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What to do about Paranoid A-Holes?

Ranger375Ranger375 Member Posts: 3 ✭
edited June 2014 in General Discussion
OK, here's my situation. I have a continual issue with getting blocked from bidding or folks refusing to do business with me via GB,[some other place] or over the internet in general. Now before you run to judgement, let me lay out the details. I work offshore for the oil\gas industry. I travel all over the world. Now when I am LUCKY enough to get an internet connection that is not blocked from gun related sites (yes, most of the time the rigs, vessels, and even countries I travel to block access to ANY sites that are considered gun related. I get blocked from hunting and fishing sites as well. Most Americans don't realize just how lucky they truly are)I like to cruise through GB, [some other place], etc. looking for my next "toy". A problem I have is one of getting timely payment to a Seller if I win an auction. If the Seller takes credit cards, no problem there. If they don't, then it is either PayPal or sometimes I can get a buddy to cover non-FFL purchases for me till I get back stateside. But my biggest problem is the Sellers themselves. I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH??? I fail to see the issue. Can someone explain this to me? I esp. don't understand for FFL purchases that go to my local pawnshop for the FFL transfer....how friggin' paranoid can one be? Do they really believe that a shipment to a legitiment FFL dealer is going to somehow get them indicted for international gunrunning? Am I just being punished for being honest?

I would appreciate some suggestions because I am out here busting my tail to bring home the goodies and I feel like I'm the turd in the punch bowl. It's frustrating enough to be away from home for a month or more at a time and getting crapped on by these guys doesn't help.
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Comments

  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,453 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't mention any other firearm auction sites here, even by their initials.

    The rest of your saga up for discussion by those who are interested in it.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think you have a problem with "Paranoid A-Holes", I think your problem is you are unfortunately too big a pain in the butt to do business with to be worth the trouble.

    Have you considered opening a bank account in the United States and dealing with people who accept personal checks?
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    There's an old saying "just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that people aren't out to get me". In reference to guns and FFL holders there are people out to get them. Even if it's an honest mistake they could lose everything. It's probably not worth it to them. Just like some sellers refuse to ship to California even though it's legal to do so.
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  • JohnnyBGoodJohnnyBGood Member Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ranger375
    I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH???


    Ummmm.....don't tell them you're on a boat off the coast of W. Africa?

    I don't think you're doing anything illegal by saying (or emailing) "Hi, this is Joe, I just won the Model XYZ revolver, here's my CC info. My dealer will be sending you his FFL shortly." Your dealer receives the gun, and then makes the legal transfer when you return to the States.

    The seller is transferring the gun to your FFL, not to you. So I wouldn't think your location matters. The burden is then on your FFL to make a legal transfer.

    That would be my GUESS.

    Johnny
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  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JohnnyBGood
    quote:Originally posted by Ranger375
    I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH???


    Ummmm.....don't tell them you're on a boat off the coast of W. Africa?

    I don't think you're doing anything illegal by saying (or emailing) "Hi, this is Joe, I just won the Model XYZ revolver, here's my CC info. My dealer will be sending you his FFL shortly." Your dealer receives the gun, and then makes the legal transfer when you return to the States.

    The seller is transferring the gun to your FFL, not to you. So I wouldn't think your location matters. The burden is then on your FFL to make a legal transfer.

    That would be my GUESS.

    Johnny




    Yep, if someone told me they were on a boat off W. Africa then I'd automatically assume it is a scammer.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,446 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    quote:Originally posted by JohnnyBGood
    quote:Originally posted by Ranger375
    I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH???


    Ummmm.....don't tell them you're on a boat off the coast of W. Africa?

    I don't think you're doing anything illegal by saying (or emailing) "Hi, this is Joe, I just won the Model XYZ revolver, here's my CC info. My dealer will be sending you his FFL shortly." Your dealer receives the gun, and then makes the legal transfer when you return to the States.

    The seller is transferring the gun to your FFL, not to you. So I wouldn't think your location matters. The burden is then on your FFL to make a legal transfer.

