Does this sound like a shady gunbroker deal?

[TheGewehrGuy]

So I won a VZ-2008 for $380, and it comes with 6 magazines, and the shipping is actual cost. The reason why the price was so low is because it was an auction and he mis-labeled it, so people searching "VZ-58" or "VZ-2008" would not have been able to find it.

Here's the actual page if you want to see http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=223721038


So before bidding, I forgot to look at the payment info, and apparently he only accepts money orders and personal checks.

Does this sound like a shady deal? Cause I have never used Gunbroker before.

He has a A+ rating with 83 transactions, and he sells other stuff.

I talked to him over the phone, and he sounded legitimate enough and nice.

Thanks for you input, I am just being extra cautious cause anybody who doesn't accept paypal or credit cards...is a little strange.

 

[Deus Machina]

Going by his rating, it sounds alright to me.

If he's an average Joe and not a shop, he's likely not set up to take cards. And Paypal has an anti-anything-they-don't-like policy, and has locked accounts after they've been used for firearms.

 

[drw2514]

I wouldn't be worried. Like the previous poster stated, his feedback is quite positive. I've bought many things from gunbroker where the seller only accepted money orders or personal checks, it's not that uncommon as paypal and the gun-centric equivalent, I can't remember it's name, don't have the best reputation on that site.

You got a pretty good deal, don't worry about it.

 

[rbernie]

Many of my GunBroker purchases (the vast majority, in fact) have been USPS MO only types of deals. It's pretty common, especially for private sellers that have no way to do credit card deals.

Remember - PayPal will not allow their service to be used for firearms purchases, and it's very rare to find any seller that will still use it.

 

[awgrizzly]

Many only accept postal money orders. Some will also accept personal checks but will wait until it clears before they send the gun (can be up to a couple weeks). And gun shops that accept credit cards will charge an extra 3% to pay for the fee. This seems a normal deal. Congratulations.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

That ridiculous? Paypal is anti-gun? I don't see the sense in anyone being anti-gun.

Well anyway I appreciate your help, I am going to mail my check along with a copy of my LGS's FFL tomorrow, or ASAP.

Thanks guys.

 

[LubeckTech]

The seller seems to be an individual with out an FFL. Make sure your FFL holder does not have a problem receiving from a non FFL holder. The deal seems normal to me - I have bought from individuals in this fashion many times. The only time I got ripped off on Gunbroker was on a primer deal from a seller who had done about a dozen good deals (good feedback when I bought) then all at once started ripping people off by selling the same 7 or 8 items over and over again to about 20 people taking their money orders and delivering no goods. The US postal service was all over the guy like flies on poop!!! I was notified by them about 3 months after the auction ended and probably could have gotten my money back(about $95.00) but I no longer had the money order receipt. Gunbroker has a buyer protection plan that will help you if you get ripped off but it has a $100.00 deductable.

 

[mnrivrat]

That ridiculous? Paypal is anti-gun?

Read the PayPal policy - their policy is that Paypal is not to be used for firearm purchases, and they will freeze the transaction funds if they become aware of it.

Nothing at all alarming about a seller not taking PayPal, GunPal, or credit cards. Postal money order is king for most of these transactions.

 

[bruzer]

I always remember the advice my Buddy gave me. If you pay with a Postal Money and the person tries to run out on you, it becomes a Federal Offense with a Postal Money Order. Luckily I've never had to question his advice but if paying with a money order, I always go POSTAL!
Mike

 

[Davek1977]

This doesn't sound the least bit unusual to me. Most private sellers won't have the means to accept cc payments, reducing their options to cash (not safe by mail), money orders, or checks. Why you feel anyone who can't process cc payments is "a little strange" I find a bit strange....do YOU or most people have the means to accept CC payments......then why is it odd that someone else doesn't have the ability either?

 

[Ian]

That price with the mags is a pretty good deal, but nothing earth-shattering. J&G has them listed for $360 right now.

