I recently came across a gun on Armslist that is priced to perfection - maybe too good. How would one best identify whether the seller is legit? I know the usual caveats about buying sight unseen over the 'net. Have yet to have a bad experience on the 'Hide here - but that doesn't mean that there aren't crooks out there willing to take my money and run - but sometimes good deals do arise. Anyone ever gone thru with a little more due diligence in this type of circumstance?
Verifying a legitimate seller
- Thread starter prairiefire
- Start date
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Not sure if this helps you, but I was in a similar situation wherein I was worried (more than usual) about sending a large amount of cash to a complete stranger. I conveyed this to the seller and stipulated that I would only send the money if I could call (and ask for) him at his workplace. I did it, he came to the phone and the deal was made. Now, assuming the seller is even allowed to take calls (or is even gainfully employed), could obviously affect this and still doesn't necessarily prevent any less than honest actions. I figured if worst came to worst, I could hound him at work. (Living in Hawai'i makes it especially difficult to kick somebodies ass who rips you off.)
But I think most sellers are also buyers so the apprehension is understood by both parties.
You could also see if he has any feedback on any of the many forums or Ebay.
Just make sure he doesn't work at "Kramerica" or "Vandelay Industries" and answers the phone himself. (Sorry could resist a Seinfeld joke)
Anyway, hope this helps and good luck, buddy.
Not sure if this helps you, but I was in a similar situation wherein I was worried (more than usual) about sending a large amount of cash to a complete stranger. I conveyed this to the seller and stipulated that I would only send the money if I could call (and ask for) him at his workplace. I did it, he came to the phone and the deal was made. Now, assuming the seller is even allowed to take calls (or is even gainfully employed), could obviously affect this and still doesn't necessarily prevent any less than honest actions. I figured if worst came to worst, I could hound him at work. (Living in Hawai'i makes it especially difficult to kick somebodies ass who rips you off.)
You could also see if he has any feedback on any of the many forums or Ebay.
Just make sure he doesn't work at "Kramerica" or "Vandelay Industries" and answers the phone himself. (Sorry could resist a Seinfeld joke)
Anyway, hope this helps and good luck, buddy.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go.
You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Hey dirty d
That is a great idea you had have hide members help cover other hide members ass on deals.
Wonder if the moderators could work on a list. I could help anyone out in southwest va area.
Pairefire where is the gun located?
Hey dirty d
That is a great idea you had have hide members help cover other hide members ass on deals.
Wonder if the moderators could work on a list. I could help anyone out in southwest va area.
Pairefire where is the gun located?
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Gun is in Mississippi - not sure of town - not listed in the ad. I am awaiting an answer from the seller regarding some general questions about the gun - mostl to try and "vet" out the seller.
Gun is in Mississippi - not sure of town - not listed in the ad. I am awaiting an answer from the seller regarding some general questions about the gun - mostl to try and "vet" out the seller.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Have the seller take the weapon to an FFL to hold on to it and verify. You send the money to the FFL to hold for the seller. The seller picks up his money and the FFL ships the weapon to your local FFL. Sure you pay a bit more due to the FFL wanting a transaction fee but not getting scammed is worth it IMO.
Have the seller take the weapon to an FFL to hold on to it and verify. You send the money to the FFL to hold for the seller. The seller picks up his money and the FFL ships the weapon to your local FFL. Sure you pay a bit more due to the FFL wanting a transaction fee but not getting scammed is worth it IMO.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
I research sellers (and even buyers) as much as possible on various forums on which they might post as a reputable one will have no problem giving you any names that he might use elsewhere (and a lot of guys use the same name between various boards, anyway). Simply Googling his e-mail address might reveal a lot of places where he's posted or where he's a member. Intellius is a good way of finding if a person lives where they say. Even an address that can be used to look at a person's house on Zillow might be of use. There are plenty of sites out there to check on someone for very little money, too. Just a lot of ways to check up on people. I've been buying and selling online since 1997 or 1998 and have yet to be seriously burned. A bit of due diligence goes a long way.
I research sellers (and even buyers) as much as possible on various forums on which they might post as a reputable one will have no problem giving you any names that he might use elsewhere (and a lot of guys use the same name between various boards, anyway). Simply Googling his e-mail address might reveal a lot of places where he's posted or where he's a member. Intellius is a good way of finding if a person lives where they say. Even an address that can be used to look at a person's house on Zillow might be of use. There are plenty of sites out there to check on someone for very little money, too. Just a lot of ways to check up on people. I've been buying and selling online since 1997 or 1998 and have yet to be seriously burned. A bit of due diligence goes a long way.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Oh, yeah...feedback on the person on Gunbroker or even eBay can also be helpful.
Oh, yeah...feedback on the person on Gunbroker or even eBay can also be helpful.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
I personally hate jack@ss buyers who think my integrity is in question when they come out of the blue trying to buy something.
A legitimate seller will be clear in the item description what kind of crap they won't put up with. (Form(s) of payment accepted, when the money is due, and what you get for your money)
If you don't like what you see, f**k off. If you do, then play by the sellers rules.
