Buying Online

[TRP1]

I'am looking into buying a gun online (Gunsamerica) Has anyone here bought online and how was your experence? Just concerned about getting ripped off. The seller has sent me all his info and seems Legit. Would it be better to have the seller ship it through an FFL. Thanks for any info

[wnycollector]

5 purchases and 2 sales via gunbroker all VERY good!

[usp9]

TRP1,

I've used Gunsamerica for several purchases, all from dealers however, not private citizens. I will not say it is risk free...it isn't. Go into this with eyes open and ask as many questions as needed.

Make sure your FFL accepts transfers from non-FFLs. Not all do. Pay by USPS money order, (or credit card if possible), and keep all records.

I've purchased from people on;
GunsAmerica - all good experiences (3)
Gunbroker - One good, one bad. (2), one face to face good.
THR Clasifieds - several good (2)

[jameslovesjammie]

3 purchases from Gunbroker 3 good results

My uncle has bought and sold from gunsamerica and auctionarms with good results.

[Ala Dan]

"Buyer Beware" is a good policy to follow anytime~! :)

If a deal sounds too good to be true, then follow your instincts; cuz it
probably is~! Know what you are purchasing; and look for tell tale signs
of false advertising. Not all persons (or dealers) are out to screw you;
but other's just might be lurking look'in for the opportunity~! :scrutiny: ;)

[jeepmor]

I've had good luck with auctions sites and classifieds. Scammers don't use the same username for several transactions, honest folk do.

Indicators of honest sellers

1. Set a thresh hold for how many transactions you require the seller to have before you buy from them. Great deal from a 1st transaction seller with a two day old subscription date, buyer beware.

2. Pictures of the actual item - no mfr stock photos, no double images of used stuff
ie - I was surfing gunbroker for a 10mm smith and watched several auctions get sold with the same single image of the 10mm they were reportedly selling each time. Auction watch lists and patience are your friend.

3. Send the seller a quick note with some questions about the merchandise, more detailed photos and the like.....before you bid.

4. If they have a phone number, give em a call if you're seriously interested.

5. In FTF transactions, be willing to provide some sort of evidence you are actually eligible to purchase firearms legally. I use my CCW permit to provide peace of mind to the seller.

[collector14]

My first online purchase was at gunsamerica about 10 years ago! I have started an information web page on buying guns online and here's some info I've posted so far...

Tips to remember when purchasing a gun online:

Never pay with PayPal (they have a strict policy against buying guns). I am speaking from personal experience. I inadvertently did this years ago. It took a very long time to get my money refunded from PayPal.

Use a credit card to pay when you can, but watch out for sellers that charge a 3% premium for using a credit card. Many sellers say that they are offering a 3% discount for cash, which cannot be earned when using a credit card (BS). Your credit card may provide some extra protection for you as the buyer, of course the extra risk that goes along with giving out your credit card information exists.

If you pay with a bank cashiers' check or postal money order, if something should go wrong, the process or procedure to recover may be lengthy and involved.

If buying a gun from a seller on an auction, look at the "feedback" of the seller. This should give you a good indication of what kind of person or business you will be dealing with.

Communicate with the seller as soon as possible after the auction ends. If using email, remember that email can be unreliable due to spam filtering software, etc., so follow up with a telephone call when possible.

Be sure to either inspect your gun as soon as possible or have your FFL person inspect it. Most auctions require sellers to give a 3 day inspection period at a minimum. Guns can be damaged in transit, especially long guns, depending on how well they are packaged.

And finally, be sure to leave feedback for the seller and ask the seller to do the same for you. The feedback record will act as a future reference should you decide to sell a gun or buy another one. Some sellers will only accept bids from potential buyers that have a minimum number of positive feedback.

Hope this helps.

[Walkalong]

If a deal sounds too good to be true, then follow your instincts; cuz it
probably is~!
Big Ditto. I have bought guns off GB with good success, but use common sense when looking. Read between the lines etc.

[Jim Watson]

I have never ordered a used gun that was in as good condition as advertised. Factor that in to what you are willing to pay.

[Gator]

I've bought 10-12 guns online in the past few years with only one that didn't meet my expectations. Does GunsAmerica mandate a three day inspection period like GunBroker? If so, that should ease some of your concerns. Also, ditto on the pay by credit card if at all possible.

[bass806]

I've used Gun-broker and Guns America several times with good results. It's just like anything else though, do your homework and be cautious. Check the feedback. I have actually called the seller a couple of times just to talk person to person, it made me feel a little better about the transaction. I recently started using Bud's Gun Shop on line and could not be happier.

[Starter52]

I've had good luck with both Gunbroker and Auction Arms.

[glockman19]

I just bought from an FFL who was listed on Gunsamerica.com. I didn't go through their site I called him directly and made a great deal with a terrific guy and will buy again from him as soon as I can.

I've also bought from www.budsgunshop.com and been completely satisfied. I even got the credit card and NO payments NO interest for 90 days. Great deal.

As other have mentioned call the FFL talk to them and you should know when you hang up the phone it thry're legit or not.

[esq_stu]

About 30 gun purchases between Gunbroker and AuctionArms. And probably 150-200 parts and accessories transactions on those two sites.

Ask questions and don't buy if you are not satisfied with the answers. Ratings are important. And don't do business with new/unrated buyers and sellers.

The only time I've been burned as a buyer (not on guns - I'm more cautious on gun deals) is when my questions were not answered or the seller was unrated of had very few transactions.

Sometimes sellers don't know what they've got and you get real gems. I buy most of my guns on those sites.

[TRP1]

Is there any websites that you can verify a persons address??

[BOP222]

I've found too that if you are on any of the gun forums and someone mentions a site that has guns for sale..its usually been tested and reputable. Someone had mentioned Summitgunbroker awhile back as having deals on a certain pistol...found the site, found the gun, excellent transaction, no problems...as has been mentioned, check feedback if available, call, etc...

[mekender]

keep in mind, if you pay with a USPS money order and you get ripped off, the person has committed federal fraud... USPS money orders are backed by federal investigative powers whereas credit cards and traditional money orders are investigated by your local law enforcement agency which then must coordinate with the other persons agency...

[Average Joe]

No problems here, used Gunbroker, and Auction Arms.

[parisite]

I've bought several firearms on gunbroker, auction arms and gunsamerica and had nothing but fair and square pleasurable experiences. I've sold a few also on gunbroker. Beats trying to get a good price locally!!!

On one transaction on gunsamerica I called the guy and he let me put it on layaway.

[deanodog]

Question.....How does a seller get started when no one will buy from him because he has no feedback? I have had good transactions from Gunbroker and Auction arms. That being said I bought from a seller that had no sales online and had no feedback. The transaction was as good as it gets. Where do we draw the line?.....Just thinking

[bergs98]

I'm thinking of buying my first gun from Budsgunshop.com.
Brand new Beretta 92FS Inox for $538 delivered. Sounds like a good deal and was wondering if you all have heard good things from this site.

Thanks