Worst. FFL. EVER!

[Orcon]

Hello all, I just needed to share this with people who could relate...



I won a bid on this 300 WSM; after shipping and the transfer fee it was under $800. I, the eternal cheapskate, found an FFL that advertised an $25 transfer fee (what a steal!). The guy operates from his home, no big deal many do. He works a regular job and all that so he did indicate that some coordination would be in order, I was totally okay with this.

So once my rifle arrived we set up a date to make the transfer, I call him the day of and he's out of town... on vacation apparently. We re-schedule. The day agreed upon arrives and I call him several times with no answer, send a text all that. The next day I get a text saying swing by after noon, I did.

NICS delays me. It is the weekend so I won't be able to get it until Thursday. This is not his fault, I understand that.

Thursday is here, called earlier today no answer got a text saying call you in a minute 2 hours ago... no call yet.

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I paid for this damned thing and I'm still not in possession of it. This is hands down the worst buying experience I've ever had in my life. What do you do in a situation like this?

 

[Robert101]

I would simply state that I'm coming by to pick up my rifle on one of these two days. Give him an option of two time frames. Show up at his house after work. He will certainly deal with you because he will have no other choice.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Agreed.

And bring a CCW piece just in case. You never know.

 

[mtlucas0311]

I would just keep my cool, deal with the poor communication as best I could and complete the transaction. I'd also do my best to stay friendly with him till your down the road with the rifle. If you flip out and let him know how poor a job you feel he's done, he can refuse to handle the transaction and send the rifle back to the seller. Then you'll really wait a long time for it...and probably eat more shipping costs. An FFL is under no obligation to complete a transaction, and can pull the plug at any time, for just about any reason...true or not.

 

[Orcon]

I would just keep my cool, deal with the poor communication as best I could and complete the transaction. I'd also do my best to stay friendly with him till your down the road with the rifle. If you flip out and let him know how poor a job you feel he's done, he can refuse to handle the transaction and send the rifle back to the seller. Then you'll really wait a long time for it...and probably eat more shipping costs. An FFL is under no obligation to complete a transaction, and can pull the plug at any time, for just about any reason...true or not.

That is precisely what I am afraid of. I'm really trying to be nicey-nice but still emphasize that I want my rifle.

 

[jmorris]

I would finish the transaction quietly, with a smile and pick another FFL to deal with next time.

Also avoid any NFA toys, you'll go nuts having to wait the better part of a year to play with your new toy after you pay for it.

 

[Gun Master]

Lousey FFL

There are several options that I can think of, but I am not a LEO, lawyer, or otherwise a student/expert of the law. Just a plain ole' joe.

Perhaps these (you choose the order):
1. Your local city/county LEO. Perhaps he can be charged with stolen property?
2. Check with your local firearms/sporting clubs. Maybe he has done this before?
3. The easiest, BBB (Better Business Bureau) by phone or internet. File a complaint?
4. Then check out his FFL record. Complain?
5. Contact your Congressman (Senator or Representative/aka "Congressman").
6. Last but really least, a lawyer.

Thankfully I never (yet) have had this problem, but I am sympathetic.
Also, I suggest checking your next FFL thru BBB first.

 

[Art Eatman]

Stuff happens. Regardless of the level of frustration, patience, courtesy and politeness will do you more good in finishing the deal than any other behavior.

Some people are flaky. Keep your cool and just let this be a one-time deal--and check around for an FFL who's both reasonably priced on transfers and who isn't a flake.

 

[JFtheGR8]

You could have initiated the background check as soon as you agreed to use him as the transferring FFL. You would not have needed to wait. You only need the serial number to complete the transfer and not to initiate the check. You would have needed to fill out the top of the form though. That would have tipped you off as to what to expect since you'd of already met him face to face at that point. That's what I did for my last transfer. Told the FFL I was buying a lower receiver and that I wanted to initiate the background check. I got to meet the guy that way and had a good feel for how things would go. If anyone tells me they won't start the form until the firearm arrives then I'll find someone else to deal with.

 

[bikemutt]

Sounds as if you've discovered the difference between part-time and full-time. It's the nature of the beast, enjoy the savings.

 

[bikemutt]

You could have initiated the background check as soon as you agreed to use him as the transferring FFL. You would not have needed to wait. You only need the serial number to complete the transfer and not to initiate the check. You would have needed to fill out the top of the form though. That would have tipped you off as to what to expect since you'd of already met him face to face at that point. That's what I did for my last transfer. Told the FFL I was buying a lower receiver and that I wanted to initiate the background check. I got to meet the guy that way and had a good feel for how things would go. If anyone tells me they won't start the form until the firearm arrives then I'll find someone else to deal with.

I can't even count how many things are misguided about your suggestion. Deciding to be an FFL is a business, not a risky business.

 

[HexHead]

Serves you right for being such a cheapskate. If you'd dealt with a reputable B&M FFL, that's open regular business hours, you wouldn't be on here whining about your bad experience. But no, you just had to save a few bucks. Oh well.

