GunSnag Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about joining GunSnag, buying and selling, offers, trade listings, trust signals, account security, notifications, and firearm transfers.
Getting started
Is GunSnag invite-only?
No. Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements may register directly. After verifying your email address, you can create classified and Want to Buy listings and contact classified sellers. An invitation can establish an immediate trust connection, but it is not required to join.
What does GunSnag do in a transaction?
GunSnag helps buyers and sellers discover one another, communicate, record listing status, and build a public transaction reputation. GunSnag does not process payments, take possession of an item, act as an escrow service, or decide whether a particular transfer is legal.
Why do some account capabilities unlock gradually?
Public listing activity carries less risk than privately approaching a Want to Buy buyer or inviting another account into the Trust Tree. Verified direct-registration members can list and contact classified sellers immediately. Higher-risk capabilities require an invitation or established marketplace history.
Buying and selling
What is the difference between claiming a listing and making an offer?
“I’ll Take It” claims an active listing at the seller’s stated terms and moves it to Sold Pending Funds. If a seller enables offers, a qualified buyer may instead propose a price. The seller can accept, reject, or counter; an accepted offer becomes the transaction price and claims the listing.
What is a trade-only listing?
A trade-only listing invites non-cash proposals instead of purchase offers. The seller describes what they are seeking, and interested members contact the seller to work out the details. Because GunSnag does not evaluate or facilitate the exchange, both parties remain responsible for lawful transfer and fair dealing.
What are Want to Buy listings?
A Want to Buy, or WTB, listing lets a member describe an item they hope to find and optionally set a maximum price. Members with the required marketplace access may contact the buyer when they have a possible match. WTB listings can also be watched and matched against newly posted classifieds.
How should a seller close a listing?
Mark the listing Sold when the transaction is complete, or Withdrawn when the item is no longer available without a GunSnag sale. For a cash sale, GunSnag asks for the actual final price. Trades and bundles are recorded as non-comparable outcomes rather than being assigned a misleading cash value.
Are sold prices public?
Yes, confirmed sold prices may appear in marketplace summaries, category price guides, and email digests. Older listings backfilled from their final asking price are clearly labeled as historical estimates. Trade and bundle outcomes do not receive a made-up cash value, and participant-only transaction details remain private.
Trust and safety
What do Trust Scores and the Trust Tree mean?
They summarize GunSnag history such as completed transactions, feedback, and invitation relationships. They are evidence, not identity verification or a guarantee. A new member may simply have no GunSnag track record yet, while a strong score still does not replace ordinary care and lawful transfer practices.
What is Proof of Life?
Proof of Life lets a seller photograph the listed item with a listing-specific challenge. A current proof raises confidence that the seller possessed the item when the proof was submitted. It is one trust signal—not an authentication of identity, item condition, or legal ownership.
What does verified external reputation mean?
GunSnag administrators can verify that a member controls a named profile on another marketplace and display selected reputation evidence from it. Verification confirms control of that external profile at a point in time; it does not endorse the member or guarantee a transaction.
When is multi-factor authentication required?
MFA is optional for ordinary browsing and lower-risk account activity. It becomes required for administrators, verified Vendor accounts, members who publish classifieds, and accounts using sensitive capabilities such as invitations or contacting Want to Buy buyers. GunSnag explains the first reason that triggered enrollment and provides recovery codes during setup.
How do I report suspicious content or conduct?
Use the Report action on a classified listing or listing comment so the concern enters the administration queue with the relevant context. For account, transaction, or safety concerns that do not fit those reports, contact GunSnag directly. Do not proceed with a transaction that feels wrong.
Alerts and communication
How can I hear about listings I care about?
You can watch individual listings, sellers, and categories. You can also save a filtered classified search and enable immediate matching alerts. Notification channels are configurable, and the weekly marketplace digest is only sent when enough new content qualifies.
Does GunSnag store private messages?
Not currently. GunSnag forwards user-to-user listing and transaction messages by email but does not retain the message body in its database. Replies continue in the participants’ email clients. Transaction status, notifications, offers, and feedback are stored separately as part of the marketplace record.
Legal transfers
Does GunSnag arrange FFL transfers or background checks?
No. Buyers and sellers are responsible for determining and following every applicable federal, state, and local requirement, including FFL, background-check, interstate-transfer, waiting-period, and recordkeeping rules. GunSnag does not provide legal advice or verify transaction compliance.
What should I do if I am unsure whether a transfer is lawful?
Pause the transaction and consult a qualified attorney, the appropriate government authority, or a licensed dealer familiar with the jurisdictions involved. Do not rely on another marketplace member or GunSnag for legal advice.