Online sales - staying safe.

[DaveZ]

Looking at buying a rifle from interstate through one of the online sites, usedguns etc. I know there's risks with the quality of the item when you can't view personally, but I'll just have to deal with that. If you're buying from a private seller, how do you keep your money safe? Bank transfer seems sketchy, I'm not sure if a Paypal transfer has any protection either. Just wondering what people do in these cases to ensure they can get their money bank if the seller doesn't front up the product?

Cheers,
Dave.

[mickb]

Mate others might have better suggestions. I usually ask them to take it into the transferring dealer and I talk to the gunstore to make sure the bloke is alright. Beyond that, you take a punt I guess.

[DaveZ]

Thanks @mickb yeah I figure its going to be a bit of a gamble. I'm not sure that he's not a dealer, not listed as one on the site but has a lot of firearms for sale for an individual.

[Damo300]

I rolled the dice when I bought one interstate. It was under 1k though.

I figured if he's going to commit firearm fraud then he can roll that dice.
Worked out well.
He got his money, I got my gun.

I am pretty sure you can pay the transferring dealer, and they will finalise it all when the gun arrives. Don't quote me exactly on that, but it's along those lines somewhere.

[bladeracer]

Looking at buying a rifle from interstate through one of the online sites, usedguns etc. I know there's risks with the quality of the item when you can't view personally, but I'll just have to deal with that. If you're buying from a private seller, how do you keep your money safe? Bank transfer seems sketchy, I'm not sure if a Paypal transfer has any protection either. Just wondering what people do in these cases to ensure they can get their money bank if the seller doesn't front up the product?

Cheers,
Dave.

If you have concerns, he's going to have to send it via a dealer anyway, so ask him which dealer he's using. Call the dealer and ask if they know the seller and the firearm, they may have been his transferring dealer when he bought it. Or just ask him to take it to the dealer and let you know it's there so you can call the dealer and discuss it at that point. If the dealer says it's good send him the money.

[Bugman]

I have purchased privately in the past. On each occasion via a gun retailer at both ends. Fortunately, there was no problem and the items were as advertised. This doesn't mean that it will be the same for all. Some shifty buggers out there. As has been said said before, it wold be best to go through a registered dealer.

[mchughcb]

Bought and sold a few guns. No problems. 1 min on the phone and I can determine if they are serious or a scammer.

[DaveZ]

Thanks guys. I'll just be cautious and roll the dice, see how we go. Looking for a 22 Hornet to chase some problem foxes.

[Fester]

Have you researched the 22 Hornet as they can be funny things, with even reloaders finding problems getting them shooting without cracking cases and s**t.

Would be an interesting cal, apart from the problems.

[mchughcb]

I'd go 17HMR. Way less hassle

[DaveZ]

I think the case splitting is more of an issue for reloaders than single use factory ammunition?

The Hornet just sits in a nice niche for where I want to use it, small blocks so don't want anything too noisy or powerful but capable out to 130 ish metres. I feel like the 17hmr would be on its limit at that range.

There's a few good old Brno rifles around for reasonable money, probably put something like the DNT Zulus nv scope on it, should work a treat for what I want.

[mchughcb]

135m is perfect for hmr on foxes. Shot plenty. I sold my brno fox hornet. Bought a sako quad and hmr barrel and never looked back