Gents -
New member here, long time shooter & resident of Corpus Christi. Wondering if the members of this forum, have had much experience (buyer or seller) with Texas Gun Trader. If so, has your experience been positive, or negative?

As shipping firearms has gotten quite expensive, I list items (very clear terms of sale, full details, with good pictures) over there from time to time, specifying local FTF sale only. I'd estimate nearly 50% of responses are what I'd consider to be suspicious.
Most (almost all) of these are requests to be contacted via a gmail account, ask for a picture, claim they can't open a link to the posted item, ask if item is available, and if so, what is the "current" price. Additionally, won't provide an in state number for discussion. I get it that many contacts are just from tire kickers - which is fine, but get the feeling that the "suspicious" contacts are from the same people, who are not actually interested parties, and are trolling sellers - for reasons unknown.

I understand people are concerned about divulging personal information, but as someone who has purchased a fair number of firearms from private individuals out of state over the years, I always want to speak with the seller - before sending off a USPS MO for the item. I've always found that most shooters (myself included) enjoy a good chat, especially when it entails providing details of their favorite smoke pole - or hog leg offered up for sale. and I'm normally a bit suspicious of a seller who won't speak to an interested buyer. As a seller, it just seems a little strange when an interested (?) buyer doesn't want to talk.

Anyway maybe it's just me, and this is the new normal...
If you've been there & done that with TGT, your thoughts would be appreciated!

Have sold several on their site in the last year. No issues or problems.

IMO, ya gotta suspect that there is an ATF or FBI agent in there somewhere.

Tons of scammers, just be vigilant and you’ll be good. It’s definitely not my first choice to sell on, but if I can’t sell a gun on here I’ll use TGT and it sells pretty quickly.

Just a e to winnow thru the chaff to find the good ones there. I have had way more tire kickers and scammers on there than anything. Just had a guy that had a pistol listed I wanted. I sent him a message that I wanted but was out of town till Sunday. He responded back to let him know when I got back so we could meet up. Sent him a message each day to make sure all was good. Got back today after sending him messages yesterday and today to finally get a response that he already sold it. When I called him out on it he took offense. Have never had that issue on here

I've bought a few off Texas Gun Trader. Never had a problem.

I never got scammed on there but I’m very careful and only would do a FTF deal.

Bought from there and it went well. Lots of good local options available.

No issues but I only use it to make face-to-face sales with local buyers.

No problems but I never go alone

I have had no issues with TGT. Always sell face to face. Never ship and never send money ahead of time.

Great forum here Gents - thanks for the input!

GCF

I’ve bought several. No problems but if it’s a smoking great deal and they joined today or yesterday buyer beware!

I look for history (same with this site)….

I promised a guy I would wait a couple months till he got his tax refund to buy an expensive rifle I was selling.. Kept telling me he wanted it. Well, when his check arrived, he had other things pop up he needed to buy and shined me.

My loss, I should have asked for earnest money but I'm a trusting soul. haha up mine!.

I have bought there but never sold. I only buy cash face to face, ever so TGT is no different. I have sold a few here. I have bought a few here. THF is my go to and I guess that's why I have only bought on TGT not sold.

What I see so much on gun classifieds is folks thinking their guns are "special" I see so many rifles for $1500 which are worth $600.

Do you attempt to negotiate?

Oh yes, if I see something I really want I will start a negotiation.

Gunbroker sux cuz they auto bid till time runs out. I did come close to buying a minty Model 12 20ga but I had to leave before the time was up. I missed it by $5.