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What is a safest way to purchase ?

4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
edited July 2002 in Ask the Experts
What is a safest way to purchase a gun on line. Im thinking of buying a gun but the guy only has 1 feedback. Its pretty good deal but still expensive and I dont want to get burned. I asked him about COD but he doesn't know how it works to get him his money and neither do I. I need some help here guys cause Id really like to add this to my collection and it is a good deal. Any help will be much appreciated... Thanks...

When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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Comments

  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The safest way is by Credit Card. You can stop the payment and your money will be immediately credited back. Not all folks can take credit cards, though. But this is really what a Buyer should use.

    Most banks issue Cashier's checks that can also have payment stopped quickly and a refund made to the purchaser. You might consider this option and speak to your banker about their particular policies regarding these.

    Don't use a Postal Money Order. Here's why. Can't stop payment on these for 60 days. If it has been cashed during that period of time, even by someone who it isn't made out to, NO REFUND and the Post Office won't help you find who cashed it......

    COD doesn't do much for the Buyer. An unscrupulous seller could theoretically put "a Rock in a Box" and send it. You have to pay with cash unless a check or Money Order is specified at the time of delivery. You don't get to open the box first, either! You pay to get the box! Don't like the box afterwards.....too bad! Protects the seller pretty well but not the buyer..... I've had all of these and then some pulled on my in over 30 years of business. Even some others which hurt even worse.....no way to guard against them. Hope this helps a little.

    If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!

    Edited by - RancheroPaul on 07/19/2002 21:26:24
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,887 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As Paul said, there's really no sure way to prevent getting taken by an unscrupulous seller. But, there are a few precautions you can take.

    First, and BEFORE YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BUY, be sure that the seller has given a complete description of the item, and the terms of the sale. If, like most sellers, he has not, be sure that you ask him for this information. You should have a reasonable return period. I always ask if the seller will refund my purchase price plus shipping both ways if the item is not as he described; I won't do business with someone who refuses to do that.

    Once you are committed to the deal, get the seller's name, address, and phone # before you send money. Verify that information on one of the online directories, such as www.anywho.com; don't send money to a PO box unless you know the seller. If you can't verify the seller's identity, ask for a photo of his drivers license; if he refuses, that should make you worry. Remember, if you can't verify who the seller is BEFORE you send money, you are unlikely to get hold of him AFTERWARD.

    Neal
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Stop payment isn't an issue. The seller will have your money right away no matter what. I believe AmEx has fraud protection (I might be wrong) where you can get a refund. But it's not from the seller. It's from the card. Maybe others have this too. Don't get too discouraged. I've bought maybe 20 from GB and haven't had a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky ... not! One thing you might try is to send the money to the FFL that is doing the transfer. Now you have a licensed business in the mix rather than just an individual. Don't worry about the guy being a #1. I was one too! Good luck.

    cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the seller is willing you might try an escrow service. I have never used one, and I am not sure how they work. But I think it is something like, you send the money to the service and the seller sends the gun to the service. Somehow the service gets the gun to you for inspection, then if you are happy, the service sends the money to the seller. Someone here would probably know more about how it actually works.

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • AshiiAshii Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    #1 Everyone here was new at one time and had only one feedback. Also remember that lots of people fail to post a feedback after the sale.
    #2 Gunbroker has fraud protection, so if you would really get taken they will cover you.
    #3 Be sure to get photo's and a clear understanding of what you are buying. If you have a question, ask!

    I have bought and sold many things here and never had a problem.
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    The GB fraud protection is very minimal. If this is an expensive gun and it is a fraudulent transaction, you will loose big time.

    I usually call the fellow and try to get a feel for him over the phone. If it just feels wrong I pass on it. To date I have all good experiences.

    Keep up good communication with the seller and get phone numbers and street addresses. Get a complete description of the gun and its condition. You will probably be OK if it feels right and you get al that info.

    Lastly " You pay your money and you take your chances!"

    Boomer

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."
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  • JIM STARKJIM STARK Member Posts: 1,151 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have bought and sold quite a few items on the web... I've only been burned once on a purchase..It was on this forum.. the gun was not on auction..It was a guy that answered a want add...NO FRAUD PROTECTION..The gun was represented as excellent...I sent the seller photos of the dents, rust, and gouges in the stock..He accused me of swapping out parts to scam him and then threatened to turn me over to the "authorities" for harrassing him over the internet...... The whole deal was for a .22 rifle and the total $$ involved was $120.00.... The crook had only 2 posts on the forum and I don't know if he is on the auctions under a different name... I'm not going to pursue it any further.... unless I see his name come up on the forum or the auction.... If I do I will certainly give everyone a "BUYER BEWARE" heads up.. If he reads this, He better stay off this forum and this auction site.. A bunch of ya'll have had dealings with me and I don't know of any dissatisfied customers yet.....
    Back to the topic... YOU HAVE NEXT TO NO RECOURSE IF YOU DO A TRANSACTION OFF AUCTION.. THAT"S WHAT FRAUD INS. IS ALL ABOUT.. good luck.....

    Edited by - JIM STARK on 07/20/2002 21:00:29
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  • gundummygundummy Member Posts: 254 ✭
    edited November -1
    Jim said it. Stay on the Auction if you can. I believe most people are honest, and I said most, not all. I've been lucky myself with purchases, and those who bought from me ended up buying items from me off auction because they trust me, and I would do the same and buy from them off auction. Get a feel for the seller, call him, talk to him, get info. If you get little or no response, don't go thru with the deal. Work out the return policy. Shipping and FFL fees are big expenses by itself. I was a no feedback seller once like everyone else, so that should have nothing to do with it unless that ONE feedback is an "F" or something. In that case, I would not have bid on it to begin with. With a little common sense and LUCK, you should be okay. GD
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  • gunut 1gunut 1 Member Posts: 359 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buyer Beware; I lost almost 1000 on a deal on gunsamerica. The seller sold the same guns to 15-20 other buyers and never even had them. Could not get the Post office [Postal money order], FBI,or Tuscon Police [where axxhole lives] do anything even though they know who it is. If you ever get to Tuscon AZ and meet a * by the name of Kenneth Jackson please push his wheelchair in the river for me....
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  • gunut 1gunut 1 Member Posts: 359 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:
    Buyer Beware; I lost almost 1000 on a deal on gunsamerica. The seller sold the same guns to 15-20 other buyers and never even had them. Could not get the Post office [Postal money order], FBI,or Tuscon Police [where axxhole lives] to do anything even though they know who it is. If you ever get to Tuscon AZ and meet a * by the name of Kenneth Jackson please push him and his wheelchair in the river for me....
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