Interesting Armslist Experience

[widefat]

So, I listed a Glock 34 on Armslist. A couple of weeks later, I receive an email about the G34.

First note from buyer:
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Message regarding: Glock 34,GEN 4
Do you still have the G4 Glock 34?
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My response:
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I do indeed sir.let me know if you need pics, I would be glad to oblige.
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Buyer response
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Pictures would be awesome if you have the time. Thanks!
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BEFORE I send the pics, I get another note from the buyer:
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Hey brother, if it's still available would you be able to meet me this coming Friday to pick up the gun?
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Being Armslist, I was wary from the very beginning. Now, my BS meter is going off. First off, a G34 is a unique pistol, not generally something someone wants for EDC. The buyer never asked about anything the G34 is really designed for - competition. He wanted to meet and buy, without ever seeing pics, wanting to call me, verifying the price - anything that you see in normal transactions.

My response:
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Hey, I didnt realize you were close. Sure, meeting is a possibility. Where would you be coming from?

ps. I was going to send out the pics later tonight.
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Buyer:
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I would still really appreciate the pics. I live in nnnn near nnnn but I can meet you wherever as long as I have an address to put in my gps
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Ok, so now I am a little more comfortable - I can understand not asking questions about the G34 because after all, if you want a G34, you probably know what a G34 is and what it is for. nnnn? Great! I will offer to meet about halfway.

My response:
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Hey xxxx,
I can meet any night this week except for Wednesday night. Be glad to meet you in Fairfax - the NRA building off of 66 is a good location.
All I would need to see is a drivers license and a CCP. Let me know....Cheers~~
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Not a word from the buyer after I mentioned meeting at the NRA, and needing to see a DL and CCP. Completely disappeared. So I am wondering - Bloomberg? ATF? Felon? or simply someone that lost interest.
I think it will be the last time I list anything on ARMSLIST. I dont feel like dancing nor worrying about needing someone
to watch my back while I make a simple transaction.

[OakRidgeStars]

Hard to say, but maybe the wife wouldn't let him buy it.

[trailrunner]

Whether it's craigslist or armslist, there are a lot of flaky buyers out there. I've had the same experience selling things online.


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[dmharvey]

Similar experiences selling a variety of stuff online. I'm done with CL and similar sites.

[MarcSpaz]

Honestly, I hate buying/selling online. There is a huge amount of risk, even when dealing what you may think is a store or full-blown business. I rarely meet people alone and definitely not in a known troubled/bad area. However, if I have something to sell and friends/family are not interested, online and ads are basically it for most things.

As far as your case goes... I think I would have sold many of my guns a lot faster if I didn't make a CHP or FFL transfer mandatory. Some legit buyers just don't like the idea of background checks. He may fall into that category, may simply not have a CHP and not sure what to do next or he is not allowed to legally own a firearm.

If you attempted to reach him a few times with no luck... I would just skip it and not worry about it. If he calls back and you are still concerned, recommend he meet you at a gun store that is friendly to private sales and will do the transfer.

[JustinCase]

Might have been put off that you didnt give him your HOME address... that might have been all he was after... maybe not, but its a thought...


JC

[FiremanBob]

The idea of doing a firearm transaction with an unknown party at your home address is simply unimaginable to me. "Put it into my GPS" I bet - so he can pay you a visit around 2:00 am.

You lost nothing letting this "buyer" get away - he wasn't one anyhow.

[bryanrheem]

I have never let anybody come to my house for anything.

[Swampman]

Posted an item on CL. Lots of interest, but all of them disappeared after the first contact. Don't like CL, or selling online. I have bought/sold stuff from people on VA Gun Trader without problems. Always meet in daylight in public areas. Might try them. Most of the guys there seem to know what they're talking about.

[2WheelFun]

When listing a firearm for sale here, VAGT, Armslist etc, I always put what I require for the transaction to take place, (DL, CCW and/or Voter ID card). This will generally weed out the low lifes. I also require a Bill of Sale. Should the gun show up later in a illegal place, you have proof of who you sold it too.

You have to protect yourself as no one else will.

I also agree with what others have said about NEVER giving out your home address and meeting in a very public place.

[Viper21]

I have never let anybody come to my house for anything.

Same here. I always meet people at a Wal-Mart. A big parking lot, which is well lit at night, & is always under surviellance.

[allingeneral]

Might consider listing it here at the VGOF Marketplace if you haven't already.

[widefat]

I have had good success on VAGT in the past, buying and selling. Everyone on VAGT I have dealt with understood and was perfectly willing to meet in public place and present the needed ID, and to do the bill of sale. Had it on VAGT for a while.

Hey Rick -I did list it in the marketplace, got a couple of inquiries.

I ended up selling it to a very nice young man, a fellow IDPA competitor who contacted me via the VA-IDPA yahoo group.

But that's it - the only places I will buy/sell from now on are VAGT, here, or with people I meet on the range.

[Kreutz]

I've bought and sold things online before; I've never had anyone come to my house.

I've bought a few guns online; I myself won't do an FFL transfer because the cost eats into the savings of buying used. Nothing sinister.

[j1mmyd]

So, I listed a Glock 34 on Armslist. A couple of weeks later, I receive an email about the G34.

...
Not a word from the buyer after I mentioned meeting at the NRA, and needing to see a DL and CCP. Completely disappeared. So I am wondering - Bloomberg? ATF? Felon? or simply someone that lost interest.
I think it will be the last time I list anything on ARMSLIST. I dont feel like dancing nor worrying about needing someone
to watch my back while I make a simple transaction.

Just had a very similar experience. Listed an SKS I no longer have room for and got a "Do you accept cash?" email. I said, "Cash is kind of implied here, brother. That, a photo ID and a CHP would be great, too." Not a peep after that.

[dusterdude]

While i understand the want for a chp,what about those folks who dont have one?im sure not wveryone who can have one has one.


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[j1mmyd]

While i understand the want for a chp,what about those folks who dont have one?im sure not wveryone who can have one has one.

An honest person who doesn't have one would say just that. In the past, I've asked to see the CHP, but taken a photo of the firearm with their photo ID next to it.

[dorminWS]

I have cleverly avoided such pitfalls by the simple expedient of never selling a firearm once I get my hands on it.

[widefat]

While i understand the want for a chp,what about those folks who dont have one?im sure not wveryone who can have one has one.


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Good point - I would ask to see a voter registration card. If I cant see a voter card or CHP, then I would most likely call the deal off.

[Mindflayer]

I had a firearm for sale both here and on vaguntrader. Guy gets a hold of me, and his texts/emails are very texting-style chatter "R U still selling gun?" type of thing. Long story short, and it's the teenage son of the Vapiano's US president. Yeah... I think I'll transfer to a friend with a security clearance instead.