New gunbroker layout?

[JONWILL]

My account with Gunbroker was canceled after I (apparently) made too many complaints
to the management about grossly misrepresented items on the site, and they (apparently)
didn't care, and didn't want to be informed about it.

I'm and "I.T. guy" so it was quite simple to circumvent their "banning software", and I
(easily) opened a new account, so I can shop there if/when I choose....

This is true. I got banned for selling a gun that had been duracoated. That was plainly stated in the description. It was marked well below market value for the gun to reflect the refinish.
I also stated no returns, as it.

Well the guy who bought it complained about the refinish. He was a large seller, and I am sure, was planning to flip it. He sent the gun back to my FFL and demanded a refund

I just left the gun sitting there and eventually had the FFL ship it back to him.

Gunbroker sided with him and since I didn't give him a return. Locked my account. I guess the guy had some clout with them

A week later I opened a new account and continued on.

 

[rpenmanparker]

I’m shocked anyone would pay for something without a credit card or PayPal online.

Well, that works most of the time, but sometimes a deal is there with no alternative. And what about Zelle direct money transfers from checking account to checking account st major banks? What could be easier? All you need is an email address. And yet you never see that method offered.

 

[mgresh]

Well, that works most of the time, but sometimes a deal is there with no alternative. And what about Zelle direct money transfers from checking account to checking account st major banks? What could be easier? All you need is an email address. And yet you never see that method offered.

Well, if a protected payment option is not an option, I’m not buying. I don’t know what Zelle is but if you’re authorizing a checking account debit, you don’t have the same protections as PayPal and CC purchases.

 

[larryh1108]

Although I have purchased a few items with a "USPS Money Order Only" payment, that is usually a red flag since there is little (or no) recourse once you mail it. In the few instances I did, the seller had a lot of feedback (hundreds or thousands) with all positive feedback.
Checking the seller's feedback is something you need to do before bidding. It is, probably, the most important thing to check up front.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Well, if a protected payment option is not an option, I’m not buying. I don’t know what Zelle is but if you’re authorizing a checking account debit, you don’t have the same protections as PayPal and CC purchases.

Agreed.

 

[Graywolf686]

Although I have purchased a few items with a "USPS Money Order Only" payment, that is usually a red flag since there is little (or no) recourse once you mail it. In the few instances I did, the seller had a lot of feedback (hundreds or thousands) with all positive feedback.
Checking the seller's feedback is something you need to do before bidding. It is, probably, the most important thing to check up front.

I’ll second that

 

[CDMCKY]

Several years ago I had thousands of M-61 7.62x51 AP bullets. I placed
ads in all but 6 states (where they were banned) and people sent me
postal money orders for up to $500 from all over the country to buy them.

I would NEVER send money orders to ANYBODY selling like I was (on
Backpage) but luckily for the several hundred buyers I was not a crook,
and they got what they paid for. I wonder how many of those buyers got
screwed by others later, thinking that it was not a HUGE risk to trust "a
guy" selling on a online classified site ?

 

[rpenmanparker]

Your point is excellent. What I’m saying is that one of the expected values of a site like GunBroker besides opening up a huge variety of goods to a huge market is that it would allow you to send money to a seller like you describe without the risk. If GB is not going to act as an insurance policy and fulfill that role, then it has no value to me.

 

[WestKentucky]

Although I have purchased a few items with a "USPS Money Order Only" payment, that is usually a red flag since there is little (or no) recourse once you mail it. In the few instances I did, the seller had a lot of feedback (hundreds or thousands) with all positive feedback.
Checking the seller's feedback is something you need to do before bidding. It is, probably, the most important thing to check up front.

My most recent was the first USPS money order but I have done. The seller was very clear and had wonderful feedback so I went with it. Besides it was a cheap part buy, so little to risk. I was more concerned with USPS than I was with the seller. It worked out well though.

 

[alfsauve]

I had no problem with the search function this month.

One trick is of course to limit which category you search in. I searched for "Wesson 69" and got all good results save one. That one was one of the sellers who try to trick you to their items by putting superfluous key words in the descriptions.

 

[MI2600]

I have a few standard searches set up for items I have interest in. It really irks me if my search is for certain Colt revolvers and the first item shown is a 1911, or a Ruger.

 

[boom boom]

I have not had problems purchasing with Postal Orders on gunbroker. Got burned once on one for about $20 bucks on a part but it wasn't worth the hassle to me to mess with it. You can check them to determine whether they were cashed and the postal inspectors can get involved in cases of fraud. I've also bought through dealers via credit cards and used the rapid purchase via gunbroker on one or two items (numrich sometimes puts some interesting stuff up and is quick to ship).

However, I would not purchase high dollar collector pieces with it due to the risk of something not being disclosed. I probably would not buy such an item online except from a reputed antiques dealer anyway. Sellers though are also at risk from rinky dink chargebacks from CC's and will charge more so as not the eat the percentage. There is a reason many of them prefer U.S. Postal Money orders as fraudulent use of them is scarce and well, they already have your money if you have a dispute with them over the item.

