Safe way to do FTF transactions

[solidgun]

Y'all are paranoid

Been buying,swapping, and selling for more years than I've got fingers and toes. Mostly with complete strangers. Really, how the heck else are you supposed to meet and make new friends like Shippy? Never a problem on either side. Sometimes we meet at public place, sometimes, their place, sometimes my place. I suppose when you read that I've been murdered in an Eden Prairie parking lot, an Edina home, or my house you can remember this post and say to yourself- "Wow, he was reckless and it got him killed" Until then, lighten up girls .

I know it could get to this point, but I am not promoting paranoia. Just precaution.

Not sure whether you carry a firearm. But most of us are not in gunfights everyday. It isn't highnoon duels out there everyday. Why carry a firearm? It is the same logic that I am trying to apply here.

[gman1868]

More proof that it's all about the post count.

...and hence, Clout.

[45Badger]

Y'all are paranoid

Been buying,swapping, and selling for more years than I've got fingers and toes. Mostly with complete strangers. Really, how the heck else are you supposed to meet and make new friends like Shippy? Never a problem on either side. Sometimes we meet at public place, sometimes, their place, sometimes my place. I suppose when you read that I've been murdered in an Eden Prairie parking lot, an Edina home, or my house you can remember this post and say to yourself- "Wow, he was reckless and it got him killed" Until then, lighten up girls .

I know it could get to this point, but I am not promoting paranoia. Just precaution.

Not sure whether you carry a firearm. But most of us are not in gunfights everyday. It isn't highnoon duels out there everyday. Why carry a firearm? It is the same logic that I am trying to apply here.

There's a funny quote that I'll mangle in the paraphrasing. It's in reference to folks who think gun owners are a bunch of paaranoid whackos." Why would I be paranoid? I'm the one with the gun"

I carry, but the gun is a only a tool, and it's the tool of last resort, after I've made a pile of bad decisions that have put me in a position to need it. Being a a slightly grumpy, almost old fart, I don't hand out with stupid young adults, do drugs, get drunk, fight over girls, or hang out in bars or in undesirable neighborhoods. I do however trust about 99% of my fellow human beings and don't get too twitchy. If something feels weird, I'll bail, but nothing has ever come close to that yet.

[Steelheart]

I've done a few FTF transactions with people I didn't know. The last one was in January. I'd already brought a close friend up to speed and had emailed her all the info I had incase she had to contact LE. I was texting her as I waited both to pass the time & to give her updates. We met at a public place (Wal-mart parking lot) and did the actual transaction on the tailgate of his truck. Previously I'd jokingly told her that if she heard a report of WWIII breaking out in that parking lot that the transaction didn't go well.

Now I'll readily admit that I was carrying more guns than normal because I wasn't sure where we'd do the actual transaction, my vehicle, his vehicle or whatever. Due to this uncertainty I had a gun available to each hand. And I do have some skill with unarmed combat to use as a primary.

After I got done I drove to work (as planned). Even with texting my friend that it all went well she still called me to hear my voice just to make sure since someone could fake the texts.

Overall, if you've got a bad feeling for the deal CALL IT OFF!!!

Steelheart

[Snowgun]

Due to this uncertainty I had a gun available to each hand.

So you were rolling to a FTF sale a little something like this:

[2beer]

Due to this uncertainty I had a gun available to each hand.

So you were rolling to a FTF sale a little something like this:

thats how I walk around my house/yard

[Steelheart]

Due to this uncertainty I had a gun available to each hand.

So you were rolling to a FTF sale a little something like this:

Nope, I'm a white dude who still has his hair!

Actually down vests with hand warmer pockets come in handy for more than hand warmers....

Steelheart

[photogpat]

I've always met in public places (except for the one Gecko transaction) and I always let someone know where I'm going. Never had any issues, but I don't let myself get into bad situations. If something doesn't vibe well...I'm perfectly content with driving/running away from a deal.

I went to buy some photo lighting from Craigslist one time that looked to be a good deal. The guy wanted to meet at his place -- it was in a suburb, nothing notable about the location. When I found his house and went up to the door, there were about 5 guys in there that were a little "sketchy" (IMHO). As I was reviewing the gear, some guy, other than my main contact, started asking if I had brought "the cash" and how he "needed to count it"...I replied that I had to go get it out of the car where my "friend" had it...then I went back out to my car and took off. Never heard back from the poster about my bailing on the deal - and I don't feel bad about it either. The spidey senses were tingling about that one.

[farmerj]

I like to find them nice shady dark alleys where you can hide in the shadows so people can't see your face and all. Cash only please, no questions asked. Industrial or business sectors of town after hours are best.

[SAM]

Y'all are paranoid

Been buying,swapping, and selling for more years than I've got fingers and toes. Mostly with complete strangers. Really, how the heck else are you supposed to meet and make new friends like Shippy? Never a problem on either side. Sometimes we meet at public place, sometimes, their place, sometimes my place. I suppose when you read that I've been murdered in an Eden Prairie parking lot, an Edina home, or my house you can remember this post and say to yourself- "Wow, he was reckless and it got him killed" Until then, lighten up girls .

+ 100

[ktech]

I usually will at least mention to somebody that I'm going, and where I'm going, and for firearms transactions I always meet somewhere public. Did go to Badger's house one time, but that was for a gun rack.
The way I figure, like others have said, if spidey senses tingle, GTFO. Until then, no real need to worry - it'd be a lot of effort for a criminal to pose as a gun seller in order to rob someone - who's more than likely armed - of (usually less than) a grand in cash. Lots of softer targets out there.

[JJ]

To the OP and the rest of the nervous wrecks in a gun transaction. Don't go to stupid places and do stupid things with stupid people.

Meet in public. As for the rest of it, ya'll are EXACTLY the paranoid wackjobs, that gun owners are made out to be

[cobb]

To the OP and the rest of the nervous wrecks in a gun transaction. Don't go to stupid places and do stupid things with stupid people.

Meet in public. As for the rest of it, ya'll are EXACTLY the paranoid wackjobs, that gun owners are made out to be

. . .

[timwarner]

Just bring me or shippy along. They'll think twice about who is the unsavory character of the transaction.
I think we both work for beer.
or whiskey
or vodka
probably rum

[DrJohnnyFever]

I usually will at least mention to somebody that I'm going, and where I'm going, and for firearms transactions I always meet somewhere public. Did go to Badger's house one time, but that was for a gun rack.
The way I figure, like others have said, if spidey senses tingle, GTFO. Until then, no real need to worry - it'd be a lot of effort for a criminal to pose as a gun seller in order to rob someone - who's more than likely armed - of (usually less than) a grand in cash. Lots of softer targets out there.

I thought you usually go for bank parking lots.