Private sales at night

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I've bought and sold quite a few firearms at night (even as late as midnight).

Sometimes people's schedules make it impossible to accommodate a meeting during the typical work day. :D



Naturally the predetermined meeting spot was well lit and some what populated:

1) Twenty four hour Wal Mart.
2) Busy gas station like a Flying J.
3) Dennys.

etc.
 
you can always do private sales in the parking lot of a police department, it's a smart idea.
 
Proper location and setting, I'm good with it. Heck, I did one transfer at a rest center on the PA turnpike. We did the transaction over dinner. :uhoh:
 
with a warning, "So don't be stupid and try to rob me, ok?
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Seriously? If you spouted that crap I would be looking at YOU as the threat. If you really feel that uncomfortable doing the deal with that person, you should not have agreed to meet in the first place
 
I have sold 11 firearms in the last year and at least half the deals were at night. One was at a Dairy Queen and the rest were at my house. I was packing.
 
Leaving the safety issues aside, you never look at anything (guns, bikes, cars, girls in bars or whatever) you want to buy at night. Your purchase, when seen in daylight, may not be what you thought it was.
 
For the right gun, I would meet you in the cemetery at midnight on Halloween, in Watts.
 
I was about to say "No way", but read Thorazine's method at night.

That would be the Only possibility.
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Also do a little research on the buyer.

Someone brand new on the forums with no history I might be a little a hesitant to do a midnight run.

However someone with a lot of reputation on the forums who has been around for a few years and who is very well known I would feel a lot more comfortable with meeting up at even three o'clock in the morning.
 
Take armed relatives with you or mention the fact they are around in another vehicle with a warning, "So don't be stupid and try to rob me, ok?" and you'll be fine. Doing business in the parking lot of a police station is good too.
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Yeah...Great Advice, Einstein!
 
I spent way too many years working shifts other than days.

As far as completing a deal, meet up someplace popular at night, buyer likely has a limited time window to work with. Been there.
 
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I usually meet in the daytime at a grocery store or Wal-Mart (abundant). I always pack heat (CCW holder). It's funny because every private sale I've done I end up chatting guns, ammo, politics for a solid 20 minutes. Everyone I've met has been great and haven't had any problems.

That being said, I did do a night sale one time and brought a buddy with me. Definitely feels a little sketchy but my 10mm eases that tension.
 
I sold several firearms when i lived in Miami, and instead of the police station parking lot I used the PD lobby. It works well day or night. Just clear it with them first. If your buyer balks, then you have your answer.
 
I try to go by the "If I think I need a gun to go there, Then I shouldn't go there" philosophy.
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Great philosophy Frank. A person can avoid a lot of trouble that way.
 
Day or night, I've never had any issues with buying/selling. Just use common sense and be smart where you pick your meeting spot. Gunshops make a good meeting place too.

I've even sold a pistol at 10pm at a restaurant parking lot. Not everyone can meet up during daylight hours, esp during winter seasons.

Doing business in the parking lot of a police station is good too.
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Uhh.. I highly doubt that is a good idea at all. If cops see you its not gonna look good.
 
the back row of the Waly-World parking lot at 9:00PM?
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Actually, Wally-World has video surveillance on the parking lots.

Store might close (many are open either late or 24 hours) at 2100, but the employees will not really leave until they get the store "closed" (register tills turned in, carpets vacuumed, etc.) which takes an hour or so.

Really, probably better to be in the W*M parking lot than, say, a gas station.

Although, it did a F2F in a gas station lot, with a really great THR member who worked 2nd shift.
I did an F2F with a different THR member in a parking lot at a Jack in the Box; great transaction, but that's when I decided to meet a BBQ joints instead.
 
I work graveyards and weekends, so stuff has to happen at night. I usually pick a pretty busy location like a grocery store parking lot, though.

That said, I perfer daytime transactions so I can see possible defects.
 
What's wrong with selling at a police station parking lot? You are not doing anything illegal, so what's the big deal?
In fact, I've done it. I sold my gun to a cop in front of his station.:p
 
Never ever have a stranger at your place. Make it a public place.
 
Fast Frank said:
I try to go by the "If I think I need a gun to go there, Then I shouldn't go there" philosophy.
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Frank, I agree with your philosophy but not in this application.

When it comes to selling items to strangers, it comes with a risk. So, therefore I carry my gun.

What are the alternatives?

Only sell your (Gun, car, motorcycle, etc...) to dealers? Many items have no resale market other than private sales.

Invite them to your house? No thanks.

I pretty much do all my transactions in the Cabelas parking lot, but I still carry.
 
Wow, I'm surprised how many won't buy or sell after dark. Do all of you work 2nd or 3rd shift or something? I've bought or sold stuff at least half a dozen times after dark. I'm armed and aware like I am everywhere else.
 
I try to watch the sunset from my living room as a personal life rule.

I like to say I have a black belt in avoiding trouble.

People give clues as to what their intentions are, for example, if the guy wanting to buy your gun wants to haggle with you over the price or asks questions about condition, then he is likely legit, if he says "Ya still got it? Does it work? I'll take it." Well, just maybe you should consider asking him to photocopy his ID and bring it with him just to see if he freaks.
 
Broad daylight in an appropriate public location only.
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I like a public parking lot that has video surveillance, local PD parking lot and/or the local Fire Station are good locations.
 
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