 

[Oyeboten]

I have never heard of even one instance where anyone was prosecuted for accepting a U.S.Postal Money Order, and then failing to send the goods.

Maybe, technically, it is Mail Fraud or something, but you can forget ever getting anyone to do anything about it...no one in the federal system gives a hoot about someone being cheated out of a few hundred bucks, even quite a few hundred bucks, via, USPostal Money Order payments, for goods which never get shipped, and or Sellers who then are never heard from again.

Nor do the police care, should one wish to waste days and tedious patient hopes, trying to go that route.

There was a guy here on THR who defrauded a number of our members, and, far as I recall, no one ever got anywhere in trying to interest any sort of agency or cops about it.

They guy only accepted USPostal MOs, of course.

Far as Gunbroker is concerned, when insisting on U.S. Postal Money Orders, it is simply a way for an Honest Seller to protect themselves...since personal checks or credit card pays can go afoul or be used or manipulated fraudulently by dishonest 'buyers'.

 

[evan price]

The USPS Money Order is the default currency for most of these transactions. Western Union Moneygrams have been forged so many times they are not really much better than a personal check. Gunpal or "G-pal" has proven to be a monumental headache to get your money out of them within months and is under investigation for wire fraud iirc. PayPal won't let you use them for guns, gun related items, ammo components, or anything else their west-coast ninnieness finds offensive.

Looks like a good deal, just keep copies of your transactions, I use a USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelope for large money orders, it's only $5 to ship and gets there in 2 days and if I pay with my PayPal account for hte postage tracking # is free.

 

[nalioth]

Read the PayPal policy - their policy is that Paypal is not to be used for firearm purchases, and they will freeze the transaction funds if they become aware of it.

Not just the transaction funds, but the accounts of both parties.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

@ Davek1977, I have never used gunbroker before, and I didn't understand that you pay directly to the seller, and not like eBay where they have some control over it, so I figured it didn't matter how you got the funds to them.

And btw, I have the means to accept credit card payments...I have the app for it on my iPhone , but then again most people don't have iPhones.

@Ian, I ordered from J&G a few weeks ago, but after several calls they have told me that they are not getting another shipment of VZ's for about 4-6 weeks, and seeing as I already had waited 3 weeks or so, it would be ridiculous to wait another month or more.

And if you figure the mags as something I was going to buy anyway (which I was), then 5 mags (6 minus the always supplied one), times $13 (czechpoint), then you have $65 there, so $380-65= $315 for just the rifle by its self. BUT I've got $20 shipping, $30 transfer fee, and $30 sales tax, so if I consider the purchase as just the rifle, then I am talking about $400, $167 less than what my LGS quoted me.

I am more than happy with this deal

 

[mgkdrgn]

Many many small dealers (like myself) are not yet set up to handle credit cards. It's too expensive for small volume sales.

PayPal can not be used to pay for guns. I -was- using them, and had them tell me directly to stop or they would close my account.

Check the feedback. If it's good, then its probably a legit deal.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

Most places I shop at use paypal, or credit cards. I didn't know paypal didn't allow gun sales (why not??), and I can understand how most people aren't set up for credit cards, now.

Thanks everyone.

 

[awgrizzly]

Most places I shop at use paypal, or credit cards. I didn't know paypal didn't allow gun sales (why not??), and I can understand how most people aren't set up for credit cards, now.

Thanks everyone.

I had UPS refuse to deliver some ammo I ordered. They wanted me to come pick it up. I told them no and would file a claim against them if they didn't deliver it... they did. EBay refuses to deal in guns. If I'm not mistaken, they own PayPal. The answer to your question is political correctness, where people judge others, regardless of the law and Constitution, and try to hold them to their warped standards.

 

[TheGewehrGuy]

I don't understand the liberals thinking behind guns being evil. If guns are evil, then so are other tools like chainsaws, kitchen knives, and baseball bats.

Its troubling that they can't differentiate the crowd behind crimes and murders, and the law-abiding citizens.

