Question regarding Trademe

[Sniper]

Hey guys, looking for a bit of advice regarding a sale on trademe.

I put a bid on a rifle that was advertised in Kiakoura after asking a few questions about it first ect ect and checking it would be OK if he held onto it until tomorrow(this Friday) when I came up. The trade ended last week saturday under reserve but he offered it to me at a fixed price which I accepted.

The question regarding pick-up was answered with, "Well Im in Christchurch next friday(tomorrow) and I can drop it off to you" which I thought was awesome and in my first email I offered to pay extra as a thank you, petrol money or something. I also was willing to get a police copy of my license sent up to him. As well as produce my license and talk guns over a cup of coffee.

Since last week saturday I have recieved 2 emails back. First one was the trademe generated one and the next one was on Monday telling me they have received my emails but what is my address. They have also confirmed in a question that cash on collection is fine so Im glad I havent deposited the money to date.

I have sent them a total of 8 emails asking various questions and telling them I would prefer to meet somewhere rather than them come round straight away. This is just me being me. Im sure you wouldnt want someone you dont know turning up to your house with a rifle...

I have also left a number of questions on a few other of their auctions asking them to get back to me or post a question on my auction to let me know what they plan to do. They have answered everyone elses questions apart from mine.

I know they are reading the emails as Im getting notifications back saying so. But my plan is to give them until 1600 today and then send them an email calling it off. Im happy to pay back their success fee cause Im nice, but Im not willing to trade with someone who decides when is convienient(sp) to contact me especially when dealing with firearms and ammo. I may think twice if it was a playstation or some game or electronics.

What would you guys do, keeping in mind this is a firearm and not just CD's or clothes or something.

[Postie]

threaten him with a machete...................

[Devil]

Use the phone.

[Sniper]

I dont have a last name or phone number mate

[Ixion]

Bear in mind that not everyone has regular access to email. And that some people may have a separate email account for Trademe, and not check it so regularly. And that in some circumstances people may be able to read email but not reply.

It has only been a week, and the vendor seems helpful enough. And from his point of view there is an arrangement sorted, just needs details finalised.

If there was any sort of rort involved he would hardly agree to cash on delivery, surely?

Why not send him an email asking him to phone you, since you don't have his phone number ?

[far queue]

You've paid them no money, from what you say I assume they don't already have your phone number or address, they have a rifle they want to be rid of, and they've already paid a success fee to trade me. You know they are reading your emails. You appear to be safe here and your arse is covered.

I would send them a final email stating that as they wont respond to your emails to arrange a meet, you have had to arrange time off yourself to meet them, and you can't change the timing now due to work commitments. You tell them you will meet them outside the Central Police Station at 1200 for the exchange to take place. I believe this isn't too far from your work.

If they don't show, then you advise Trademe and leave them bad rep explaining what happened. You have all the evidence to back yourself up, and you've only lost a lunch break. If they do show up and are a bit dodgy then you're in a nice safe neutral place.

[Sniper]

Why not send him an email asking him to phone you, since you don't have his phone number ?

Sorry, forgot to mention I have done that in one of my first emails Ixion. Thanks for the suggestion though.

The thing that makes me wonder is why will he read emails (and obiously my questions on trademe) and not answer them, but answer others?

[far queue]

Bear in mind that not everyone has regular access to email. And that some people may have a separate email account for Trademe, and not check it so regularly. And that in some circumstances people may be able to read email but not reply.
He said that the emails have been opened and other questions left on auctions have been answered. They are obviously active, but ignoring him for whatever reason.

[skelstar]

It could be its not him/her reading the email, but someone who is sharing the email address.

[Sniper]

It is possible Skel, but you would think they would see one of the 8 emails I have sent.

[T.W.R]

IMO it's probably better for this guy to actually come to your house to release the rifle to you, rather than at some pre-arranged public location.

Just imagine the crap you'd be put through if some member of the public saw the exchange happening & got the wrong impression & notified the police:yes: along with vehicle details etc, plod would be around in due time to put you through the wringer & thoroughly check over your arsenal & the storage security etc

Still it's a bit dodgey that you still don't know this blokes surname & other details, plus he's going to have to declear tranfer of ownership to the police & thus you'll have to register the rifle also.

Joys of tardme I suppose:wait:

[Sniper]

Still it's a bit dodgey that you still don't know this blokes surname & other details, plus he's going to have to declear tranfer of ownership to the police & thus you'll have to register the rifle also.


Thats true, Im not keen on hardly knowing anything. But I wasnt aware that by law you need to register the firearms or inform the cops of selling them. I know you should keep a record for yourself though.

EDIT: The Arms code doesnt mention anything about notifying the police in the event of buying or selling.

Thanks for the help though guys.

[Dooly]

Thats true, Im not keen on hardly knowing anything. But I wasnt aware that by law you need to register the firearms or inform the cops of selling them. I know you should keep a record for yourself though.

EDIT: The Arms code doesnt mention anything about notifying the police in the event of buying or selling.

Thanks for the help though guys.


