Question How do i Avoid getting scammed on a PPT Purchase?

[OfficerDoofy]

Hello, New here: There is a listing here for a GLOCK 19x PPT local in San Clemente
1st I've never done a PPT purchase so I'm not sure how it should go.
Any advise on how to protect myself against getting scammed or running into a police sting?
What steps should I take in contacting the seller and purchasing the firearm.
The FFL to DROS is in my area so I've been there a few times in the past
At what point do I pay for the firearm?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I really am only interested in a safe LEGAL transaction

Thanks,
JamMan1213

I find it hard to get scammed. Unless you’re sending money before you meet. Everytime I’ve done it we exchange money while we do the paperwork. As far as buying parts that don’t need a PPT that’s another story.

 

[No_glonks]

I

I agree with the no deposit advice. I’ve done two PPT transactions recently where I inspected the firearm first, started the DROS, and then handed over the money while the paperwork was being done. They were both smooth and cool sellers.

I had one deal last week from the forums that I ended up cancelling. We had already set a time and place, but while I was driving there, the seller started pushing hard for me to hand over the cash outside before we went in. He said if I didn’t do that, he was going to cancel the deal, and then started saying I was being shady because I wanted to pay during the DROS process.

Seller had no feedback and the last minute pressure just didn’t sit right with me. I’d rather walk away than force a deal that feels off. There will always be another one that pops up.

I guess he was afraid once FFL starts entering info into the system gun is no longer his.
FFL I often use for PPT usually asks buyer and seller to check the gun, come to final agreement, go outside and exchange cash, then come back and start paperwork.
I’ve done , both as seller and buyer, PPT with money before paperwork, during and after.

 

[treelogger]

I guess he was afraid once FFL starts entering info into the system gun is no longer his.

Scenario: I sell my Heckler+Sig P1234 to Bob Scammy for $1000. We meet at my favorite FFL, New Silicon Gun Room. We tell the FFL we're here for a PPT, stand at the counter. I get the P1234 out of its locked case, Bob looks it over, likes it. We tell the FFL to please start the paperwork. Bob hands me an envelope with a small stack of $100 bills (this could be done out in the parking lot, some dealers prefer it that way). I count them, and find that there are only 5 hundreds, and five 20. I ask Bob: "What gives", and he goes "I can't afford any more" or "I thought you were easy to scam" or "it's used so you only get $600". I turn to the FFL and tell him: Hold on, don't finish the transfer, we seem to have a disagreement here. Bob gets his envelope back, I put the gun back into my lockable case and take it home, and Bob is forever on my s*** list.

You can modify this scenario for operating via Zelle/Venmo/..., but the gist doesn't change: The FFL transfer is slow enough, it can be stopped.

Seriously, if someone is "afraid once the FFL starts...", that someone needs to think this through.

FFL I often use for PPT usually asks buyer and seller to check the gun, come to final agreement, go outside and exchange cash, then come back and start paperwork.

Smart FFL. They did think this through!

 

[kemasa]

I

I guess he was afraid once FFL starts entering info into the system gun is no longer his.
FFL I often use for PPT usually asks buyer and seller to check the gun, come to final agreement, go outside and exchange cash, then come back and start paperwork.
I’ve done , both as seller and buyer, PPT with money before paperwork, during and after.

There is NO valid reason to demand that the cash be exchanged outside. The only issue is that sales tax would apply if the FFL got involved in the sales price of the firearm, or finding the buyer/seller. I am not sure of where the fear of customers exchanging cash inside comes from for the FFL. It is known that money will be exchanged. Perhaps you could ask your FFL why and let me know what the answer is.

The only issue, which going outside doesn't resolve, is if it is a straw purchase, since if the FFL knows that there is an issue, it doesn't matter where/when the money is being transferred.

 

[No_glonks]

There is NO valid reason to demand that the cash be exchanged outside. The only issue is that sales tax would apply if the FFL got involved in the sales price of the firearm, or finding the buyer/seller. I am not sure of where the fear of customers exchanging cash inside comes from for the FFL. It is known that money will be exchanged. Perhaps you could ask your FFL why and let me know what the answer is.

The only issue, which going outside doesn't resolve, is if it is a straw purchase, since if the FFL knows that there is an issue, it doesn't matter where/when the money is being transferred.

Most of the stores don't want to see cash exchange in the store. At least all I've done PPT in.
Edit: Not arguing if there is a valid reason or not, just sharing personal experience

 

[Hindsight]

It’s gotten worse/more stringent after the FFL requirements for audio/video requirements for in store monitoring.

There are still some FFLs that don’t care, but they’re usually the more flexible ones in general and also more experienced/higher end FFLs.

I’ve been handed several tens of thousands of dollars in a single sale/at one time and they don’t blink. Sometimes they offer to let you borrow their cash counter .

But I too understand from a risk tolerance/mitigation perspective. Why risk it at all even if it’s not necessarily illegal.

 

[kemasa]

Most of the stores don't want to see cash exchange in the store. At least all I've done PPT in.
Edit: Not arguing if there is a valid reason or not, just sharing personal experience

I get that, but I can never get a valid answer as to why. It seems like there is some mythical reason why that they can't explain, ever.

 

[kemasa]

It’s gotten worse/more stringent after the FFL requirements for audio/video requirements for in store monitoring.

There are still some FFLs that don’t care, but they’re usually the more flexible ones in general and also more experienced/higher end FFLs.

I’ve been handed several tens of thousands of dollars in a single sale/at one time and they don’t blink. Sometimes they offer to let you borrow their cash counter .

But I too understand from a risk tolerance/mitigation perspective. Why risk it at all even if it’s not necessarily illegal.

There is NO risk, that is the issue, there is just no issue, yet some think there is. The video would also prove there isn't an issue.

 

[Gawernator]

It’s gotten worse/more stringent after the FFL requirements for audio/video requirements for in store monitoring.

There are still some FFLs that don’t care, but they’re usually the more flexible ones in general and also more experienced/higher end FFLs.

I’ve been handed several tens of thousands of dollars in a single sale/at one time and they don’t blink. Sometimes they offer to let you borrow their cash counter .

But I too understand from a risk tolerance/mitigation perspective. Why risk it at all even if it’s not necessarily illegal.

There is no risk. It's absolutely nonsensical. It's not illegal to buy a gun in cash.