Ordering Online?

[jason97496]

I admit to being a little paranoid about being ripped off. I get uneasy using my debit card to buy gas. The idea of purchasing ammo and / or firearms online makes me nervous. But, like I said I am paranoid about getting ripped off, so if I could get a better deal buying online, I might have to suck it up and do it.

I have spent many hours over the last week or two reading through this forum. I think I may be hooked. In several different threads I have read people saying to "just buy it online" or "I buy most of mine online".

To get to the point, "online" is a big place. I would like to know what websites you use, what websites you will never use again, what you purchase, etc.

Thank you

 

[Flame Red]

I have only been ripped off once in all the years I have bought online. That was by Jeff at StoneyCreek Armory.

For Gun, Bud's Gun Shop is king. CDNN is also good, but you have to call them to order.

For 'stuff' MidwayUSA, Natchezss and Brownells are excellent. Some say to steer clear of Cheaper than Dirt, and Sportsman Guide as some have had troubles with them (but never me).

For Ammo, I have used Aim Surplus, AmmoMan, and many others. Never a problem.

Whe ordering a gun, get your local FFL in order first. Here in Orlando that has been a big problem as most FFL's around here don't do transfers anymore. I have one now that does.

 

[rbernie]

"Ordering online" is a very large spectrum of possible transactions, from orderings gun parts to reloading supplies to complete firearms. Some of these transactions are riskier than others, especially when dealing with smaller companies.

I always recommend that folk do a search in the 'Rate Private and Retail Transactions' forum here under the Trading Post if they have any misgivings or questions about a potential vendor. If the search turns up nothing useful, you can always post a 'who's done business with?' thread in that forum.

 

[armslist]

You could always shop online, but meet the person and do a cash transaction.

Even if it's a firearm that must be transferred, you can meet the other party at the FFL's location and do it that way.

That limits you to more of a local market, but it's a good solution to your particular anxieties with online ordering.

 

[Gardien]

I ordered ammo from Midway. Great prices and it showed up exactly when they said.

Trying my luck with Georgia Arms, but they say they have a 7 week lead time.

 

[rfwobbly]

Some ideas...

Jason -

• Check your local radio talk show "consumer advocate" about using a credit card in your state. You may actually be safer than a guy paying cash face-to-face !!! In my state I have up to 90 days to challenge any credit card transaction. So if it doesn't show up, or it's a pile of BS when it does show up, I simply stop payment, demand a refund and mail the offending junk back if that applies.

• If the idea still worries you, then get a new (second) card issued to you with a separate account number and a minimal limit. I did that because my wife wanted to be sure my reloading charges come out of my hobby account and not the family food budget.

• If you are still worried, then have your credit "frozen" by your bank. That will mean no one can electronically request extra cards and accounts in your name without your personal approval. This is usually less than $10.

• Also be aware that if you discuss internet transactions with them, some banks (Bank of America for one) may try to scare you into paying for extra security. That's a bunch of stinky stuff. That's the bank's job when they issue the card, you don't need to pay extra for them to do their job.

• The one thing I would stay away from is any kind if PayPal transaction. There are not nearly as many consumer protections using that system. Even when I win Ebay actions, I call the seller and use my credit card.

Hope this helps!

 

[Boba Fett]

I've used and recommend (in no particular order):

AmmunitionToGo.com
MidwayUSA.com
Cabelas.com
CheaperThanDirt.com
Proload.com
USTacticalSupply.com

Probably more sites I've forgotten, but if I remember, I'll post them.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I have a checking account in a bank unrelated to any part of my real life finances.

That checking account only has a few dollars into it with a Credit Card and a healthy spending cap.

When I buy on line, it's through the Credit Card, amount is deducted from my checking account. Item arrives, done.

HOWEVER, I dont do Paypal or anything of that sort. It has to be a pure credit card transaction in a secure HTTPS at the browser with contact information availible to follow up.

Once I was nervous about a order because the people were totally... unkown.

I only learned about them where they shipped from, who they were and thier phone number etc AFTER my order arrived safely.

Cabelas (Particularly AMMO) and other BIG online sites are nice. Gander is another nice site. Some other sites were nice too. But again, buyer beware.

Buyer beware and keep that Credit card handy.