 

[CDMCKY]

I won't buy ANYTHING from an online source If I can't pay by credit card,
and I don't buy from those who charge a CC premium - period. I don't
want/need anything bad enough that requires me to trust strangers and
buy from them with no protections.

 

[rpenmanparker]

I won't buy ANYTHING from an online source If I can't pay by credit card,
and I don't buy from those who charge a CC premium - period. I don't
want/need anything bad enough that requires me to trust strangers and
buy from them with no protections.

But that is my point. For a relatively minor hit against profits GB could guarantee purchases to be satisfactory. Having the product be firearms makes the whole thing a little more difficult. Returns in many cases aren't a reasonable resolution. But still, the merchandise could be guaranteed to adhere to the published description or be accepted back by the seller. And GB would back up the policy. But, no! They want their cake and to eat it too. Pay them their share and don't ask for any help. I'm out of that game.

 

[mgresh]

I guess I just don't expect a website to guarantee the sale. It's too easy to protect yourself.

I also looked at eBay's guaranteed policy and it isn't 100% clear. Yes, they have a "guarantee policy" but many conditions must be met. They say you'll be protected in 'most cases'. It says this (among other things) has to be true about the purchase/payment:

The buyer made the purchase on eBay.com via checkout or an eBay invoice with one of the following payment methods:

• PayPal
• PayPal Credit
• Credit card or debit card
• eBay gift cards, eBay bucks and eBay vouchers

No mention of mailing a check or money order.

Has anyone ever actually been reimbursed by eBay, or any auction site, after sending a check or money order to a seller?

 

[rpenmanparker]

I guess I just don't expect a website to guarantee the sale. It's too easy to protect yourself.

I also looked at eBay's guaranteed policy and it isn't 100% clear. Yes, they have a "guarantee policy" but many conditions must be met. They say you'll be protected in 'most cases'. It says this (among other things) has to be true about the purchase/payment:

The buyer made the purchase on eBay.com via checkout or an eBay invoice with one of the following payment methods:

• PayPal
• PayPal Credit
• Credit card or debit card
• eBay gift cards, eBay bucks and eBay vouchers

No mention of mailing a check or money order.

Has anyone ever actually been reimbursed by eBay, or any auction site, after sending a check or money order to a seller?

Yes, I have had compensation made by eBay on transactions with unscrupulous sellers. Even though the seller disappeared, eBay made good on a refund. And on other unsatisfactory sales where the seller actually was willing to do the right thing, eBay oversaw the whole process.

You're right, cash, checks, and money orders aren't covered, but one reason for that is because eBay owns PayPal. By capturing the service charges from PayPal transactions, eBay can afford to guarantee the transactions unlike when a convenience store or the PO takes the service fee for a money order. And credit card upcharges are very rare on eBay. In fact I rarely see credit card upcharges on hobby and enthusiast merchandise EXCEPT with regard to firearms. It is a very unattractive aspect of the firearm marketplace.

I'm not saying every auction site has to be exactly like eBay. And on the other hand you could justifiably criticize eBay for not supporting firearm sales. But their standing behind the transactions to keep members whole is an important beneficial aspect of their business "product" that it would behoove other auction sites to emulate.

 

[Captcurt]

I’m shocked anyone would pay for something without a credit card or PayPal online.

I can answer this one. To process credit cards takes a merchant account and it cost 2 1/2%-3% per purchase. I am lucky to make 5% on a new gun, thus it is certified check or money order only.

Now GunBroker charges to re-list after 90 days. I had one customer who just pulled 82 guns off-line because of it. He had several on-line for 5 or 6 years. 60% guns priced 100%+. Even with his high prices I sold $64,000 worth last year. I have one gun on GunBroker now and my other ones are on Gunauction.

 

[larryh1108]

You can't compare Ebay and Gunbroker when you are talking buyer protection.
With a gun, you have the expense of paying for shipping. You also have an FFL transfer fee.
If you return it, you have the hefty shipping charge and you have another transfer back. That adds up
to a lot of coin. Even if the seller gets his product back, someone is out $100 or so.
With Ebay (of which I am a seller) they do guarantee your purchase with minimum hoops to jump.
A little while back they stopped taking checks or money orders as a form of payment. In your ad, if you
use the word check or money order or mail payment in it, the ad gets bounced back.

You do have some protection by not accepting a gun from your FFL. However, getting your money back is
another story. These aren't $20 used shoes, they can be $1000+ guns. Huge difference.

 

[rpenmanparker]

You can't compare Ebay and Gunbroker when you are talking buyer protection.
With a gun, you have the expense of paying for shipping. You also have an FFL transfer fee.
If you return it, you have the hefty shipping charge and you have another transfer back. That adds up
to a lot of coin. Even if the seller gets his product back, someone is out $100 or so.
With Ebay (of which I am a seller) they do guarantee your purchase with minimum hoops to jump.
A little while back they stopped taking checks or money orders as a form of payment. In your ad, if you
use the word check or money order or mail payment in it, the ad gets bounced back.

You do have some protection by not accepting a gun from your FFL. However, getting your money back is
another story. These aren't $20 used shoes, they can be $1000+ guns. Huge difference.

