Should I be mad?

[Claude Clay]

seems you want 3 things--the lowest price for the object; lowest price for the transfer and same day to you from the receiving FFL.

choose 2 of the 3

and with the money you save, buy some patience

 

[wow6599]

The key is price , if the local ffl is within 50 bucks , hell , buy from him , your gonna pay shipping and transfer fees anyway that may amount to more than 50 bucks

Read my posts.......IT IS MUCH MORE THAN $50 BUCKS. And I rarely pay shipping, and if I do it's not much.
CDNN is something like $7.00, Bud's is free (uninsured), etc.

Let's do some math - I order a $1000 Colt 1911 from "XXXX Sporting Goods" and they offer free shipping. I go pick it up from the FFL (+$15) and it has cost me $1015.
My old FFL would have probably charged me $1150 + tax. The tax rate is, as I posted above, 7.675%. So, the same Colt from my FFL would cost $1,238.26. That is a difference of $223.26 from XXXX and my FFL.

Any questions?

 

[MrWesson]

I hate the FFL system.

Government requires a FFL but very Few FFL's around here want to participate and if they do charge $30+. They whine about getting the gun through them but can they get used guns, unique C&R, etc..

Best buy goes under no problem just order from the many electronic retailers online and have it shipped to my door.

Local gun shop/FFL goes under and you cant just order online and have shipped to home. So I have to support the local shops that have a poor pawn shop business model and should be allowed to fail but I am dependent on them to bend me over a barrel for transfers .

 

[sonick808]

OP is 100% in the right. I don't recall transfers being such a huge issue in 2000, when I ordered a bunch of stuff from Impact. I guess the volume wasn't much then compared to now. It's this simple: If the service is offered for money, it's NOT a favor. I support brick and mortar when I can, (AZ, Pistol Parlour for any of you valley folks), but if the markup gets stupid, i'm going STRAIGHT to the net. OP just wants to pay for a service, and deserves to be able to do so.

 

[kingpin008]

Then he shouldn't advertise this "firearm business" like it's a local shop, which he does. Why not advertise your business as "by appointment only"?

Why keep giving him business if you know how he plays the game?

It sounds like you really came here to vent, not to ask whether or not you should be mad at the guy. If you want to vent, that's cool - but don't get sore at us because we don't see things exactly the same way as you.

 

[kingpin008]

OP just wants to pay for a service, and deserves to be able to do so.

He IS paying for a service. It's just not the service he wants or thinks he should receive.

According to the OP, this isn't his first encounter with the way this guy operates. Maybe it's just me, but when I read that and the ensuing comments from the OP a particular saying came to mind: Fool me once...

 

[wow6599]

Why keep giving him business if you know how he plays the game?

It sounds like you really came here to vent, not to ask whether or not you should be mad at the guy. If you want to vent, that's cool - but don't get sore at us because we don't see things exactly the same way as you.

kingpi008, you are correct, and I apologize for getting a little angry.
I won't give him another red cent after this transaction.
I guess I thought that the first transfer was maybe the exception, rather than the rule..........now I know it's not.

Sorry all, rant off.

 

[kingpin008]

It's cool man, we can all understand the frustration of idiot businesspeople. I just try to do my best to limit my stress and hassle ratio by not darkening their doorway again, ya know?

Not as satisfying as storming in and telling them where to go 'n how to get there, but it keeps the blood pressure down, haha.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

Time to find a new dealer. I go quite a bit out of my way to get to my regular gun guy. I pass at least 3 gun stores that are closer. I do so for a reason. My dealer is knowledgable, affordable, considerate, and reliable. I'm willing to drive an hour for those things. You may find that going somewhere else means paying more. You may also find that it's worth it.

 

[youngda9]

Find another FFL that you'll be happy with. No need to attempt to validate your emotional response through the opinions of other people.

gunbroker.com has a search engine where you can put in your zip code and find other FFLs in your area.

http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/DealerNetwork.aspx

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

I'm old, so maybe I think a bit differently (slower for sure) than you young folks, but in my experience I have learned that if I'm dealing with a particular person or business, and everything is "hunky-dory" (whatever that means) I try and give them all the business I can, and recommend them to others.

If the circumstances change and I become dissatisfied with the service, products, whatever, I start searching around for another person, business offering the same good services as the first had originally.

For example, the local ffl transfer dealer here in my small part of the U.S. (S.E. Ga) charges $25.00 to accept a transfer in, and $10.00 to transfer a firearm "out". (I do the packaging).

