How about some ideas. I have found a gun on Guns America web-site. The seller is in California and I'm in Kansas. He says in his ad he will only accept cert. check or a money order. (understandable) He says he will ship the gun after he recieves the check. (again understandable) This seller is a first time seller. I'd like to buy the gun but am concerned. I am a fairly trusting man, I've always lived by the philosophy that a man's word is his honor.

Any ideas on how to conduct this deal that would make both of us feel safe. If he is legit and his word is true, I'm sure he also has reservations about the buyer.

I'm open to ideas on how to accomplish this deal, or am I just being paranoid?

I can't suggest anything foolproof but two things come to mind that have helped me in the past.

Get a phone number from the seller and call him. See if you can get a feel for what type of person he is.

Google his name and see if anything interesting comes up. I have learned a lot about some people who have an Internet presence.

I do the same thing as Reese. I like to call them on the phone. Then I have their address and phone number. Also, many of these gun sites, the last thing a seller wants is a bad comment. If he is a first time seller, I'd call him and ask him questions about the rifle. Scratches, cracks, trigger pull, hammer, etc.. then you can get an idea as to the kind of person he is. Although there are those out there that are going to get you, and there is little you can do.

I've bought a lot of rifles from auction sites. Only one was a real disappointment. But then it was a "as is" rifle. He just did not make it clear that it was a very poor condition "as is" rifle.

I bought one ML from a guy that was on this site asking what he should charge for it. Anyhow, I decided I wanted it. I asked a few folks from this forum about what price to offer and how much would be too much. I called the guy and spoke to him for a while and decided to go for it. He sent me pics and we were always prompt with our email communication, which I liked. I was NOT disappointed. I got a nice ML for a good price. This is how we did it. Paypal, (your guy wants a check or money order, both can be traced to see if they were cashed so no problem there. I would send it registerd mail,that way itcan be tracked to see if he recieved it). When he sent the rifle, he insured it and sent me a tracking number through UPS.I would just keep some kind of a paper trail just in case and send payment regestered mail and get a tracking number from him when he ships it. Like Dave said, most folks on Gunbroker and other sites dont want a bad rep so most are on the up & up. But, like Dave also said, make sure the description is accurate. Pics, descriptions and even more pics. Good Luck!

I called when I bought my NE/ At first the gent was very caustious w/ his responses, i mean we could be who know who to them. But after a while he loosened up and we had a great conversation about the gun, I felt better about the deal and he delivered on rcpt of my PO and he prooviuded the ship and tracking number so I could trace it. Good deal overall.