Best way to buy/ship firearms from a private party?

[Tann Hausergate]

I'm a little green when it comes to buying guns from an individual when it is not a FTF sale, the norm for ODT. On larger/better forums, sellers have peer ratings and you can make a judgement call on sending them a bank check and trusting they will ship your gun. I found a rifle I have been looking for, but it's on a small gun forum that has no peer rating system, and it's too far a drive to actually do a FTF sale.

Is there a preferred method for this type of transaction to protect myself from a scam? Ask for copies of ID scanned and emailed, or a bank account to wire funds to rather than send a money order, or is it simply "buyer beware"?

Thanks for any advice since I have never done a transaction like this and it worries the daylights out of me.

 

[Hyrb]

Hmmm, Unfortunately I can't see how unless there is a bit of trust involved. I have had most items shipped to me here on ODT and found folks to be completely trustworthy. Could be because anyone mad enough could be at each others front door within 8 hours

If it was a PP sale on another forum the only way to get complete security is to pay an FFL at each end to validate, ship and receive. Depending on the item it may or may not be worth it.

 

[Tann Hausergate]

If it was a PP sale on another forum the only way to get complete security is to pay an FFL at each end to validate, ship and receive. Depending on the item it may or may not be worth it.

I like that idea, sent the guy an email asking if he had any issue with taking the goods to a third party FFL dealer for verification and shipping. I guess if he says no, I know I don't want any part of that deal.

 

[potenza]

FFL to FFL is the best way or private to FFL if agreed upon by the receiving FFL

 

[danmsullivan]

" On larger/better forums,"

What do you mean, BETTER forums?