How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

[sqwerl]

I know the forum takes seriously any transactions that go bad and says the member(s) may be suspended if a scam or fraud takes place. How do you know for sure if a seller is legit without any feedback system? I'm new to the forum more or less.
Thanks

 

[hyoslvr]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

From what Ive always understood, the for sale section is a privledge. With that being said I believe if there is an ongoing problem with a "said member" it may be brought to the mods and LL's attention. Im sure they also monitor the section reguarly for anything out of the ordinary. But Ive always heard it's a risk you take when you list and buy in the section. This is probably due to evidence and other factors. Hope this helps.

 

[ejd049]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

It's a gamble!!! I was almost burned once.
Do some research on the buyer/seller, check is post here and other forums. Goggle his stage name and most of his post on various forums will pop up. Get other contact info i.e. phone number, email, etc. Only take certified funds or pay with something trackable.

Good luck

 

[jcfd2201]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

The first thing on the Hide is that someone has to have 100 posts before they can sell anything. These posts have to be legit and not all in one day or a few weeks. This tends to keep the shady characters away. There is no way to know if someone is going to scam or burn you if they have no feedback or references. You must take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your funds.

Keep a copy of the original add.

Keep copies of all communications.

Pay with something that protects you to some extent, Paypal or USPS money order.

If anything in the deal sounds "too good to be true" run away!

 

[sqwerl]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jcfd2201</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The first thing on the Hide is that someone has to have 100 posts before they can sell anything. These posts have to be legit and not all in one day or a few weeks. This tends to keep the shady characters away. There is no way to know if someone is going to scam or burn you if they have no feedback or references. You must take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your funds.

Keep a copy of the original add.

Keep copies of all communications.

Pay with something that protects you to some extent, Paypal or USPS money order.

If anything in the deal sounds "too good to be true" run away! </div></div>

All good points. I always pay with USPS MO and never use Paypal (long story) but what protection do you have if any with a money order?

Is there any reason this site hasn't chosen to use a feedback system like iTrader?

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

I'd say that primarily, this is NOT a "sales site." This is an information site, that Frank allows us to do some 'exchange'.

If the 'exchanging' is/becomes a problem, he'll get rid of it.

That, and the fact that we are supposed to be mature responsible adults (we are dealing with firearms here, right?) and we should not need to be babysat.

 

[sqwerl]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say that primarily, this is NOT a "sales site." This is an information site, that Frank allows us to do some 'exchange'.

If the 'exchanging' is/becomes a problem, he'll get rid of it.

That, and the fact that we are supposed to be mature responsible adults (we are dealing with firearms here, right?) and we should not need to be babysat. </div></div>

Right on. It's just there are so many more good scopes on this site than the rest and I'm in the market for one right now. Sometimes if you don't jump on a deal on here the scope's gone in no time so doing the research on a seller sometimes puts you out.

I'm trying to convince myself to pony up and buy new but trying to find a good deal on here at the same time.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

not saying it cant happen or doesnt, but dont fret too much on it, ive done quite a number of transactions on here with complete strangers all to 100% satisfaction. the crowd here isnt your gunbroker douchebag and as a a whole a great and honest group of fellers

 

[-Nick-]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

You can also search the good guy list for their username which is kind of like feedback...

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

+2 on what Vjj said. This board has some extremely honest guys on it. I bought something from "pimpgun" here on SH and he sent me back cash because I overpaid him on the shipping. Plus you can also Google earth the address people give you to send funds. If you ask them a question about the car in their driveway or the color of their shutters and it scares the shit out of them then you know its their home address and you can rest assured they wont scam you.

 

[KillShot]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wyoung</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say that primarily, this is NOT a "sales site." This is an information site, that Frank allows us to do some 'exchange'.

If the 'exchanging' is/becomes a problem, he'll get rid of it.

