How do you protect yourself?
- Thread starter jsonnier
- Start date
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Ask for references (atleast 2) or feedback from other people he has sold to, If he acts offended - don't give him your business.
Pay with a postal money order and keep the receipt.
If the deal is way to good to be true, it might be a sign for concern.
Talk to him on the telephone rather than just email, if he refuses to talk to you on the telephone, it could be a sign for concern. You can make a good judgement on his character by speaking to him "live".
Make a probe into some personal conversation, see if he's secretive and snaky or if he's open and friendly. It would take some major deviance for the seller to be open and friendly all the while having intentions to screw you.
I think it would be OK to ask how many transactions he has had to make a judgement on his capability of making it happen.
Ask if he has a FFL.
Pay with a postal money order and keep the receipt.
If the deal is way to good to be true, it might be a sign for concern.
Talk to him on the telephone rather than just email, if he refuses to talk to you on the telephone, it could be a sign for concern. You can make a good judgement on his character by speaking to him "live".
Make a probe into some personal conversation, see if he's secretive and snaky or if he's open and friendly. It would take some major deviance for the seller to be open and friendly all the while having intentions to screw you.
I think it would be OK to ask how many transactions he has had to make a judgement on his capability of making it happen.
Ask if he has a FFL.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
If buying from another THR member, run a search through our Rate Private & Retail Transactions forum to see if others have had problems in dealing with them.
Also, I don't buy from anyone who isn't a contributor in the regular forums.
Also, I don't buy from anyone who isn't a contributor in the regular forums.
Eleven Mike
Member
Wrong sub-forum? Off-topic?
Sometimes I just make my purchases at honest dealers with
excellent reputations. For example, Dixie Gun Works. If one day they ever take your money and run it will be the day we can say Abracadabra and transform water into vodka.
excellent reputations. For example, Dixie Gun Works. If one day they ever take your money and run it will be the day we can say Abracadabra and transform water into vodka.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Mike-
It technically could get shunted into one of the other sub forums, but I don't have a serious problem with the discussion being parked here.
It technically could get shunted into one of the other sub forums, but I don't have a serious problem with the discussion being parked here.
rustymaggot
Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2005
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- 838
i disagree on some points. a seller who is reluctant to give his home phone number may just be a guy who has had bad experiances with buyers and wants his privacy.
also, people wanting to screw you over will definately chat about things because they want you to feel more comfortable.
theres a risk buying online. there are things you can do to lessen this risk, like dealing with reputable thr members, but overall follow your gut. dont be blinded by the idea of a good deal. and alot of honest guys just put out the feeling of scum, they cant help it.
also, people wanting to screw you over will definately chat about things because they want you to feel more comfortable.
theres a risk buying online. there are things you can do to lessen this risk, like dealing with reputable thr members, but overall follow your gut. dont be blinded by the idea of a good deal. and alot of honest guys just put out the feeling of scum, they cant help it.
No problem, rustymaggot, I could say the sky is blue and the grass is green and someone would disagree, citing the presence of clouds or arid regions where grass instantly browns.
I, personally, would not buy a firearm without speaking to the individual on the telephone, the guy that wants his privacy doesn't get my buck, oh well, surely someone does and will offer personal communication.
I, personally, would not buy a firearm without speaking to the individual on the telephone, the guy that wants his privacy doesn't get my buck, oh well, surely someone does and will offer personal communication.
Eleven Mike
Member
jsonnier,
Justin's a moderator, so his decision stands. I'm fine with that. He and other moderators have been pretty quick to lock off-topic threads lately, so I was a bit surprised to see him respond to a post that didn't seem firearm-related without locking it. The "Rate Transactions" forum (look all the way down on the THR home page) would seem like the right place to go, (if you're talking about buying guns) especially as that is where you find people more likely to have experience with online deals.
http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=2
Welcome to The High Road.
Justin's a moderator, so his decision stands. I'm fine with that. He and other moderators have been pretty quick to lock off-topic threads lately, so I was a bit surprised to see him respond to a post that didn't seem firearm-related without locking it. The "Rate Transactions" forum (look all the way down on the THR home page) would seem like the right place to go, (if you're talking about buying guns) especially as that is where you find people more likely to have experience with online deals.
http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=2
Welcome to The High Road.
MRIman
Member
I've done over 70 deals with people,all gun "stuff".
I always use a Postal MO,and have never been burned.
MRI
I always use a Postal MO,and have never been burned.
MRI
When buying online, there's always room to get burned. It's one of the risks, but the reward is generally finding better prices. Once you send the seller your money, you're sort of in the breeze hoping he'll send you the gun as promised. Sure, he could screw you, but it would get back to him if you have his name & address (which you usually do since you have to ship your money there). I agree that talking to the guy on the phone is a good idea.
Personally, when I bought a gun online, I was nervous after I shipped off my postal money order. But, I did have the guy's name, phone #, and address, so if it went bad at least I had that going for me. Plus, I wouldn't buy a really expensive gun online. A few hundred bucks is a lot of money, but if I got screwed and lost it, I could recover. But if I were buying something like a Barrett, I wouldn't buy it online.
Just my $.02....
Personally, when I bought a gun online, I was nervous after I shipped off my postal money order. But, I did have the guy's name, phone #, and address, so if it went bad at least I had that going for me. Plus, I wouldn't buy a really expensive gun online. A few hundred bucks is a lot of money, but if I got screwed and lost it, I could recover. But if I were buying something like a Barrett, I wouldn't buy it online.
Just my $.02....
protecting yourself with internet purchases
Use a credit card!!!
Reason is that if you contest a billing to a card, then BY LAW the credit card company MUST CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT for the amount.
But you only have 60 days to contest.
If the credit card company investigates and determines that you are at fault, then they can remove the credit.
We've had two practical experiences. One against Geocities.
The last experience resulted in a criminal credit card fraud charge.
Fraud occurred for denying Internet services paid for but not received.
http://www.prosefights.org/cibolafraud/bbb/bbb.htm
Use a credit card!!!
Reason is that if you contest a billing to a card, then BY LAW the credit card company MUST CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT for the amount.
But you only have 60 days to contest.
If the credit card company investigates and determines that you are at fault, then they can remove the credit.
We've had two practical experiences. One against Geocities.
The last experience resulted in a criminal credit card fraud charge.
Fraud occurred for denying Internet services paid for but not received.
http://www.prosefights.org/cibolafraud/bbb/bbb.htm
Billp......Thats what I will start doing....Didnt think about credit cards and the fact that you could stop the charge if things werent on the up and up......Thanks guys . Now I have a better feling about buying online . This all started Monday morning when I sent a 2300.00 dollar cashiers check . I know the guy is on the up and up but I got nervous on this transaction .
Dr. Dickie
Member
The problem with a credit card is: individuals don't take them, companies (at least the ones I have seen selling guns on the auction forms-not companies with web sights) want to add 3%, and most folks will not use paypal anymore since they are so anti-gun.
So far, I have to say, I have done about a dozen or so purchases through individuals on this and other forms, and have had zero problems. I use postal MO when they want them, and even one person (that I purchased from a few times) I send cash (thou never much).
So far, I have to say, I have done about a dozen or so purchases through individuals on this and other forms, and have had zero problems. I use postal MO when they want them, and even one person (that I purchased from a few times) I send cash (thou never much).
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