Ok guys, Want to buy a gun. It is a great deal. Maybe to good. Not a SF member. A member of another non firearm forum.

Have corresponded via email. Seller has provided pix which include the item and sn.

But I am getting that gut feeling. Cannot say why. I just am.

He keeps asking me if I will take it.

Next I will ask for his info. Name, address, phone number.

His name is not Joe or Tom or Harry either. From Indiana.

Any thoughts?

My experience tells me if something doesn't feel or seem ok I walk. Go with your instincts.

Not much info to say anything. But, if your Spidey sense says no, then walk away.

Think I read this here:
“You never get hurt by the deals you miss”

It may be that he has another buyer and that is why he is asking....but I’d walk if you can’t talk to the guy and see what’s up

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
It may be that he has another buyer and that is why he is asking....but I’d walk if you can’t talk to the guy and see what’s up

Ask him if you can call him and talk to him. If he declines, there's your answer. If you do talk to him, you should be able to figure out if he's sketchy or not by how he answers your questions.

My guts have never left me hanging, or vice versa.

I plan to keep it that way.

Thanks guys, I have done a bit more investigation. I did send him and email asking for his info.
Feeling a bit better. But still cautious. So yes, everything you guys have mentioned.

We'll see.

Thanks.

Once you get his full name and address, etc., see if anything turns up on the inter-webs about him.

Definitely give him a call to chat about the gun, and establish payment / transaction protocol up front, should it be needed later.

Ask him if he can refer you to any 'seller' or 'buyer' feedback related to him on any other forums and/or on-line marketplaces that he has sold and/or bought items.

Ask him what LGS he frequents the most to purchase (or sell/transfer) guns from, and assuming that he will ship this gun from same, call the shop to ask their opinion of this person (politely explaining the situation to them, of course).

Ask him exactly, "What specific problems have you had with the gun?"

Ask him what his cleaning and maintenace protocol were with the gun.

Ask him how the gun is sighted (i.e., six o'clock hold, etc.).

Ask him how it groups at different yardage, and with what ammo.

Ask him if he used only factory ammo or handloads or both.

Ask any other gun / shooting specific questions, as this will help to establish a base-line if he is a gun enthusiast or not, in talking with him you will hopefully get a feel for his authenticity and honesty, or not.

Maybe there is a SIGforum member that lives near where this gun is located that could check it out / take a look at for you, at his LGS?

Good luck!

Rob
___________

I had a queasy feeling like yours a few months ago, only, I was the seller.

Found out the buyer was arranging a purchase from me for another person. Which is okay, I guess, but lead me to believe it was a straw purchase.

After lengthy conversations with the receiving FFL dealer about my concerns, I relented and sold the pistol. If the person had simply told me in the beginning of what was going on, I would not have almost nixed the sale.

Some will say it's none of my business , as long as it goes to a FFL dealer,perhaps, but I am cautious.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Think I read this here:
“You never get hurt by the deals you miss”

Amen to that! One of the most important lessons i have ever learned.

If you're not comfortable with the sale, don't buy it.

Another option is for him to take a picture with the gun and that days local newspaper.

I'm with the consensus opinion on this one. If it doesn't feel right, pass on the deal and you're out nothing.

I don't ignore my gut feelings.

Ask him what FFL is he going to use for transfer as your FFL would like to know. If it's a local to his address maybe you will be fine. Call the FFL ask "Do you know him?". But many have said if you don't feel right about it walk away. Chris

I’ve got some good/fair deals, but also am content with paying full price for peace of mind.

I’d want a little history before jumping on board.

My worst was a Browning lever action from a guy in TX. It sat two months before I test fired it, noticed the buggered up receiver screws right away. It had internal damage and ‘may fire’ every 4th shell attempted. The seller accused me of possibly screwing it up.

I dropped it at Browning in Arnold, MO on a trip passing. They said it couldn’t be fixed. This was from another forum site, not here. The guy was an ass and sold me a known, defective firearm. Browning gave me some useful parts off the gun then sold a replacement ‘at cost’. I never came close to unloading it with no paper at a local show.

Thanks guys, your insight has been helpful. I will post outcome once it is known for sure. I will proceed with caution.

Be safe not sorry.

Did not happen. Could not get comfortable with the guy. Asked him to take to his ffl and we would use him/them as the third party to handle the sale/transfer to my ffl. No response.

I am not in a buying mode right no so no big deal. It would have been a too good to pass deal had it worked out. Best it did not.

No harm no foul. Thanks for your insight guys.

Have a great fall weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Did not happen. Could not get comfortable with the guy. Asked him to take to his ffl and we would use him/them as the third party to handle the sale/transfer to my ffl. No response.

I am not in a buying mode right no so no big deal. It would have been a too good to pass deal had it worked out. Best it did not.

No harm no foul. Thanks for your insight guys.

Have a great fall weekend.

Smart move. When presented with involvement of an FFL, which costs him nothing, a "no response" is a "no deal".