And that's ridiculous that UPS wouldn't deliver it. I have my ammo shipped to the Cabela's 2 miles away from me but I only buy when its on sale, which is usually a good deal since I don't pay shipping.


Just a heads up, Cabela's sale for .223 rem, Remington manufactured 55 grain FMJ ammo is starting tomorrow, $6.49 a box, I am going in early tomorrow to make sure I get some.

 

[dogtown tom]

bruzer I always remember the advice my Buddy gave me. If you pay with a Postal Money and the person tries to run out on you, it becomes a Federal Offense with a Postal Money Order. Luckily I've never had to question his advice but if paying with a money order, I always go POSTAL!
Mike

Uh.....it's a Federal crime because it's MAIL FRAUD, not because a USPS money order was used. You could mail bubble gum wrappers as payment and it carries the same weight as a USPS money order if the seller is scamming you.

As far as money orders.....There are more security features built into NON USPS money orders, plus you can call and verify the authenticity of WalMart MoneyGram money orders.

 

[evan price]

@ dogtown:

Calling to verify is honestly worthless, the current scam going around is to buy a legitimate money order and then to make duplicate copies of it. As long as nobody has cashed theirs yet it will always be 'good' on the phone. The scammers look to make eBay or other such purchases for a common dollar amount and send a large batch all at once.

 

[dogtown tom]

evan price @ dogtown:

Calling to verify is honestly worthless, the current scam going around is to buy a legitimate money order and then to make duplicate copies of it. As long as nobody has cashed theirs yet it will always be 'good' on the phone. The scammers look to make eBay or other such purchases for a common dollar amount and send a large batch all at once.

If my buyers money order isn't for the exact amount of the sale I would send it back. The "just send me back the change" for my money order (or cashiers check) isn't just a current scam.........it's been going on since the days of mail order BEFORE ebay and the internet.

If the heat sensitive "dot" on a Wal Mart money order doesn't change color it's a copy. That would be a hint that you shouldn't bother calling.

USPS money orders are counterfeited more frequently than any other money order because they lack such a feature.

There is no method of payment that is completely safe for both buyer and seller. Ultimately you have to place some trust in the sellers feedback and transaction history.

 

[Remo223]

I've bought tons of stuff on gunbroker...never used anything BUT USPS money orders. I don't care if they WILL accept credit cards or personal checks, only money orders for me. Money Orders is the way to go. Credit card companies are a rip off when it comes to making purchases with just a verbal credit card number. I can tell you from experience that they will rip off the seller and charge the seller an arm and a leg for the transaction. Then the seller must pass the cost on to the buyer.

In short, credit cards suck. Money orders cost what? a buck and a half? That's the deal of the century.

 

[fggrub]

Gewehr 98

Check the head space on the Gewehr 98 with a Go/NoGo gauge before you shoot that rifle. Had looked at three Gewehr's and all seem to have problems closing the bolt completely. They are cheap, but there has to be a reason for that. Also, I am not sure that they can take modern high pressur loads.

As far as Gunbroker, they seem to be one of the best out there. Have purchased quite a few rifles from their listings. The Money Order requirement just shows you that people don't trust the Banks with their credit card system. The good old USPS is still the best and most secure.

 

[MattTheHat]

I can tell you from experience that they will rip off the seller and charge the seller an arm and a leg for the transaction.

With any volume at all, a vendor's credit card "discount fee" is less than 2.5%. I'd hardly call that an arm and a leg.

In short, credit card suck.

I have to disagree about credit cards sucking. At the very least, with a credit card, you have the automatic protection that if the item never arrives, or if it arrives and is not as advertised, you can dispute the transaction with your credit card bank if the seller won't make it good.

However, as mentioned, most individual sellers on GB don't take cards.

Money orders cost what? a buck and a half? That's the deal of the century.

Plus the cost of your time to go get the darned thing. In the case of a postal money order, that's 30 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. But, as others have mentioned, many seller require a postal money order.


-Matt