private party sale with unregistered Armslist seller

[stonebuster]

I'm looking at a revolver on Armslist listed by an unregistered Armslist seller. I did have one Armslist experience with a scammer who posted pics from a different site with a deal too good to be true. This would be a face to face transaction in a public place. He states he's a resident of my state but has an out of state phone which he brought up himself. I would need to see his permit or driver's license to verify his residence to be legal in my state. He also only posted one photo of the gun which he states is perfect which makes me wonder if he "borrowed" a photo from somewhere else. Does any of this sound fishy to you more experienced guys with private online sellers?

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

It sounds a little sketch to me. I'd probably show up prepared to do the deal, but with plenty of caution and preparation to walk away quick.

If you choose to do it, ensure you agree to a meeting place that YOU are comfortable with, and arrive early.

Cash is king, and you have the cash, so you are in charge of the deal.

 

[kmw1954]

I would also suggest to not go alone!

There is another thread like this and my deal is trying to figure if the whole deal is legit. Here in Wisconsin we can do face to face between residents. But with my general location between Chicago and Milwaukee there are a lot of gang bangers traveling in-between. How do I know the gun wasn't stolen or used in a drive by shooting?

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Agreed in principle. Presuming a similar concern here (I read “northeast” as OP’s location, FWIW). But that is a risk we take in a face-to-face transaction. It’s up to the OP to decide.

As a previous poster said, take a buddy. One preferably with a CHL.

 

[theothermike]

You can do a google search of the actual image itself. This will tell you quickly if he got off some website.

 

[Spats McGee]

I've bought a handful of things that were advertised online, but only 1 that was actually on Armslist. Here are my thoughts:

I'm looking at a revolver on Armslist listed by an unregistered Armslist seller. I did have one Armslist experience with a scammer who posted pics from a different site with a deal too good to be true. This would be a face to face transaction in a public place.

So far, so good. As others have suggested, take a buddy. I also try to use parking lots that I suspect will have working cameras. For example, I have more faith that Home Depot will have working cameras than I do that the Dollar General will.

He states he's a resident of my state but has an out of state phone which he brought up himself. I would need to see his permit or driver's license to verify his residence to be legal in my state.

I'd just call him and have that discussion with him. The fact that he brought up the out-of-state phone puts me somewhat more at ease. (But that's just what a scammer would want, isn't it? ) If he seems like he's dodging the permit or DL question on the phone, call it off. I've told a couple of buyers, in specific terms, that I would need to see their CHCL or I would not make the sale. I have not had any pushback yet.

He also only posted one photo of the gun which he states is perfect which makes me wonder if he "borrowed" a photo from somewhere else. Does any of this sound fishy to you more experienced guys with private online sellers?

He posted one photo, but have you asked for more? It's OK to ask a seller to send you a few extra photos. In this age of cell phones and cameras, it's not that big of a deal to take a few and send them by text, provided that he actually has the gun. I'm pretty sure I've been asked to send some for the sole purpose of proving that I had the gun I was selling.

 

[Walkalong]

If in doubt, back out, there will always be another one sooner or later.

 

[Waveski]

The photo is not all that important given the fact that you will see and handle the actual firearm. The photo only serves to enable you to determine if you wish to go to the trouble of meeting to see the merchandise in real time.

Residence issue - I always require I.D. prior to allowing handling of item ; I state that in the ad. "Identification required , Carry permit strongly preferred". Inevitably I get multiple inquiries , some of which have the permit. Think of how many decline to contact because of that requirement.

Good deals do still happen. Team up with a friend , choose a good location , check the seller's I.D. first thing upon meeting , inspect the merchandise. If you are not comfortable with the situation there is always Cabellas'. Or Bud's. (ummm...)

 

[Axis II]

It doesn't sit right with me and IMO if you have any feeling its a scam it probably is and move on.

My buddy had this happen on craigslist with a canoe. They posted one picture, agreed on a meeting place, price, etc. He felt sketchy about it so asked me to go with. We arrived at circle K and no jeep with a canoe. They called chewing him out cause he wasn't at circle k. He says yes i am! Apparently they went to another circle k and would not come to the circle k we were at. We arrived and out stepped an older woman around early to mid 50's and they began to talk until a young male maybe 25-30yo covered in tattoos and pants falling off his butt got out and approached my buddy. I exited the truck and asked if all was okay and he asked who i was? I said I'm hear to help him load the canoe. They claimed to be BF/GF or husband and wife but the ages and styles threw me off a bit. Anyways, they didn't have a receipt like asked so he could register it with div of watercraft and then somehow found the receipt in their car. My poor buddy paid them $300 for a $800-1k used canoe and what he got was a dicks sporting goods special that cost $250-350 brand new. He found out later that day after showing a friend who canoe's a lot. The craigslist ad was removed that day and because they only had one picture he got hosed.

If it was me and the only had one picture I would move on. I passed up "screaming deals" on a few campers cause the pictures didn't satisfy me.

 

[George P]

If it sounds too good to be true; or if the hairs on the back of your neck start to tingle and stand up, go with your gut feeling and walk away.

 

[Salmoneye]

Lots of people here in Vermont have an out of state area code on their cell phones, so that in itself would not be a red flag to me...

I fully agree with the advice given so far...