Granted, this applies more to places where sellers have reputations and feedback records. (Gunbroker/large forums/etc)
I personally wouldn't mail any money to anyone on "Armslist". If they weren't local and weren't willing to do local pickup, then I would pass.
Good luck if you do roll the dice over the internet...
I personally hate jack@ss buyers who think my integrity is in question when they come out of the blue trying to buy something.
A legitimate seller will be clear in the item description what kind of crap they won't put up with. (Form(s) of payment accepted, when the money is due, and what you get for your money)
If you don't like what you see, f**k off. If you do, then play by the sellers rules.
Granted, this applies more to places where sellers have reputations and feedback records. (Gunbroker/large forums/etc)
I personally wouldn't mail any money to anyone on "Armslist". If they weren't local and weren't willing to do local pickup, then I would pass.
Good luck if you do roll the dice over the internet...
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
I'm in Mississippi, if it's not too far. I don't mind looking for you.
I'm in Mississippi, if it's not too far. I don't mind looking for you.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
Well - if it's too good to be true, it probably is. This whole thing smelled fishy to me. Couldn't get the buyer to answer questions satisfactorily - then lo and behold I came across the same gun for sale on gunbroker by a legit dealer - same picture, everything. I contacted Armslist - which seems to have lots of scams anyway - and notified them. And for whatever it is worth I slammed the non legit seller per their "gmail" account. I feel better, saved my money, but still am peeved that this type of thing happens.
I really like the idea of having the gun delivered to an FFL and paying them to act as the middle man when in doubt.
Well - if it's too good to be true, it probably is. This whole thing smelled fishy to me. Couldn't get the buyer to answer questions satisfactorily - then lo and behold I came across the same gun for sale on gunbroker by a legit dealer - same picture, everything. I contacted Armslist - which seems to have lots of scams anyway - and notified them. And for whatever it is worth I slammed the non legit seller per their "gmail" account. I feel better, saved my money, but still am peeved that this type of thing happens.
I really like the idea of having the gun delivered to an FFL and paying them to act as the middle man when in doubt.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dirty D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go. </div></div>
Yeah that's an awesome idea. Pay the SH member a few bucks to have him go check it out in person.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dirty D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go. </div></div>
Yeah that's an awesome idea. Pay the SH member a few bucks to have him go check it out in person.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dirty D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go. </div></div>
Yeah that's an awesome idea. Pay the SH member a few bucks to have him go check it out in person. </div></div>
Not to be the party crasher, but what if you pay someone to look at it for you, they sign-off on it, then what you get is not what you expected? Maybe it's just me, but unless I knew the buyer personally and wasn't concerned about them trying to drag me into small claims court based on representations/claims or product/conditions I made... Just food for thought guys...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JelloStorm</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dirty D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could always find out what city he is in and see if another Hide member would be willing to go meet the guy and look over the rifle to see if it is what he says it is. Persons looking to take your money and disappear won't be so eager to meet someone face to face, especially if you can get one of our many LE members to go. </div></div>
Yeah that's an awesome idea. Pay the SH member a few bucks to have him go check it out in person. </div></div>
Not to be the party crasher, but what if you pay someone to look at it for you, they sign-off on it, then what you get is not what you expected? Maybe it's just me, but unless I knew the buyer personally and wasn't concerned about them trying to drag me into small claims court based on representations/claims or product/conditions I made... Just food for thought guys...
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
That extra buck you pay gives you piece of mind.
There are to many scum bags out their now.
By taking it to a FFL dealer he is able to put your mind at ease letting you know its shape, that he has it in his possession, etc.
The seller make out.
The buyer makes out
The FFL makes out.
Everyone is happy.
That extra buck you pay gives you piece of mind.
There are to many scum bags out their now.
By taking it to a FFL dealer he is able to put your mind at ease letting you know its shape, that he has it in his possession, etc.
The seller make out.
The buyer makes out
The FFL makes out.
Everyone is happy.
Re: Verifying a legitimate seller
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBoss0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have the seller take the weapon to an FFL to hold on to it and verify. You send the money to the FFL to hold for the seller. The seller picks up his money and the FFL ships the weapon to your local FFL. Sure you pay a bit more due to the FFL wanting a transaction fee but not getting scammed is worth it IMO. </div></div>
Good Advice here.....feed back can be one sided......this internet allows untruths and slander.
on gun buys ..I talk to seller/buyer...try to iron out ALL details....good communication is the key.
bill larson
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBoss0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have the seller take the weapon to an FFL to hold on to it and verify. You send the money to the FFL to hold for the seller. The seller picks up his money and the FFL ships the weapon to your local FFL. Sure you pay a bit more due to the FFL wanting a transaction fee but not getting scammed is worth it IMO. </div></div>
Good Advice here.....feed back can be one sided......this internet allows untruths and slander.
on gun buys ..I talk to seller/buyer...try to iron out ALL details....good communication is the key.
bill larson
