Gunbroker experience

[SDDasher]

Moral of the story, use the USPS. They will spend a million dollars to prosecute a case. Involve a FFL holder and you have another layer of deep pocket protection.

Don't count on it.

I think he meant to say "They will spend a million dollars on a conference in Vegas!"........

 

[dtucker]

I have bought a rifle and sold a rifle on GunBroker only. So far it has been a good experiance. I am not really sure if their is a best method of payment to be sent for a purchase. My bank regardless will hold something for 2 days if it is over 500.00 bucks. The best deterent is do your homework, ask questions and talk with the person by phone if it is a first time purchase from them. If you have been buying and selling stuff for some years you tend to get a good grasp on reading people. Plus, i also go by my gut feeling on something if it does not feel right. Their is always another bargain right around the corner if it does not work out.

Dan

 

[Cold Bore]

I use paypal only when buying from private seller and paypal or credit card when buying from a business.

that way I can file a report and get a refund if I do not get the item, ...

Not if you're buying a firearm (and since this thread started with a "buying guns" question and the theme has stayed the same since, I have to think that's what we're still talking about here).

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/helpcenter/article/?solutionId=38957&m=SRE

You guys sure place a lot of misguided faith in the postal service kicking in doors and PayPal refunding your money. :

 

[jhord]

Basically you would be paying a business that's friendly to the seller and helping them broker the deal. Since the business has to pay a fee on all $$ received via CC payments, (usually 2-4% based on their monthly volume) that's why you have to pay the 4% fee. When you buy a $100 item at a store and pay with a CC, the store doesn't get $100 they get more like $97.50. You see most gun shops on GB saying there is an additional fee for CC payment, technically this is against their merchant policy, it should be listed as "3% discount for cash payment" or something along those lines. Clear as mud?

Can I ask how you guys use credit cards when it is not to a business?..To help avoid a fraudulent seller ? I've sold a few guns on gunbroker..One guy wanted to pay my local gun store w a credit card..The fees were silly 4 % ? Can someone explain this better..thanks, mike in ct .PS .I use bank checks when buying, maybe not a good idea?..I'd like to hear more about this??

 

[SShooterZ]

USPS is great for shipping, mainly because they don't ship near the heavy items that a FedEx or UPS does. If you think that they'll "send in the troops" though because you used them or a PMO, you're fooling yourself.

The ONLY issue I have run into, and I make sure to state it in ALL of my auctions for firearms, is that your FFL must accept from a non-FFL. And without fail, someone's FFL calls me to say I broke the law and that I can only ship a firearm if I am an FFL, which is completely incorrect. After some debating back and forth, they're usually OK with a copy of my DL. Hard to believe though that so many FFLs don't know the laws on shipping firearms.

Oh, and ship with insurance and adult signature. Just for piece of mind.

All in all though, my Gunbroker experience has been very good for the 60+ items I have bought and sold.

 

[SShooterZ]

paypal transfers money, they can not control what that money is used for.. this is a free world, the owner of the money on both sides of paypal are free to buy and sell whatever they want.

If they get any hint of you paying for firearms, they will lock your account and your funds until they deem it necessary then they will limit what you can send/receive. Just an FYI.

 

[jhord]

If you are using their money transfer service, no you are not "free" to buy and sell whatever you want. I don't agree with their policy, but that's THEIR policy. Violate their terms of service, they have the right to terminate your account.

paypal transfers money, they can not control what that money is used for.. this is a free world, the owner of the money on both sides of paypal are free to buy and sell whatever they want.

 

[Cold Bore]

I bought a Bat B Dasher from a seller on this forum, I paid with Paypal without any problems and received the rifle when the FFL got around to shipping it.

I have received a refund from Paypal regarding a camera I bought that never arrived, and I have also received a refund directly from my local credit card company regarding a camera lens I bought that never arrived.

what is in the box is of no concern to paypal or the credit card company, only if the item arrived in tact.

so when using paypal for gun transaction just state it's hardware... what type of hardware is between buyer and seller....

