What's Safer: PayPal/GunPal or USPS Money Order?

[psawjack]

I'm just looking for some opinions about this question. Do you feel safer/more protected if you buy firearms, firearm accessories, or ammo using PayPal/GunPal or USPS money order (or any money order for that matter)? I'm directing this question to people using the payment method that the buyer must send the funds and the seller receives them before the seller sends the item (which is mostly what I've seen on the net). Also by safer I mean that if the deal goes sour and you don't get anything in return you have more possible or potential action to take against the seller to either get your money back or your promised item.

Also if you have any bad experiences involving what I am writing about and are willing to share I'm curious to hear not about the details but something general like ATF was called and arrested them or you were able to take them to small claims court and win.

Note that I do know PayPal doesn't approve any transfers that relate to firearms or ammo.

I pick PayPal over money order because if this happens to me I'll let PayPal know of the restricted transaction and hopefully they will get their account suspended/revoked (mine too but I don't really care) and hopefully get their money locked up. Other than that I don't know what else to do and I don't think a money order would be a better choice.

Again I'm just curious and looking for opinions and thoughts on this. This has not happened to me (yet) and I hope it never does.

Thanks,

Patrick

[BuffCyclist]

I don't have experience with buying firearms or ammo online and using those services, however...

I refuse to use paypal for any reason now. About 2 years ago, my PayPal account was hacked into and 10,000 GBP was deducted from my account over something like 70+ transactions in less than a minute. PayPal charged me out the wazoo with fines because I didn't have that kind of money in my bank account. Then, my bank account pulled the funds from my checking first, then savings and then for some reason did overdraft protection from savings and maxed out my credit card, then put the last 7,000 GBP over the limit, which resulted in massive fines for me. It took me over 2 weeks to get even a DIME of my money back, and I hadn't bought any groceries the day it happened (was planning on going the next day). Needless to say, because of that, PayPal will never receive my business again.

As far as GunPal goes, I've seen several issues over on GlockTalk with people transferring money from their GunPal accounts (upwards of $1k at a time) and never receiving the money in their bank accounts it was "transferred" to. For that reason, I don't think I'll use GunPal, because of the off chance that it could screw over the seller and then they could come after me (or try).

I would be fine with using a USPS Money Order or even a cashiers check as long as the seller had either a very positive feedback rating (heck, even just a few positive feedbacks I'd be fine with), or had a high number of forum posts (on a forum that is). If they had very few posts and no feedback, I would be cautious of sending them a USPS Money Order. But that's just me...

[SA Friday]

They all have their advantages and disadvantages. I've purchased firearms and accessories from other shooters in other states, and I've used USPS money orders almost exclusively. I've never had a problem. The key for me has been doing these transactions from this site and the BrianEnos.com forum. Big purchases, I only deal with established and reputable members of the sites. Sales, I let my reputation show my word is good, and I wait till their MO get to me to send the product.

There are some that I don't wait for the MO if I'm selling. I know quite a few people on both sites, and the ones I've known for years, I just mail it as their word is good with me. Ultimately, thats what any of the methods of payment come down to, the word of whom you're dealing with. Ironically, I've sold 4 firearms on this site to all the buyers satisfaction and never had nor needed a feedback thread on me. Everyone knows the regulars on here and most other forums, and if you are going to purchase something, that's the way to go for a private transaction.

I doubt I'll ever purchase a gun on gunbroker. Way too much unknown about the integrity of sellers there for my taste.

My 2 cents FWIW.

[Graves]

Paypal is the last service I'd use as it goes against their TOS.

GP - I've read a few threads with folks claiming they had to raise a stink to get their money from the GP acct.

USPS MO or a Cerified Bank Check is the way I like to do things. So long as you're dealing with a straight shooter (most important variable in any deal) you shouldn't have much to worry about here.

[TS12000]

Buy local w/ cash

To be honest though Paypal will also never again get my business. Had a seller (not firearm related) burn me for a couple hundred and it took ages to get the money back and jump through the hoops. Out of the three I'd go with the money order, but anyway you do it over the net you always take the risk of not getting the item(s).

[psawjack]

Thanks for the responses. Seems like using PayPal/GPal could be more risky or dangerous than sending a money order.

I do agree that the biggest unknown is the seller and that a lot of people take risks doing the deal regardless of the payment type.

I would prefer to do the old fashion "FTF" myself as I've had nothing but great experiences with people in Colorado. Another bonus is that I can pay with cash and in my book cash is king. I also believe that you will have less of a chance being screwed by someone that's standing in front of you than someone who is 1000 miles away (or so you think you really know where they live).

But, there are those times where you find that one special firearm that you've been looking for the last couple years and somebody in PA or NC just pulled it out of the safe and finally decided to put it up for sale at a price you can't beat.

I guess I'll just have to deal with it if the time comes. I just hope I don't become part of a sad story like the ones many of you have heard.

[bobbyfairbanks]

USPS Is the way to go. They will protect your money if you fill out your stub properly.

[DocMedic]

If I know the person that I'm buying the firearm from, I'll go the Paypal Gift route, to avoid that 3% charge that they like to tack on for sales.

[pickenup]

I have never had a PayPal account. Didn't like their terms, and TOO many horror stories. GunPal was too new, then they changed their name, taking "GUN" out, to be more "PC"
Doing that ALREADY??
Just hits me the wrong way.
Then there are the stories.....

Gotta tell this one. The last transaction that I had on this site. After cementing the deal, the seller was going to send the item, BEFORE he received the money. We both sent our mail on the same day. We PM'ed each other that we sent them. I received my item, and he received his CASH on the same day. NOT the way I usually do business, but everything felt good, and it worked out just fine.

I did run into the scenario that you are talking about. I wanted a certain firearm. Couldn't find one locally, at a price that I was willing to pay. Someone finally listed one on GunBroker under $1,000. He had NO feedbacks. I got his contact info and called him. Found out he would take a Credit Card. Bid and won his auction. Paid with CC. Everything turned out fine. Saved almost $800.

If it is not cash FTF, or mailing cash, Postal Money order or Credit Card is the way I "usually" go online.

I know, I know, don't send cash through the mail. I have done it LOTS of times. I just make sure you can not see through the envelope (2-3 pieces of paper) and have never had a problem. Never "large" amounts of money though.

[Graves]

Being PC isn't always bad for business.