That, and the fact that we are supposed to be mature responsible adults (we are dealing with firearms here, right?) and we should not need to be babysat. </div></div>

Right on. It's just there are so many more good scopes on this site than the rest and I'm in the market for one right now. Sometimes if you don't jump on a deal on here the scope's gone in no time so doing the research on a seller sometimes puts you out.

I'm trying to convince myself to pony up and buy new but trying to find a good deal on here at the same time.</div></div>

Man, I was in your shoes two years ago when I purchased my first NightForce from the Optics For Sale section for $1600. I was sweating bullets and when the tracking info wasn't correct, I got even more worried but everything arrived in perfect condition.

As the others have said, you really haven't anything to worry about on this forum because the fucktards are purged from this place.

 

[sqwerl]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wyoung</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say that primarily, this is NOT a "sales site." This is an information site, that Frank allows us to do some 'exchange'.

If the 'exchanging' is/becomes a problem, he'll get rid of it.

That, and the fact that we are supposed to be mature responsible adults (we are dealing with firearms here, right?) and we should not need to be babysat. </div></div>

Right on. It's just there are so many more good scopes on this site than the rest and I'm in the market for one right now. Sometimes if you don't jump on a deal on here the scope's gone in no time so doing the research on a seller sometimes puts you out.

I'm trying to convince myself to pony up and buy new but trying to find a good deal on here at the same time.</div></div>

Man, I was in your shoes two years ago when I purchased my first NightForce from the Optics For Sale section for $1600. I was sweating bullets and when the tracking info wasn't correct, I got even more worried but everything arrived in perfect condition.

As the others have said, you really haven't anything to worry about on this forum because the fucktards are purged from this place. </div></div>

Nice rig!

While we're talking about scopes, can you guys give me a good recommendation? I have a home built 6.8 16" 1:10 twist Daniel Defense barrel, 12" DD Lite rail, DD receivers, and Magpul UBR. I'm looking to mostly do paper punching with 90 grain Speer TNT from 100-200 yards rarely further. May hunt occasionally but doubt it. Will a 1-4 be more than enough? I like the mil/mil 1-4 Vortex PST but dislike the .2 mil adjustment. I was also thinking about the 2.5-10x44 Vortex PST or the new Weaver 2-10x36.

ETA:
Probably should ask this in a different forum.

 

[KillShot]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

Take a look at the Bushnell HDMR, SWFA Super Sniper HD, and Sightron III. From what I've been reading, the glass is superb on each of those three.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Broker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can also search the good guy list for their username which is kind of like feedback... </div></div>

It would be nice if people left feed back on the sellers profile, which can now be done a few upgrades ago. Getting people to do it is another thing...

 

[bassani]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

its always a bit scary buying things off of forums but it can often give you the opportunity to save a lot of money. You just need to be careful.

Check for previous sales posts on the person you are going to buy from if possible. The higher the post count, the better in general.

 

[customgun1]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

you pay the alleged "man" and hope he is a man and does/says he will do and has, personally never had a problem on this site, and ive had several i dollar transactions, at first i was a bit reluctant though..

 

[Hink]

Re: How to know if a seller is legit or scammer?

The biggst thing is just good communications. I almost got burned once, but I had the seller's address which was all I needed to contact him directly and settle things. It turned out the seller was trying to 'flip' a product that hadn't yet arrived at his place and got delayed in shipping. So when a product is being sold, pics definitely help establish current ownership. Post count, longevity, and 'good guy' status also help, but understand that the mods are not here to mitigate disputes - if one complains, both get banned. This behavior serves to make all members act like gentlemen and police ourselves.

I made a purchase of a scope several years ago from a member. I sent funds, received confirmation funds were received and the scope boxed and ready to ship the next day. Ten days later, I hadn't received the scope, so I PM'd the member...turns out life happens, the box got covered up, and it was still at his house. The scope was sent the next day, and we were both happy. Never forget to communicate - most folks here are pretty honest, but trust your gut because it's still the internet.

I've also had dozens of transactions that went off without a hitch. The majority will; it's the one-offs that will throw you.