    That would be my GUESS.

    Johnny




    Yep, if someone told me they were on a boat off W. Africa then I'd automatically assume it is a scammer.


    Exactly. Had a few of them contact me for classic cars. Every one was a scam. Imagine that
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  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562 ✭
    edited November -1
    Edison Chouest Offshore? One of their boats was hit by pirates as I recall. I was on a couple of their boats back in the 1990's. Not oil related though.

    Anyway ...

    Don't see the need to tell people you are on a boat off the coast of West Africa. Maybe after the deal is done and feedbacks made, if you are looking to strike up conversations. If you feel compelled to share too much info upfront, just say you are "traveling on business" but payment is on the way. I've done that stateside. Literally won something in the morning while at work and got told to run home, grab a suitcase and get my butt to the airport.

    Do you have a checking account within the USA with a bank that does online checking? If not, get one. When I use my bank's online bill paying it lets me put in a note. I just type in "GB__________" with the auction number. Have never had a problem doing it that way.

    If you pay by personal check be sure you tell them you are fine with waiting for it to clear.

    Your FFL has to be willing to send his FFL copy with the GB auction number in the FAX, mail or email that the seller wants. That's what the FFL I deal with does, my payment NEVER travels with the FFL copy.

    So your FFL receives any guns.

    What's left to fix?
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,135 ******
    edited November -1
    Wasn't there an episode of "Andy Griffith" about this very subject?
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,135 ******
    edited November -1
    Wasn't there an episode of "Andy Griffith" about this very subject?
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did not see that the OP talked about having someone else pick up a gun from his FFL. He did mention having a friend cover a NON FFL ITEM for him.

    Giving out WAY too much information. Send them payment, have your FFL send them FFL info, and go see your FFL when you get home, leave Das Boot out of the discussion. Considering I get at least 10 African scams a day in the spam folder, I would not blame folks for being paranoid.
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  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Too many words. Simply pay via credit card, have your local FFL do his thing, and pickup your new gun when you get home.

    I sell a lot, and frankly I don't care to hear all the sordid details of somebodys life. I just want the $$$$$ and the shipping information, no spit swapping necessary.

    Nuthin' good ever come out of Africa... Just sayin.....
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think your location is the problem. I think your problem is your method of payment.

    I have to disagree with those advising to pay with credit card, except in cases where the seller says he accepts credit cards. There are a lot of sellers who aren't in the business of selling firearms, or any business for that matter. They don't have any way to accept your credit card. I know in my case I can't take a credit card and I don't have PayPal and have no intention of ever signing up with PayPal.

    If you intend to buy something you have to have a method of payment that the seller can accept. That's usually money orders or checks.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Originally posted by Ranger375
    OK, here's my situation. I have a continual issue with getting blocked from bidding or folks refusing to do business with me via GB,[some other place] or over the internet in general. Now before you run to judgement, let me lay out the details.

    I work offshore for the oil\gas industry. I travel all over the world. Now when I am LUCKY enough to get an internet connection that is not blocked from gun related sites (yes, most of the time the rigs, vessels, and even countries I travel to block access to ANY sites that are considered gun related. I get blocked from hunting and fishing sites as well.

    Most Americans don't realize just how lucky they truly are)I like to cruise through GB, [some other place], etc. looking for my next "toy". A problem I have is one of getting timely payment to a Seller if I win an auction. If the Seller takes credit cards, no problem there. If they don't, then it is either PayPal or sometimes I can get a buddy to cover non-FFL purchases for me till I get back stateside. But my biggest problem is the Sellers themselves.

    I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH??? I fail to see the issue. Can someone explain this to me? I esp. don't understand for FFL purchases that go to my local pawnshop for the FFL transfer....how friggin' paranoid can one be?

    Do they really believe that a shipment to a legitiment FFL dealer is going to somehow get them indicted for international gunrunning? Am I just being punished for being honest?

