[Blueduck]

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/guidelines/firearms.html

Looks like UPS is totally out of the handgun shipping business unless both sides have FFL's:cuss:

Here's what I'm up against:

Local UPS was a nightmare even before this anyway, closest "real" Fed-Ex station that will take guns is 90 miles away.

Both local gunshops are demanding $40PLUS! Standard UPS shipping rates (normally about $35) even to return a gun to the factory for repair! Don't even think about asking them to swap FFL's with somebody to ship a gun you sold online. (P.S. not a good time to mention how I should "Support my local dealer":fire:

Dealing with my S/W's (which most of my guns are) is no problem, even when sending them in for custom work I just use thier number at the Fed-Ex website and schedual a pick up at the office, no hassel.

But what about the rest of my guns? How do I get them to a smith for custom work or even back to the factory for repair?

Ideas???

[Cawdor]

If you are shipping to a manufacturer, contact the manufacturer. Ask the manufacturer to issue a pick-up for the gun. Ditto for a custom smith. Both deal with UPS or FedEx daily, and will probably have more pull than you.

By the way, I think that the word "between" in the first paragraph is not the one UPS really wants to use. If the policy is FFL to FFL only, the page is unnecessary. All UPS would have to say is that it accepts firearm shipments FFL to FFL only. Instead, it talks about what YOU should do to ship a firearm. Call UPS. Keep pushing until you find someone in authority who knows the company policy.

[Mike Irwin]

You know, that's UPS' business policy, NOT Federal law.

They instituted the new, more expensive, business policies because they couldn't keep their own people from stealing packages.

[Al Thompson]

http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-ship-guns.html

[Byron]

Last week I took a revolver to "The UPS Store" and they refused to ship. It was determined that this was independent of UPS. I took to UPS main office in Murfreesboro, TN. There was no problems shipping and the fee was $28. Ruger has sent confirmation of receipt.

[Akurat]

Yes, take the pistol to one of the "UPS Centers" and not "The UPS store" (AKA Mailboxes Etc.) Click here to find the one nearest you, just enter your ZIP/Postal code, *make sure only the "UPS Center" box is ticked*, and press find:

http://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US

[Okiecruffler]

with my contender frame. Tried to drop it at mailboxs etc and they acted like I was trying to send a dead rat stuffed with C4. Clerk told me it was illegal to ship any handgun. I told him the view must be terrible with his head that far up there. Went to the UPS center, told them I was shipping a handgun. They acted too bored to care one way or the other. Now if they'll just bring it back all nice and fixed.

[mec]

the UPS manager in this town is a shooter and also a coward. He requires a double FFL to ship. This is contrary to UPS policy but the local individual gets to make up his on rules until overruled. This makes some very famous custom gun makers very mad as they refuse to send copies of their ffls to mentally challenged ffl stiffs.

fed x, on the other hand, merely insists on a legal shipment- you have to be sending the gun to an ffl holder. As a consequence, Fed X is getting the bulk of the business.

[Kentucky Rifle]

I would drive, fly, or ride my motorcycle the 90 miles. (And THAT'S what I think of UPS! :( ) 180 miles on a bike would be a nice little ride.
Are these two gun shops your REGULAR gun shops? Or are they charging so much just because they've "got you by the 'nads"?
I can't remember the last time my regular gun shop charged me for anything extra. No transfer fees, no nothing.

KR

[El Tejon]

How about a catchy new ad campaign: "UPS, we hire thieves!":D

[Graystar]

I think your assessment of the UPS policy is correct. I think this line really says it all:

About Documentation and Labeling
When you are shipping a package that contains a firearm through a UPS Customer Counter, you must have a letter on record with UPS stating your status as an authorized firearm shipper Any time a UPS agent goes against the shipping policy they risk losing their job. But sometimes you can depend on ignorance to get things done. :D Try to mail the guns as you would have before the policy change and see if they take them. What you're doing is not against the law, simply against UPS policy. So if they take the gun it's really the agent's problem, not yours.

[MoNsTeR]

If you're dealer will ship for you, have them use the Postal Service. It'll be a lot less painful if they charge you $15 or $20 on top of $10 or $15 for USPS instead of $25 or $30 for UPS next-day.

[Blueduck]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Think I'll just follow KR's suggestion and drive the 90 miles to Fed-Ex next time it comes up. As nothing else really popped up.

