I listed my firearm (an AR-15) for sale here at what turned out to be below market prices. I got a lot of responses, fast. One of them was IamRon571. I ended up selling to someone else, because: 1) the other person was a better communicator and gave me better vibes; 2) the other person said he was available to come when I was home today (Friday), while IamRon571 suggested the weekend; 3) the other person told me his full legal name when I asked for it so I could do a Google search, rather than just saying "here is my profile link on VA Gun Trader with my reviews" as IamRon571 did in response to my request for his name; 4) the fact that IamRon571 lived all the way in Richmond (I'm in Arlington) and seemed to have sporadic availability- made me wonder if it would be easy for us to find a time to meet when we were both available; and 5) I wanted to sell it more quickly and there was an overlap between the other (better) buyer's and my availability today- why would I hold it for IamRon571 or anyone else I had never promised it to?

Once I had the appointment scheduled for the other guy to pick it up, I thought I was doing the nice thing by messaging IamRon571 to tell him that I likely would be selling it to someone else, because he seemed so eager, and I wanted him to know right away where he stood with me.

For what it's worth, I sold the firearm for the exact price I listed it for- this wasn't about getting more money. I simply found a better buyer for my needs.

Then IamRon571 left negative feedback on my profile, complaining that I was difficult to deal with. My response was to copy the entirety of our communications and leave it as feedback on his profile, so that anybody could read it and judge for themselves who was in the right. It turns out that negative feedback on profiles is frowned upon, so here we are in this forum now.

IamRon571 seems to be upset that I didn't choose to sell my firearm to him, that I wasn't immediately available to meet when he first messaged me, and that I had enough concern about selling a gun to a perfect stranger that I wanted some assurances (a background check, whether through an FFL or my own) to know that the buyer wasn't a bad guy, for both moral and legal liability purposes.

I don't know why someone would be entitled to think that they get to purchase someone else's firearm, when the seller never promised the gun to them and the seller ignored a request by the offeror to send a deposit. Did he think that because he messaged me more, and more repeatedly, he deserved to be the buyer? If anything, the eagerness made me worry that he wanted it for a bad purpose. His reaction since- with the negative feedback you're free to read for and judge yourself- has told me that I made the right move not selling a firearm to him.

The entirety of our conversation is copied below. Judge for yourself.

IamRon571
03/29/26 09:48 AM
Can pick up today, thanks!

IamRon571
03/29/26 09:50 AM
Fyi Im in the northern VA area until about 6pm then heading back to Richmond

IamRon571
03/29/26 12:18 PM
Just making sure I stay at the top of the list for this, thanks!

MArlington
03/29/26 01:30 PM
I'm checking with my FFL for their availability. Thanks.

IamRon571
03/29/26 04:43 PM
Sounds good

IamRon571
03/29/26 04:44 PM
Also, an FFL isn’t required by law for private firearms transactions, unless it is your personal preference

MArlington
03/29/26 05:06 PM
It's my preference to use an FFL. I still haven't heard back from them.

IamRon571
03/29/26 05:12 PM
No problem how much are the ffl fees at your ffl? Could meet tomorrow as well actually if you’ll be available, thanks!

MArlington
03/29/26 05:59 PM
Hey I just heard back- apparently because of the change of law FFls can't even do background checks anymore.

Do you have a Virginia concealed handgun permit? Would you also feel comfortable sending me your name prior to pickup so that I can research you online? I've never done a private sale to a stranger before without going through an FFL and I'd want to be confident that I'm not selling to someone I shouldn't be.

IamRon571
03/29/26 06:27 PM
That’s right it’s actually illegal for VSP to do background checks for private sales. I have years of reviews here if you check my profile. In Virginia the only requirement for private sale is a Valid VA Driver’s License and above the age of 21. We can write a bill of sale and take a picture of my VA Drivers license minus the drivers license number I’ll be okay with. What are the best available times for you tomorrow?

IamRon571
03/29/26 07:54 PM
Also here is my profile link on VA Gun Trader with my reviews smile https://vaguntrader.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/users/51214

MArlington
03/30/26 07:55 AM
Thanks. I would like to at least see and photo a current Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit, as it would demonstrated that as of the permit date, you were not prohibited from carrying firearms. I'd also need a bill of sale.

If that works for you, please let me know what your schedule today is like.

IamRon571
03/30/26 08:29 AM
No problem of course, unfortunately I decided to leave back to Richmond late last night however, I will be back in the Falls Church area this weekend again. Would you be able to meet this Friday or Saturday? I can send over a deposit on it as well if you’d like, thanks

IamRon571
03/31/26 09:47 AM
Good morning my friend, hope all is well. Just checking in to see if this weekend could work for you? Saturday morning from 8-11am would be best but can accommodate another time if need be. Thanks!

IamRon571
03/31/26 11:51 PM
?

MArlington
Today at 08:49 AM
Hey, someone else who lives closer is likely going to pick up the rifle later today. If he falls through I'll let you know.

IamRon571
Today at 08:52 AM
Not interested

IamRon571
Today at 08:57 AMRe: Db15
IamRon571 has removed themself from this topic.