 

[frankmako]

Yes lots of people in my area have out of state cell phones. I will also have one in two months when I move to Georgia. I see no reason to change numbers on my cell phone after 18 years. I would check his DL to see if he is a resident and take someone with you. Use a parking lot that has a camera and/or meet next to a police station. You can call the serial numbers in to local law enforcement to have them check for stolen gun.

 

[George P]

Lots of people here in Vermont have an out of state area code on their cell phones, so that in itself would not be a red flag to me...

I fully agree with the advice given so far...

Same here in Florida; anymore and out-of-area area code is no big thing

 

[jmorris]

Does he have a cell phone?

Ask him to send you a photo of the bottom of the barrel. If he does I’d put money on him having the pistol in hand.

One thing I do with any FTF is get the license plate info off the auto they are in.

 

[Wisco]

For me it depends mostly on the conversation. It’s pretty easy to figure out a scam.

There’s also a line somewhere between being cautious and making the other guy think you’re jerk. Been there...both ways.

 

[armedwalleye]

Just because you're buying a gun doesn't mean that should be the only gun there.
Keep the gun transaction money separate from your wallet.
Ask to see his driver's license to verify state residency
Park in an area of the lot where you can face the likely approach direction
Photo the license plate as he pulls up.
If you're still cautious, have a bill of sale ready to go and have him add serial number, name, address and signature.

 

[bassjam]

None of this really sounds that fishy to me. I've had dealings with several on Armslist who had out of state numbers. A drivers license is all that's needed to clear that up. Same with crappy pictures, I swear it seems like a quarter the guns on AL are posted with old flip phones! I've had to turn down one deal where fuzzy picture and a "Like new" condition was a misrepresentation of a barrel with half it's blueing worn off. But most times, the single fuzzy picture was just that and not a representation of the condition of the gun or seller.

 

[George P]

have a bill of sale ready to go and have him add serial number, name, address and signature.

If I have met the burden pf proof by showing either a CCW or DL, I am not signing anything not giving you my address or DL number, let alone my signature; MUCH too easy to have your identity stolen that way.

 

[hi-impact]

The very fact that you are asking this question about the unregistered Armslist seller should indicate to you that it makes you uncomfortable, therefore you should pay attention to the red flag from within you. Even though, I don't necessarily think anything you stated sounds particularly fishy.

You can take all the suggested necessary precautions, but you have to ask yourself what is the risk vs. reward. IMO, it's not worth the risk, unless it's something you can't live without or it's the deal of the century. But, I don't need another gun or to save a couple of bucks.

Although, I'm sure there are many on this forum that has done many Armslist transactions with no problems. You take your chances.

 

[kmw1954]

As long as we are discussing this I have had many talks with the FFL I deal with about this issue and background checks. Because of my general location I personally would be in favor of having a means of individuals being able to do a background check. I have no idea who you are or any means to prove who you are therefore I have no means to protect myself as a seller or buyer. I could be buying a stolen gun or one that was used to commit a deadly crime. So paranoia works both ways I guess. I'm afraid I cannot prove where I got the gun and your afraid I might steal your identity.

 

[hi-impact]

As long as we are discussing this I have had many talks with the FFL I deal with about this issue and background checks. Because of my general location I personally would be in favor of having a means of individuals being able to do a background check. I have no idea who you are or any means to prove who you are therefore I have no means to protect myself as a seller or buyer. I could be buying a stolen gun or one that was used to commit a deadly crime. So paranoia works both ways I guess. I'm afraid I cannot prove where I got the gun and your afraid I might steal your identity.

Exactly, that's why IMO it's not worth the risk.Too much risk, not enough reward.

 

[JTHunter]

Stonebuster - your attention to detail and caution is admirable.
I have two suggestions BEFORE you meet this person. Ask him to send you a picture of the SERIAL NUMBER on the gun, write it down to take with you so you can verify if it is the same gun.
Have a friend/family member you trust to go with you BUT in a separate vehicle and park nearby but out of sight of the meeting place. When you verify the seller's ID, the gun's serial number, and a final price, call your friend on your cellphone and have him bring you the cash. Have your friend count out the necessary amount BEFORE they drive up and hand ONLY that amount to you, not to the seller.
Good luck !!

 

[Sniper66]

I've bought been party to 5 cash deals with strangers; 2 as the buyer and 3 as the seller. All went off without a hitch, fortunately. I alway spend some time on the phone to get acquainted and have never had any reluctance in them answering reasonable questions. If I did, I would cancel the deal. I trust my own judgment in these transactions, but never take anything for granted. Some good advice in the other postings.

 

[George Dickel]

Meet the seller at the local police station, request the police do a serial number check on the gun and if the results come back good complete the deal. As far as the cell number, I'm moving to Florida at the end of the month and I will have a Tennessee area code cell phone number. As pointed out earlier an out of state cell number is pretty common any more due to the mobility of our society. One photo of a firearm doesn't necessarily mean it is junk, that is what a face to face sales allow you to do, see the firearm in person. Photos can be doctored to make something look far better than it really is. After seeing the gun in person make your decision to purchase or decline. I really don't see the problem you have with this purchase. My suggestion is that you limit your purchases to good friends and your LGS, your paranoia will be greatly reduced.

 

[George P]

Meeting at a police station? Seriously? And running a serial number? LEOs have more important stuff to do.