MONEY FIRST

[DesertEagleXIX]

Hey people, I was just wondering about a recent experience I had. I was looking a buying a gun, and the seller was about 2 hours away from my city. I offered to cover the gas and give him his asking price. He was interested in the sell, but wanted me to send him a postal money order prior to driving up to gun shop for PPT. I thought this a little odd, as I have had many transactions, and never pre-paid for a gun I have not even held in my hands yet. It sounded a little fishy, if you know what I mean. I have heard of scams, and did not want to get burned. When I assured, the seller I would be there with bells on, and had PPT at this location prior on 2 occasions, the seller, decided to cancel and opt out of the sell. What do you think?

[Calico1404]

I have paid deposits to sellers (with itrader reviews) and even sent a deposit for a seller coming from over an hour away, he had ZERO itrader reviews. In the end it comes down to your comfort level when dealing with the seller/buyer.

At the same time I would not send a P/O M/O as this is a very one sided transaction. Paypal, Chase quick pay, etc. Get an address for the seller/buyer and a name prior to sending. At this first sign of something not feeling right just cancel the deal unless the other party can provide additional information or smooth over what ever spidey sense your feeling.

[HighWildFree]

Smells fishy

[SkyHawk]

Did this guy have iTrader feedback or ??

I wouldn't do it, but as a seller I also would never drive 2 hours to make a sell, unless maybe it was a $5k gun. Because I'm not making another 4 hour round trip if/when the DOJ decides to play games with your DROS or the FFL makes some silly mistake that requires the seller to come back. It happens, more often than you'd think. For that reason, I make buyers come to me.

[Stingray3]

I would have offered to send him a deposit through a postal money order. If he was really interested in selling it he should take the offer. If he takes the money order, cashes it, and never shows up with the gun, he just committed fraud through the postal system and if you use the signature required for delivery you have a record of his address and the postal inspectors can go after him. Otherwise probably someone fishing for an easy buck.

[DesertEagleXIX]

All great insight, and advise. Thanks

[IVC]

There are two sides to this problem. Many threads talk about sellers being stood up by buyers who simply don't show up.

You have to work off of reputation and your overall feel especially since you are the one to get stiffed if something goes wrong.

Personally, I would agree to a downpayment that would be sufficient to cover the time and gas wasted for the seller in case you didn't show up, but only if everything else pointed to a proper deal.

[ElvenSoul]

Smells fishy

^^^^ This

Keep looking and best of luck!

[Ross]

You sure the seller was asking for the gun's money and not the gas money?

I've sold things similarly and wanted my gas money up front.

[Jeepergeo]

Not a good sign. I'd look elsewhere.

[BigBamBoo]

As a seller...look at my feedback...I have been burned twice by fellow CalGuners who agreed to meet me two hours away from my home who never showed. Then had lame excuses as to why they flaked out.

So...I think it is fair to give assurance to the seller that you are a "real" buyer.

And....you do have a negative feedback for not following through with a purchase...just say'in.

.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Smells fishy

Agree.

A deposit or the gas money up front should suffice.

Of course I'm not gonna drive 2 hours to make a sale. Hell, I don't even want to drive across town.

[Garv]

I did a deposit for a gun 90 miles away when I was low on I-Trader rating.
I did the driving, but asked for a weekend so I could see friends as part of the trip.

The seller was a regular here and it all worked out.

[BrokerB]

Typically a real phone call will sort this issue out to see if they are shady