Armslist: how to avoid flakes

[BillBloggins]

I have had nothing but success selling guns on Armslist, have 4 sales that went off without a hitch. Until today.

I think the best way to ensure a smooth transaction is to completely and honestly describe what you are selling, provide good pictures, and ask a fair selling price. When a response comes in on your gun answer all the questions forthrightly while at the same time keeping your ears attuned to any BS that might be coming from the potential buyer. If all seems good to go arrange a face to face meeting during daylight in a safe area, and make any arrangements up front so there are no surprises (like bill of sale, state ID/CCW, no trades, or whatever you think is important). This should be enough to make everyone comfortable and head off at the pass any surprises when you arrive in person. If anything seems off, roll off and wait for another offer.

So I did all these things, just as I have in the past. The buyer seemed like an OK sort on the phone, we completely covered the gun and I felt good about meeting up.

Well, it went pear-shaped from the get go. He was leery about showing ID at the the outset, which I found odd as we had discussed this and I had mine ready to go right off the bat. Finally showed some ID and I produced the gun, a 1911, Para. Out of left field I started getting snide comments like the beavertail was off, I must be lying about the round count, the grips were weird, etc. This gun is bone stock and in great shape. He basically started negging the gun and indirectly was calling me a liar.

I was not pleased- I had posted good descriptive pictures of the gun, I had spent time covering details prior to the face to face meeting, and now I was getting the old 'ah, your gun is crap' routine. He then stated he would be taking a pass. My impression here was he was using this as a tactic for a price drop.

What got me PO'ed was that it was apparent he knew little about 1911's, but he did think he could try and drive me through a tough sell. My thoughts going in were that he would examine the gun through typical function checks (and it was apparent he did not know what to look for in a 1911), it would be as I had described, we would conclude the sale, it would proceed as my prior sales through Armslist had went. I felt my integrity was being questioned, I wrapped up our meeting and left- but I admit I was not happy about this greasy experience and wasted time.

So if I can offer any advice it would be to qualify all you can online and on the phone. And next time I will not drive half an hour to meet up with someone who could turn out to be a flake, they can meet me a block from my residence. I recognize people can change their minds and i also recognize there are shifty pieces of crap out there that operate like the worst used-car salesmen stereotypes. It is on us to minimize our exposure.

 

[RUT]

Funny thing, I just concluded a sale today via ARMSLIST, and I too was a bit wary. I'd never done an A.L. transaction, but was pleasantly surprised how well it went. I sold a handgun to a very nice young man who had cash in hand as well as his LTC and driver's license. And yes, we did the "meet" in a restaurant parking lot. I realize there are a lot of unscrupulous people on A.L. and one must take all necessary precautions. I'm not real crazy about selling handguns to folks I don't know, and would never do so to someone without a valid in-state LTC.

 

[Wicked1911]

If i'm selling its going to be within a 5 minute drive of my house- that mitigates my loss of time at a max of 15 minutes.

 

[boatme99]

About the only things I'd have done differently is
1 Just say "no id, we go no further"
2 At the buyers first comment about the beavertail fit, I'd just say politely "ok, you won't be happy with this gun, thanks for your time", get in my truck and leave.

I'm to old to argue with the uneducated/uninformed.

 

[hso]

You'll run into yahoos and jerks from time to time, but they're out there and we all have to deal with them.

The best thing to do is to leave if you're not 110% happy with anything going on.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I once had a pistol that I had bought brand new from a gun store. We agreed on a price-$400-before we met up. Once we met up, he said he could tell it's been fired. ??? I said, "I don't know what to tell you. I bought it new, and I didn't fire it." He replied, "Well, I can get these brand new and UNfired for $375." I said, "OK, then it would make sense for you to do that." Then he paid the $400. The whole thing seemed like a terrible attempt to get me to lower the price. That's my ONLY negative story, and I have about 10 Armslist-type dealings. Overall, I'd say things go surprisingly smoothly. Most of the people I've dealt with have been very kind, reasonable, and friendly.

