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What recourse do I have when a long distance gun buy goes bad? UPDATE

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/6000076654

May 14, 2019, 11:18 AM
Sig2340
What recourse do I have when a long distance gun buy goes bad? UPDATE
quote:
paid via PayPal Gift, which I know is risky....


It's not risky, purchasing a firearm using any PayPal product is a clear violation of their end user agreement and terms of service and for that reason PayPal will seize the money in your account to offset their liquidated damages. Don't believe me? Go read the terms of service and user agreement.

You start off by violating PayPal terms of service you then or end bemoaning the fact that this person is miles away from you, has your money, and you don't have the gun that you thought you were buying.

I bet the deal sounded too good to be true. It did sounds too good to be true most probably because it was too good to be true.

If your gun shows up great. Chalk it up to experience and be resolved never to do foolish things like this again. Otherwise chalk it up to experience and be resolved never to do foolish things like this again.





Nice is overrated

"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government."
Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018
May 14, 2019, 02:00 PM
Rick Lee
quote:
Originally posted by Sig2340:
quote:
paid via PayPal Gift, which I know is risky....


It's not risky, purchasing a firearm using any PayPal product is a clear violation of their end user agreement and terms of service and for that reason PayPal will seize the money in your account to offset their liquidated damages. Don't believe me? Go read the terms of service and user agreement.

You start off by violating PayPal terms of service you then or end bemoaning the fact that this person is miles away from you, has your money, and you don't have the gun that you thought you were buying.

I bet the deal sounded too good to be true. It did sounds too good to be true most probably because it was too good to be true.

If your gun shows up great. Chalk it up to experience and be resolved never to do foolish things like this again. Otherwise chalk it up to experience and be resolved never to do foolish things like this again.


No, it wasn't too good to be true or even a sweet deal. It was a reasonable, current market price for a common, in-production gun. But paying via PayPal Gift for anything other than giving to friends or family is a violation of their terms and conditions, and the buyer has zero protection. I know that going in. This seller didn't ask for it. I use PPG all the time, but mostly to friends and family, though plenty of times to strangers I just know are going to be fine, and I've never been wrong yet.
May 14, 2019, 02:25 PM
jimmy123x
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
quote:
Originally posted by jimmy123x:
What I was getting at with the story, is the OP might just need to give it a little time. Obviously the seller dropped it off at his FFL and his FFL simply dropped the ball, just like mine did in knowing they actually had it.


My issue isn't so much the long wait time, it's the broken promises and yes, the seller wrote "I promise to get you tracking by tomorrow" in his email. He did nothing in the timeline he said he would, he didn't ship, he dropped off at an FFL, then acted like his end of the bargain was completed. Uh no. If I take someone's money, it's my problem until the goods are delivered - not UPS's or FedEx's or the FFL's - it's mine and I will move mountains to make things right and let the buyer know I'm engaged and taking responsibility. If I say I will provide tracking by a date certain and I do not, it means I'm dead or incarcerated. Nothing else would stop me.


I get that and I also understand your frustration. But, not everyone is as responsible as they should be or knows even what that is. It doesn't sound like the seller is a crook or thief, just irresponsible. Hopefully you'll get the gun as advertised.
May 14, 2019, 04:40 PM
David Lee
I have made some on line purchases which were an absolute bitch to deal with. One dealer seemed to have dropped off the radar so long as he got paid. And I paid immediately. Never tracking info, email or a phone call. I raised 13 kinds of hell with him but he did ship the gun, just slow at doing so. Another which I paid for immediately shipped it fairly quick, insured, and the recieving FFL never contacted me it had arrived. It was a heavy target rifle. One of the two smashed its Palma rear sight. I've mentioned my Palma a time or two here. The recieving FFL thought it right to throw out my box and FedEx documents. He claimed the rifle was shipped damaged but the box showed no damage. The shipping FFL claimed the rifle was fine when he shipped and packed safely. I still have that broken Palma sight and its mated Olympic front. I never look at them because I cannot accept that any gun person would break a Customers firearm. I sold the rifle for half what it cost me just because it bothered me so. Never step foot in that gun shop again. I've seen those target Redfield sights average $400.00 used or new on line.
May 15, 2019, 08:44 PM
Rick Lee
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.
May 15, 2019, 09:05 PM
Beancooker
Well, is it everything you hoped it would be?



quote:
Originally posted by parabellum: You must have your pants custom tailored to fit your massive balls.
The “lol” thread
May 15, 2019, 09:06 PM
jimmy123x
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.


