Early 20’s you say? Great age to learn a life lesson.

He should have cleared it with his wife, before he stepped in it...

Hahaha, monkey

I'd give the kid a break, collect good karma and undo the trade. If that was here, and an FFL had to get involved, I'd say heck no.

To acknowledge monkey, did he trade his wife's gun?

You are completely justified whichever choice you make. If you decide to trade back I have one extra word of caution: keep a signed statement that he was in possession of your rifle from X date and time to Y date and time. You can never truly know what transpired during the time it was not in your control. A sad thought to consider but a necessary one.

^^^^ Excellent thought. Can never be too careful anymore.

I’m inclined to say no. He physically inspected the item. That was his chance to ask questions or walk away. There are no backsies. If you’re sure he’s on the up and up and just a dumb kid who got too excited then maybe give him a break but be certain you’re getting back what was traded and nothing happened between yesterday and today. I’ve bought things I’ve won auctions that I’ve wished I hadn’t the next day. Tough shit. I own it. Learn the lesson, or not, and move on with life.

Trust your gut.

Is the guy quite normal? What's his facebook etc like? Did he seem naive, or was he a bit slick? How did he learn it wasn't factory original configuration?

You're the one in this deal who has liability worries. I've heard too many stories of scammers returning items which are not what they received. As someone stated, you don't know what he did with it that might be a problem for you.

A little inconvenience on your part is now guaranteed. Will you now have bad feelings about your new gun if you don't untrade? Will you worry that he might become unpleasant in the future? Will you get back a damaged gun if you do untrade? How much hassle will you face in reselling the gun if you undo the trade?

Depending on values and costs, might it solve the problem if you give him a little cash to buy the original stock? Or maybe you could give him the original parts if you still have them.

From a distance, my inclination would be to undo the trade in order to minimize potential problems.

Here are the texts he’s sent me:


“Could I just have it swapped back? I was looking for a factory rifle, and wasn't aware of the swap. Not the lightest on cash right now either. Would rather not go through the hassle of buying and reselling.”

“Would really appreciate it if so. Was my birthday yesterday and was looking for an endgame 308”

“I really would like to get this swapped back. Please get back to me when you can”

“I'll make the entire drive myself. Please just let me have my rifle back. I wasn't aware of disclosed of how this wasn't factory, and it's difficult to price out how much I'll have to spend in the end based on one listing.”

I did take offense to him saying that it wasn’t factory, as u pointed out that every part on the rifle was made by the same company other than the stock, trigger, pistol grip and charging handle, all of which were explicitly listed in the add.

Do you like the rifle you traded for? How much do you like it? Maybe its worth just trading back.

I would be suspicious about what he could have done with it while he had it. People are odd, maybe he did not even try to fire it or maybe he did something to it. If it were sold on someplace like Gunbroker then I would say to trade back. He saw it in person and had the opportunity to look and ask whatever he wanted. Live and learn.

Early 20s and this was his end game? I don't think he understands how this hobby works.

Based on his texts, I don't like his approach. Excuses: it's my birthday, cash is tight, it wasn't disclosed it wasn't factory, etc. The "just let me have MY rifle back" really takes the cake though. For me, an I screwed up, didn't read the listing, didn't look at the pictures closely, and I'm sorry would go a long way. I don't see that in his texts.

If you do decided to undo the deal, do it somewhere public, not at your home.

Trade back a gun? Hell no. How do you know he didn’t shoot somebody or Rob a bank with it? I know it’s unlikely but still, and besides that honestly it’s tough shit, he made the deal now he can live with it. Do you get to return a gun to a gun store simply because you didn’t like it? Nope. Same principle applies

I would undo the deal. It's good Karma. That's just me.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
I would be suspicious about what he could have done with it while he had it.

Based on above, I voted no. For me, it is business, not personal.

You stated you presented four clear photos of the rifle, a clear description, etc. He reached out to you, not you to him. He had plenty of time to look it over (same with you) and said done deal. I'm assuming the firearm was not damaged, defected or anything other than a good working gun when you handed it over to him.

24 hours later he contacts you not liking the deal, and now it is going on 48 hours. You have no idea if he shot it with what ammo, took it apart, cross-threaded or damaged components putting it back together, all sorts of scenarios could have happened. A brick & mortar gun shop would not accept a return like this, and I think you shouldn't either. You didn't twist his arm to trade, and now he is trying to twist your arm to accept a return.

I've had buyer's regret on a number of firearms and could not return them and I never expected to, it is just part of the game.

quote:

Originally posted by dwd1985:
We shook hands and drove away.

That's the end of it. Dude needs to grow up and learn how these real-life transactions work.

He had his chance to change his mind when he inspected it IN PERSON, therefore the photos are irrelevant, as old rugged cross stated. I would politely decline. If he continues to text, I would block the #.

Wish I could take back a LOT things I did when I was young.

Nope, especially after seeing his email. Could be a lot of reasons. Maybe a buddy told him he got screwed or he did not like your rifle, etc.
Tell him sorry, deal is done and wish him well. No further comms.

I read through this thread this morning. I thought it was a close call, and then went to make coffee. The pertinent facts kept buzzing around in my head.

The things that the kid considered important, the 'factory' and 'original' aspects, he has now told you these were what is important to him.

All those things were written in your description.

Any 'marks' or imperfections were either in the photos or were readily accessible upon physical inspection in a face to face transaction.

These are the things he considered important...and he failed on all counts to look at any of them, failed to read even your description. I guess he just figured the gun trade gods would see to his satisfaction by way of telepathy.

It is typical today to see clear evidence that someone, maybe someone who works under you, will not read. Some even say they won't read anything. As the saying goes, the man who doesn't read has no appreciable advantage over the man who can't read. I think if it's important to you, you read. Just pure lazy.

Noted above were all his excuses and mitigation, but not even a hint of 'I'm sorry, please excuse my BS'

Nope, nope and nope. I voted no. Now that I have thought about it, Hell no.

By the way, your karma is clean a whistle. It's his that has some dings.

no baby trades.