GunsInternational.com
You can actually call up the seller and speak with them before buying. GunBroker accounts are getting hacked all the time now. Even if you think you're dealing with a legitimate guy, you might not be.

There are all kinds of "red flags" to watch out for. Do an image search on Google. I've found several scams by doing a search and seeing if the exact same photos have been used in the past to sell the gun on a website. Always ask the seller for specific additional photos before buying. If the seller has multiple guns for sale, check the background of the photos. If each one is quite different, it might be another scam where the seller copies photos from other sites and then lists them as his own. Most legitimate sellers will take photos in somewhat similar settings from one gun to another.

It's gotten REALLY bad over the past couple of years...

 

Bourght a number of firearms online (NIB). After deciding what I want, start looking at reputable wholesalers (checking reviews if haven't done business with them before). Make the purchase (use a credit card) and have it shipped to FFL The most important element here is to very carefully inspect the firearm BEFORE allowing the FFL to run your NICS (that action means you accept in the "as is" condition with respect to the merchant). If anything is out of order, wrong, defective or not completely perfect simply reject the firearm (again before FFL runs NICS). So far, only ever had to reject 2 firearms. On one occasion the merchant sent wrong model. One the other occasion, the QC of the item wasn't acceptable. In both instances the firearms were shipped back at no cost to me & new models were shipped to my FFL.
After acceptance & letting FFL run NICS, the merchant is going to send you back to manufacturer for warrantee claims on any defects that you find later.

Picked up some collectible & vintage stuff from GB too and followed best practices that others detailed above.

 

It's great to have all the resources available - I buy locally from two people I trust, a little from gunshows when they have them (I have only been to two since 2019), and a lot from the internet. Gunbroker is good, I can find about anything I want - I collect from 1858 to present. Patience is a huge key to using GB - I bid on a lot and get outbid often. Every once in awhile I find a gem. But there are things that I could go to decades of gunshows and maybe never find. Our old hog-killing gun is a Marlin 22 they made for a handful of years in the 1930's. I wanted a better condition shootable version of it and found a Sears Ranger marked one on Gunbroker after years of looking elsewhere and it even took a couple years of GB for one to pop up.

 

I use to buy from GB, Armslist, and at gun shows. I have been satisfied with all my purchases but only buy FTF now, except for a few dealings on this forum.

 

I have bought face-to-face which I prefer, local auctions, various auctions on Proxibid, various online auctions such as Morphy and Rock Island, gun shows, and Gunbroker to name a few. Can’t say I’ve had any problems. I always enjoy the local auctions and gun shows for the experience of being around people with like interests and the knowledge shared. With rising gun prices becoming very competitive and difficult to secure bargains.

 

I have bought all Colts/USFAs online. I started out too late for LGS stock purchases.

I bought 6 USFAs, all as good as represented online. Very happy.

I bought 4 Colts. 2 as described and 2 not.

2nd Gen Colt from Cabaleas online didn't show the corrosion in their typically useless photos. 2008 SAA from online auction has terrible cylinder shake, which may be Colt's mistake or a backyard action job. Don't know.

The problems with the last 2 Colts were poorly represented and I am not happy with either, and would not have purchased either. Both can be salvaged however. The 2008 will be LNIB once I have the cylinder shake repaired.

So I am 8 for 10.

The most important thing is that I never got cheated. No fraud or con where I got nothing for my money, or a basket case. Most people are not dishonest.