EGO Arms · Buyer & Seller Guide

Payment Methods
& Safety Guide

Sending payment is the riskiest part of any firearms transaction — on any platform. Scammers target gun buyers and sellers specifically, and nearly every mainstream payment processor has anti-firearms policies that can work against you. Know the risks before you send a dollar.

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If something feels wrong — stop the transaction.
EGO Arms uses verified seller profiles, invite-based seller registration, and transaction feedback to keep this marketplace trustworthy. But no platform can fully protect you if you override your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable about a transaction at any point, do not send payment. Review our fraud prevention section below before proceeding with any sale. If it feels off, it probably is.
ℹ How It Works
Payment is Between Buyer & Seller

EGO Arms is a listing and auction platform — we connect buyers and sellers but do not process, hold, or touch payments. Once you win an auction, you contact the seller directly to arrange payment using one of the methods below. The FFL transfer is still required for all firearms.

STEP 01
🏆
Win the Auction
Both parties are notified. Seller's contact info is shared.
STEP 02
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Agree on Payment
Contact the seller via inbox to confirm the payment method and amount.
STEP 03
💸
Send Payment
Pay the seller directly via Zelle, PayPal F&F, or agreed method.
STEP 04
📜
FFL Transfer
Seller ships to your FFL. Complete the 4473 and take possession.
✓ Always use a traceable payment method (Zelle recommended). Never send cash or gift cards to a seller you haven't verified.
⚠️
Critical Policy — Payment Description Fields
Because all peer-to-peer payment platforms have anti-firearms policies, buyers must leave the description, note, or memo field completely blank — or use an unrelated emoji — when sending any payment related to a firearms transaction. Mentioning firearms, ammunition, suppressors, optics, or related gear in any payment note can trigger an automatic account review and get the seller's payment account frozen or permanently banned.
EGO Arms Account Policy: Any buyer found to have violated this rule by including firearm-related descriptions in payment notes will have their EGO Arms account immediately suspended. This protects every seller on this platform.
Peer-to-Peer Options

Payment Methods

The following methods are used for private sales and off-platform transactions. None of these offer the protection of Direct Payment. Understand each method's risks before choosing one.

PayPal
Goods & Services
Limited Protection ~3.5% Seller Fee Anti-Gun Policy

PayPal G&S offers buyer protection — theoretically allowing you to file a claim if an item isn't delivered. The seller absorbs a fee of roughly 3.5%. On the surface it seems safe, but the reality for firearms transactions is more complicated.

Important: PayPal's anti-firearms stance means that any claim involving a firearm, suppressor, or even related accessories like night vision or tactical gear can be denied outright. Worse, PayPal has been known to suspend both buyer and seller accounts when gun-related items are discovered. The buyer protection that makes G&S attractive is largely hollow in this space.
Bottom line: The protection feels reassuring but may not hold up. Use only with sellers you already trust, and never mention the item in the note field.
PayPal
Friends & Family
No Buyer Protection Fee-Free (Bank/Balance) Anti-Gun Policy

PayPal F&F is the most common way PayPal is used for gun-related transactions because it bypasses the fee structure. When funded from a bank account or PayPal balance, it's free. No buyer protection from PayPal — though funding via credit card may leave you covered by your bank's chargeback policy.

Remember: PayPal and Venmo are owned by the same company. The same anti-firearms policies apply to both. If the seller or platform is ever flagged, PayPal can freeze or reverse transactions.
Common choice for gun transactions since PayPal's buyer protection is largely empty for firearms anyway. It's up to both parties to establish trust before using this method.
Venmo
Peer-to-Peer
No Buyer Protection Generally Free Anti-Gun Policy

Venmo does not offer buyer protection by default. An optional protection feature exists but adds a fee similar to PayPal G&S — discuss with the seller before sending, as they may not expect to receive less than the agreed amount.

Owned by PayPal. The same anti-firearms policies apply. Both buyer and seller accounts are at risk if the transaction is flagged as firearms-related.
Note: Venmo may ask you to confirm the last four digits of the seller's phone number before processing. Contact the seller directly to obtain this, or skip the confirmation step if prompted.
Zelle
Bank-to-Bank Transfer
No Buyer Protection No Fees

Zelle is connected directly to your bank account and transfers are typically instant. No fees for either party, making it a clean option for both buyers and sellers. However, Zelle provides no buyer protection whatsoever, and transactions are generally irreversible once sent.

One of the cleaner options for gun transactions — no anti-gun corporate policy, no fees, instant settlement. The tradeoff is that there is zero recourse if something goes wrong. High trust in the seller is required.

Both parties should read Zelle's guide on avoiding scams before transacting.

Cash App
Mobile Payment
No Buyer Protection Generally Free

Cash App allows fast peer-to-peer transfers through its mobile app. Transactions are quick and easy to execute, but like most direct payment platforms they are irreversible once sent. Cash App does not offer buyer protection of any kind.

Use with trusted sellers only. Cash App transactions cannot be recalled once completed. Confirm all transaction details — amount, seller identity, and shipping address — before sending.

Read Cash App's guide on staying safe and avoiding scams before transacting.

Apple Cash
Apple Devices Only
No Buyer Protection No Fees

Apple Cash provides a seamless payment experience for users on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch — authenticated via Face ID or Touch ID. Fast and secure at the device level, but Apple Cash peer-to-peer transactions have no dispute resolution or buyer protection features.

Apple device users only. The biometric authentication makes it convenient, but the trust burden is entirely on the parties involved. Confirm the seller's Apple Pay address carefully before sending — misdirected payments are not recoverable.

Review Apple's guide on avoiding scams with Apple Cash before transacting.

Know Before You Send

Fraud Prevention

Firearms buyers and sellers are targeted by scammers at a higher rate than almost any other category of online transaction. These are the most common patterns and how to protect yourself.

🎭
Verify identity before sending
Check the seller's verified badge, transaction history, and feedback score. New accounts with zero history requesting quick payment are a red flag regardless of how legitimate the listing looks.
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Keep all communication on-platform
Any seller who insists on moving conversation to personal email, text, or another platform before the transaction is finalized is bypassing the accountability layer that keeps marketplaces safe.
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Below-market prices are bait
If a firearm is priced significantly below comparable sales in our Recently Sold section, treat it as suspect. Scammers create urgency with unrealistically low prices specifically to rush buyers past their better judgment.
📦
Confirm FFL details before paying
Verify the receiving FFL dealer's license number through the ATF's online database before a transfer is initiated. Fraudulent FFL information is a common vector for high-value firearm theft.
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Pressure to pay immediately is a signal
Legitimate sellers don't disappear if you take 24 hours to verify their credentials. High-pressure urgency ("another buyer is waiting," "only available today") is a standard manipulation tactic.
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Use Direct Payment when possible
The payment process exists precisely because payment risk is real. When transacting on EGO Arms, always complete payment through the platform rather than agreeing to send money directly — even if a seller asks you to.