A refund for a camera is totally different than a firearm, especially with PayPal.

When you go to file that claim for a firearm deal gone bad, feel free to go on insisting that it was "hardware" being sent to an FFL address, rather than direct to you.

And it IS a concern to them regarding what's in the box. You'll have to show some sort of proof to establish value. You can't insure a $200 scope and expect to recover $1000 just because you "insured" it for that much.

On a related note, if you do state "hardware", and the guy sends you a box of rusty wrenches, what is your recourse with PayPal? You'll have to show some proof of what you're trying to claim against, so do you say "It was for nicer wrenches", but refuse to show any further proof? Again, good luck with that... :

paypal transfers money, they can not control what that money is used for.. this is a free world, the owner of the money on both sides of paypal are free to buy and sell whatever they want.

And they transfer that money under terms that you agreed to when you opened an account. Whether you agree with it or not, you agreed that you would not use PayPal for firearms purchases. So as soon as you try to file a claim, involving a firearm, what do you think they're going to refer you to?

How are you going to force the seller to admit that it was a rifle that was supposed to be in that box, and not a bunch of broken-handled hammers?

People are free to buy and sell as they choose (within limits and laws), just as businesses are likewise free to set terms on how their services will be used.

The world ain't as "free" as you might like to think....

 

[Cold Bore]

If you are using their money transfer service, no you are not "free" to buy and sell whatever you want. I don't agree with their policy, but that's THEIR policy. Violate their terms of service, they have the right to terminate your account.

paypal transfers money, they can not control what that money is used for.. this is a free world, the owner of the money on both sides of paypal are free to buy and sell whatever they want.

And to not pay any claims, that are based on a violation of their policy.

(You were typing at the same time as me)

 

[Cold Bore]

And before somebody jumps in with "Just pay as a 'gift' "....

You're REALLY giving up all of your rights then.

Hard to claim you gave the money as a "gift", and then received nothing in the mail in return.

Send it as a "gift", and it is TOTALLY up to the seller to stay honest on their end.

 

[Forum Boss]

Paypal policy clearly prohibits the use of Paypal to buy/sell firearms and many firearms-related products.

I have just banned Dansig for suggesting otherwise and for his other past misstatements of U.S. Law and commercial shipping regulations.


See: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/helpcenter/article/?solutionId=38957&m=SRE

We don’t allow PayPal members to buy or sell any kind of firearm, whether it’s in working order or not. The same goes for certain firearm parts and ammunition.

For example, using PayPal, you can’t buy or sell:

Any firearm, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns, whether they’re for sport and recreation, collectibles, or curio or relic firearms.
Firearm parts, including but not limited to receivers and frames, silencers, and kits designed to modify guns so that they fire automatically. High capacity magazines, multi-burst trigger activators, and camouflaging firearm containers are other items in this category.
Ammunition, including propellants like gunpowder or blank ammunition; ammunition or cartridge cases; and primers, bullets, or propellant powder designed for any firearm.

 

[kc_hhsl]

I would suggest you stay with US Postal Money Orders. When they arrive you cash them at the post office and mail the item (or take the cash to the person shipping the item on your behalf).

I would not take a cashiers check what so ever. If you do tell the person you will not ship item for two weeks.

I would not take a personal check. Though processing times have gotten a lot better I would lean heavily towards the postal money order. They are in-expensive and they speed the process up. However, if you get a personal check - hold it for 2 weeks (14 days). Your bank might send it off for collection and two days later it comes back NSF and send it back again and again two days later it comes back NSF. You are now 4 to 6 days into this. Your bank can re-send it for collection a 3rd time - and if no funds it comes back. Unless your bank calls you - and big national banks don't have the time - you could send the item and still not get your moneys unless you wait sufficient time.

If I am buying something - I am going to us a postal money order and mail it. Inside I will identify what I'm buying on a note. Will even write it on the money order. Or I'll use a credit card (then I can get my moneys back most of the time ... never had an issue to try.)

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Recent GB experience. I just had to pay more than 10% add on bullshit costs. Fees, taxes. I am pissed.
I get shipping and tax, but there are other hidden fees. Buyer beware.

