Question about gunbroker

[ducktapeguy]

I'm guessing there are probably a few people here that use gunbroker. What is the normal procedure for PPT if the seller is local? Do you just pay cash at the time of transfer, or do you normally pay up front before meeting?

Here's the dilemma. I won the bid on a gun the other day. I e-mailed the seller ahead of time to see if we can set up a PPT transfer somewhere in the middle (we live about 70 miles apart). He replies no problem, that'll save on the shipping costs. In the auction it mentions payement by money order, cashiers check, or paypal (no mention of any surcharges). So I think everything is fine, I'll send paypal, then transfer at a halfway point.

Now that the auction is over, he says he no longer wants to accept paypal because of the 3% fee, and that he wants CC or MO, before doing the transfer. This has me kinda suspicious because he's a first time seller on gunbroker. Also, he doesn't want to meet halfway anymore because it's too far, says he'll do it near his house, and if we did meet halfway he'll charge me $20 for gas. I offered cash at the time of transfer, which I think is the best way to handle it, but he doesn't want to do that either. Possible scam? I'm thinking of just cancelling the agreement, because now the terms of payment have changed and it's not worth my time for the hassle.

[DVSmith]

A lot of red flags there. Not accepting cash at a FTF PPT is kind of odd. I can understand sitting on a CC or MO until they clear because there are people that will try to convince you they are cash, they are not. If they are forgeries your a out the item as a seller.

If he isn't willing to meet the original terms of the sale, my guess is you are not obligated to complete it, but check GB's rules to be sure.

I would pass based on what you posted alone. More info might make me change my mind.

[Fate]

Run away fast. Worst thing you'll get out of the deal is neg feedback. Leave the same for him. Move on.

[The SoCal Gunner]

I think you should have a right to cancel the agreement because the terms are changing and the seller already specified that he would meet you half way BUT I also think he has a right to receive the payment first before meeting with you. He may want to make sure the funds are legit beforehand and may also want the payment so you can't back out if it is a cash deal.

How exactly would the guy process a CC payment?

I would basically give it up since the seller went back on his word but if the gun is something you really want then that is up to you.

I can see where he is coming from but he should have thought twice before being willing to do a PPT.

[Nodda Duma]

Tell him forget meeting halfway and pay to have it shipped?

-Jason

[jkasandiego]

Run away fast. Worst thing you'll get out of the deal is neg feedback. Leave the same for him. Move on.

+1. Stay away.

[Mac]

....

[tunder]

I have no idea about the terms of service on Gunbroker, but i'd make a preemptive strike and ask them if the seller changing terms would effect your rating.

[zinfull]

It all depends on what you bought and price. If it is a great bargain then jump through some hoops. But if he does not want cash then walk away and forget the deal. I have never met anyone who would not take cash first.

Do not worry about gunbroker. State that arrangements made prior to bidding with seller were not honored.

Jerry

[ducktapeguy]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, when I said CC I meant cashiers check. We're both first timers on gunbroker, so that may be the reason for the drama. Neither of us really know how it's done.

I've been in contact with the seller, I'm pretty sure it's not a scam, what it seems like is he's just trying to squeeze just a little more cash out of the deal. Also, it's not a spectacular deal, so I don't mind just walking away. I dont' think he's losing money on it, it was a no reserve auction that went well above the minimum bid, so I assume he got more than he was looking for. As far as the paypal fee, yes it is a ripoff, but I consider that the cost of doing business. I use paypal for ebay, and I don't charge buyers the 3% for it because as a seller it's more of a benefit to me to get my money immediately, rather than waiting for payment in the mail, then having to wait and verify that the payment is legit. At least that's the way I look at it.

Even though It's only $15-$20, it's the principle that it wasn't agreed upon ahead of time. I bid my maximum amount thinking that I was going to do a local PPT, had he had informed me earlier that he was going to charge any extras at the end of the auction, I may have bid differently. The fact that I had already gotten his written agreement to meet halfway with no shipping fees did influence my decision to bid. Also, the reason I don't want to drive all the way down there is because it's 70 miles each way, plus I'd have to make the drive down there again after the 10 day is up, which means I have to make the trip twice. As it is right now, we agreed on a place that's already slightly closer to his place than mine.

I have a couple of related questions

1) If you pay up front, and the gun isnt' as described, is there any recourse? I know I'm taking a risk, and I accept it, but all I'm going by is pictures of the gun and a description of the condition. I would prefer to pay cash FTF, that way I can inspect the gun if something were not as described. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had any problems with getting a gun that didnt' match the description while having paid up front.

2) Is it possible to do a PPT where both parties aren't there at the same time? Say if he were to go to the FFL and start the paperwork, then I come in the next day to finsh off the paperwork, is that legal, or do we both have to be there? The only reason I ask is because I only have time to go down there on a weekend (which I explained even before bidding), and he has time during the week. I know both parties have to be there in person, but does it have to be at the same time?

3) If I had it shipped to a local dealer within california, does that still count as PPT, or does it become a transfer? I'd like to avoid the extra transfer fees if I can help it. I think saw a similar post about shipping a firearm from one dealer to another within california and doing this, but can't remember the final verdict.

[rivviepop]

3) If I had it shipped to a local dealer within california, does that still count as PPT, or does it become a transfer? I'd like to avoid the extra transfer fees if I can help it.

It's still a PPT (I think you meant "dealer transfer") - please note you were probably reading my thread about the prices, this scenario is what I've heard other Calgunners call a "2nd person private party transfer". The seller takes the gun to his FFL, you go to yours. Your FFL calls his FFL and arranges the transfer over locally, then all your DROS paperwork is done at your local FFL. This is the issue I'm facing, where the local FFLs want to charge $50+ (outside of $35 DROS fees) for nothing more than receiving the handgun in the mail for you.

The only way you can avoid these fees is to A) find a local FFL who won't charge you the extra BS money, or B) do it face to face as you originally intended. When I asked why the fees were so high, two FFLs responded "it's to encourage you to buy directly from us instead" - which, unfortunately, does not cover older/offlist handguns that cannot be legally ordered through them. bleh.