First Purchase Gunbroker

[spec50trout]

I made my first GB purchase over weekend. This is also first sale for seller, although he has bought several items on GB. He is a "certified member", with favorable reviews.

We have spoken and he seems like a good dude. Although a couple of things I can't confirm. Street address according to Google maps is off by one number(maybe he made mistake). His GB info. also has a different mailing address than where he wants payment sent. His credentials and place of employment given at bottom of emails is over 100 miles from his home(maybe he commutes his ass off).

He was intending to ship to my FFL as private citizen, but shipper won't let him. He now has to go through his FFL to mine. For a handgun this seems legit, please correct me on this. Could someone give approx. cost of shipping handgun from PA to LA. I know often retailers split, or cover the cost of shipping as the cost of doing business.

Our agreement is for me to send postal money order as payment. I would like to do so in an expedited fashion with good faith.

Thought I would run this by those more experienced than I. Please any advice or experiences would be well received. Thanks!

 

[tibodoe]

Welcome to the nasty money eating addiction that is Gunbroker
I would not worry if the address he requested payment to and his GB address are different.
When I moved I forgot to change mine also.
Shipping on a pistol can be all over the board. Some will only ship next day and that get ridiculous.
I would say around $30 would be in the ball park, shipped and insured. He could do it cheaper
but most don't know how.
The postal money order should give you some recourse if he goes bad on you. The postal inspector
and the ABC boys look at mail fraud involving a firearm really seriously.
The ffl ship is probably legit, as some shippers will not ship pistols.
I say all this with over 70 GB transactions, and none have gone bad. I am sure there are a few squirrels out
there, but I have not come across them yet.
Good luck, Bret

 

[candrews86]

Dont worry too much over it, I was paranoid at first as well. It's hard to purchase a gun sight unseen especially if it costs alot! I always look at the feedback of someone and I've had quite a few transactions now with zero problems. I also think gunbroker has some kind of accountability for the users as well. Sometimes its just regular old Joe's that arent really experienced with the laws and shipping etc. Thats probably why it might not be very smooth. Good Luck!

 

[Gus McCrae]

Welcome to the nasty money eating addiction that is Gunbroker
I would not worry if the address he requested payment to and his GB address are different.
When I moved I forgot to change mine also.
Shipping on a pistol can be all over the board. Some will only ship next day and that get ridiculous.
I would say around $30 would be in the ball park, shipped and insured. He could do it cheaper
but most don't know how.
The postal money order should give you some recourse if he goes bad on you. The postal inspector
and the ABC boys look at mail fraud involving a firearm really seriously.
The ffl ship is probably legit, as some shippers will not ship pistols.
I say all this with over 70 GB transactions, and none have gone bad. I am sure there are a few squirrels out
there, but I have not come across them yet.
Good luck, Bret

How do cheaply ship a pistol?

 

[petingrass]

UPS and FedEx will ship handguns but not necessarily at every location. FFL holders can use the US Postal Service but private citizens cannot. If USPS were allowed to ship liquor and handguns that would improve their financial situation but they are limited by regulation. last time I tried to ship a gun ups told me I had to go to the distribution center across town. FedEx location was clueless enough that I gave up and took it to my FFL which actually ended up being cheaper. They are allowed to use the USPS which is better rates because they don't have to to send it Priority Overnight, which UPS and FedEx require.

 

[Royst]

As the others said, don't worry much. GB is my go to place to purchase guns. I've bought at least 10 off the site and never had any problems. It's the best place to to buy. If you shop right you can usually get the best deal there.

 

[madwabbit]

i'll echo what's already being said- 8 purchases and never a bad deal. it'll pan out, GB weeds out the trash pretty effectively

 

[hunter5567]

FFL to FFL is a good deal too as if you have a problem with your purchase you can ship it back to the FFL.
Send payment Certified and they will have to sign for it to receive it or at least send it with Delivery Confirmation/Signature required.

 

[spec50trout]

Thanks fellas for holding my newbie hand. It's much appreciated.

 

[spec50trout]

Update. I went ahead and sent payment via certified mail as suggested. The only bummer is I had to pay for his transfer cost to ship to me. I guess I could have made a big deal of this as this was not part of the initial agreement. Oh well, lesson learned. Thanks again for the advice gentlemen!

 

[tibodoe]

How do cheaply ship a pistol?

I personally use a shipping service. Aim shipping on Perkins rd.
I have heard of people shipping pistols in USPS flat rate box. They just pack it tight and drop it off.
They will have trouble if it is lost or damaged.

 

[jvr]

I have used the ups store to ship guns.

Of the 10 transactions on gunbroker I encountered 1 problem; a blem on the stock that did not show in the picture. The owner immediately offered to have it returned at his expense and refund my shipping too. We resolved it quickly and all was good. If you are really concerned with sending the money. Contact a gb ffl at the sellers location; ask him to handle the transaction; send him the money and he can give it to the seller upon receipt of the firearm.

I have felt comfortable just sending the money directly to the seller.

 

[Ferrara Fire]

Non FFL's should not use USPS to send a gun.

Price IME is typically $15-$20 to ship a pistol. Weight effects price more than size, a heavy revolver costs more than a light pistol in a bigger box.

 

[spec50trout]

Non FFL's should not use USPS to send a gun.

Price IME is typically $15-$20 to ship a pistol. Weight effects price more than size, a heavy revolver costs more than a light pistol in a bigger box.

Ya'll will be doing the transfer for me. Thanks, and the new shop is pretty sweet!

 

[dixiejarhead]

GB is GTG. Just make sure they have good feedback.

 

[LSUSMC]

Non FFL's should not use USPS to send a gun.

Price IME is typically $15-$20 to ship a pistol. Weight effects price more than size, a heavy revolver costs more than a light pistol in a bigger box.

Why should they not use USPS?

 

[whitsend]

Why should they not use USPS?

I believe he is referring to a handgun in his post.

Long guns are ok for non FFL's to ship USPS.

Non FFL's shouldn't ship handguns USPS because it is illegal.

 

[LSUSMC]

Ahh thanks

I believe he is referring to a handgun in his post.

Long guns are ok for non FFL's to ship USPS.

Non FFL's shouldn't ship handguns USPS because it is illegal.