Although, I was a "borderline" flake once. I sold a shotgun to a guy. We'd each driven quite a ways to meet in the middle. He looked it over, said it was all good, was very nice, and we parted ways. A couple of days later, he called me saying that the safety didn't work on it. I had never actually used the safety, except that I had made sure the switch worked before selling it. Apparently it still fired with the safety on. I felt pretty bad and offered to trade back. He said he'd get back to me, but never did.

I think you can usually tell the flakes by their grammar and spelling. Every time I post something, I get several inquiries such as... "stil avelable? what u lowest $?" HAHAHA... Or, "u want highpont 40 n $50?" I always stay very firm with those folks, and they rarely ever want to buy. Sure enough, a well-written individual responds within a couple of days who appears motivated to buy.

 

[Superpsy]

Funny you should post this. I was just telling my wife how armslist is the craigslist of the gun world. You had some good tips. The biggest lesson you learned is not to drive anywhere for a sale. I meet at a location a few minutes away from my home. I don't need the money usually so I figure they are motivated if they want to buy.

I will say I love the misspelled awful emails like the other day. I posted a high quality AR lower for $450 but described in detail why it was worth more (trigger, nickel boron internals etc.). My first email said, "give you $175 for it." My response was "no." The follow up email said, "I can get these new for $250." My response was to go do that. Ha! Fun times.

Like I said before I treat armslist like Craigslist. I'm cautious about every sale and I expect flakes.

 

[Reloadron]

About the only things I'd have done differently is
1 Just say "no id, we go no further"
2 At the buyers first comment about the beavertail fit, I'd just say politely "ok, you won't be happy with this gun, thanks for your time", get in my truck and leave.

I'm to old to argue with the uneducated/uninformed.

That would be me. This is the gun and this is the price. Take it or leave it. Things like ID ect are discussed in advance. Everything simple and to the point. Life is short and I have little time for idiots.

Ron

 

[btg3]

...I don't need the money usually so I figure they are motivated if they want to buy.

As a buyer, I approach this from the other side of the coin. I look for motivated sellers. If they go to the trouble to advertise, then generally, they are motivated to sell -- and negotiating either proves worthwhile, or the gun is worth more to the seller than to me, so I move on.

Regardless of whether selling or buying, caution is due to avoid flakes.

 

[boatme99]

^^^A little negation in sales is ok if the ad doesn't say "firm" but I'd also never show up to a sale and denigrate the guys gun. Good manners always count.

 

[BillBloggins]

As btg3 says:

"As a buyer, I approach this from the other side of the coin. I look for motivated sellers. If they go to the trouble to advertise, then generally, they are motivated to sell -- and negotiating either proves worthwhile, or the gun is worth more to the seller than to me, so I move on."

I think what is prudent is to discuss completely the sell price upfront on the phone after you have answered all their questions, and make it clear that when you show up in person there will be no subsequent dickering if the gun is everything that you said it would be. I think I could have saved myself the headache with meeting this particular knob if I would have done this.

Also, I should have asked some more open-ended questions to determine their knowledge of the 1911 platform, as this also would have informed me who I was dealing with. All of this vetting should be done before you ever hop in the car for the meet, as I learned to my detriment today. Negotiate price upfront.

 

[Kiln]

I've had only positive experiences but I do get morons texting/emailing from time to time. Once a kid texted me that he wanted to buy my gun despite being 12 years old. He claimed it was fine because he had his dad's permission but his dad couldn't make it so his buddy would bring him to pick it up. Needless to say I did not go through with the sale.

 

[btg3]

Negotiate price upfront.

Agreed. I once had a young prospective buyer for a motorcycle I was selling. He looked it over and wanted to ride it. I said, "No joy rides. If the ride is good, then you'll buy it. Agreed?" He was ready to buy, the ride was good, done deal.

For any transaction, there is some homework to be done and a reasonable process to follow for both parties to come away with satisfaction.

 

[HammsBeer]

Sounds alot like selling on craigslist.

