Vetted Online Retailers

[ilovetobuy]

In an era of scams, unreliable businesses, and other concerning practices I think it would be helpful to create a newer thread where folks can list/name vetted businesses.

Are there online businesses that you would recommend buying from? Are there any businesses that you would advise to steer clear of?

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[gmerkt]

Some to steer clear of are the ones who advertise in stock availability of things that you know are hard to get. Or offer lower, seemingly reasonable prices of things that are typically more costly. These sites are sprinkled into the internet otherwise without warning because there is no internet police. Major, major internet operators (like Meta / Facebook) claim to screen these things but it's mostly not factual. They aren't able to keep up with crooks like this because crooks move around faster than they do. Don't ever click on any of the offers (of any kind) on Facebook, for example. The most visible "face" of Meta is chock full of fraudulent advertisers.

There are lots of fraudulent websites offering powder and primers at discounted but not give-away prices. And things that just aren't available otherwise.

 

[ilovetobuy]

Some to steer clear of are the ones who advertise in stock availability of things that you know are hard to get. Or offer lower, seemingly reasonable prices of things that are typically more costly. These sites are sprinkled into the internet otherwise without warning because there is no internet police. Major, major internet operators (like Meta / Facebook) claim to screen these things but it's mostly not factual. They aren't able to keep up with crooks like this because crooks move around faster than they do. Don't ever click on any of the offers (of any kind) on Facebook, for example. The most visible "face" of Meta is chock full of fraudulent advertisers.

There are lots of fraudulent websites offering powder and primers at discounted but not give-away prices. And things that just aren't available otherwise.

That is some great advice. Exposing those websites on this thread was part of my motivation to start it.

I also received great advice to call the listed business and ask about the product. Depending on the response, if you get one, that could be another indication of fraud.

 

[ilovetobuy]

Some places I can offer some positive vetting:

Zastava Arms USA
Shop CZ-USA (Customer service is not great).
Brownells
Daniel Defense
EuroOptic (Does charge restocking fee).
Centerfire Systems
Arsenal Inc.
HB Industries
Arisaka
Silencer Shop (Worst customer service / resolved).
HighLine Firearms LLC (Does charge CAT, and higher background check fee).
NW Armory Portland
Tick Licker Firearms LLC
Sportsman's Warehouse (Price match on ammo).
Bi-Mart (Occasional competitive prices on ammo).

 

[404-not-found]

lanbosarmory.com has always been my favorite.

 

[dplev4]

Parker Mountain Machine
Southwest Precision
PSA Palemetto State Armory
Midwest Gunworks
Midway
….

 

[Alexx1401]

That is some great advice. Exposing those websites on this thread was part of my motivation to start it.

I also received great advice to call the listed business and ask about the product. Depending on the response, if you get one, that could be another indication of fraud.

This has been tried many times over the years and sounds like a great idea. The problem is for the places that are an out and out scam they just shut down and come back under another name. Like wack a mole. Now for places that are legit, and just have really poor service? Then it helps to let people know to use caution. For the scam sights its dead simple to not get taken so it gets hard to feel bad for those who do. If the site takes credit cards and people pay with one they are safe. Don't get what you paid for the bank just gives you the money back. Where people keep getting burned is some "deal" that sounds so good and they of course want you to pay some other way. This is a huge red flag to avoid them but people keep falling for it.

 

[arakboss]

If they want you to pay in crypto or with online cash payment platforms, run the other way.

 

[User 1234]

Many scam websites try to mirror the real one, but add "store" somewhere in the website address. And as stated above; they want unusual payment methods and claim to have items no other retailer has in stock. For low prices.

 

[BrandonM541]

In an era of scams, unreliable businesses, and other concerning practices I think it would be helpful to create a newer thread where folks can list/name vetted businesses.

Are there online businesses that you would recommend buying from? Are there any businesses that you would advise to steer clear of?

Can never go wrong with Palmetto State Armory

 

[arakboss]

This is a long list of companies blacklisted by r/gundeals for various reasons. A company can be legit but still worth avoiding.

Reddit - The heart of the internet

re.reddit.com

 

[gmerkt]

This is a long list of companies blacklisted by r/gundeals for various reasons.

This lengthy list gives some idea of just how many that can be. And I'm sure it's far from complete. For one thing, as suggested above, new ones pop up all the time. The best defense isn't a list but your own common sense.

I will repeat what others have said, if an internet direct vendor won't take a credit card for payment, leave quickly.

 

[arakboss]

This lengthy list gives some idea of just how many that can be. And I'm sure it's far from complete. For one thing, as suggested above, new ones pop up all the time. The best defense isn't a list but your own common sense.

I will repeat what others have said, if an internet direct vendor won't take a credit card for payment, leave quickly.

I will still do business with some vendors on r/gundeals blacklist but I agree new ones are popping up all the time. AI is going to make it even easier to generate fake sites and scam people.

 

[spookshack]

I've dealt with a few on that list with no issues at all.

 

[Alexx1401]

I will still do business with some vendors on r/gundeals blacklist but I agree new ones are popping up all the time. AI is going to make it even easier to generate fake sites and scam people.

To be "scammed" these days the one getting scammed has to pretty much choose to be a victim.

 

[Camelfilter]

Can never go wrong with Palmetto State Armory

Do like them, however they do & have had issues. Not scammy tho, so there is that.

Take a while to ship, which is fine given their pricing & quality.

Currently only shipping magazines they physically have in stock to Oregonians, where's not too long ago such wasn't the case.

 

[rhollister71]

online i only use my am ex card if they dont take am ex im out. Am ex will back me up 100%. if its fraud its fixed in minutes 1 call or quick chat.

 

[rhollister71]

vetted i have used:
PSA
CLASSIC FIREARMS
SGAMMO
AR15DISCOUNTS
BROWNELLS(100% LIFETIME PRODUCT GUARANTEE)
MIDWAY
NATCHEZ
2A WAREHOUSE
AMEND2
AT3 TACTICAL
GALLOWAY PRECISION
NDZ PERFORMANCE
ARMASPEC
MONSTRUM TACTICAL
LAX AMMUNITION
DRAGON TARGETS
GUNMAGWAREHOUSE

 

[spookshack]

Armory Craft
Volquartsen
Mcarbo
Wirthwein Guns
Advanced Tactical
Taccom
Greg Cote, LLC

 

[Camelfilter]

Modern Warriors (out of Utah). Bought several things over several transactions, past 12 months or so. Would buy from again. https://modernwarriors.com/

J&G sales (out of Arizona). Been buying from them for years. No problems. https://www.jgsales.com/

RTG Parts / RobertRTG (out of Wyoming). Been buying from them for years. No problems. https://www.robertrtg.com/