helpful tips for spotting scammers

[bojangles]

Here's a few tips for spotting scammers.  First, let's start with a scam.  It took 10 seconds to find one on arms list.  Click quickly before he gets deleted.

 

https://www.armslist.com/posts/12356817/arizona-handguns-for-sale--springfield-armory-1911-emp-champion

 

First, you'll notice that this gun, which should sell for 900 at the very least is only 500.  That's your first tip.  If it's a smoking deal, it's not.

Secondly, he spelled color, c-o-l-o-u-r.  That's the european way of spelling color.  Look for phrases and spellings that are unique to the european dialect.  this guy is probably nestled in Nigeria or something.

Thirdly, he says, that the gun is "currently available for sale."  Nobody says that.  Literally nobody, unless you're a north african scam artist.

If you are looking for something, and somebody contacts you with a PM, and they don't have like 500 posts on this sight, be aware.

If they won't meet you face to face, and will only ship, be suspicious.  This may be different for reputed members, but if a guy has like 10 posts, walk.  No, run!!!

If they email/message/ text in the middle of the night only, it's because its daytime in Africa when it's the middle of the night here. Just sayin'.

Never buy anything out of state, unless you know the guy.  

Don't wire money.  Don't use western union, moneygram, or what ever shady financial services that drug dealers use.  If you have to use anything, use PayPal and not PayPal gift.  

Face to face transactions are the best.  The safest transactions occur when to conceal carry holders meet in a neutral location.  Usually, at the end of that transaction, you've gained a friend.  You can't cancel cash, but you can cancel checks, so cash should always be king.   bring along one of those bill markers if you're worried about counterfeit money.   

It's best if you can talk to someone on the phone, or text a local number, and then meet face to face.  I can't stress this enough.  

 

 

[bojangles]

if i'm wrong about the above ad, i just missed a smoking deal!! lol. 

[matt]

I’m going to contact him and see if it’s for sale. Lol. 

[ronk]

since he is in Phoenix, offer to meet face to face and see what happens

[Outdoor Writer]

1 hour ago, bojangles said:

if i'm wrong about the above ad, i just missed a smoking deal!! lol. 

Some good tips. I've done online selling and buying, mostly on Ebay, since 2002. I've even bought quite a few tools from China at smoking prices. But it wasn't until a few months ago that I got burned for the 1st time after a couple hundred transactions. It was only for $24, tho, and yes it was one of those smoking deals. It was supposedly shipped & delivered while I was in the hospital/rehab for a month. When I got home, I didn't remember the deal until a month later. Package never arrived, but the UPS tracking showed it delivered to some dude at a "front desk" somewhere even though my address was on it. When I tried to contact the seller, who had only a few sales, he was gone off eBay, and it was too late to file a gripe with either PP or ebay. Otherwise, even this deal would have been protected. 

But  I'm curious;.why miss buying the gun if it's still available? Since he claims to be in Phx, why not just contact him and tell him you'll pay cash FTF? The worst thing that could happen is he won't show. Or have you already tried this approach?

[levers]

I found an Armslist gun that was a great deal located in Phoenix.  After a couple emails, I told him I was in Phoenix too and I'd like to meet to do the deal.  He never responded and the next time I looked, the location of the seller changed to Arkansas

[eddielasvegas]

8 minutes ago, Outdoor Writer said:

...The worst thing that could happen is he won't show. Or have you already tried this approach?

Not entirely true OW.  The worst than can happen is you get robbed at gunpoint, or shot if it really goes bad.

Be careful out there folks, it's a cruel, cruel world and it just might get way worse in the coming years starting late January.

 

Eddie

[Outdoor Writer]

2 minutes ago, eddielasvegas said:

Not entirely true OW.  The worst than can happen is you get robbed at gunpoint, or shot if it really goes bad.

Be careful out there folks, it's a cruel, cruel world and it just might get way worse in the coming years starting late January.

True, unless one is smart enough to set the FTF where robbery is not a good option for either party. 😎 

[thegunsmith2506]

2 minutes ago, eddielasvegas said:

Not entirely true OW.  The worst than can happen is you get robbed at gunpoint, or shot if it really goes bad.

Be careful out there folks, it's a cruel, cruel world and it just might get way worse in the coming years starting late January.

 

Eddie

In Williams we have a spot at the court house that is a designated meeting spot. It has cameras that monitor transaction.

[Saguaro]

I have a hard time buying a gun unless it’s face to face.  I wish I didn’t have that problem.  I know a lot of people that buy guns off of photos they see in Gunbroker and never felt ripped off, but I can’t.  I have to see it before I give up the money.   The guns I would like from there are over 3k, so it’s worth a look to me.  I bought and sold guns and it’s usually in the Sportsman’s Warehouse parking lot.  If you’re worried about a setup, have an armed friend in another vehicle stand by.

[eddielasvegas]

50 minutes ago, Outdoor Writer said:

True, unless one is smart enough to set the FTF where robbery is not a good option for either party. 😎 

C'mon OW, I know you didn't just fall off the turnip truck.  😁  Being smart enough to make the FTF in a busy/not ideal place to commit a crime is just the start.

Nary a bank or casino would ever be robbed or if everyone was a sane, moral and good person, there would be no need for the meeting place (good idea, btw) like in Williams.

 

Eddie

[Outdoor Writer]

12 minutes ago, eddielasvegas said:

C'mon OW, I know you didn't just fall off the turnip truck.  😁  Being smart enough to make the FTF in a busy/not ideal place to commit a crime is just the start.

Nary a bank or casino would ever be robbed or if everyone was a sane, moral and good person, there would be no need for the meeting place (good idea, btw) like in Williams.

 

Eddie

I guess I have a lot more trust in people and in sidearms than you do. And as noted by my selling/buying record, I have about a 99.99% effective rate of spotting would be scammers. 

If I was that concerned about being robbed, I'd never go out of the house .

[n2horns]

Some scams are really well masked,  but the ole adage, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

I have seen some fakes on Armslist and remeber, most payment services will not protect you on any type of gun/ammo purchase, even if you use paying for good/service. 

[jknister]

Same goes for if you are trying to buy a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.  There are more scams than real ads on there.

[Couzer]

Another tip is to see if another reputable member on Coueswhitetail can vouch for the seller if he is a new member. I refer friends to this site seeking info on hunting.