How to Buy a Gun Through the Mail w/o Getting Scammed

[LumpyBrass]

I sold a gun on here and wondered about the buyer's comfort while I sit with his check while arranging shipment which took a couple of days.
I'm looking to sell another gun on here and hope it goes as well.
Sending off a sizable amount of money and hoping for the best has a pucker factor to it.

[HSMaxim]

For a few higher dollar purchases I made, the seller was shipping from an FFL to my FFL.
I asked for the FFL's name, checked to see they were indeed a FFL then sent the payment to the FFL to be released when the gun was dropped off for shipment.
I always use a postal money order now.

Could I still get screwed? Sure, and I have, but that's the risk you take when buying a rare or one off gun from across the country.

The short answer is that you never can be sure you aren't getting the shaft, unless it is a reputable dealer, and even then you never know.
As someone that also sells, I would never accept half payment.

If you don't feel comfortable, move on.

[ForeverPA]

On a related note, I am looking at a double shotgun from two online dealers. One wants $35 for shipping and the other one just $10. I obviously like the second guy but isn't $10 a little low for shipping a shotgun? Their gun price is the same.