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I ran into an interesting to me situation with a seller
Yellowsevenpot
Member Posts: 4 ✭
I won an item, USPS money order.
The seller asked me to make out the money order to a different name. Stating they would take the money order to the owner of the gun (the named person), pick up the gun, then ship it to me.
I googled that name and it is a different FFL in the same town. Why would someone sell consignments gun for a different FFL? I just can't figure it out: outright scam? The named person's FFL isn't in good standing of some sort? Tax evasion ?
Comments
Sounds to me like you should make a phone call or two and establish who's who in the zoo.
We regularly sell items for other FFLs, but we would never ask that our buyer make the payment out to anyone other than us. That is just nuts.
Unless the ad says something before purchase, I wouldn't do that. If it did say something beforehand, I would question it, and question how bad I wanted it, what their feedback was, etc.
I'll never send payment to someone/somewhere else other than what shows up on the invoice page when the auction closes. I think doing so would nullify the gunbroker bidder guarantee. The way I see it, if they list it, they can deposit the funds you pay then pay the consignor.
I could see that happening with some of the people I know, they want nothing to do with the internet.
That being said the Seller could have done what @bambihunter said and I agree with @Locust Fork.
If this isn't 100% don't send money.
Not necessarily a scam, but it sure smells. I suspect this guy has a side hustle using other FFL’s merchandise. Shady stuff…I wouldn’t send a money order made out as asked.
If you really want the item, call the other FFL and ask if they’re part of this deal. Be interesting to see what they say.
The Feds frown on 'straw buyers' but where do they stand on 'straw sellers'?
yeah, sound like the "seller" is trying to flip the gun and make a dollar or two if it is legit…….
Thank you for your reply.
Is no response from GB after 24 hours normal?
@Yellowsevenpot GB isn't real fast on most queries, you have to just wait if you want a response and don't send another request as it will bump it to the back of the line. I wish I could help you but you've had some good suggestions, go with your gut and get as much info from the seller and the other FFL to help make your decision.
No way in Hades would I do that, I've worked too hard for my money to …. it away like that.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
Hey all. Thank you for the replies. I wish they would have included the payment arrangement in the original ad. They did not. I chose to just take the non-paying bidder hit regardless of how GB gets back to me. My gut and everyone I have asked has said don't send cash. I will not be. I saved a long time for it, sad I cost the guy his posting fees or what not if everything is on the up and up, this is the world we live in.
When you hear back from GB tell then your story about seller wanting you to pay to different name and they MAY be able to remove any bad feedback against you by this seller.