Trade safely on Gunfinder
Gunfinder connects hunters and sport shooters so they can buy and sell firearms among each other. We verify identities and provide you with tools – but the transaction is up to you and your trading partner. With these basic rules, you trade safely. How to recognise and report fraud attempts, you can also read in our article “Recognising and Reporting Fraud.”
Communicate via the Gunfinder chat
Use only the Gunfinder chat for all communication – not email or WhatsApp. This way we can help if needed. Photos you share through the chat are automatically watermarked to prevent misuse. Communication outside the chat significantly reduces your security.
Check Documents and Identity
Every seller must verify their identity before they can list items. More about identity verification. Still: No platform can guarantee 100% security – always check the person yourself.
- Ask for a selfie with the ID in hand in addition to the ID – this ensures the person is the owner.
- If you share documents outside the chat as an exception, add a watermark to prevent misuse.
- If you have the ID and proof of purchase authorization, contact the issuing authority and verify the data. The owner must agree to this check. This reliably protects against forged documents.
Verify via video call
A video call where the seller shows the item live and both parties introduce themselves with ID provides extra security about condition, authenticity, and identity.
Make Payment and Transfer Safe
You handle payment and shipping directly with each other – Gunfinder is not involved and does not offer buyer protection. That’s why these rules are even more important:
- The safest is a personal transfer with cash payment on pickup – this way you can check the item and documents right away.
- Never transfer large amounts in advance without safeguards.
- If your counterpart asks for a transfer to a foreign bank, be cautious. You can identify the country of the account by the first two letters of the IBAN. If it doesn’t match your partner’s place of residence, ask for clarification.
- For shipping, payment by cash on delivery can be useful – the amount is paid to the courier upon receipt.
Look for verified users
Sellers can verify their identity to show they are not using a fake profile. Listings from verified users get clicked more often – verification also helps with selling. When in doubt, prefer verified dealers.