Armslist help...

[Sixfivesavage]

I've dealt with gunbroker before but never armslist. If there is a deal of a lifetime on there for a new rifle, I'm talking less than half price, is there any way to check out the deal to be sure its legit? I've spoken with him by phone, email and text. I have his address and he is shipping from a FFL to my FFL. The address checks out as a residence as he claims. I'm using a USPS money order and he is very responsive to communication. Is there anything else I should do to make sure all is good? It's just an astonishing deal and I wanna make sure the thing isn't hot or something. He also has a second listing on the site, but is an unregistered user.

 

[aur0ra145]

In my experience, if it's to good to be true on Armslist, it usually is BS.

Where is this guy located?

 

[Facemelter]

Maybe some one here would be kind enough to go pick it up for you and drop it off at the FFl if your worried about it.

Only time I ever dealt with people on armslist,is if I can meet FTF. And I drove an hour and a half to meet a guy for a swap. It was all legit and went really smoothly.

 

[SABuzzard]

You have to find a patient FFL/dealer to help, but here's what I did on one occasion...

I got the seller to drop off the rifle at a FFL/gun store that I had talked to prior. The dealer took down the sellers info (confirmed via ID). Seller told dealer not to ship until he (seller) gave the go-ahead. I was able to contact the FFL/gun store to confirm the rifle, it's condition and the identification of the individual. I then sent a USPS money order to the seller. The seller then contacted the FFL/gun store to release the rifle to be shipped. Not fool-proof, but at least you can confirm who you are dealing with. The USPS money order across state lines raises the stakes/penalty for the seller should they not complete the transaction.

 

[rdinak]

Armslist is only for FTF transactions with your sidearm concealed..

 

[Brian]

Send the MO with tracking and require a signature by the seller only.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

I like some of these ideas. Obviously the best would be to have someone in the area check it out I think. The more I get past the excitement of this, the more clearly I think this is a scam. Here's the deal...a new in box LMT LM8 MWS with 16 inch cl barrel. $1350. That right there makes me feel stupid even admitting I thout for a second it could be legit. What gave me reason to think he may be truthful is that a USPS money order was good with him. I don't know how a scammer would go for that. But then what doesn't seem right is he says he is disabled and the MO would need to be in his wife's name to cash it since she would be doing the running for him. Not to sound discriminatory, but he has a heavy accent and coupled with what seems to be a shitty phone sounds to be Hispanic or possibly Asian of sorts. Dude is in Corpus Christi. Anyone close?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

There are a lot of scams on arms list. A lot of the scammers even pose as dealers. USPS MO is a good deterrent since any scam is mail fraud when using one but a lot of the scammers know they will probably never be investigated or found even. A guy I know does these investigations and told me that because of how overloaded they are they usually only investigate cases when the amount is in the hundreds of thousands.

I personally refuse to deal with anybody on arms list that I can't meet in person. I even refuse selling things to people who want me to ship them.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Anyone live in or near Corpus Christi and need something to do this weekend? I'll make it worth your while!

 

[Name Enough]

Take a deep breath and please listen. Armslist is designed for FTF transactions. Here is the rifle - Here is the money. I have tried to do two deals on Armslist at a distance. When push came to shove - the seller dried up and blew away. Tell the buyer you have someone from Houston that is willing to come down to Corpus and ask if he can meet this weekend. Let him know the guy is an LE officer and if off duty this weekend. I'll bet a buck that rifle is already sold if you offer to come get it.
Please don't send any money on faith and hope. Like the man said if it sounds too good to be true - its probably untrue.

 

[coanan]

Stay away unless someone you know can check it out for you. I've tried two separate time to make a deal on armslist and they both ended up being scams. They can't send pics, don't trust FFLs, the list goes on.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Take a deep breath and please listen. Armslist is designed for FTF transactions. Here is the rifle - Here is the money. I have tried to do two deals on Armslist at a distance. When push came to shove - the seller dried up and blew away. Tell the buyer you have someone from Houston that is willing to come down to Corpus and ask if he can meet this weekend. Let him know the guy is an LE officer and if off duty this weekend. I'll bet a buck that rifle is already sold if you offer to come get it.
Please don't send any money on faith and hope. Like the man said if it sounds too good to be true - its probably untrue.

Yup, just before your post I sent him a message asking him to take it to a close gun shop of my choosing, or if he would prefer sell it to a family member of mine that lives close to him. I haven't heard anything back yet, doubt I will. I'm glad I asked on here and took the time to think about this with a clear head!

 

[Brian]

or if he would prefer sell it to a family member of mine that lives close to him. I haven't heard anything back yet, doubt I will...

Probably scared him away with the thought that it's a straw purchase.

I wouldn't sell to a middleman either.

 

[elfster1234]

I do only face to face on armslist. Cash only. And sign bill of sale when selling my rifle.

 

[eli polite]

have the rifle taken to a legit FFL. confirm the FFL and confirm that he has the rifle in his possession before sending any money. I would also have the FFL inspect the rifle for any damage. I would ask he ffl if you could send the money order to him. That way the seller cant claim he never got it. My FFL has done this for me

 

[LanceS4803]

Armslist is notorious for scammers.
I worked a case involving Nigerians using US citizens as the cutout. Very clever with spoofed phone numbers, fake IDs and fake FFLs. Kimber seem to be a favorite, but have seen Barretts as well.
USPS money order is no guarantee, took forever to get their Postal Inspectors involved.
Don't risk it. My bad guy had done over $50,000 in business. He got arrested but no one got their money back. And of course the overseas guys are untouchable.

 

[GlockBlock]

A guy I know does these investigations and told me that because of how overloaded they are they usually only investigate cases when the amount is in the hundreds of thousands.

I'd absolutely LOVE to meet the fools sending hundreds of thousands of dollars via USPS. Hang on a sec while I wipe the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard I cried.

 

[LanceS4803]

I'd absolutely LOVE to meet the fools sending hundreds of thousands of dollars via USPS. Hang on a sec while I wipe the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard I cried.

Absolutely happens, generally with the elderly.
I had a guy who thought he had given $50,000 to Nigerians who had some money for him. They would tell him it was at his local airport and send photos of the crate and each time he would send more money.
I started going through his receipts and found he actually sent them $125,000. His retirement savings, gone.