Never sold a gun face to face, but sold a few cars, tires, and other odds and ends. Most frustrating thing is "I'll be there at 7pm I'm really interested" or "I'll call you tomorrow to come meet you at _____" and 75% of the time they never show or call back. If they do happen to show up, they act like they are not interested, like they were just bored and wanted to look at stuff. **** and quit wasting my time.

 

[Kiln]

You will also get a lot of people offering ridiculous prices on things.

"I'd like to sell my Ruger P95 for $325."

Then you get five messages saying:

"I'll give you $130."

 

[carlson1]

About a month ago I was advertising a pistol on Armslist. I received an Email from someone who said they wanted the pistol and would gladly pay more if I could wait a week. (If someone with money would have came by I would not have waited.)

Almost one week to the date they write and want my mailing address to send me a "cashiers check" (I usually just take Postal MO). Well no check has ever arrived, but did get an email telling me that they accidentally sent me more than they should have and wanted me to mail them $300.00 right away! NO I did not send any money to anyone, but this was the FIRST time I have ever had a problem with scams off of a gun sight. Just beware.

 

[twofifty]

.....He replied, "Well, I can get these brand new and UNfired for $375." I said, "OK, then it would make sense for you to do that." Then he paid the $400. .....

I think you can usually tell the flakes by their grammar and spelling. Every time I post something, I get several inquiries such as... "stil avelable? what u lowest $?" HAHAHA... Or, "u want highpont 40 n $50?" I always stay very firm with those folks, and they rarely ever want to buy. Sure enough, a well-written individual responds within a couple of days who appears motivated to buy.

Your reply is awesome in that it allows you to immediately disengage while not giving the flake any reason to get worked up and further complicate your day. Bonus, in this case he folded and you got your price.

Agreed on using grammar and spelling as a pre-screen.

 

[Ignition Override]

You might be refering to some of the dorks in TN who post an item for $1, as if we would believe it?
And it is never an auction.

 

[tarosean]

^^^A little negation in sales is ok if the ad doesn't say "firm" but I'd also never show up to a sale and denigrate the guys gun. Good manners always count.

While I avoid armslist like the plague.... There are numerous sellers who misrepresent their items. Almost anything can be hidden/overlooked with the right angles in photographs. I show up to a FTF and the seller is claiming 90+% and it's not, I'm going off.

 

[hemiram]

I've had a lot better luck selling guns, both face to face, and on auctions, than I've had selling cars, or radios on Ebay. One guy asked me a LOT of questions about a radio that I was selling. I described it fully, and at least half of the questions he asked about it were already in the description! He did the "Buy it now" I had on it for $800, about average for that model in good condition. He pestered me with questions about tracking the package, even though I had given him the tracking number, and had no more info than he had! I got tired of him messaging me hourly and ignored him for a while, so he starts calling me. I knew at that point, he was going to try to nitpick at it once he got it to try to get some partial refund, or he would want me to take it back. He finally gets it, and soon, I get a phone call, saying it's "drifting". Never drifted when I had it. He wanted to keep it, for $600. I said, "Nope, just send it back!". I was pretty sure he was lying, and after I got it back, I put a freq counter on it and proved he was. It all worked out, I got it back and this time, I didn't put a "buy it now" on it and I got over $1100 for it. The only "problem" buyer I've had for a gun was a guy who asked an amazing number of very silly questions, like my favorite, "Does the gun actually fire?". I said in the description that the gun was in virtually new condition. Once he got it, he was very happy. but wow.

 

[redneck2]

If you ever work in a gun store (I have), you'll get this crap on an ongoing basis

 

[Ian]

I've been on the other side once - found a guy selling a Radom on BackPage for a good price, and said I'd take it. When I showed up, it turned out the gun was heavily pitted, crudely refinished, and missing the magazine. I said thanks but no thanks, why didn't you mention any of this in your ad?, and left. My own fault for not asking for better photos, though.

 

[GAF]

Anyone here ever do your own background check? As you know some states have a website that allows one to look up people`s past transgressions .