Re: A Good Deal?

Yeah - "Mom" is getting a bit pushy huh? Sounds a bit like Son may be testing to see how far the hook is set.

If I were you I'd offer to come meet this guy (maybe half way if he's up to it) and see it ASAP with a "friend who is a scope maker and professional optician of over 20 years" who will star test it right there and then. If it's truly a great TAK you give him the cash on the barrel for a really sweet deal, if not you walk. Either Mom gets her money ASAP and you get the scope with a smile on your face or your out gas/airfare money to go see it.

I bet he hedges. "Ahhh, Mom is sick and I gotta take care of her"). If not it may be worth the price (airfare or gas) just to bring it back yourself and not let the "Big Brown UPS Gorilla" (or whoever) get at it.

I know this can't be easy - hell if it were me I'd go nuts on the chance to own a TAK. But this is getting a bit fishy…

TM

Bottom line: you're dealing with someone you don't know, who has no feedback history to speak of, for an item you haven't yet seen, costing thousands of dollars.

The seller is refusing escrow, the only potential assurance you've got, and the best excuse he can come up with is "Mom" is impatient for money that isn't even hers. Refusing escrow, for any reason, let alone a reason as bad as this, on a transaction of this magnitude simply is not a reasonable proposition under these circumstances.

There's more red flags flying here than in Tianenmen Square.