I just want to re-emphasize buyer beware when buying online. I recently saw a couple auctions that looked good enough, but look for red flags. One red flag for me is "paypal only". Another is where the item location is in one state but seller demands payment in another state. Do your due dilligence. I think there are bad actors trying to take advantage of the current situation. And I think they are on several sites.
Buyer Beware
- Thread starter mshootnit
- Start date
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NuShootr
member
I've been using PayPal since it's inception and it's the safest way to transfer money in a transaction like you describe. In order for the seller to use PayPal, they have to have a confirmed account, which means PayPal has their banking information. PayPal also has a lot of consumer protections associated with it, and if there are issues with any transaction, they are very serious about your protection as a consumer. If anything, I would trust a PayPal only transaction over and above just about anything else.
illinoisburt
Member
Regular PayPal purchase. Someone asking for friends/family is no-go as that's a gifting application and loses many of those consumer protections.
NuShootr
member
I should have mentioned that. My bad. I think I've never used that friends/family thing in all these years. Thanks for the correction. That's very important.
I am surprised to hear that PayPal is used for gun transactions. I understood years ago that it was not to be used that way. Was I mistaken, have they walked that back, or does everyone just pretend that policy does not exist?
dogtown tom
Member
Really? You feel safe using notoriously anti gun PayPal for a firearm transaction?
FYI for a loooooong time PayPal has specifically prohibited transactions involving firearms, and its pretty well known:https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/acceptableuse-full
The terms you agree to include PayPal freezing and/or seizing your funds. And yes it has happened to gun dealers.
NuShootr
member
Really? You feel safe using notoriously anti gun PayPal for a firearm transaction?
FYI for a loooooong time PayPal has specifically prohibited transactions involving firearms, and its pretty well known:https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/acceptableuse-full
The terms you agree to include PayPal freezing and/or seizing your funds. And yes it has happened to gun dealers.
Being new to purchasing firearms, I have actually never used PayPal to buy anything firearm related. Thank you for educating me on this. I learn something new every day!
Yes, and aside from that whole issue, "Paypal only" says to me: I can't or don't want to deposit a Postal Money order which is shady.
Look for tons of positive feedback, recent sales, takes normal and multiple payment options. Item location and physical address match up. Seller specifies detailed and trusted shipping arrangements.
What else?
Look for tons of positive feedback, recent sales, takes normal and multiple payment options. Item location and physical address match up. Seller specifies detailed and trusted shipping arrangements.
What else?
Thanks for the Paypal education.
Riomouse911
Member
It’s not always easy to deal with PayPal. I did have to jump through hoops at PP to get a refunded payment from a fraudulent seller. Even with proof from the postal service that the tracking number the seller supplied PP showing my order “delivered’ was not only sent to the wrong address but it weighed 13 ounces rather than 70 pounds (I ordered a rolling tool cart) PP took 3 weeks to “investigate” and initially declined my claim.
Only by staying on top of it by protesting to a higher authority at PP (and resubmitting my USPS documents for the third time!) did the charge get reversed.
Caveat Emptor is always the best line of defense!
Stay safe.
Only by staying on top of it by protesting to a higher authority at PP (and resubmitting my USPS documents for the third time!) did the charge get reversed.
Caveat Emptor is always the best line of defense!
Stay safe.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Differing states on the seller's side is standard-flag #1 for me.
Sob stories to include but not limited to; "my son.... Service Member..... can't/isn't able to...." is in the top 5 as well.
Then, do a fairly strong internet search to see if they've stolen the photos.
Todd.
Sob stories to include but not limited to; "my son.... Service Member..... can't/isn't able to...." is in the top 5 as well.
Then, do a fairly strong internet search to see if they've stolen the photos.
Todd.
bullseye308
Member
I stick it to PayPal frequently and for me in my situation it is just too convenient for me than to use another form of payment. I am liquidating a lot of stuff on multiple forums and evilbay and have had my PayPal account just about from their start. I also ask for friends and family so they don’t get more money outta me and I’d rather not support them with fees if possible. Like most I have never had any issues using it but do understand that can change at any time.
Actually, PP is NOT the best OR safest. Somebody that knows PP rules better than you, will steal your money from you.
PP is NOT firearm friendly.....at all. Get caught buying or selling for firearm/gear, and you will find out quickly your account and funds are put on frozen.
Original PP and PP of now, are NOT the same company.
Hokkmike
Member
People will just say something like "outdoor equipment" instead of a gun connected name.
daniel craig
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 2,815
Why not someone like Venmo? It’s instantaneous and you can transfer to your bank instantaneously to make sure the funds go through.
dogtown tom
Member
Zelle says nope on firearms and ammunition:https://www.zellepay.com/user-service-agreement
Venmo say no way Jose on firearms and ammunition as well: https://venmo.com/legal/us-helpful-information/
Folks, this is a gun board. When discussing or recommending payment methods take thirty seconds and use Google. While you may use PayPal/Venmo/Zelle/PrisonWallet/etc to transact business on the internet, recommending a payment service thats not gun friendly........thats lame at best and horrible if another forum member gets his $$$ seized.
And he won't get it back. When you sign up for these pay services you agree to their terms of service and guess what......THEY decide who mediates disputes,
CapnMac
Member
Yeah, that's people abusing a feature because they don't want to pay the tare the rest of us do. They often object to paying a dollar for a M.O. or shipping insurance or the like, too.
Captcurt
Member
I was looking for a Taurus TX22 and found one on line. When I tried to buy they claimed that they had problems with my credit card and to use bitcoin. I tried a week later and got the same bs. I've never had problems with my CC before or since.
I don’t think it’s abusing it. The fee PayPal charges on a normal transaction is basically insurance that you get your item. They are sharing some risk in order to make a buck. Using Friends and family you waive that protection. So if your buying a gun you may as well go friends and family because they aren’t gonna have your back if it doesn’t go right anyway. They are still making interest on the money since it passes through their account for some amount of time.
A request for Bitcoin is a red flag for scam 10 out of 10 times.
Insignificant bill
Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2019
- Messages
- 1,210
I use PayPal to pay for reloading dies and related items and credit cards to purchase firearms.
Venmo is owned by PP.
Paul R Zartman
Contributing Member
Never had a problem with PP since its conception, I have a business account and use both friends/family and the business account. Use my PP credit and debit cards at many gunshops and dealers as well as everywhere. No big deal to me
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