How not to get swindled on long distance private purchase

[AlaskanInTexas]

Looking to perhaps buy a very high dollar firearm from someone in the far reaches of the state. Not quite sure the best way to effectuate the exchange - I don't want to send money if I don't know a gun is coming my way; he probably doesn't want to send a gun if money isn't coming his way. Is there some sort of way to escrow this so that we can both exchange with confidence? What are best practices?

[The Marshal]

PM Sent!

[TexasVet]

I would just go through an FFL, so there in an independent party that can hold the firearm, inspect it, and ship when payment arrives.

[Oldgringo]

How far is long distance, there is someplace about midways between?

[cb1000rider]

I would just go through an FFL, so there in an independent party that can hold the firearm, inspect it, and ship when payment arrives.

That doesn't help unless the FFL is essentially doing the escrow purchase and holding the money from the buyer.

On the "buyer" side - the obvious method is to use a protected form of payment. This form of payment can include paypal, which now covers consumer goods sold outside of ebay, as long as you send that payment and associate it with a purchase of "goods" (not services or a gift). On the back side of that payment, if you're really particular, fund it with a credit card, so you've got an added layer of chargeback protection (for up to 90 days in most cases) on top of that.

The seller is going to lose around 3%, so offer to pay those fees...

The only other protected means of payment is some form of escrow, which may be somewhat difficult with a firearm.

[Dadtodabone]

If you choose to forego the time and expense of a face to face transaction, a charge card is your best choice for protection. While it will add about 5% to the price, if you cover fees, use your American Express card for the purchase.

[flechero]

Perhaps there is a forum member willing to inspect and take close up photos for you? Posting location of the firearm in question would help determine. If it were local to me, I'd do it for you.. but I'm not that far away so doubt it;'s near me. Of course, you'd have to be comfortable with whoever checks it out for you.

good luck!

[SA_Steve]

PayPal does firearms ? I heard they were under pressure to split off from eBay but did not think that has happened yet.

[johncanfield]

PayPal does firearms ? I heard they were under pressure to split off from eBay but did not think that has happened yet.

Excerpt from a Wall Street Journal article of 9/30:

On Tuesday, eBay said it would spin off PayPal to shareholders by the end of next year, a step initially proposed by activist investor Carl Icahn that it had repeatedly rejected and which could spark a round of deal making among potential rivals.

[nyj]

PayPal does firearms ? I heard they were under pressure to split off from eBay but did not think that has happened yet.

No. They do not allow paying for firearms through their service, and if you do it and something happens, they will not provide protection.

[rotor]

https://pistolpay.com/Account/HomePage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have not used them but there are services available

[Salty1]

I have bought and sold a good amount of firearms on GunBroker and through private transactions. From my experience the overwhelming majority of gun people are extremely trustworthy and people of their word. I do not worry about the possibility of being swindled on these types of transactions. I guess it could happen but personally I have no first hand knowledge of it taking place with people I know as well. If I was concerned then I would have the seller bring the item to an FFL and call the FFL regarding the quality of the item. Once I received the ok from them I would overnight a check to the FFL in the sellers name so they could hand it over and ship it to your FFL.

Good Luck...............

[Rex B]

I also have had great experiences buying and selling guns to strangers, gun people are generally good people.
But if this transaction is going by mail, then pay with a USPS money order. If there is indeed a swindle afoot, it then would likely become felony Mail Fraud. Allegedly the Postal Inspectors agents are aggressive in dealing with such things.

[AlaskanInTexas]

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. Turns out my radar was right on this one - another swindler on texasguntrader.com This guy copied photos from a posting on gunbroker.com for a firearm that is located in another state. I confirmed with the gunbroker poster that the firearm is not in Texas and has not been posted on texasguntrader.com.

[cb1000rider]

Curious.. how was he looking to receive payment?