I'm shopping for a particular rifle (approx. $1600). I can only locate examples for sale on GUNBROKER.
I found one at a reasonable price with reasonable shipping, listed as NEW in box.The trigger tag says 5/3/19 on it, sounds old for a new rifle.

My main problem is the seller. They only have a record of 2 previous sales on GUNBROKER. Last sale over a year ago. They have belonged to GUNBROKER since 2015.
They accept Postal Money Order for payment.

Do you think I'm being over cautious buying from this seller?
Any suggestions if I go ahead with a purchase?

It is no doubt too late to see what the last sale was. Is there feedback? did they sell it to someone with lots of transactions, or very few as well? Few as well would be another red flag for me.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
The trigger tag says 5/3/19 on it, sounds old for a new rifle.

Could be new old stock.

Or, some sellers reuse photos for identical model rifles. So they may have taken one set of photos back in 2019, and used it for all the listing for the same model rifles since.

Also... trigger tag? Are they listed as an FFL? (if not why would it have a tag)

Doing image searches on Google and other sites for the pics they're using never hurts either.

Personally I like to see more serious feedback from a seller. I would probably pass on a $1600 item.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Also... trigger tag? Are they listed as an FFL? (if not why would it have a tag)

Doing image searches on Google and other sites for the pics they're using never hurts either.

A couple of the pictures were taken with the factory hard case and all the factory rifle parts spread out on a bed, It does not appear to be a dealer selling it. The seller definitely took all the pictures.
The seller does not state that they are a FFL dealer.
They also have a new in box Daniel Defense upper for sale.

UPDATE:
I just received a email from the seller. He is NOT a dealer. He bought the rifle new but never shot it.
I suggested that technically he should not be advertising it as new if he bought it from a dealer several years ago. I also asked if he would be collecting sales tax.

I buy rarely off of GUNBROKER. I thought I saw that GUNBROKER has there own payment system, would that be a safe way to handle funds if the seller would agree to this payment form.

Too good to be true? Then it is? A hard pass.

I went through this lately on GB. Passed.

They have a lot more issue's then the used to imho.

If it is a good seller it will be evident.

If he never shot it, it is still new.

I sold some guns that were new in the box that I bought in 1979.

Ask for more pictures.

New is never transferred to an owner, this is like new never fired. It can make a difference for warranty work sometimes only to the “original owner”. If he sells it on gunbroker gunbroker will charge him the sales tax, if it doesn’t sell and he doesn’t relist it he could sell it without sales tax, if on gunbroker sales tax will be added.

If you have an email address or name, try a search to see if there's any other info on him online.
I've had a number of great deals over the years from people with poor photos and low feedback on various sites that scared off other buyers/bidders.
I was able to verify their info by a search before jumping into bidding.
On the other hand, I've found some scammers that way too.

I've got great deals on guns there with bad photo and even with NO photos. But those days are long gone. The last year or two have been a minefield of scammers, there and everywhere else. I've been extra safe this last year, holding off on several things I wanted to bid on, just to play it safe. Twice learning I was right to not bid, they turned out to be scams. Sad but that's where we are.

It sucks when it is for a hard to find item but all the signs say pass

I'm in the camp it isn't new unless it comes from a dealer.

I believe GB collects tax from he seller (based upon buyer location) if the seller is a dealer or not, and they in turn, collect it from the buyer. So chance are, you'll be paying tax.

That much, no recent feedback, I'd pass.

quote:

Originally posted by xanth:
I'm in the camp it isn't new unless it comes from a dealer.

I believe GB collects tax from he seller (based upon buyer location) if the seller is a dealer or not, and they in turn, collect it from the buyer. So chance are, you'll be paying tax.

That much, no recent feedback, I'd pass.

+1.

GB listing guidelines define any firearm previously sold at retail as used - even if it remains unfired. Sadly, many sellers ignore this policy.

For each sale (new or used), GB calculates the buyer's appropriate state sales tax which is added to the total collected by the seller. Monthly, GB bills the seller for any sales taxes collected in the previous month then forwards these to the respective states. For all their effort, GB also assesses the buyer with a 1% compliance fee.

These additional fees add up in a hurry - especially when one is considering a $1600 item. To save the buyer additional fees, some seller's will discreetly offer an item independent of GB. I would only pursue this type of offer from a reputable, well established FFL dealer due to the increased potential for fraud.

I only bid/buy from sellers with extensive A+ feedback and they must take American Express.
No PayPal. No money orders. Yes I have to pass on items that I really want, but I’ll never get screwed.

UPDATE:

I bought the rifle from a different seller. I received the FedEx notification today that my FFL should have it Tuesday.

quote:

If he never shot it, it is still new.

I disagree. It was sold, paperwork was done on it from a dealer, it is now used. The shop I use to work at would classify it as "Unfired" but still used.

To the OP, glad you found what you were looking for from a different seller.

Glad it’s working out, from a reputable seller, hopefully.

Just a little on the original question, could all be legit, low number or newer seller. Some seem to be owners reducing their personal collection, skipping the middle man. One could start with emails to the seller, with concerns.

I’ve even dabbled long distance with Armslist, moving forward once I had enough info to somewhat trust the seller. I’ve shipped to FFL for an Armslist buyer too, just all depends.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarms229:

quote:

If he never shot it, it is still new.

I disagree. It was sold, paperwork was done on it from a dealer, it is now used. The shop I use to work at would classify it as "Unfired" but still used.

To the OP, glad you found what you were looking for from a different seller.

The definition from a long time back was either new or used.

If it hasn't been fired, it's new, if it has been fired, it's used.

I've got 7 Colt Single actions that were sold in 1983 that are new in box. They've literally never been out of their boxes, let alone used.

quote:

The definition from a long time back was either new or used.

If it hasn't been fired, it's new, if it has been fired, it's used.

Nope. If it's never been sold and is still at a dealer, it is new. Hell I bought a 1970's era Winchester Super X 1 shotgun from a dealer in 2001 and it was "New" just "Old Stock".

Once paperwork is done on a gun and it is sold to an individual, it cannot be called new.

Per the Blue Book of Gun Values 36th edition (its the edition I have on hand right now), on page 959 of the NRA Grading Standards, New is defined as "not previously sold at retail, in the same condition as current factory production". A more appropriate classification for your Colt Single Actions would be "Perfect" which is defined as "in new condition in every respect, may have previously been sold at retail".