We have been doing this so long now that we have become personal friends, and anytime I have an interest in a new firearm I go to him first and give him the opportunity to find me whatever it is at a reasonable price.

I don't mind paying him more (reasonably more) than I could get one online, or elsewhere, because he's a small businessman, and I try to shop locally when I can.

When I want something he cannot get (surplus P7's/ old lever action Marlin rimfires, etc.) I find them online, buy them and ship them thru him, getting him at least a small piece of the "pie"..

It's a nice arrangement.

Having said that If he quit providing me a service at a reasonable fee I'd look elsewhere for another gun dealer who will..

Just business.

I suggest you start shopping for another ffl transfer dealer, today, and asap quit doing business with the one giving you the run-around.

But, it's never a good idea to "burn your bridges", as you never know when or if you might need the services of this particular person, or business in the future..

Hopefully never, but at almost 69 years old I've learned to "never say never"..


Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[Sgt.Murtaugh]

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask your local FFL if he can match a price on a gun before buying from Online Retailers. Those Online Retailers (think Bud's) have lower costs of operating and thus can mark down their guns significantly. Before I buy from a remote dealer or online retailer I let my FFL have a chance to match the price - or come close. If he gets within 50 bucks I will buy from him.

I speak with FFL dealers all the time and I FREQUENTLY hear local mom and pop dealers say that they will no longer accept transfers from Bud's because they undercut their price so badly. My response is "Just charge a higher transfer fee for those guys." You don't want to do something that forces a buyer to NOT come into your store. Even on transfers, dealers can make some money because often times the buyer will be in the store and purchase some accessories or ammo while picking up his gun. They want to discourage customers from buying from the online retailers. I have heard several dealers say “online retailers are running us out of business and ruining the market.” That’s why many of these dealers use GunsAmerica, Gun Broker, and Guns International (among others) to sell their guns online. If you use those websites, you are supporting brick and mortar stores that the industry was built on.

It’s a touchy subject for many dealers.

To answer the OP’s question – “Yes” you should be mad, but you have to understand where your FFL guy is coming from. Your FFL didn’t have to accept the gun if he didn’t want to give it to you. Maybe when you finally do pick it up, buy a magazine or some ammo from him and see how his attitude changes. However, there are a fair amount of FFL’s out there who pretty much sell out of their garage and storefront dealers don’t particularly care for those guys either.

 

[Black Butte]

If you want flawless service, do your transfer at your local gun shop. That way you know they'll be there during normal business hours.

If you want cheap, keep going to the guy that steps out for lunch.

Walking into the Waldorf Astoria and complaining because you can't book the Presidential Suite for $15 will get you nowhere.

 

[wow6599]

Walking into the Waldorf Astoria and complaining because you can't book the Presidential Suite for $15 will get you nowhere.

:banghead:

What if they advertised the "Presidential Suite for $15".........where would that get me?

 

[CraigC]

This is gonna come off as inflammatory but YOU are the reason why I am really glad I'm not trying to make a living running a gun shop. If it were me, you'd never do another transfer to my shop for a new gun, or I would hike up the transfer fee to $50. The big online retailers are killing the local guys and the more it happens, the fewer local shops there will be to even do your transfers. Do yourself and your local shop a favor, develop a relationship with them, spend your money locally and stop slapping them in the face by ordering new guns online. It's this sort of liberal-minded, anti-capitalist mentality that will march us right into oblivion.

Being cheap at everything gets you nowhere.

Precisely!

 

[sonick808]

then that should get you a $15 presidential suite with a smile to boot.

Keep looking, you'll find an FFL that will work with you I'm certain; especially in MO. You deserve respect and I'm sure you'll develop a good rapport with someone here soon

I'm not sure some of the people here realize how HUGE 50$ can be to someone.

As for volume leading to lower prices, I would be intersted to know how Pistol Parlour in Mesa, a mom and pop store, constantly sells guns for less than some of the largest retailers out there. Clearly there is a bit of voodoo in the distribution chain.

 

[Black Butte]

What if they advertised the "Presidential Suite for $15".........where would that get me?

Nowhere, if your expectation is $5.

 

[Justin]

The big online retailers are killing the local guys

Wrong.

The internet has fundamentally changed the way the business works. Complaining about it doesn't help. Those local businesses that thrive will do so by adapting to the new way of doing things.

