Safety Tips for Buyers & Sellers

Your safety is our priority. Follow these essential guidelines to protect yourself when buying or selling shooting equipment on 10NR classifieds.

Your Safety is Our Priority

While we strive to maintain a safe marketplace, transactions occur directly between users. Please follow these safety guidelines to protect yourself and complete transactions securely.

Remember: If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and walk away. No deal is worth your personal safety.

Meeting Safely In Person

✓ Safe Meeting Practices

Choose Public Locations

Always meet in busy, public places with good lighting and security cameras:

  • ✓ Shooting ranges (ideal for testing equipment)
  • ✓ Shopping mall parking lots
  • ✓ Bank or police station lobbies
  • ✓ Popular cafes or restaurants
  • ✓ Well-lit gas stations

Meet During Daylight Hours

Schedule meetings during daytime (9 AM - 5 PM) when more people are around. Avoid meeting after dark or in early morning hours.

Bring a Friend

Bring someone you trust with you. Having another person present significantly reduces risks and provides a witness to the transaction.

Tell Someone Where You're Going

Share details with a friend or family member: who you're meeting, where, when, and the item you're buying/selling. Check in with them after the meeting.

Inspect Before Paying

Thoroughly examine the item before handing over any money. Test functionality if possible. Never pay before seeing and inspecting the item.

✗ Dangerous Practices to Avoid

Never meet at private residences - Don't go to someone's home or invite strangers to yours

Don't meet in isolated areas - Avoid empty parking lots, secluded streets, or remote locations

Don't carry large amounts of cash - Bring only what you need for the transaction

Don't meet alone if you feel uneasy - Trust your instincts and bring someone with you

Don't rush the transaction - Take your time to inspect and verify everything

Safe Payment Methods

✓ Recommended Payment Methods

💵 Cash (In Person)

Best option: Cash payment during face-to-face meetings in public places.

Tip: Count cash carefully before and after the transaction. Consider using a counterfeit detection pen for large amounts.

📱 UPI / Digital Wallets

Good option: Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm for instant transfers.

  • ✓ Verify payment received before handing over item
  • ✓ Double-check recipient details before sending
  • ✓ Take screenshots of transaction confirmations
  • ✓ Wait for "money received" notification

🏦 Bank Transfer (NEFT/IMPS)

Safe for expensive items: Direct bank transfers with item in hand.

Note: IMPS is instant, NEFT may take 30 minutes to 2 hours. Don't hand over item until money is in your account.

✗ Payment Methods to Avoid

Advance Payments / Deposits

Never pay before seeing the item in person

Western Union / MoneyGram

Used by scammers, untraceable once sent

Checks or Money Orders

Can be forged, take days to clear

Cryptocurrency

Irreversible, volatile, harder to dispute

Payment to Third Parties

Pay only the person you're meeting

Communication Safety

Protecting Your Personal Information

  • Use the platform's messaging system when possible - it's safer and trackable
  • Share phone numbers only when necessary for arranging meetups
  • Keep financial details private - never share bank account or card numbers via messages
  • Be cautious of buyers/sellers who immediately want to move off-platform
  • Don't share your exact home address - provide general location only
  • Don't share personal details (workplace, daily routine, etc.)

Phone Safety

  • • Use a second phone number or Google Voice if available
  • • Don't answer calls from unknown numbers - let them leave voicemail first
  • • Block numbers if you receive harassment or spam
  • • Keep conversations focused on the transaction

Recognizing Common Scams

Warning Signs of Scams

🚩 Too Good to Be True Prices

If a premium item is listed at 40-50% below market value, it's likely a scam. Scammers use low prices to attract desperate buyers.

🚩 Pressure Tactics

"I have 5 other buyers waiting" or "Buy now or I'll sell it to someone else" - Legitimate sellers don't pressure you. Take your time.

🚩 Requests for Advance Payment

"Send me 20% deposit to hold the item" - Never pay before seeing the item. Once money is sent, the scammer disappears.

🚩 Won't Meet in Person

Makes excuses to avoid meeting ("I'm out of town", "Can't meet this week") but wants you to pay now. Insists on shipping only.

🚩 Poor Communication

Vague answers to specific questions, avoids providing details about the item, or story keeps changing. Bad grammar in professional-looking ads.

🚩 Stock Photos or No Photos

Uses internet images or refuses to provide additional photos with specific details you request (like a timestamp or specific angle).

🚩 Unusual Payment Methods

Insists on Western Union, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Refuses cash or standard bank transfers.

🚩 Overpayment Scam

Buyer "accidentally" sends too much money and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment will bounce, but your refund is gone.

After the Transaction

📝 Keep Records

Save all messages, emails, transaction receipts, and payment confirmations. Take photos of the item and any documentation. This helps if disputes arise later.

🔍 Test Immediately

Test equipment as soon as possible. If there are undisclosed issues, contact the seller immediately while the transaction is fresh.

🚨 Report Issues

If you encounter fraud, scams, or dangerous behavior, report it to us immediately. This helps protect other users.

How to Report →

If You Feel Unsafe

Emergency Protocol

If you're in immediate danger or witness a crime:

📞 Call Police: 100 (India)

If you feel threatened but not in immediate danger:

  • • Move to a public area with people around
  • • Don't go anywhere alone with the person
  • • Cancel the meeting and leave immediately
  • • Report the user to us with details

After any incident:

  • • Document everything (screenshots, messages, photos)
  • • File a police report if fraud or theft occurred
  • • Contact us immediately to report the user
  • • Don't engage with the person further

Questions About Safety?

If you have safety concerns or need to report suspicious activity, we're here to help.