffic. Buyer checks the gun, hands me the money...I get a copy of buyer's C&R if that's what I'm selling, or a look-see at copy of his CWP if the weapon is not a C&R.

Normally, gun sales are the same as a used car sale...as is, where is, no warranty expressed nor implied. I'll gladly answer buyers' questions if I detect a newbie, which is rare.

I would not sell to anybody without a I trader history, way too many devious People out there looking to screw you over, even if they are a notable member on this forum.

That's simply because this forum tends not to recognize personal honor...unfortunate, imo. Flakes are excused by "something probably came up", "he may just be running 6 hours late", etc.

On forums where I do most buying and selling, flakes are outed early-on and their accounts shut down, as they should be.

[billped]

Reeds didn't have this policy ~3 years ago when I PPTd two guns on two different occasions. Just be quick. Seller present gun to worker, worker validates that it's unloaded, buyer fiddles for 30-60 seconds, shake hands, and finish sale.

I validated model and function, looking for scratches and broken/missing pieces, then broke down guns to see innards. Reassemble and go. I was very familiar with the two models so it was quick. If you're unfamiliar with what you're buying, bring a knowledgeable friend or prepare to be screwed.

Some great advice above.

Reeds in Santa Clara asks that you inspect firearm outside the shop before coming in for PPT.

Do research prior (know what you are buying, what model, markings). Take your time when inspecting firearm (I like Test action). Ask the right questions (why you selling/where it come from/have you fired).

[davek8s]

Reeds didn't have this policy ~3 years ago when I PPTd two guns on two different occasions. Just be quick. Seller present gun to worker, worker validates that it's unloaded, buyer fiddles for 30-60 seconds, shake hands, and finish sale.



I validated model and function, looking for scratches and broken/missing pieces, then broke down guns to see innards. Reassemble and go. I was very familiar with the two models so it was quick. If you're unfamiliar with what you're buying, bring a knowledgeable friend or prepare to be screwed.

Reeds has some new policies they've put in place over the last couple of years. They don't want you to inspect firearms in the store and the buyer has to pick up on day 10 or pay a storage fee.

I've stopped using them.

[GW]

Let's see
If I'm the buyer I wait till the seller has traveled at least an hour. Make a brief contact with him to make him unsure if I'm the guy, then, as he's about to leave. I say something like "Hey. Are you so and so?" We usually shake hands and then I lowball him when he breaks out the article. Always best to have a wad of cash to wave in his face when I'm doing this. Wave it so the bills flutter against his/her nose ever so lightly. Then I make up flaws in the gun and demand (loudly) that he fix them (impossible to do as they don't exist or cut the cost by at least 30%. (It's at this time I'm always glad I wear a protective cup.) Ultimately, we close the deal Next, I make up a story about needing money for my poor drive-byed cousin's funeral that his family can't afford.

Then I ask the seller if he could help out with the costs.

[Lone_Gunman]

Call the shop and check if they'll do a PPTs on the day you plan to do it. Twice I've gone into shops and had them tell me "we don't do PPTs on xxxxday". It sucks, and legally they're required to do them whenever they're open, but some shops are run by buttholes.

One shop was Wild Bills in Elk Grove, they told me "we don't do PPTs on Tuesdys, it's when we get our shipments in."

The other ship was Just Guns just this Saturday. They told me "We don't do PPTs on Saturdays, we're too busy." That was especially irritating because the shop was practically empty, and there were 3 employees there.