LOLOLOLOLOL Well, at least you got it. What condition is it in? Did it come out of Mississippi? hehehe
May 15, 2019, 09:08 PM
Rick Lee
I pick it up tomorrow morning, but my FFL said it was fine.
May 16, 2019, 11:08 AM
slabsides45
quote:
Originally posted by jimmy123x:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick Lee:
Did it come out of Mississippi? hehehe


HEY!


________________________________________________

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving."
-Dr. Adrian Rogers
May 16, 2019, 01:17 PM
DaBigBR
My experience has been that this happens once every so many transactions. I've had exactly one bad one where the seller stopped communicating. I eventually found his FFL and contacted them directly. They were much more helpful.
May 16, 2019, 02:49 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.


I'd report this clown to the the ATF!


May 16, 2019, 03:43 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.


I'd report this clown to the the ATF!



and ATF will do what?



https://www.chesterfieldarmament.com/

May 16, 2019, 03:59 PM
66tas
NEVER EVER EVER
Use PayPal for a gun purchase!! Same with using the gift to friends and family feature when paying for any item. Bottom line is if they want to take your money they can and will and you have zero recourse. Sheesh how many times do we have to repeat this before people stop doing it!

Thank your lucky stars you got it at all! Everyone involved in this fiasco was a bozo IMO....YMMV



Still waters run deep, so careful I don't drown you.
May 16, 2019, 04:21 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by lyman:
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.


I'd report this clown to the the ATF!



and ATF will do what?


To possess an FFL I'd imagine there are rules and regs you have to abide by?


May 16, 2019, 05:08 PM
Pickle Rick
quote:
Originally posted by 66tas:
NEVER EVER EVER
Use PayPal for a gun purchase!! Same with using the gift to friends and family feature when paying for any item. Bottom line is if they want to take your money they can and will and you have zero recourse. Sheesh how many times do we have to repeat this before people stop doing it!

Thank your lucky stars you got it at all! Everyone involved in this fiasco was a bozo IMO....YMMV


------------------------------------------------------------------------
The OP comes here with questions or some legitimate advice. Not to get kicked nuts, nice job 66 tas. Keeping it CLASSY.


______________________________
" Formally known as GotDogs "
May 16, 2019, 08:26 PM
Rick Lee
Just put 200 rds. through the gun, ran like a top. Very happy with it. Won't ever deal with that idiot or his FFL again. Best thing out of this was the new local FFL I found, and his $15 transfer fee. Will be getting a gun from him directly pretty soon too.
May 16, 2019, 09:02 PM
David Lee
I used to think gun people, buyers, dealers, sportsman, the whole lot, sort of stuck together due to a common interest. The numbers as a whole are very important. I too have found the divisions in the industries right down to some buyers and sellers. Its a damn shame because some just dont care so long as they get paid. I hope you never have to go through another bad transaction.
May 17, 2019, 02:20 AM
darkest2000
I've had a fair share of less than desirable dealings online over the years, they've all eventually come through but knowing that you already have the tracking number and it's on the way, I'd just let it go provided that you receive everything in good order.
May 17, 2019, 07:19 AM
MikeinNC
So, what kind of gun was it?

I gots to know....



"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein

“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020

“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
May 17, 2019, 07:38 AM
benny6
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by lyman:
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Lee:
This FFL is a real bozo - shipped without a copy of his FFL in the box, did not require signature, so it was sitting on my FFL's front porch when he got home AND - get this - he shipped it with a loaded mag in the gun. Just unreal.


I'd report this clown to the the ATF!



and ATF will do what?


To possess an FFL I'd imagine there are rules and regs you have to abide by?


The ATF has better things to do than deal with something like that. They'll listen to the complaint and hang up and move on with trying to catch illegal manufacturers, alcohol licensing violations and straw man purchasing.

If an FFL receives a firearm without paperwork, they must list the sender's name and address, run a stolen gun check and then log it in his A&D book. The receiving FFL can contact the sending FFL and get a copy of that FFL, check out the name and cross check the name/address and FFL number on FFL EZ check.

It's an annoyance and he broke some shipping rules. He'd probably get a nasty E-mail from me about sending a loaded pistol.


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