What should I do when buying firearm from a remote party?

[clawmarks]

Found something that I like enough to consider purchasing remotely (same state, but too far to drive).
What can I do in order to best protect myself from a fraud? I know that 100% is probably not achievable, but how I wonder what are the best practices to mitigate the risk.

I searched the forum and couldn't find a current answer so I figured I'd better ask then regret later that I didn't...

Thanks

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Individual, or dealer?

 

[Bozz10mm]

what are the best practices to mitigate the risk.

Maybe pass on it and find something locally. What is the seller wanting to do? You send money, he sends the firearm to an FFL?

 

[grumper]

Pay with a credit card if possible. Call the dude and chat about the item. If anything seems off or seller won't answer questions, walk away.

If it's an expensive purchase drive over there and inspect the goods.

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

Be sure he sends you a signed, Bill of Sale!

just kidding...

 

[clawmarks]

Individual, originally he said we'll ship to ffl, I called him and he said he can ship directly to me, this doesn't sound right (can you actually do that?) - I'm backing off.

Driving there isn't an option.

Cannot find this item in my area, or else I'd do that to begin with.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

What is the item?

 

[GeorgeS]

Individual, originally he said we'll ship to ffl, I called him and he said he can ship directly to me, this doesn't sound right (can you actually do that?) - I'm backing off.

It is perfectly legal to ship a firearm (long gun or handgun) to an individual in your own state. See the BATFE FAQs on their web site.

 

[oldag]

High risk.

I have purchased things from individuals where I mailed them a payment, then they shipped the gun. Made sure the payment had tracking. But only when they were from a forum like this and they had a number of positive selling transactions (and no negatives) in their trading profile and a long history on the forum.

Maybe you pick an FFL in his town. Talk to the FFL, follow up with email confirming he will hand over the payment after he inspects the gun. Put your criteria for acceptance in the email (detailed, for both of your sakes). Then he can ship to your local FFL once he confirms your conditions have been met.

Just have to hope the FFL you pick is not the seller's brother-in-law.

 

[rotor]

Gun Digest has a very complete article on this and how to do it

https://gundigest.com/buying-selling-guns-online

I believe as long as it is in state that you don't have to go through a FFL according to this article. How to prevent fraud is another story and I personally would not do it.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Best way to protect yourself is a F2F transaction. Short of that, involve an FFL and technology. When the buyer can FaceTime/video call from your chosen FFL. ETF funds when seller is at the FFL and watch the FFL do the transfer and ship to your FFL.

That’s a lot of asspain for sure and a lot of folks aren’t going to do it, so either trust the guy or not.

If it falls through, maybe you’ve got enough info on the seller to file a police report and get some traction for theft. Then again, you might get what’s been advertised because it’s stolen property. Or because the dude is just a good guy.

It all comes down to how much you trust other people.

 

[Axxe55]

I have never dealt with this with firearms, but have with vehicles. The stories and outcomes can range from really, really bad, to just awesome transactions.

All I can say is do your research, and protect yourself. Not everyone out there is a scammer, but there are plenty enough of them to make sure to keep your guard up at all times.

 

[TX OMFS]

I have bought from.private individuals out of state. I've done it just trusting them and I've done it using a FFL local to them as an escrow agent. Luckily I've never been burned.

 

[jrbfishn]

I have bought several using other members of the forum that I trusted as go betweens. Sent them the money and they picked it up until we could meet and I got it. Of course I was also buying from someone I trusted as well.
Judgement goes a long way.

Sent by an idjit coffeeholic from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[Hoji]

At any point in your correspondence with this individual was the phrase “ do the needful” mentioned?

If so, it is a scam.

 

[clawmarks]

I have bought from.private individuals out of state. I've done it just trusting them and I've done it using a FFL local to them as an escrow agent. Luckily I've never been burned.

Mind sharing how exactly did you use the ffl as escrow?

And yes, with forum members it's a lot easier. Already purchased an item from a member and didn't think twice before sending him the funds. That's not the same case with a stranger from the www...

 

[oldag]

I have bought several using other members of the forum that I trusted as go betweens. Sent them the money and they picked it up until we could meet and I got it. Of course I was also buying from someone I trusted as well.
Judgement goes a long way.

Sent by an idjit coffeeholic from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Send me the funds, and I will pick up the gun for you. I will deliver it promptly. Sort of. Well, okay, first I might put a thousand or so rounds through it just to make sure it works properly. Solely out of concern for your safety and peace of mind. Unless this is a glock, in which case forget it.

 

[Renegade]

I have done hundreds of these transactions.

Rule #1 is do not send money you cannot afford to lose.
Rule #2 is if it is too good to be true it is.

You did not say where you found this guy or what it is. That matters. Gun forums are less likely to be have scammer than craigs list. Some thing that is not common but desireable has fraud potential.....

 

[clawmarks]

found him on texasguntrader

his deal is good, but not unicorn-good (aka too good to be true).

i'll speak to a gun store in his town tomorrow (he's from Pampa, TX) and ask them if they can serve as my proxy, i will ask him to use them (he told me he's willing to work with ffl, i dont want him to pick the ffl though). if he tries to dictate the terms i'll back out.

if all checks out, i'll consider doing it.

 

[oldag]

Good luck.