URGENT: What if I refuse to pay for a gunbroker auction?

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TTv2

TTv2

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There's an auction that ends in a the next 90 mins, so this is very time sensitive.

Recently I got burned on an auction with a black powder revolver that has a pitted and rusty bore when the seller said it was good. So, I came across a black powder antique rifle from the 1870's that looks in great condition outside, but I can't make out much with pictures of the bore. The seller is 30 mins away from me and I asked him if he'd be willing to meet to exchange money for the antique rifle to avoid shipping costs. Really, this is a ploy for me to inspect the gun, especially the bore, and if I found something at fault, I would refuse to pay and walk away.

Legally, what can happen if I do that? The seller hasn't responded to my question about meeting to avoid shipping.
 
Scooter22 said:
Nothing. He might give you a bad rating on GB but one isn't going to get you banned.
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jrmiddleton425 said:
Legally? Nothing. Scooter22 beat me to it.
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Alright, good. I've been wanting one of these antique rifles for a while but had been waiting for someone more local to sell one so I could do exactly what I plan to do and check it in person.

I figure even if there's something wrong with it, I could offer him less money in person and tell him he either takes it or leaves it.
 
George P said:
Why not ask for a 3 day non-firing inspection window? Typically done all the time
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Ask him after the auction is done or when we meet in person? He's not going to hand me the rifle without me paying him and after that, he'll probably leave me high and dry if I find an issue.

He's stating in the description that it's a strong candidate for firing and that's my intention. I WANT to shoot one of these antique rifles so bad...
 
When folks buy on auction sites, it is very customary for the seller to offer the buyer a 3 day period (non-firing) to inspect and look over the gun, and if it is not as advertised, to be able to return for their money back, minus shipping costs
 
A real reputation wrecker if you choose to not pay. You should have cleared that request with the seller prior to bidding. What does his return policy specify? If the terms are NO RETURNS , ALL SALES FINAL , and you are that leery , you should have stayed out.

Would not want to be in your shoes...
 
So, you want to change the terms of the auction and bid without getting approval from the seller? If you bid, you basically made a contract. I suppose if you don't hold up your end and fail to pay the seller could take you to small claims court in your state as well as wreck your GB reputation.
 
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Waveski said:
A real reputation wrecker if you choose to not pay. You should have cleared that request with the seller prior to bidding. What does his return policy specify? If the terms are NO RETURNS , ALL SALES FINAL , and you are that leery , you should have stayed out.

Would not want to be in your shoes...
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After the last auction issue I had couple weeks ago, I decided after the next few things on my list are bought, I won't be using gunbroker much anymore. I have 3 or 4 more used guns on the list that I can only get off gunbroker because my local shops never have anything used that's of interest to me... or of an acceptable price. *I.E. $200 USED Hi-Point .40 caliber.*

I messaged the seller a few days ago and haven't gotten a response from him. The only positive here is he lives 30 mins away.
 
ColtPythonElite said:
So, you want to change the terms of the auction and bid without getting approval from the seller?
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Yeah, that's pretty much where that stands at this point given he may flat out refuse to meet with me in person so I can pay him and he can give me the rifle and we can avoid shipping.

Which I'd like to do as the rifle could get damaged in shipping.
 
Okay, he has listed on the page that he offers a 5 day inspection period. So, that's a real positive.
 
George P said:
So, IF you win, offer to meet in person THEN and be prepared to pay him the price you won at, not some low-down last minute attempt at haggling
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It would be pretty low of me to do that, but given what I've been through with the last auction I won, I don't blame myself. He's at least offering a refund/inspection period, which I can't say others I've dealt with recently have.
 
Doesn't GB require shipping to FFL. Even in state I think the seller has to use an FFL to transfer.

I had this come up and as I was about an hour away. Seller said he had to deliver it to FFL and I was free to go there and pick it up. Basically meeting their FFL requirements. I think GB monitors that stuff.

Just hope you get out bid. There's about a 99% chance of that. :D
 
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In FL, FTF transactions for handguns and longguns are perfectly legal ( well, for the time being currently, all things considered)
 
CoalTrain49 said:
Doesn't GB require shipping to FFL. Even in state I think the seller has to use an FFL to transfer.

I had this come up and as I was about an hour away. Seller said he had to deliver it to FFL and I was free to go there and pick it up. Basically meeting their FFL requirements. I think GB monitors that stuff.

Just hope you get out bid. There's about a 99% chance of that. :D
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It's a pre-1899 antique, no FFL required.

Probably will get outbid, that happens to the majority of my bids.
 
Mr. OP TT ,

You stated -
"I won't be using gunbroker much anymore." That's your call , but you cannot blame Gunbroker for either your present or past predicament. It's an auction - you (anyone) reads the terms , assesses the auction item , and is free to bid or walk away. Bidding constitutes agreement to terms.

Also - " I don't blame myself." Sorry , but you chose to bid and therefor agreed to terms. After getting "burned" on a previous auction I am surprised that you bid on the current one without being certain of the return policy.

Perhaps you are not a good candidate for online purchases. Best of luck with this one.
 
Thanks for the quick replies everyone. The seller finally did get back to me and he agreed to do a FTF transaction.

Unfortunately, the Snider rifle is going into prices that I can't justify, even though it's in superb condition.

pix479066208.jpg
 
A lot depends on what kind of bore you expect a black powder rifle of that time period to have. It is almost certain to have some pitting and darkness . Just a hunch based on your posts - you will not think the bore is acceptable.
 
I found a shotgun on GunsAmerica and contacted the seller. He was about 2 hours away, so I negotiated the price...it was new so didn't have to worry about condition...then drove to his place and paid cash. Don't know what he worked out with GA. Your free to work out any deal you want, but GB will really frown on you bidding and reneging on the deal. The 3-day return is the best ethical answer to your question.
 
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