Clearly the overall success rate for transactions on places like Gun Broker and Auction Arms, and on GunsAmerica, is pretty darn good; otherwise, the places would go under -- and quickly -- because of the storm that would reign down on them. But you have to know going in that, despite your best efforts, some things can go wrong. Not everyone out there is honest, and some folks out there are out-and-out crooks; just look at some of the posts in the "Rating Transactions" section here. If you keep you eyes open, do your homework in advance, ask appropriate questions in advance, and maintain communication throughout the process, the chances are good that you'll do just fine. As the Boy Scouts used to tell us, Be Prepared.