[MrWolf]

I have been looking for an 1894 357 and saw a nice one for $700 on Armslist. Luckily I remembered seeing the picture of that gun during another search for a different price from a different seller also on Armslist. Scammers were using the same pictures of the same gun. I will state that the Armslist folks acted quickly to mark the post as a scam. As they say buyer beware. I also posted this on Castboolits where I am also a member.

Ron

 

[69Viking]

I've seen enough warnings about scams on Armslist that I won't even bother ever trying to find a gun I need there, just not worth the risk.

 

[mazer]

I feel the same as 69Viking, especially since most of the guns I'm looking for are not cheap. I know folks can have good luck, but my luck doesn't always run that good! Best not to be tempted by deals that look too good to be true and probably are.
Thanks for the reminder guys! Cuz sometimes I'm weak and will look on Armslist and get tempted!!!!!! Darn Marlinitis!

 

[mearl]

I have bought a couple and sold a couple via armslist. Made one extremely good deal for me, the rest were fair on both ends. Never had a bad transaction. If someone wont go through a ffl, talk on the phone, meet face to face (if possible) or if in general they have bad communication I wont deal. You just got to use common sense and be smart.

 

[JBledsoe]

.

I do not buy guns sight unseen anymore. It's face to face or no deal. Mo members may be exceptions. :biggrin:

 

[Rickys2]

Here a trick you can use to check if it a scam. First ask for the shipping Information to make payment. Till went you get that ask for a copy of their D/L and see if it match. Use a USPS MO for payment

 

[MrWolf]

Was still in contact with the guy and finally asked him to provide the serial number. Matched the other listing. He emailed again asking for payment and FFL info. I told him seems to be a problem as post was noted to be a scam and if he could prove he had the firearm and was the rightful owner. Don't think I will hear from him again.

 

[miket156]

I check Armslist every week to see who is selling what. Generally, the prices are higher than can be had at Estate Auctions and "some" Gun Shows. I have talked to several sellers but I have not bought anything through Armslist for one reason or the other. Not everyone is a Scammer, but the guys are right, its face to face or no deal.

I had one instance that a guy had a Marlin 30-30 at market price and in nice shape. We made arrangements to meet halfway between Central PA and Harrisburg. The guy never showed up. I called his cell phone number and got his VM, I left him a message. No call back. When I got home I see an email from him and he said he got tied up in Harrisburg traffic and couldn't make it. Said he lost my phone number. Then he said we could try for another day. Right.

If he wasn't a LIAR, he was an IDIOT. I spent $$ on gas and lost a lot of a Saturday when I had better things to do.


Mike T.

 

[336 Fan]

This sort of thing happens all of the time on Armslist. The only safe way to purchase anything through armslist is either through a dealer, or a face to face transaction only. Armslist does not offer any type of safety net for the buyer.

As a person with very little experience with buying guns online, is this true with all the online sites out there, or do some have better safety nets than others?

 

[Rickys2]

Not a fan of Gunbroker. Bought 95% of my Marlins here on MO. :biggrin:

 

[Ret_Eng]

+1 on Gunbroker--I have had nothing but great results from that website. However--you need to be smart about shopping there just like any other website. I don't do business with new sellers or those with less than a A+ rating. If the seller can't send or post additional pics of the rifle or pistol from all angles--I don't do business with them. If the seller can't or won't answer emails--I don't do business with them either. I have given up on Armslist--seems that most sellers don't bother to respond to emails or phone calls. I don't waste my time there anymore.

 

[Sharkey]

If you see something on Arms list that interest you ...... Ask if they are on a forum at you can at least check them out ...... I am on another forum and have sold multiple items and I have good feed back with a join date of a few years back ...... I would happly give someone the address to check up on me ..... Not everybody on Arms list is a thief ....... Just saying

 

[MrWolf]

I just purchased an 1894 45 on gunbroker. Coming from an FFL to my FFL in Jersey. Tell you next week when tracking says it will get here if I got screwed. Problem I am having is NJ is such a lousy gun state that trying to find something FTF is hard. You have to wait to hear about a deal from a friend of a friend. Speaking if that if anyone knows someone looking to sell an 1894 .357, keep me in mind :biggrin:

 

[djj2012]

I would not risk buying a box of ammo off armslist unless f2f in local area. No not everyone is dishonest but I certainly will not take a chance to see if they are honest or dishonest, I use armslist for browsing and comparing prices, but no safety net if you do get screwed. Why take the chance.

 

[Konnorman]

Got to be real carefull on armslist there is so many scammers I will only do a face to face sale .

 

[miket156]

As a person with very little experience with buying guns online, is this true with all the online sites out there, or do some have better safety nets than others?

You have to check the rules of each website you deal with when money is involved. For example, you only have to provide a generic email address to sign up on Armslist. Anyone can join, give a false name and use a generic email address, so there is no way of tracking them down if its a scam.

Gunbroker requires a dot.net email address. They can trace you back to your ISP if its a scam. If you don't have a dot.net address, then you have to pay them $1 to join, which requires a credit card. They can also find you that way if its a scam.

I have had the most success with Estate Auctions and Private Sales. In the state of PA, transferring a LONG GUN does not require going through a FLF. The Auction company I have bought a number of Long guns from does not have a buyer fee. So whatever I bid is what I pay, and I walk out the door with the rifle after I pay the bid price. They do require a driver's license to ID each person that signs up to bid. So they can track you down if need be. The advantage is that I have not have to pay two FLF dealers and shipping to get rifles I bought. Those costs can add up fast. So a rifle that has a fair market value of $600 can end up being $700 by the time the deal is wrapped up. The most annoying thing is that FLF dealers that handle those transactions do them when they get time. I can't blame them either, they take care of their own customers first and FLF transfers can wait.


Mike T.