Won an auction, best way to pay?

[GoRon]

Just won an auction on Gunbroker, my first gun purchase over the internet.

It is an individual with no rating who was selling this gun and two others in different auctions.

We have corresponded via e-mail several times and everything appears in order and above board.

What is the best way to pay that gives me the most protection and/or recourse in the worst case scenario?

Gunbroker suggests Postal money orders.

What about sending the money order and FFL stuff registered mail?

Probably frettin over nothing but it is a sizable chunk of change.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Postal money order is the way to go. I wouldnt pay any other way.

You can send it registered mail as well for delivery confirmation.

That way you have supporting documentation should the seller try and stiff you.

 

[psyopspec]

No worries, I too believe that bigger purchases warrant more protection. For guns off gunbroker, I've always used postal money orders with delivery confirmation. Save all reciepts and stubs. This would allow you to make quite a case should something go wrong.

 

[cortez kid]

The way I do it is to send a Postal mo. The ffl usually send his form on his own. Mine also won't do anything with a non lic. individual, so keep that in mind for future ref. So far no problems. I use the snail mail. Nothing special.
kid

 

[rde]

I've always used U.S. Postal Money order. Although there is suppose to be some protection should this be a fraud you would probably be out of luck in reality. The only way that has a real built in safe guard is using a Credit Card. There is a element of risk. You really can't get around that...especially with a new seller and no feed back. However, I have taken that risk on a number of occasions, used a U.S.P.S. money order, have had good experiences, and gotten some great deals. New sellers have to start out somewhere.

 

[fredcwdoc]

I always use credit union money orders but as far as something better than another for recourse I'm not sure. Read the fine print, say a prayer, and send it off.

Some people use a third party. They hold the firearm until the money order arrives and then send it off. That way you don't send someone money and they skip out with it. 99.9% of gunbroker folks are honest but it's that small percentage that make you worry.

 

[berettashotgun]

ALWAYS use TRACEABLE funds- a mo from the local 7-11 won't cut it. Credit cards like discover and american express also have an insurance policy built into their purchases- they DO work. The USPS mo is excellent because the postal fraud unit will actually go and "GIT" a thief- it's a felony against the US govt, not the local state the crime was committied in IF the transaction crosses state lines. Never had any problems with 30+ purchases. Good luck.

 

[Old NFO]

Well, I do it a little differently... I get the guy to give me an FFL he will use, I call the FFL and get his number and address, verify it and forward the PMO plus $20 to him along with my ship to FFL. I also have the sending FFL verify the weapon, serno, etc. before he turns the check over to the owner and receives the weapon. I (knock on wood) have not been burned yet in six years.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I don't use an FFL on my end when selling guns. No need to. Just adding more funds to the sale. OTOH, its required by law to be shipped to an FFL dealer on the purchasers end.

 

[ken w.]

postal money order

I have used postal money orders for years.They are not a guarantee against fraud tho.I was scammed out of $40.00 and the Post Office wasn't interested in helping.I filled out the complaint form and the postal fraud online form,but I dought I will will ever see the money back.I have never been burned on the auction sites.Sellers have too much to loose by giving bad service.I would send a postal m/o or credit card without worrying about it.I would have it sent with delivery confirmation to make sure it gets there.

 

[boofus]

I like credit card so I can dispute the charge if I get stiffed. USPS MO is ok but not as good as CC.

 

[heypete]

I know PayPal does not allow the sale of firearms to be conducted via their service, but for accessories and whatnot, it works well.

Credit cards are great for sight-unseen purchases, as they usually give the benefit of the doubt to the buyer (i.e. you).

Otherwise, Postal Money Orders work quite well. A useful advantage of these is that unless you put your name on it, there's nothing to tie the money order to you, assuming you pay the post office with cash. Useful for the tin-foil hat types.

 

[Henry Bowman]

For as bad as Sarah Brady says all of us gun owners are, we sure do trust each other (gun-owning strangers) a lot -- and almost never lose.

 

[RTFM]

I would also say CC, even some bank cars/ATM cards that are Visa - Master card have fraud protection now, if you don't use credit.

RTFM

 

[GoRon]

Thanks for all the info folks.

I don't have the option to use a credit card so it looks like I will use Postal money order with delivery confirmation.

Just hearing all the feedback has put me at ease.

Tomorrow morning I will get the money order and send it off.

If all goes well I'll be shooting my new gun next weekend or early the following week.