Frankly, I'd think a lot of FFL's would welcome online transfers. The guns on retail shelves don't move fast, generally have the lowest markup of anything in the store, and the store owner will have to have a large amount of money tied up in inventory in order to ensure steady sales.

Seems to me that allowing a customer to order exactly what he wants and cordially acting as the transfer point in the sale actually cuts a lot of the hassle and headache out of the equation, while getting $20-$40 for using a computer with an online connection.

On top of that, any gun store owner who doesn't have his head planted firmly up his fourth point of contact will see such a transfer as an opportunity to upsell the customer on items with a higher profit margin like ammunition, targets, spare magazines, magazine carriers, slings, optic mounts, scopes, lasers, lights, holsters, eye and ear protection, and safety classes.

 

[Frank Ettin]

What if they advertised the "Presidential Suite for $15".........where would that get me?

Probably a tiny room with no maid service, cheap towels and bed linen, and a fancy plaque on the door saying "Presidential Suite." In general, one gets the level of service he pays for.

 

[CraigC]

Wrong.

Really??? I would love to see the math that explains how losing sales and therefore profit to online retailers doesn't actually hurt them??? I've been doing this a long time and have been into A LOT of gunshops and I have yet to talk to one dealer who does not frown upon doing transfers on new guns. Why? Because there's no reason for them to be in business if they're just doing transfers. Less profit, less incentive to run a business, less money to run a business, less money to keep guns in stock awaiting purchase. All of which equals fewer and fewer dealers.

 

[oldbear]

I said at minimum $50 more. Most guns I buy are over $600, so take the minimum $50 over (and it is usually more) and add sales tax of 7.675%, and you are not talking about $12.

Talk to your old FFL and explain that you would prefer to do business with him, but his pries are not inline with what you can get on the Internet, see if he is willing to meet you part way on this. Remember you are paying a $25.00 transfer fee so that must be factored into your total cost.

 

[wow6599]

This is gonna come off as inflammatory but YOU are the reason why I am really glad I'm not trying to make a living running a gun shop. If it were me, you'd never do another transfer to my shop for a new gun, or I would hike up the transfer fee to $50.

Priceless...........
Since you seem to know me, maybe I know you. Are you the guy at the local gun show selling Sigmas for $499 and Hi Points for $329?

Don't act like you know me - you don't. I would gladly pay $25 or $35 for a FFL to transfer a gun if they didn't whine about it - I have a wife for that.
Second, my point was more about the fact the guy has stood me up when we had an appointment and won't speak with me - and he has my gun.
CraigC, if you want to spend $200 more for a gun at your LGS than you would pay online then good for you. I don't give away hundred dollar bills though.

 

[Justin]

Really??? I would love to see the math that explains how losing sales and therefore profit to online retailers doesn't actually hurt them??? I've been doing this a long time and have been into A LOT of gunshops and I have yet to talk to one dealer who does not frown upon doing transfers on new guns. Why? Because there's no reason for them to be in business if they're just doing transfers. Less profit, less incentive to run a business, less money to run a business, less money to keep guns in stock awaiting purchase. All of which equals fewer and fewer dealers.

That's funny. Around here, the smaller shops worth visiting gladly do transfers and it doesn't seem to have resulted in their doors closing.

Of the two shops that frown on it, one is small and not worth visiting due to lousy customer service, and the other stocks such a huge selection that most people are willing to pay a little more to be able to walk out the door with whatever they like on the same day.

Do online purchases hit an FFL's bottom line? Sure, but they don't hit it nearly as badly as an FFL who has such a poor grasp of customer service that he does his level best to discourage such transfers, and therefore the business that comes with a willingness to conduct them.

On the part of a lot of small gun store owners, I see a willingness pin their lack of good business sense on all sorts of things from Walmart to online transfers, when generally their failing business has more to do with how they treat their customers.

The gun business is the only place I've ever seen where it's ok to complain about people who wave $40 at you for what amounts to two minutes worth of data entry.

 

[xfyrfiter]

I have never purchased a firearm on line. I like to" handle the merchandise" as it were. The lgs has to make a living, and almost all of them in my area are pretty close in price after you figure shipping, transfer, taxes, and a small profit, it just makes little dollars and cents. I guess I am lucky to live in this area.

 

[netsurf12]

"The gun business is the only place I've ever seen where it's ok to complain about people who wave $40 at you for what amounts to two minutes worth of data entry."

God that's SO WELL SAID, Justin!!!!!!!!!!