Sample, sample, sample....check the entire claim. Check with BLM and the county recorder to be sure it's a valid, current claim. Check the surrounding claims and plot them out to verify any possible overfiles. BLM will tell you an overfile is a matter for civil courts and they won't be any help, even though the problem originated with them.

If the owner won't let you sample, run fast, run far.

Be aware that, unless it's a patented claim, all you are purchasing are the mineral rights. All other uses on public land are still permitted.

If you are satisfied, then it's a matter of negotian with seller. Lot of file and sell schemes out there. Look at how long the seller has held the claim....if only a year, that can be a red flag for me.

In the end you're better off doing research, prospecting and filing your own claim.

Look for closed claims, do some prospecting, if good, refile it. My own claim was filed, sold, and the owners let it lapse. Looked it over, filed on the half that was on the creek, and found out that everything upstream was available, and added 20 acres to the 20 I was filing on. Got 20 better acres in place of 20 useless, and for less than $400. Had I bought it when it was for sale, would have been around 3K.

Kenny,

BUYER BEWARE

To shirt tail onto Arthur's comments
Cant stress enough, do thorough research on claims for sale by others, dont put ANY money down until, you check things out
Not sure about AZ or MN, here in CA the county has the final word on claims
Check with the county recorders office to validate a claim, make sure all fee's are up to date with the county then talk to BLM
As Arthur points out, the BLM will take your monies with a smile, if something is amiss at the county, the smile is all you have from BLM
Research and stake or own claim, it is a process and takes time but can be very rewarding

Old joke about gold mines, every one of them have a fool at the bottom and a liar at the top
Dont get ripped off,

Bill

Hey Kenny, Advanced Geologic in Chester, California had claims for sale in Arizona but I just noticed they have all sold; however, he has other great claims in Northern California. He is a licensed geologist who has sold our family three awesome claims and we could not be happier. Utilize his annual filing service as well for piece of mind that filings are done right and on time. I trust Charlie and he has given us sound advice and put us on the gold. Check out his claim listings at Advanced Geologic and make him an offer or tell him what you are looking for in Arizona. Good luck.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. If you think of anything else I'm all ears