Guns are not the only heavy, expensive merchandise. There is plenty of that sort of thing sold on eBay with shipping and credit card usage free (or included in the price, however you want to look at it).

 

[alfsauve]

One thing I do like about Gun Broker as opposed to eBay is the way the auction ends.

With eBay it's an absolute end time. There's software to try and get your last bid in at the last second. I don't like that way.

Gun Broker works more like a real live auction. The "auctioneer", the software, wait 15 minutes after the last bid before closing the auction. No sneaking in last second bids, because once you do then everybody else has 15 more minutes to bid. Great for the seller.

 

[rpenmanparker]

One thing I do like about Gun Broker as opposed to eBay is the way the auction ends.

With eBay it's an absolute end time. There's software to try and get your last bid in at the last second. I don't like that way.

Gun Broker works more like a real live auction. The "auctioneer", the software, wait 15 minutes after the last bid before closing the auction. No sneaking in last second bids, because once you do then everybody else has 15 more minutes to bid. Great for the seller.

Yes, but I am mostly a buyer. If people had any self-control, it wouldn’t make any difference. They would just bid the amount they thought the item was worth to themselves like they are supposed to do. The person who thought the item was worth the most to them, would get the item. But auctions take advantage of human weakness and that is why I hate them. Assuming the item hasn’t already risen higher than what I want to pay, on eBay I snipe the auction 6 seconds before the close with the exact amount I want to spend. I either win or I lose, but I only spend what I want to. I much prefer that kind of auction. There is a much higher chance I will get the item for what I want to spend.

 

[mgresh]

I can answer this one. To process credit cards takes a merchant account and it cost 2 1/2%-3% per purchase. I am lucky to make 5% on a new gun, thus it is certified check or money order only.

Point taken, and I know that, but I'm talking from a buyers perspective.

 

[larryh1108]

I also buy on Ebay and Gunbroker and I bid the way you do.
When I see an item I'm interested in, I put it on my watch list.
I have an idea of my top price.
When it gets to the final hour and it is still below my max, I put in my max amount.
I don't go back and bump it if I get out bid. Yes, it feeds on human competitiveness.
I either win it at my price or I move on.
However, a lot of people have no self control, which is great for the seller.
All of my auctions are fixed price meaning there is no bidding.
Like a store, this is the price, you can buy it now without waiting.
If it's too high, find another one.
I turn down any offer below my price.

 

[mgresh]

Yes, I have had compensation made by eBay on transactions with unscrupulous sellers. Even though the seller disappeared, eBay made good on a refund. And on other unsatisfactory sales where the seller actually was willing to do the right thing, eBay oversaw the whole process.

You're right, cash, checks, and money orders aren't covered, but one reason for that is because eBay owns PayPal. By capturing the service charges from PayPal transactions, eBay can afford to guarantee the transactions unlike when a convenience store or the PO takes the service fee for a money order. And credit card upcharges are very rare on eBay. In fact I rarely see credit card upcharges on hobby and enthusiast merchandise EXCEPT with regard to firearms. It is a very unattractive aspect of the firearm marketplace.

I'm not saying every auction site has to be exactly like eBay. And on the other hand you could justifiably criticize eBay for not supporting firearm sales. But their standing behind the transactions to keep members whole is an important beneficial aspect of their business "product" that it would behoove other auction sites to emulate.

In reality, there is not much protection at all provided by eBay above the protection you will get first from the payment processor. I get that they own PayPal, but they offer the guarantee, not eBay. And PayPal offers that on transactions other than just eBay. If you buy via debit or credit card, you are also protected outside of eBay. The only way you can get a refund from eBay would be if you used their gift cards or vouchers.

 

[larryh1108]

Last week I had 2 federal agents call on me, at my home, with my order from December in their hand.
They had the tracking showing delivered to me.
Well, it turns out that I purchased stolen property, which I obviously was unaware of.
For some reason it involved feds. They said they could not discuss an ongoing investigation.
They showed me the paper work from Ebay and asked me if I still had the item.
It was sitting on my dining room table ready for resale. I just took the pictures.
I was going to list it that day.
So, they examined the item and saw it matched the description (there is no serial numbers or anything)
and asked if I was willing to forfeit it. If not willingly then they would return with a warrant or something to
compel me to turn it over. It wasn't that expensive so I told them I would file a claim with Ebay and they could
take it now. They were very nice, professional and courteous. I had no problem letting them take it.

I immediately contacted Ebay. The seller was still active but all her auctions were gone and her "store" had a note
saying she was out of town until April 1. Ebay took notes and assured me I was covered (Buyer Protection)
even though it was a week shy of 3 months. They transferred my call internally to Pay Pal who opened an
inquiry. They also assured me I would get reimbursed but had a process to follow to try to recover the money from
the seller. If they were unable to get the seller to respond or refund, they would take care of it. I sent them a copy
of the paperwork receipt of the item with the description. It was on their letterhead.

So, it may take 30 days but they say I am covered. I was pleased at how I was treated by Ebay and Pay Pal.
Time will tell if this gets resolved but knowing I had an option was better than just losing the money I spent.