As for the local dealers, no they won't ship via USPS as both say it is illegal. I think ones just confused and stubborn and the other is fond of sitting on his bottom and likes the truck to come to him. Regardless even if they did ship USPS (saving me $20) I'm just not gonna pay a dealer $40 plus the actual shipping for him to mail a handgun for me. Heck I like to drive I'm done with these bozo's.

As for being my regular dealers. Since my regular guy retired 2 years ago thats the only two real gunshops left in town and I've bought from each of them, one knows me at least by face the other by name. Me thinks they have worked out a deal with each other on this kind of stuff.

Way back when Wal-Mart sold handguns we had 6 dedicated gun shops, most having decent prices and service. Once Wal-Mart got out of the handgun business all the shops in town raised prices 30% overnight and got attitude. Watched as overpriced dusty guns sat in cases for months while the owners acted like they were sitting on goldmine right until the banks slapped the doors shut and told them to get real jobs. Oh well, 4 down two to go.

[4v50 Gary]

UPS should consider changing its name to Brown Bandits. :D Sorry, I know this doesn't help the situation but Big Brown use to be pretty good. Operative word is "use" cuz they "ain't" anymore. :(

[Texas Bob]

:) You said you have shipped Fed-X from your office. Call Fed-X and see about getting a "personal account #", they will be happy to set you up with one and around the holidays it will save you $$$.;)

[Jim K]

When UPS went to requiring overnight delivery on guns, their CEO actually went on TV to say that UPS employees were all thieves. He didn't quite put it that way, but that was essentially what he said. I decided at the time not to deal with any company whose CEO admitted he could not trust any of his employees.

Jim

[JBP]

Get yourself a C&R license for $30 for three years & you will be a licensed collector. There is nothing in UPS' policy that states that the handgun has to be a C&R.

[Blueduck]

Hmmm.. I've already got C&R license...

Good idea, they are pretty clueless concerning they're own rules at my local station. Might work in a pinch (I hate the thought of ever giving them another penny frankly).

Anyone know about setting up a personal Fed-Ex account? (money up front, minimum packages etc...)

[C. H. Luke]

Have a personal FedEx Acct. There is no charge, no min.
& no fees. You get a nice workbook and preprinted waybills, etc.

[Blueduck]

Thanks C.H. :)

Sounds like the answer.

[Tacblack]

I just send them USPS now cheap and easy. I send them to a FFL, factory or gunsmith this way.

[guy sajer]

The problem with the Postal Service is that if they lose it , it can take up to 6 months to get your claim settled .
I sent postal money orders and an ffl to a dealer in another state for a gun purchase . I used an overnight envelope . It took them 2 weeks to find it . I would avoid postal service if at all possible .
It's also not uncommon for them to leave your gun sitting out on your front door step when delivering it back to you .

Mitch

[45R]

It's also not uncommon for them to leave your gun sitting out on your front door step when delivering it back to you .


Same goes with UPS. Countless times they have left packages at my door that had the "Adult Signature Required".:cuss: :banghead: :cuss: :banghead:

[VictorLouis]

by carriers such as Fed-Ex in which the package becomes such that it must be personally signed for at each point in its route. I was told by an insider that he always pays a little extra in insurace to get the added peace-of-mind. In event of a loss, you'd be claiming{in most instances} a level of loss for far less than what you'd insured it for, so I don't see how there could be any harm with this practice.

In the Post Office, the way to go is Registered Mail, in addition to whatever level of insurance you need. This requires the person-to-person sign-off. Remember, it's lawful for us non-FFLs to use them for longarms.:D

[mbott]

Texas Bob said:

You said you have shipped Fed-X from your office. Call Fed-X and see about getting a "personal account #", they will be happy to set you up with one and around the holidays it will save you $$$.

You can set up an account with FedEx directly from their website. I use mine a couple time a year and have never had a problem with them.

--
Mike

[Wildalaska]

Go Fed Ex!

WildupsisantigunAlaska

[varoadking]

Wait a minute - I thought the USPS did not allow anyone to ship any guns though their service. Am I wrong on this?:confused:

[mbott]

You can ship long gun via USPS with relative easy. Basically, hand guns are a no-no unless you're an 01 dealer.

See http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.htm and look for "432 Mailability".

--
Mike