r/canadaguns • u/CanadaFootyFan • 23d ago
Misc Gunpost - long distance payments
I am curious what the standard expectation is when selling an item on GP to a buyer in another part of Canada. E-transfer is the default where a buyer is trusted, and I know that the GP rating/reputation mechanism provides some assurance - but I am curious if that is the normal expectation for a distance transaction or if some people use Paypal (and if so, if “goods and services” is the normal expectation or if folks use “friends and family”). Thanks
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u/thehuntinggearguy 3gun, Mapleseed, YouTuber, SlamFire Radio, Revolver-hater 23d ago
If I'm buying a gun on gunpost, I ask them to do a pal check first before I send an EMT.
2
u/OperatorBadger 21d ago
This is how I do any of my sales/buys on GP and have never had an issue until a recent purchase I went to make, did the PAL check and then sent EMT, seller said they ship the item within a couple days and never did and kept making excuse as to why they couldn't until they ghosted me when I asked for cash back. It's an ongoing investigation now but thats going pretty slow too.
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u/thehuntinggearguy 3gun, Mapleseed, YouTuber, SlamFire Radio, Revolver-hater 18d ago
The cops know where the guy lives. Should be an easy investigation for them.
1
u/OperatorBadger 18d ago
That's what I thought, it's been 3-1/2 months already, they've got all they information they need name, pal #, banking. 🤷
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u/goodfleance 23d ago
I've exclusively used e-transfer on GP both selling and buying without issue. The ratings and account age helps but I've taken risks on new members several times.
When I'm selling I usually let the e-transfer hit my email but don't accept until I'm at the post office sending the package. That lets me confirm the transfer BEFORE shipping and the buyers don't feel like I'm taking the money and ghosting.
Buying you've just got to stay in your comfort zone and trust only as much as you can afford to lose.
I've never had an issue this way but I do occasionally get messages from scammers or dickheads without a license but I just report and block.
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u/CanadaFootyFan 23d ago
Thanks - appreciate it. I have trusted so far and never gotten burned. Maybe the idea of scamming people with guns is a deterrent lol.
4
u/DoYouGetSarcasm 23d ago
Paypal prohibits the use of it's service for firearms. So it might seem fine to use... Until you get caught, eg by telling them the gun you bought never showed up.
1
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u/Standard_Custard2338 23d ago
I buy and sell on GB and TownPost regularly. As a seller it is either etransfer or meet in person for a cash deal. I sell primarily antique status pistols but also the odd non restricted rifle. I will NEVER send something without first having the cash in my account.
Though I've never had a problem I would never trust Canada Post to collect my money. When shipping I usually give the option to the buyer to ship flat rate with $100 insurance (for small items like pistols) or fully insured up to the $1000 max offered by Canada Post and always use tracking. Like I said, it's never happened but if something went missing in transit, that's on the buyer. Some of my items shipped have hit $3000 which is well above the insurance offered.
As a buyer, I always use etransfer for distant purchases and prefer accounts that aren't brand new. I'll sell to new accounts but am hesitant to buy from one.
Follow this and you'll likely be fine. I've had a couple attempts to scam me over the years (as a seller) but never been taken.
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23d ago
[deleted]
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u/Mysterious_Sleep7443 23d ago
Asking for or giving out pictures of your PAL is a huge red flag for me and not required by law
If someone asks for me to send them a picture of my PAL the deal is off
All is required to be given is email address, date of birth and PAL number
Never send photos of your PAL or DL to anyone online
1
u/chillyrabbit 23d ago
Unfortunately that is one of the options for people to verify a PAL online.
All is required to be given is email address, date of birth and PAL number
Which is completely wrong, because if the seller transfers a firearm this way, they just broke the law.
C-71 mandates they take additional steps to verify a PAL with a second piece of ID if they can't visually confirm your identity (ie if you are selling online and not in person)
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u/HappyCan7250 23d ago
Im the same as a few others on here, im happy to send the money ahead of time as long as the seller seems trustworthy and friendly in our conversations and has a 5 star rating (and has been on the site for at least a few months).
When selling, I have always expected payment before shipping. I did once agree with a guy as well for half upfront, and he could send the other half upon receiving, but I didn't love doing it that way. He did send the payment, but it was riskier for me.
When selling I always keep the buyer in the loop, send them a photo when its boxed up (i usually give them my cell number too), and then send them the tracking info as soon as I drop it off.
I basically just ignore dealing with any brand new accounts without reviews too, not intending to block any new shooters from buying, but just too many scammers now to take the risk.
Also of course first step is to the verify PAL, and then I also make sure that the name on the E transfer matches the name on their PAL.
A while ago when I was selling a rifle, I had a 1 day old account ask me if his buddy could come pick up the rifle. That was a red flag to me, 1 day old account with no reviews, wanting someone else to come pick it up? Not a chance!
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u/CAFirearmSociety 23d ago
On gp for over a decade, and only scammers ever mention pay pal. If everything looks good then E transfer, if for whatever reason anything seams off just trust your gut and leave it.
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u/th3badwolf_1234 23d ago
That's 100% fudd mentality, paypal has built in buyer and seller protections and arbitrage, COD via Canada post covers both parties for a few $.
Every single community that deals with online purchases avoid etransfer for lack of protection except this one.
If you brand someone a scammer for suggesting Paypal, you're the scammer.
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u/Sillyak 23d ago
PayPal goods and services offers protection for the buyer, but it costs a fee and the seller can get scammed. PayPal friends and family offers no protection to anyone.
I've been buying and selling guns online for 17 years and have always used e-transfer and have never had a single issue as a buyer or a seller. Literally hundreds of deals. You need to look at feedback and if those feedback entries come from a legitimate source. I've heard too many horror stories of scammer buyers screwing over sellers on PayPal and PayPal always taking the buyers side even when they are clearly in the wrong.
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u/CanadaFootyFan 23d ago
That was always my issue with PayPal. The G&S option can be abused by buyers (lots of horror stories out there) and it seems to def favour one side over the other.
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u/th3badwolf_1234 23d ago
That's why I'd use CanadaPost COD. They check ID, collect payment and have security cameras all of that for about 10$ or so depending on the sale
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u/th3badwolf_1234 23d ago
There are no check and balances on GP, I can create free accounts, have them trade betweennthemselves to build rep and then go for a big ticket item scam.
The best protection by far is Canada Post Collect On Delivery
1
u/uber_poutine 23d ago
As a buyer, check GP reviews, make contact/negotiate, PAL check, and then complete the eTransfer if the names match.
If it's a larger purchase, you might have to break it up into a few days of eTransfers due to the daily limit.
1
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u/Remarkable_Vanilla34 23d ago
I always get them to take pictures with their PAL and id beside what your purchasing and a video of it if possible and a phone call.
Scammed are usually selling something that doesn't exsist and only have one or two photos they stole from somewhere else.
The biggest problem with gunpost is people don't leave reviews, its a lot harder to build trust in your account without them.
1
u/CanadaFootyFan 23d ago
I have definitely left feedback on all my deals and asked them to do the same - precisely to make sure I have established my GP rep.
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u/Major-Ad-4288 23d ago
i bought a very expensive item on gp 5 years ago, i requested the buyer put a spoon (could be anything) infront of the item and take a picture. this is akin to a time stamp. it ensures that the item is real.
although with AI now, you may have to become more inventive.
my issue with COD is it only ensures you are getting a box. as you have to sign for it before you open it.
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u/pr0cyn1c 23d ago
depending on how much the item is valued, you can get CanPost to COD. I've done this in the past.
i think $999.99 is max value they will collect as a private sale (aka not a business)
edit for typos