Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Buying from a seller with 1 transaction?

I’ve only bought a few things on Gunbroker and have never had a problem. Now I’m looking at a gun that’s up for sale by a seller with only 1 transaction in 5 years. It’s a really good price but I’m a little leery due to the seller’s lack of a track record. He has an A+ rating on the 1 transaction he was involved in.
One of my old card playing buddies used to say “Take a chance, Columbus did.” but would you guys have a problem with buying from a seller with only 1 transaction?

Thanks.

Probably not a scammer if they have had an account for 5 years and the one feedback is a positive. I would probably give it a shot.

Can you afford to lose all, or a portion of, the amount of money that you're going to spend on this firearm?

IMO, an A+ rating on GunBroker is meaningless and has little, if any, relationship to the integrity or lack there of of the seller. I've bought guns from sellers with A+ rating that were nowhere nearly as good as they were claimed to be and since GunBroker is only interested in earning a commission, they provide no oversight and don't provide any arbitration when a seller misrepresents their merchandise.

Too good to be true is usually, but not always, too good to be true.

True, but then again a person has to start somewhere, right?

I'm probably a "registered member" there, but don't think I've had a transaction in the last 7 years or so. Wouldn't even remember how to log on.

So.............ya pays your money and ya takes your chances, right?

Geno

Ask the seller a couple questions. You can get a pretty good feel for their character by the response.


Jerry

...and from their verb conjugation.

If you already have to ask then you know what you would do.....RUN!!

I bought a nice custom rig from a “NR” seller on GB without a problem. I sent the seller a message through GB asking him to txt me a picture of the rifle with my name written on a piece of paper. I explained my reason for this step was cautionary on my part due to his lack of selling history.

Txt received with what I asked for...Rifle purchased...All good!

There are ways to improve your odds of not getting scammed. Just takes some effort on your part sometimes 😎

I would have no problem at all with such a transaction.

See if they have sold elsewhere.

Ive never sold or bought on here yet but if I ever do I have an Ebay account with and an other gun forum with over 100 feedback that someone can check out,that someone can checkout to make them comfortable with the transaction.

His business may have stalled for the very reasons that you are concerned about, only one transaction.

I ask for a phone number and call him. Also check out the number and make
sure of the address. If a business google it and see If issues pop up.

Is it something you have to have?

post the GB ad.........let us help you decide...........

Contact dude via GB ad
Tell him you want his #
Call and talk to dude.
Tell him your his buyer but a little leary
Exchange pics via text
Get his info
Half up front
Other half upon arrival at receiving FFL
Too easy to do with electronic funds transfers.

Or pay full amount up front if ya establish a info base you are comfortable with.

Gonna need all this info when ya buy it anyways even if the seller has 100 transactions.
If he is legit he shouldnt have any concern with your concerns.

On greybeard I bought some components from a a+ guy. Almost went south and I ended up with a agreed upon substitute. I went back and looked at his posts, almost all in classifieds so he was not a gun guy but a business guy
No way to as easily check on GB. I have bought on there twice with no problem, but smaller dollars at risk. Use a postal MO if it is something you really want

Good advice. I did this in a similar situation, and the deal went fine. If the seller leaves you with an uneasy feeling for whatever reason, don't buy.

Me neither

Everyone has to start somewhere. He might only have one transaction because he's new at the business. I have never bought or sold on gunbroker, but if I wanted to sell something there, it would be my first transaction. I try to be fair, honest and forthcoming in everything I do, does that mean I'm a scoundrel because I don't have a lot of transactions to look at?