Do you ever browse the classified ads for fun, just to see what’s available?
Logging onto Kijiji, eBay, or opening up your local newspaper is a great way to find deals. Even if you aren’t looking for a specific item, you might see something that could be of use. A $500 kitchen island for $100? Count me in!
However, there are some things that you should not be looking for in the classified ads. Mattresses, for example (“Queen-size mattress for sale with extra bed bugs!”). And if you want to buy supplements, stick to the health food store and keep off the classified pages. But there’s one item above all that you want to avoid purchasing or listing on the classifieds: Firearms.
Why Can’t I List Them on eBay?
First, you won’t find firearms on many of the most common and trustworthy classified sites. Kijiji and eBay, for example, prohibit the sale of guns on their websites. This policy has more to do with protecting themselves than “personal” opinions about firearm safety. If they facilitated the sale of a firearm and that firearm was used in a crime, they could be partially on the hook. Rather than take on the risk, it’s safer for them to ban the sale altogether.
Unfortunately, this only leaves the classified sites that don’t have the same world-class customer protection standards and safety to sell firearms. Whereas eBay protects most of its users from scams, many classified sites for firearm sales adhere to the old motto, “Let the buyer beware.”
What About Firearm Forums?
There are many firearm enthusiast forums on the internet, and lots of them are safe places to be. They provide an excellent service to discuss gun-related topics, such as safety, regulation, and models. However, gun forums are NOT the place to buy firearms, for the same reasons listed above.
Just about anyone can create a profile on a firearm forum. Even if it’s moderated, most forums only require an active email address to validate a user. That means just about anyone can be behind a username. But what about users who have an extensive record of engaging with the community? Sure, they could be trusted… unless they got hacked. If so, who knows who could be behind the keyboard, promising a too-good-to-be-true deal to an actual user looking to purchase a firearm?
What Is Your Liability?
Whether you are a buyer or a seller using classifieds for a firearm sale, there are significant risks to you. The most obvious of which is being ripped off.
Let’s say that you’re planning on selling a firearm. You need to arrange for a safe place to meet, and that’s more difficult than you’d expect when you’re dealing with guns. You can’t exactly walk into a coffee shop with a hunting rifle, and empty parking lots and isolated areas can invite big risks. What if the person you’re dealing with is a criminal who wants to take your firearms without exchanging them for money?
Even if the exchange goes off without a hitch, there’s still paperwork that needs to be processed. You must give the gun’s licence to the buyer, and you need to confirm that the other person is fully licenced to own a gun in the first place. If they’re using fake documents of any kind, you could be deemed partially responsible if they were to commit a crime with your old firearm.
If you’re a buyer, then you need to worry about the firearm’s condition. You can’t exactly test it in public, which means that you might not discover something wrong with the item until you get it to the firing range. So, again, you are running the risk of being ripped off.
Alternatives to Classifieds?
Back when we started GTA Guns firearm auctions, we wanted to provide our customers with all of the benefits of classified ads, but with none of the safety-related drawbacks. In fact, it’s remarkable how similar the process is for buyers.
Potential buyers can browse our firearm auction listings and check out what pieces are available, including their exact condition, photos, and even videos. Buyers know that we have personally inspected every item with our proprietary GUNCHECK™ or CYCLECHECK™ programs to ensure the firearms’ condition. That gives them the confidence they need to bid high, often landing the guns they want for their collections!
Even better, you don’t need to do any of the paperwork. We take care of all that. If you’re selling your firearms, you simply drop them off at our brick-and-mortar location. We find the highest bidder anywhere in the world, collect the money from that bidder, ensure they are properly licensed, handle all the paperwork, and ship the firearm to them. Once we have your guns, all you have to do is cash our cheque. You don’t need to lift a finger!
If you want to feel safe and secure when purchasing or selling a firearm, please feel free to contact us today. Unlike with firearm classified ads, there are no risks with listing your firearm at GTA Gun. And if you have any questions about GTA Guns auctions and our other services, we’ve love to hear from you!