Long story short myself and two other guys were scammed on another forum. We all purchased Nightforce scopes that were either described as new or like new from someone who had been a member of this forum for over a year. I made a deal with the seller but he wanted me to pay with a money order. I finally convinced him to accept PayPal goods and services, however the other two buyers sent postal money orders. After I sent the seller funds via PayPal, the first red flag popped up. The email address the seller had provided for PayPal was linked to a Chinese Business. I asked the seller if this was the correct email and he told me that yes it was, it was his wife’s business.

I went against my best judgment and sent the funds anyway. I messaged the seller and told him that the funds were sent. He replied and said he would ship out the next morning and provide me with a FedEx tracking number. A day passes and nothing. I reach back out to the seller and ask if he was able to ship the scope out. He replied that he was unable to do so because he got stuck at work. He assured me that he would ship out the following morning. Ok cool, no problem. This same excuse making about why he was unable to ship continues for the next several days before I finally decide to do a little investigating. I searched the sellers username on the forum and find two other Nightforce scopes he had posted for sale that were already sold to other forum members. I reached out to these two gentlemen and asked if they had received their scopes from the seller yet. They had not, but unfortunately they had both paid with postal money orders that had already been cashed.

Turns out the seller was giving these other guys the runaround too as to why he had not shipped the scopes. We all agreed that we had been taken. I’m working with PayPal now to get my money back, but the other two guys are pretty much SOL. I wanted to post this as a warning to anyone that makes purchases online from other forums, Texas gun trader, etc. DO NOT send someone (complete stranger) a money order or any other form of payment that offers you no protection if the transaction goes south. This is 2020. If the seller says they won’t take PayPal as a form of payment because they don’t have a PayPal account, time to sign up. If they can post for sale ads from a computer or cellphone, they can take the time and figure out how to sign up for a PayPal account. Also when paying with PayPal, always send payment as “goods and services”. You have no protection if you send “friends and family”. I hope that this doesn’t come across as a rant, I’m simply trying to help make sure no one else makes the same mistake. That being said, anyone have a Nightforce ATACR F1 7-35x56 for sale? 😂

This would be more helpful if you named the person.

Great advise.

It was on Snipers Hide and the seller has been banned.

Thanks for the reminder that not everyone is to be trusted.

Just another warning before you cozy up to PayPal: they are anti-gun.

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/What-is-PayPal%E2%80%99s-policy-on-transactions-that-involve-firearms-FAQ585

Paypal is anti gun, but they will get your money back every time.

Just curious if it was an attractive price that was your primary reason for deciding to buy.

If someone is running scams, receiving & cashing a federal document (USPS money order) does it make it a federal crime?

Yes it does.

You might be SOL too, if PayPal finds out it was for the purchase of a gun accessory they might get the money back from seller and confiscate it and lock your PP account.

This is not the mods first rodeo.

It isn't that bad. They don't like knives as well and every knife dealer out there used PP. Just don't write in the notes its for a knife or gun

You said he's been on here for over a year. What name?

It was a pretty good price, but not so good that it would be too good to be true.

We’ll see, but I didn’t add a description in the comments.

He was on Snipers Hide as the user oldfart80.

I would NEVER buy a new or used high end ANYTHING without seeing the item in person or being able to verify who the seller is. Plain and simple. And for the life of me I cannot understand why any 2A supporter would be using PayPal. PFHUCK those clowns!

Sorry to hear about your ordeal.

As for 2020 and Paypal. I completely disagree and it doesn't matter what year it is. I have a smartphone and I think I might be able to figure out how to create a Paypal account. I think. But, I won't. Paypal is not the only game in town. Regardless, there are people who simply refuse to do business with certain businesses. I am one. I refuse to do business with Paypal.

I recently posted a pair of boots for sale and noted I would not accept Paypal. I got paid through Zelle.

It’s a bummer for sure. Just so you know, Zelle offers you no kind of protection whatsoever. It’s completely up to your bank if anything happens.

Sometimes online is the only way and PP is as well. If you don't do something then it's easy to see why you don't understand.

I pay a metric chit ton of stuff online and with mobile banking/apps. I do understand completely and refuse to use those PayPal clowns. As stated, they are not the only game in town.

I do FTF deals if at all possible. If not I only do Postal Money Orders when buying off forums. If seller won't take Postal Money Order then I don't buy the item. I have never delt with PP,Zelle,etc and don't plan on starting.