Wanting to buy a Gunbroker gun from a guy with no history

I would need to see some history or a badge. .https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/225003687

https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/222806527--2-00-Verification-Fee

Gun Broker had me do the verification, before selling.

https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/221822687-Protecting-Yourself-Against-Fraud

• Contact Support with your suspicions prior to sending money to an NR seller or a seller with very little feedback. We have access to information about users which may reveal signs of potential fraud.

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https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/221822687-Protecting-Yourself-Against-Fraud

Problem is, Gunbroker may not reply ? But cost you nothing to try. Good luck.

SunnySlopes said:

What if I contact him and he agrees to deliver the gun to his FFL to hold in escrow before I mail the cashier's check. It's a private seller and the only option is Gunbroker Pay, a system that has pretty poor reviews?

Opinions?

It's a mint discontinued firearm.

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Sounds like a reasonable request unless he's planning on shipping it without FFL in which case you may have to pay his FFL and yours.

A mint disconued gun, limited pay options and a seller with no history! I would pass.

SunnySlopes said:

What if I contact the seller and he gives me the name of his FFL?
What if I contact the FFL (after confirming he's reputable and legit) and ask the FFL if he would agree to take receipt of the gun and confirm he has possession before I send the check to the seller?
What if the seller agreed to all the above (FFL holding the gun in escrow)?
Would you still pass?

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That all seems pretty straight up to me.

I agree with kwguy that your Post #10 proposal should work in this case.

If it's a handgun, a non-licensed (no FFL) seller shipping USPS via an FFL dealer is by far the best way, cost wise. They can ship most handguns for about $20 postage.

If it's a long gun, you can ship via USPS for the same price as the FFL dealer can. But, in this present case of yours, having the FFL dealer involved with the seller's transaction SHOULD give you an added level of safety from scam.

I had one sale to my name a year ago when I started selling off some of my mint and hard to find firearms on Gunbroker. I took as many photos as possible and was as honest as possible in the description. I encouraged buyers to contact me if they had any questions or concerns.

I sold all the guns for more than I expected and had no issues. Of course it was, and still is, a seller's market. So if someone is making a request that I find unreasonable or ridiculous, such as having my FFL, which is an hour away, hold my firearm in escrow, then I would have said sorry and let the next guy buy it.

I'm not relinquishing physical possession of my firearm except to drop it off carefully packaged at the Post Office or UPS.

What if some minimum wage employee at the gun shop decides to play with the firearm and scratches it? Or drops it? Or sells it? Or their sprinkler system goes off and ruins it? Nope. It's safer in my possession in my vault.

SunnySlopes said:

Fedex no longer ships firearms for private parties so, that would leave only UPS. The last gun I shipped UPS charged $140 as it has to be shipped overnight. They discovered that packaged guns languishing in their facility would often turn up missing.

But I contacted my FFL about the cost of shipping a handgun and they charge $30.

It makes no sense for a private party to not use a FFL to ship. But I'll ask him anyway, maybe.

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Didn't know FedEx had changed their policy and I had used them a couple times in the past. Good luck.

SunnySlopes said:

What if I contact the seller and he gives me the name of his FFL?
What if I contact the FFL (after confirming he's reputable and legit) and ask the FFL if he would agree to take receipt of the gun and confirm he has possession before I send the check to the seller?
What if the seller agreed to all the above (FFL holding the gun in escrow)?
Would you still pass?

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If you can get both parties to agree to do this it sounds safe enough. I know it sounded like I was being tough with a new seller and I know new sellers have to start building positive feed someplace but scams are everyplace. But the 3 things, new seller, rare gun and limited payment options waved a red flag for me. Good Luck to you. Let us know how it works for you.

SunnySlopes said:

What if I contact the seller and he gives me the name of his FFL?
What if I contact the FFL (after confirming he's reputable and legit) and ask the FFL if he would agree to take receipt of the gun and confirm he has possession before I send the check to the seller?
What if the seller agreed to all the above (FFL holding the gun in escrow)?
Would you still pass?

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Since my money's not at stake, I say go for it.

But since it's your money, you're going to have to decide if you're comfortable with those terms or not.