Safest way to buy from out-of-state private seller ?

[Skydivesnake]

Hi folks,

I have tracked down a particularly rare firearm that I have been looking for a while, and am in contact with the seller through a gun forum, and now email. The seller is in Florida, seems like a decent chap but only has 26 posts on that forum and no gunbroker/ebay account or activity on any other forums under the same username. All my other deals have been FTF in Texas or through Gunbroker with folks with good ratings.

I have no reason to distrust the guy BUT to the same degree I have no way of knowing if he is going to take my payment and disappear, leaving me with zero recourse.

What have you folks done in this situation ? Arrange for a money order/cashiers check to go to the FFL which he would use and request that the FFL not hand over the check until the guy has handed over the firearm, or what ?

Cheers - SDS

[1wise1]

Insist to the seller that the sale be handled legally, and that means shipped by an FFL in Florida to your FFL in Texas. The two FFL's will coordinate the shipping and insurance and each of you will pay your own FFL. Tell your FFL to notify you when the FFL in Florida has possession of the pistol so you can send payment to the owner. Most FFL's don't want to be the couriers of buyers money but they are used to being asked to verify they are holding a gun for transfer pending payment.

I've done 3 or 4 this way in the Dallas area... using a highly professional, highly competent and very nice guy Tom Hart, Hart Sports, in Plano. Charges only $10. for CHL holders transfers. Just finished up a Glock trade with an owner in North Carolina went smooth as silk.

[Skydivesnake]

Insist to the seller that the sale be handled legally, and that means shipped by an FFL in Florida to your FFL in Texas. The two FFL's will coordinate the shipping and insurance and each of you will pay your own FFL. Tell your FFL to notify you when the FFL in Florida has possession of the pistol so you can send payment to the owner. Most FFL's don't want to be the couriers of buyers money but they are used to being asked to verify they are holding a gun for transfer pending payment.

I've done 3 or 4 this way in the Dallas area... using a highly professional, highly competent and very nice guy Tom Hart, Hart Sports, in Plano. Charges only $10. for CHL holders transfers. Just finished up a Glock trade with an owner in North Carolina went smooth as silk.

Great - that helps. I'll see if I can do something like that; maybe a paypal transfer to the seller once the Florida FFL has the firearm in hand and ready to ship would work.

Cheers,


SDS

[carlson1]

Insist to the seller that the sale be handled legally, and that means shipped by an FFL in Florida to your FFL in Texas. The two FFL's will coordinate the shipping and insurance and each of you will pay your own FFL. Tell your FFL to notify you when the FFL in Florida has possession of the pistol so you can send payment to the owner. Most FFL's don't want to be the couriers of buyers money but they are used to being asked to verify they are holding a gun for transfer pending payment.

I've done 3 or 4 this way in the Dallas area... using a highly professional, highly competent and very nice guy Tom Hart, Hart Sports, in Plano. Charges only $10. for CHL holders transfers. Just finished up a Glock trade with an owner in North Carolina went smooth as silk.

Great - that helps. I'll see if I can do something like that; maybe a paypal transfer to the seller once the Florida FFL has the firearm in hand and ready to ship would work.

Cheers,


SDS

You are not supposed to use PayPal for Gun items. They will lock your account and all your funds.

Be sure to use a Postal Money Order and signature required. If he runs off with the Postal Money Order you have the help of the Post Office.

Be sure to get an address and check it through Google. Get two phone numbers and call them.

I have done many this way and I have never had any trouble - knock on wood.

[sdmahoney]

You could always use an escrow service as well to hold the cash until the item is delivered.