Print all of your records, check your emails, specially the bulk/spam folders and follow through with calls visits or whatever until item arrives safely.

My preferred shipping is UPS, tracking easy and USPO Priority.

Otherwise I go to the gunshop. There are a number in my area. I generally use a CC so that I can retain a record of the transaction.

Now.

Note this. I use a CC so that it will deduct funds my checking, NOT DEBIT. NEVER DEBIT. AND.... NEVER a pure CREDIT card as in one that will put you into DEBT. NO. MORE. DEBT.

whew, got that out of the way.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I used to order parts, accessories and toys from Numrich/e-gunparts.com back in the late 1990s and early 2000s. No rip-offs, but several "wrong items" which it didn't make any sense to send back because of shipping costs. Also some stuff advertised but "sold out" when I got my boxes. Generally satisfied customer, but that's the only online business I have done related to firearms. I did order a Commission 1888 rifle through the mail from SOG, and that went fine, too.

One thing -- look into the shipping arrangements. I had a gently demilled ex-Israeli 83mm shoulder-fired Blindicide rocket launcher, with packing case and accessories, ordered from Numrich. It arrived, all right -- I got home from the office to find the full Israeli-marked packing case leaning against my door in full view of the entire cul-de-sac neighborhood. A visiting friend and I "ran with it", so to speak, and unpacked and mounted the rocket launcher right in the dooryard. Lots of movement around neighbor curtains.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

To add to Shipping, Ammuntion is marked ORM-D Ammuniton in the box for UPS, they arrive nice and early to dump box onto my porch.

Otherwise it will be sunset after they run through all the commerical customers and everyone else and then dump the tired box at my step after it bounces around in the bottom of truck for 14 hours.

 

[Geneseo1911]

Here's the list of url's I've been collecting for a while. I have some favorites in here, esp. Widener's, Midway, Cabelas, Natchez; but I'd be willing to buy from 98% of these.

It's always a good idea to check a site at bbb.org ; as well as run a search here for good/bad experiences.

edit: oops theres a couple info only links in there. sorry.

http://ammoman.com/
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/
http://east.outdoormarksman.com/index.php?warehouse=east
http://www.natchezss.com/
http://www.cabelas.com/
http://www.midwayusa.com/
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/index.php
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
http://www.northwestshootersupply.com/
http://www.buymilsurp.com/
http://www.lockstock.com/
http://www.model1sales.com/
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/
http://www.rockriverarms.com/
http://www.sarcoinc.com/
http://www.allans-armory.com/aa.php
http://www.del-ton.com/
http://www.warrelicsshop.com/sys-tmpl/door/
http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?osCsid=6bcd9fda10d6fa76cb42cd3ced82244d
http://www.ohioordnanceworks.com/
http://mcsfirearms.com/store/
http://www.essentialarms.com/index.html
http://www.robarm.com/
http://www.ptr91.com/
http://www.dsarms.com/
http://www.lrbarms.com/rifles1.html
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/index
http://www.agparms.com/home.php?cat=255
http://www.lanworldinc.com/AK47.html
http://www.aimsurplus.com/
http://www.wideners.com/
http://www.the-armory.com/
http://www.jgsales.com/
http://www.classicarms.us/
http://centuryarms.com/Century/home.htm
http://dynamicarmament.com/
http://www.ioinc.us/mm5/merchant.mvc
http://www.samcoglobal.com/Accessories.html
http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/index.html
https://www.gilbertsguns.com/
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/Reising_SMG.html
http://www.militarygunsupply.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32
http://www.ddsranch.com/index.html
http://www.rrarms.com/
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/
http://www.keepshooting.com/?osCsid=3859bb5121422f38ba217d357198926b
http://www.brownells.com/
http://www.e-gunparts.com/
http://www.elzetta.com/
http://www.fulton-armory.com/
http://www.tacticalinc.com/
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
http://www.44mag.com/default.asp
http://www.milsurpstuff.com/categories.asp
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
http://www.topgunsupply.com/
http://www.shadez-of-gray.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/
http://www.agparms.com/
http://www.tapco.com/
http://www.gggaz.com/index.php
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/
http://www.dinzagarms.com/index.html
http://www.armsofamerica.com/home.html
http://www.elkrivertoolanddie.com/receivers.htm
http://www.nodakspud.com/index.htm
http://thegunwiki.com/Gunwiki/BuildAkChooseParts
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44497
http://www.avtomats-in-action.com/index.html
http://www.globaltrades.com/ak_parts_general.html

