What do ya'll think about buying a gun on an online auction? Is it safe and reliable-the gun for sale is claimed to have only 10 rounds fired through it. I am suspicious why anyone would sell a gun with that few rounds through it, but he says it is due to a divorce. Is there anything that could be wrong with a virtually brand new gun- less than a year. The gun looks very clean and new in the picture-what do ya'll think? -Nathan

I've bought a few guns and a lot of other things from those site and have never been burned...yet.

One thing is to check the feedback of the seller. Does it state a 3 day insp? Another is e-mail him and ask to speak to him personally about it. If you don't get that warm fuzzy feeling, then you'll have your answer.

I've been there!

Look, most (not all) gun owners are standup people. They could not legally own (and would then not legally transfer) guns if they weren't. It is one thing for a scammer, as noted recently here, to contact to buy a gun and scam you but a person with a gun for sale who can readily answer questions about it is probably on the up and up.

As pointed out earlier, if you do part of the deal through the USPS and make sure that you comply with the law, you'll be able to sick the Postal Inspectors on him if he fails to do right.

As mentioned, if you get the warm and fuzzy feeling, go for it. Heck you might just be making a life long friend as well!

I'll add that it is incumbent upon you that you know what it is that you're buying. Lots of people can't (or don't) read and thus are disappointed. Pay attention to the details.

[ 12-20-2002, 00:46: Message edited by: Hobie ]

This is a fraternity based largely on trust - trust that you won't handle weapons unsafely, trust that you won't handle weapons with ill intent, trust that you'll follow established, traditional rules. It's rare that the trust is violated since all members recognize its importance and violators are quickly expelled.

I buy and occasionally sell stuff on-line all the time. I've met some irrascible personalities, but haven't been outright swindled - yet.

Use your gut. Thousands of us buy/sell happily everyday and only a few get taken.

Redial

something to think about!! A few months back i bought a mini-bike on e-bay for my son. $300.00 plus 50.00 for freight. After i sent the money the seller said the freight was another 150.00. He said it had to be dissasembled and shipped ups. I told him no thanks, send my money back and was told he would not refund any since the auction was over. I figured,either lose 350 or spend anoyher 150.I sent the money and waited 2 weeks for a 2 day ups delivery. When the minibike arrived it was nothing like the pictures, long story short i ended up with a $75.00 frame .Part 2 is since ups did not deliver on time they refunded all the freight,All 200.00. The seller claims he never recieved the money in spite of an exact date, time and amount of the refund from ups. I got robbed online, most times things go well but not always---buyer beware.

There's always a chance that either the merchandise will not be up to what you expected or that the seller will be just plain crooked, but after dozens of transactions in guns and gun-related items, I've never been dissatisfied. For whatever reason, the people who dabble in guns seem to be more consistently honest than those who traffic in (mini-bikes, cameras, art, computers) or whathaveyou.

I'll keep on web-trading and do so with reasonable confidence. Besides, you can rest assured that the new Department of Homeland Security, along with Contra-John Poindexter is monitoring every gun-related transaction on the internet, so buy with confidence!

Some rules-of-thumb.

(1) Pay with US Postal Money Order...the Postal Inspectors many help if there is a problem..especially with firearms.

(2) Never send funds, etc to a Post Office Box...no street address, no deal.

(3) Never, never, never try to get around the laws that govern shipment and/or purchase of firearms .... and don't deal with anyone who suggests "it's OK, everyone does".

(4) Keep hard copies of everything including print-outs of e-mails etc.

I've bought 3 rifles online -- two were as advertised, one better than advertised. All were delivered quickly. I wouldn't hesitate to buy or sell online.

John

I've bought 2 online, 1st was as advertised, the other was in great shape, better than expected. I alway's check feedback and I want to talk to the person.

My opinion is shooters and hunters are honest individuals. I have both bought and sold over the Internet, and so far so good. I do check feedback on the sellers, and ask for a money order or certified check.

When I sell something, I extend a three-day inspection. If they send it back, I expect them to pay for shipping (no returns yet).

jim dodd

I recently won an online auction and the seller insisted that he can ship a rifle without having an FFL. After reading the ATF regulations I concluded that all interstate transactions must be between FFL holders. He still insisted that he can ship the rifle. After some convincing he said that he would find an FFL to ship it. Five e-mails later and no replies I gave up on the rifle. Luckily I told him I would not send $ until I received the FFL from him. I lost out on a rifle I wanted but at least I didn't lose any $. Does anyone know for sure what the law states about interstate transactions?

7x57,

Unless the laws have recently changed...

A longgun does not have to come from an FFL guy but does have to go to one. Shipping from private party to FFL guy is perfectly legal. By you requesting the seller also use an FFL on his end, you were going to cost the seller more money. Most likely that's why he backed out of the deal, I doubt I'd go through the extra cost either.

A handgun does however need to be shipped FFL guy to FFL guy.

Muleshoe, I offered to pay for any additional shipping costs and FFL fees. Also the FFL making the transfer for me said he could only do it if through another dealer.

I have an FFL and a non-licesee can ship me a long gun quite legally. The requirement for an FFL is only on the receiving end.

A lot of FFL holders are either full of shit or just plain ignorant of the law. Others are just smart-asses and think that they can intimadate non-licensees.