 

[Brians356]

I've had great luck buying on GB, but I only purchase from brick-and-mortar stores or pawn shops with extensive GB selling histories and positive ratings on GB. Typically such a store has several items listed at any given time. Using the "Ask seller a question" button I obtain their phone number and call them, to chat and verify they are a business and obtain their physical address. I then find their store on Google maps. Invariably they accept credit card payment, just like any store, and post in the listing either their credit card fee, or "No credit card fee". If I win an item, I call them and provide them my local receiving FFL info (a local gun-friendly pawn shop I have established a relationship with) and conclude the credit card transaction.

I'm not encouraging anyone here to follow my example. I only state my approach FWIW.
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[Straightshooter1]

Recent GB experience. I just had to pay more than 10% add on bullshit costs. Fees, taxes. I am pissed.
I get shipping and tax, but there are other hidden fees. Buyer beware.

Sounds like they're taking the same road that ebay has.

I bought two guns from there and got good deals, but I never tried to sell anything.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Sounds like they're taking the same road that ebay has.

I bought two guns from there and got good deals, but I never tried

Sounds like they're taking the same road that ebay has.

I bought two guns from there and got good deals, but I never tried to sell anything.

One more reason I try to buy/sell on this site.

 

[Brians356]

Recent GB experience. I just had to pay more than 10% add on bullshit costs. Fees, taxes. I am pissed.
I get shipping and tax, but there are other hidden fees. Buyer beware.

Are you talking about hidden buyers' fees? That's odd, I knew ahead of time exactly what any fees would be, not aware they try to hide anything. There's a small buyer's fee GB explains:

The Compliance Fee is a fee assessed by GunBroker.com and added to the price of the Item at the time of purchase. ... The compliance fee is currently 1% of the purchase price of the item.

Re: Taxes, it's been many years now since Internet purchases result in sellers collecting your state's sales taxes from you the buyer.

Re: Shipping: Seller's generally state shipping up front.

Re: Credit card fees: many seller's state a credit card fee, others advertise "No credit card fee" as an inducement. If you were assessed a surprise fee you may feel ill used certainly. GB advises:

Contact the seller to get information, and carefully review the terms and conditions posted in the item listing. Make sure you clearly understand the shipping terms and amounts (who pays?), payment terms (can you pay by personal check, credit card, etc.), and other details. If you have questions about any of the terms, please contact the seller by clicking Ask Seller a Question.
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[Infrequent Shooter]

Are you talking about hidden buyers' fees? That's odd, I knew ahead of time exactly what any fees would be, not aware they try to hide anything. There's a small buyer's fee GB explains:

The Compliance Fee is a fee assessed by GunBroker.com and added to the price of the Item at the time of purchase. ... The compliance fee is currently 1% of the purchase price of the item.

Re: Taxes, it's been many years now since Internet purchases result in sellers collecting your state's sales taxes from you the buyer.

Re: Shipping: Seller's generally state shipping up front.

Re: Credit card fees: many seller's state a credit card fee, others advertise "No credit card fee" as an inducement. If you were assessed a surprise fee you may feel ill used certainly. GB advises:

Contact the seller to get information, and carefully review the terms and conditions posted in the item listing. Make sure you clearly understand the shipping terms and amounts (who pays?), payment terms (can you pay by personal check, credit card, etc.), and other details. If you have questions about any of the terms, please contact the seller by clicking Ask Seller a Question.
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when I buy something I don't want to spend 15 minutes studying the GD fine print.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

when I buy something I don't want to spend 15 minutes studying the GD fine print.

been buying on GB for quite a while. I am 90 % sure these fees are new.

 

[Brians356]

been buying on GB for quite a while. I am 90 % sure these fees are new.

Well I just bought a gun on 2 November, and the buyer's "Compliance Fee" fee I paid is still specified on GB's web site today as 1% of purchase price.

https://support.gunbroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403265895579

Any other fees would be levied by the seller (e.g. credit card fee), not by GB.
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