 

[jbkebert]

If you are still nervous about shopping online. Go to walgreens or such a store and get like a visa cash pass or mastercard. These are nothing more than debit cards that you put money into then it is debited from that card like any other. They work anywhere that visa or mastercard is accepted. It does cost $9.00 to put money on them. The first time I place an order through a vendor I don't know. I use this method and if everything works out fine. I am more willing to give out my real card #.

 

[mountainpharm]

ordering firearms online

I ordered an AK-47 from Atlantic Firearms (www.atlanticfirearms.com) on Tuesday. I got the FedEx email with the tracking number this morning (Thursday) with an estimated delivery date of tomorrow. Three business days from placement of online order to delivery -- can't ask for anything better! These guys have been outstanding to work with and I give them my highest recommendation.

 

[DHJenkins]

You can always get a "cash card" at wally world and use that online. I believe it's a mastercard (I've only seen the ads). It's $5, and you can put as much money as you want on it.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

HOWEVER... one caution with those cash cards.

If the BILLING address DOES NOT MATCH YOUR information, some sites will fail/refuse the card.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

http://www.galleryofguns.com/

I've purchased several guns from this site. It's actually Davisons and they have a lifetime warranty. There is a button you can click for "retailer near you" and get prices and competeitive quotes.

 

[_JT_]

Any opinions on Centerfiresystems.com? I put my order in for a saiga 12ga today, i talked to one of the guys Tuesday and they were good people from what i could tell on the phone. I'm just curious if anyone else has dealt with this site?

 

[zoom6zoom]

Centerfire has always been good to deal with. I've bought a lot of parts kits and used stuff from them. The only problem I (and others) have had is they tend to overestimate the condition of their used stuff. With a new gun that won't be an issue.

I was considering their Saiga but then walked into a local shop last week and they had one on the wall for just about the same price when you added in transfer and shipping costs - and they had the 12 round Surefire mags in stock as well.

I'm always amazed by people who are concerned about ordering online, but don't think twice to handing their credit card to an underpaid waiter who disappears with it for fifteen minutes.

 

[_JT_]

I used to work in the fraud department for a major bank that everyone now hates I could care less about my card # being stolen, and really only care that i get what i ordered and in a timely manner.

 

[hometheaterman]

The only site I've dealt with ordering ammo from is Bass Pro Shop's website. I've thought about ordering some from Natchezss.com as they have the 30-06 ammo I like a little cheaper than the local gunshops even after shipping. For most cases though their prices are close or on par with the local gun shops then you have to pay shipping so it kills it. The 30-06 ammo just recently went up at the gun shop after a backorder. IT was like $.65 more than Natchezss.com and you didn't have to pay shipping. Since it went up and Natchez hasn't it's a better deal from them.

If Wal-Mart sells what you want it's often cheaper than online and you also don't have to pay shipping. The only time I really like it is if it's something you can't find locally.

 

[mongo4567]

I've had hundreds of online transactions, and only a few went poorly. The bad transactions were just on-offs or auction purchases from newbys. I'm just a lot more conservative in buying from a newby or unknown business. My favorite places to shop (AIM, Natchez, CDNN, Centerfire, Classic, Midway, Cabelas, Century, Nodak, MGS, etc) always treat me well.

 

[mountainpharm]

One other piece of advice -- never, NEVER, NEVER use a debit card for an online purchase. Debit cards do not carry the same protection offered by credit cards in the event you need to dispute a claim. In most cases, if you find that you've been ripped off and you've used a debit card, you're out of luck.

 

[AKElroy]

I would google any online provider & look at recent posts before using. I think you are safe w/ the big guys like Midway, Brownells, Natchez. I have always had good experience with Glockmeister, and I have purchased a LOT of ammo from ammoman.com without any trouble, but not recently. When I googled ammoman.com last week, I found a disturbing number of negative posts. My last order was direct from doubletap ammo, & I was very satisfied.