    I would appreciate some suggestions because I am out here busting my tail to bring home the goodies and I feel like I'm the turd in the punch bowl. It's frustrating enough to be away from home for a month or more at a time and getting crapped on by these guys doesn't help.

    Paragraphs are your friend! [:D]

    Your problem sounds like a result of too many regulations from a overzealous BATFE and laws that create more problems for honest citizens than the bad guys that ignore the law anyway. FFL holders and gun sellers get very nervous when the man comes around, BATFE has a habit of no knock forced entry and double tapping citizens in the bath tub.
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  • cce1302cce1302 Member Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah, I never thought of telling someone where I was calling from when I give a CC number. For all they know, I could be calling from a boat off the west coast of Africa. All they need is my CC#, billing info, and shipping info.
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Spent 4 years contracting in Iraq. I only bid on gun GunBroker auctions where the seller listed that they would accept a Credit Card.

    No need to tell them where I was located or ask if they accept anti-gun paypal.

    Now that I'm home, no problem doing Postal Money Orders.
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  • austin20austin20 Member Posts: 35,850 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cce1302
    Yeah, I never thought of telling someone where I was calling from when I give a CC number. For all they know, I could be calling from a boat off the west coast of Africa. All they need is my CC#, billing info, and shipping info.
    There it is.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I get the feeling I'm the only one who read the original post. He said when he deals with a FFL who takes credit cards he has no problem. His problem is when he attempts to deal with a seller who doesn't take credit cards or PayPal. I would have the same problems under the same circumstances right here in good old Virginia.
    quote:Originally posted by Ranger375
    OK, here's my situation. I have a continual issue with getting blocked from bidding or folks refusing to do business with me via GB,[some other place] or over the internet in general. Now before you run to judgement, let me lay out the details. I work offshore for the oil\gas industry. I travel all over the world. Now when I am LUCKY enough to get an internet connection that is not blocked from gun related sites (yes, most of the time the rigs, vessels, and even countries I travel to block access to ANY sites that are considered gun related. I get blocked from hunting and fishing sites as well. Most Americans don't realize just how lucky they truly are)I like to cruise through GB, [some other place], etc. looking for my next "toy". A problem I have is one of getting timely payment to a Seller if I win an auction. If the Seller takes credit cards, no problem there. If they don't [take credit cards], then it is either PayPal or sometimes I can get a buddy to cover non-FFL purchases for me till I get back stateside. But my biggest problem is the Sellers themselves. I will mention that I am on a boat off the coast of W. Africa or someplace and need to pay via CC or PayPal but the purchase will be shipped to my home in Texas or FFL dealer and.....BAM!!!! Blocked from bidding! WTH??? I fail to see the issue. Can someone explain this to me? I esp. don't understand for FFL purchases that go to my local pawnshop for the FFL transfer....how friggin' paranoid can one be? Do they really believe that a shipment to a legitiment FFL dealer is going to somehow get them indicted for international gunrunning? Am I just being punished for being honest?

    I would appreciate some suggestions because I am out here busting my tail to bring home the goodies and I feel like I'm the turd in the punch bowl. It's frustrating enough to be away from home for a month or more at a time and getting crapped on by these guys doesn't help.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,886 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think anyone mentioned that Paypal cannot be used for gun or gun-related items. Paypal is a subsidiary of the anti-gun ebay. Some folks use the code words "discreet Paypal" to indicate that they will accept Paypal, but neither party must disclose that the payment is for a gun. If the buyer indicates the true purpose of the transaction is for a gun, both parties will have their accounts frozen, a risk some folks will not take (I'm one of them).

    Serious foreign collectors in Europe who like to buy guns on GB will retain a "US agent"; this is a US dealer who has an export license. The collectors deposit money in the agent's account, &, after winning an item, the collector has the agent send the money & accept delivery. Obviously, there will be a charge for the service, but it seems to me you really don't have any alternative if the seller is unable to accept a CC.

    Neal
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