need help from collective calguns wisdom!

[bballwizard05]

Ok I found a good deal on the saiga-forum for three .223 saiga mags. And the guy emailed me and told me what he would sell them to me for. And he wants 55 bucks for three shipped. Pretty good deal, only problem is i'm a little nervous to just send a check and never get the mags you know? I was thinking to have him send the mags the same day i send the check and post date it for like a week and a half form that day. So if nothing showed up I could cancel it. I have no reason not to trust him or whatever but it just makes me nervous, anyone have any ideas? thanks

[Adrien]

Usually when doing transactions over the internet I've stuck with the old 'Trust everybody once' method. Typically I either use PayPal or a Postal Money Order. Sending personal checks out of state can take quite awhile to process on the receivers end so I've heard. Most people are against it. However, sssuming the guy you're dealing with is cool with what you're proposing and that makes you comfortable then I'd do it.

Adrien

[bballwizard05]

I dont have a big income though so trusting someone once could cost me 55 bucks... im a full time student and money is TIGHT! But if he doesnt like this idea maybe I can get him to do paypal.

[Vin496]

I'm not familiar with the Saiga forum, but some things you can do, is check out his post count. If he is a established member with a good post history, that can be a positive. Talk to him on the phone, get a feel for the guy.

It is standard procedure for the buyer to send the money first. You can help yourself by using a Postal Money order(not a Cashiers check or Western Union, but POSTAL). Send it with a signature confirmation.

If he rips you off, if will be a Federal crime.

[bballwizard05]

good idea bout the post count and the postal money order. i'm unfamiliar with how to do that though? Go into post office and pay for one i'm guessing? Is that a debit card/ check thing too?

[Greg-Dawg]

I wouldn't do it.

[Adrien]

good idea bout the post count and the postal money order. i'm unfamiliar with how to do that though? Go into post office and pay for one i'm guessing? Is that a debit card/ check thing too?

You pay a small fee for the M/O. Like .50 cents. Then the rest of the money is turned into a 'check' of sorts. It's basically a certificate worth X amount and can be tracked and canceled if needed.

Adrien

[berto]

Post dating might not work.

Get as much info as possible, try talking to the guy on the phone, use a money order and tracking, check his rep on the site, don't do it if it doesn't seem legit.

[bballwizard05]

I wouldn't do it.

Any reason? bad experience?

[JagerTroop]

good idea bout the post count and the postal money order. i'm unfamiliar with how to do that though? Go into post office and pay for one i'm guessing? Is that a debit card/ check thing too?

Debit, credit, cash... your choice.

Another thing you can do is "search" his user name in that forum. Maybe he has burned people, and there's a "whatch out for so and so" thread. On ARFCOM, they have a section for people to be carefull dealing with (hall of shame). Saiga Forum may have something similar. Post count is a good indication, though. I kinda agree with Adrien, as I tend to trust people, but do a little research first. In the 150 or so transactions I've done here, I've only gotten "sorta" burned a couple of times(quality/condition issues, but not too bad). Good Luck

ETA - post dating a check does nothing. The date is only for reference, and for expiration of the check (180 days, IIRC). You could write me a check today for Oct 8, 2045, and I'll cash it tomorrow.

[CSACANNONEER]

Does the Saiga forum have any kind of trader rating? Can you check to see if he has an ebay or gunbriker account under the same name? If he does, check his feedback there. Or, you could try to use paypal. If he doesn't send you the rifles, make a complaint with paypal and both your accounts will be tied up for months but, you might get your cash back someday. Personally, I have trusted a lot of people on this forum and I've never been burned. I have even sent merchandise to brand new members before receiving payment because, they needed things before trips. Most people can be trusted but, if you have doubts, you should go with your instincts. You might also suggest using a 3rd party FFL, of your choosing, in his area (you should call a few and see if one will do it for a fee) to broker the deal for you and then send your FFL the rifles. I don't see why a local FFL would turn down easy money but, you never know.

[bballwizard05]

well there mags, not rifles although the FFL thing is a good idea as a third party. THanks for the tips, good stuff to think about. His emails sound legit but i will deff look into him more to do my best to keep from getting screwed. thanks for the help all.

[Beelzy]

You will have that Spydie Sense if the deal is going to go sour. Everyone gets
it, just some folks ignore it. Don't ignore it and you will be fine.

Postal Money Order is the way to go. Make sure the chap insures and has tracking on your package as well.

[zinfull]

If you can not afford to lose the $55 then you can not afford to buy the magazines. Dude if money is that tight do not buy extra gear. I assume you do have at least one mag for your gun.

jerry

[Black Majik]

I only use forums with a good feedback system. Here on Calguns, we have the iTrader. ARFcom also has an excellent Equipment Exchange forum, their feedback system is tougher to go through, however with all the people on that forum it really filters out the douchebags from the rest.