airspeed272
Expert
Wanted to reach out and relay some lessons learned based off a recent experience that cost me $450.
First off I do want to note that I've had nothing but amazing experiences on this forum. The members and interactions I've had made this the most trusted site I've used and I appreciate that. Still feel that way, I just needed to be more sharper.
I've posted a couple WTB ads and have made multiple transactions based off them. Worked out great actually for all of them. Most recently I had an ad up looking for a Glock 20. Was reached out to by a member that didn't have a lot of interaction but had been on the site for about a year. Was offered a glock, had multiple interactions to kind of feel my way around and was ready to meet up. Seller noted they were about 6.5 hours away at that point and we agreed to go ahead and have the Glock shipped. Again, not a big deal as I've personally shipped multiple guns and had them shipped to me. I made a huge mistake in that I always use PayPal F&F to help out with everyone on fees. Been doing it for a long time and unfortunately I was burned this time.
Sent funds on a weekend and touched base early the following week to check on shipping. Seller notified me that the Glock had been shipped on Wednesday and should arrive by Saturday. Included a copy of drivers license for the paperwork in case it was needed. Didn't get a tracking number as the FFL didn't have one at the time. Red flag but ok fair enough. Didn't have typical scam lingo and replied which I appreciated. Weekend came nothing received. Relayed to the seller and shot over an email to the PayPal email provided. Got a reply a couple hours later saying sorry for the delay. Would reach out to the FFL and then relay to me their information that I had requested later that day. Nothing received.
Spent the next few days reaching out via forum, to both emails and even via paypal to try and touch base. Nothing.
Again on me but wanted to relay some red flags that I should have caught but immediately picked up now.
- Member was on the forum for about a year but had no posts until one was made right around when we started talking. I'm thinking it was only made to show face. No other interactions or feedback
- The pictures were of a glock 20, however looking back I now think they were just taken from a Gunbroker listing. Classic red material background and almost too nice. No random thumbs holding the gun or background
- During our conversation some of the language used, Selling to fund cool projects, I'll just pay for shipping, etc I should have read into a bit more. I did notice a few small grammer issues but thats not uncommon. Some of which is totally normal but together I should have caught it
- I sent funds F&F. As a buyer I should have known better and won't do that again. My pull out game was on point until it wasn't lol
On the flipside I do want to give a HUGE shoutout to the administrators. I reached out proactively when the gun didn't show up as I felt something was off. Then kept them in the loop. They gave me as much information as they could but at the end of the day it's unfortunate and I will do everything I can to report every detail as I can as I don't think "Is what it is" is a good attitude as it could screw someone else in the future.
Yes, user is no longer on here. At least under their original name.
Thanks for listening to my vent/after action review.
First off I do want to note that I've had nothing but amazing experiences on this forum. The members and interactions I've had made this the most trusted site I've used and I appreciate that. Still feel that way, I just needed to be more sharper.
I've posted a couple WTB ads and have made multiple transactions based off them. Worked out great actually for all of them. Most recently I had an ad up looking for a Glock 20. Was reached out to by a member that didn't have a lot of interaction but had been on the site for about a year. Was offered a glock, had multiple interactions to kind of feel my way around and was ready to meet up. Seller noted they were about 6.5 hours away at that point and we agreed to go ahead and have the Glock shipped. Again, not a big deal as I've personally shipped multiple guns and had them shipped to me. I made a huge mistake in that I always use PayPal F&F to help out with everyone on fees. Been doing it for a long time and unfortunately I was burned this time.
Sent funds on a weekend and touched base early the following week to check on shipping. Seller notified me that the Glock had been shipped on Wednesday and should arrive by Saturday. Included a copy of drivers license for the paperwork in case it was needed. Didn't get a tracking number as the FFL didn't have one at the time. Red flag but ok fair enough. Didn't have typical scam lingo and replied which I appreciated. Weekend came nothing received. Relayed to the seller and shot over an email to the PayPal email provided. Got a reply a couple hours later saying sorry for the delay. Would reach out to the FFL and then relay to me their information that I had requested later that day. Nothing received.
Spent the next few days reaching out via forum, to both emails and even via paypal to try and touch base. Nothing.
Again on me but wanted to relay some red flags that I should have caught but immediately picked up now.
- Member was on the forum for about a year but had no posts until one was made right around when we started talking. I'm thinking it was only made to show face. No other interactions or feedback
- The pictures were of a glock 20, however looking back I now think they were just taken from a Gunbroker listing. Classic red material background and almost too nice. No random thumbs holding the gun or background
- During our conversation some of the language used, Selling to fund cool projects, I'll just pay for shipping, etc I should have read into a bit more. I did notice a few small grammer issues but thats not uncommon. Some of which is totally normal but together I should have caught it
- I sent funds F&F. As a buyer I should have known better and won't do that again. My pull out game was on point until it wasn't lol
On the flipside I do want to give a HUGE shoutout to the administrators. I reached out proactively when the gun didn't show up as I felt something was off. Then kept them in the loop. They gave me as much information as they could but at the end of the day it's unfortunate and I will do everything I can to report every detail as I can as I don't think "Is what it is" is a good attitude as it could screw someone else in the future.
Yes, user is no longer on here. At least under their original name.
Thanks for listening to my vent/after action review.