I've brough a few rifles of TM and all the sellers have couriered them to me fortunately, after showing them a scanned pic of my licence.
I asked the local firearms officer about whether they have to be notified about buying selling etc.
She said no they dont have to be. But I guess most people would keep a record of their firearms.
I have 2 rifles registered by buying off a shop, but the other 8 or so I've brought privately and the cops will have no reg.

[ManDownUnder]

Ring the local arms officer - explain what's going on and ask if they are willing to be an intermediary - i.e. you show them your firearms licence, they accept the gun on your behalf (any time the other dude wants to take it there...) and go pick it up yourself fromt them.

Or ask if the Arms Officer there is an alternate, acceptable arrangement?

MDU

[far queue]

IMO it's probably better for this guy to actually come to your house to release the rifle to you, rather than at some pre-arranged public location.

Just imagine the crap you'd be put through if some member of the public saw the exchange happening & got the wrong impression & notified the police:yes: along with vehicle details etc, plod would be around in due time to put you through the wringer & thoroughly check over your arsenal & the storage security etcIf it's done outside the cop shop, then you're obviously not trying to hide anything, and you would explain this to plod if he/she asked. Hell, if you want to be really secure about it, then meet the person in the arms office - just to the right inside the main entrance. I'm sue they wouldn't mind if you explained the situation to them. And take a gun bag or case with you to carry the gun away with.

[Sniper]

You guys are just trying to get me locked up. No New Zealand policeman would believe a south african buying a gun outside a cop shop cause its nuetral territory. :laugh:

[Ixion]

It'll be when you test fire it that they'll raise an eyebrow.

[far queue]

I asked the local firearms officer about whether they have to be notified about buying selling etc.
She said no they dont have to be. But I guess most people would keep a record of their firearms.
I have 2 rifles registered by buying off a shop, but the other 8 or so I've brought privately and the cops will have no reg.
This is correct. Under the old licensing system each indivudal rifle had to be registered with the cops, but a licence to procure was all that was required for as many shotguns as you liked. Under the current system a firearms license entitles you as many firearms as you like - of the correct type for your license. Individuals don't have to notify the cops of change of ownership, but dealers do have to notify the cops and keep accurate records.

[far queue]

Why don't you get yourself one of these? Ideal for duck shooting ... http://www.guncity.co.nz/40mm-bofor-anti-aircraft-gun-xidp119997.html

[Sniper]

Nah, not stealthy enough.

[T.W.R]

MSSA rifles & pistols have to be recorded. And in section 7 states that purchasing a MSSA style rifle through mail order etc has to be varified by the purchaser with the police. And you have to have the correct endorsements on your licence.

Plus having your firearms documented by the cops does save yourself some shit if your burgled or a purchased rifle has a history.

[Sniper]

Yep, I see what you mean now.

Its an A cat rifle so its not subject to any of the above rules.

Good idea on having it recorded by the cops mate.... I have a list of my rifles and all serial numbers. I might pass them on to the arms officer.

[Swoop]

Its an A cat rifle so its not subject to any of the above rules.

Good idea on having it recorded by the cops mate.... I have a list of my rifles and all serial numbers. I might pass them on to the arms officer.
You are better off to keep a list of firearms and perhaps a second copy at work?
The police database isn't totally secure (one robbery to order of a collectors firearms already done), so keeping your own records is safer.

Meeting the seller away from your home is a safer option. Perhaps a gunshop would be better?

[far queue]

So, how did you get on with this Sniper? Did they make contact? Did you get the rifle?

[Sniper]

Yea I got it in the end thanks far queue. Bit of an arguement with the guy because he wasnt keen on meeting me anywhere but my house so I got him to meet me at my work while my collegues were around. He also got a little less too :)

[Patch]

Now for safety's sake, go register it with the Arms Officer, just in case its been used in a manner it should've have been. Be sure to include the chap's name and addy or TM name - cover your own ass man, you don't know where that has been used - the risk of buying privately from an idiot you don't know.

Its no big deal registering, ring an talk to them (Arms Officer) surprisingly enough they can be pleasant an helpful, dispite the general attitude towards the plod. If your house is ever burgled, your covered because they have all the necessary details on file.


my 2c - safety first

[Shadows]

I've brough a few rifles of TM and all the sellers have couriered them to me fortunately, after showing them a scanned pic of my licence.
I asked the local firearms officer about whether they have to be notified about buying selling etc.
She said no they dont have to be. But I guess most people would keep a record of their firearms.
I have 2 rifles registered by buying off a shop, but the other 8 or so I've brought privately and the cops will have no reg.

I'm surprised the arms officer didn't tell you the other important fact which is that a scanned image of your licence is not good enough evidence for the seller to release the rifle to you when you cannot meet and have him personally sight your licence.
The person sending you the firearm is leaving himself wide open to prosecution for doing so without having a letter from your arms officer stating that...
1) he has sighted your licence (and you are who you say you are),
2) you hold the correct class of licence for the firearm in question, and
4) you reside at a particular address (this is where the firearm must be sent).
You'd be fine receiving the rifle using a scanned image of your licence as evidence, but the seller wouldn't because he would be deemed as not taking the necessary precautions to ensure that he wasn't supplying an unlicensed person wih a firearm.
If you onsell any firearms yourself on Trademe or whatever it would pay to remember that, you never really know who you are sending them to otherwise.