I was just making a passing comment on the internet and didn't intend to support the entire occurrence...but...I am here and work is getting boring.To start, overall, I agree with you. As buyer or seller, you can and should walk away from a purchase that seems suspicious. Additionally, obviously I wasn't there and my impression is just from a couple of comments on the internet. I assume there were other signs that you noticed that seemed off.
With that said, it seems to me that if he was trying to get rid of it quickly, he would be more likely to try to lower the price, etc. I guess my point is, had he offered a lower price or something, you might be here posting today that it was suspicious because it seemed like he was desperately trying to make a quick sale
The rest of the story is:
The gun was a Smith and Wesson 3906. Not a rare gun but not a common gun either. It was, quite literally, in factory new condition, with the box and all the little goodies that came with. The exact price I don't recall but it was no more than the low end of wholesale value. Let's call it a good deal.
Seller shows up in a ratty old car, is probably mid '20s and has a look rattier than the car. Not what you would expect the seller of that particular firearm to be presented as. Sure sure, shouldn't judge on appearance only but..
Gut said "This ain't right" and he reaction to "no, thanks" after we each had a 45 minute drive supported that gut feeling.
I guess my point of all this is; if it doesn't feel right, don't make the buy/sale. Not worth it.