 

[dranrab]

I am fortunate to have an FFL who does $15 transactions and is really good.

 

[Orcon]

Serves you right for being such a cheapskate. If you'd dealt with a reputable B&M FFL, that's open regular business hours, you wouldn't be on here whining about your bad experience. But no, you just had to save a few bucks. Oh well.

First off, there is nothing wrong with frugality. Our country could learn a bit about it and be better off.

Secondly, I used to have a good home based ffl that had cheap transfers, but you move away and have to start from scratch. Besides, it's not like there's a review service for these sorts of things.

This post is a more of a "what do I do now" and "learn from my mistakes" post. I'm not here for your sympathy nor your ... well let's just end it there.

 

[rcmodel]

That's not even close to the worst FFL ever!

We had one with a gun shop store front years ago.
Former Army SF guy, so we kinda hit it off.
I figured he was a man of his word.

I made an agreement to build two 1911 Match pistols for him.
In trade for a pair of new Ruger S/S Single-Sixes.

I gave him the 1911's, and almost a year later, no Rugers in exchange.

So, I finally put my lawyer on him.

He was later investigated for murder when his neighbor was found laying in the street by his mail-box with his head on backwards one morning!!

Then he lost his license for selling unregistered Sten Guns out of his car at gun shows.
He skated out of all that somehow, and disappeared for several years.

Then in 2008, convicted of money laundering stolen goods.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/apr/22/2_plead_guilty_selling_stolen_goods/

Now, I see him at gun shows again occasionally.

That rat there is my vote for the worse FFL I ever dealt with!!

rc

 

[Orcon]

That's not even close to the worst FFL ever!

We had one with a gun shop store front years ago.
Former Army SF guy, so we kinda hit it off.

I made an agreement to build two 1911 Match pistols for him.
In trade for a pair of new Ruger S/S Single-Sixes.

I gave him the 1911's, and almost a year later, no Rugers in exchange.

So, I finally put my lawyer on him.

He was later investigated for murder when his neighbor was found laying in the street by his mail-box with his head on backwards one morning!!

Then he lost his license for selling unregistered Sten Guns out of his car at gun shows.
He skated out of all that and disappeared for several years.

Now, I see him at gun shows again occasionally.

That rat there is my vote for the worse FFL I ever dealt with!!

rc

Jeez!

 

[grubbylabs]

I think Art is right on this one, keep your cool the best you can and then choose a different FFL next time.

 

[CaliCoastie]

To me the question really comes back to, why the delay on the nci. His delay could be from a myriad of different issues. Good luck, time won't kill you. Regardless I'd the instant gratification society we've became.

 

[Hookeye]

You went for cheap and with a part time dealer you had no prev business with?
Live and learn.

BTW, being a gun dealer is a risky business, esp if you have folks coming to your home.

My LGS does $25 transfers. Open 6 days a week. Nice guys too.
I'd do my transfers there even if it cost a little more.

Driving to other B&M shops...........cost me gas and time.
Not worth the hassle.

My LGS also does consignments, which means I can sell my stuff without having to mess with people. They have to deal with them, their traffic gets more visibility...........and they do the NICS. Risk free for 10% is a freakin' bargain.

 

[Davek1977]

To me the question really comes back to, why the delay on the nci

Delays are commonplace, and not always an indication something is amiss. In about 2 years time, i bought an 9mm handgun, AK, and an AR. NCIS went thru immediately all three times. A year later, I attempted to buy a bolt action 7mm-08....and was delayed. I'd committed no crimes nor had any involvement with the courts between my latest "proceed" and the "delay"

 

[WelshShooter]

Here in the UK we have Registered Firearms Dealers (RFD) which may be full time or part time. For the most part, all RFD transfers (much like your FFL process) tend to cost around £25 in my area (~$38). One of my friends is a part time RFD and is appointment based which works great, I've never had any problems with him. He doesn't export rifles to other RFD's as he doesn't want the hastle but is happy to bring them in (I wonder why??).

I also have dealings with a local store who have also been fine. Their communication isn't the best, whenever I drop in store and ask them to order something in I ask them if they can give me a call when an item comes in. Nine times out of ten I don't get a call and I have to chase them up. It's a bit of a pain but there's so little choice of gun shops where I am you just have to deal with what you got.

 

[Ash]

Wow, I didn't know how good I had it. My FFL is a full time and only charges $20 for transfers.

 

[ford8nr]

5. Contact your Congressman (Senator or Representative/aka "Congressman").

REALLY for what?

My local, part time guy is great.

 

[oldillini]

I can say I have never experienced a single issue with FFL that I have used 100% of the time. Small LGS where you know the owner by name. I have purchased several guns from him as well as multiple transfers. Great place with only a $10 FFL (+ shipping if outgoing).

 

[Orcon]

To me the question really comes back to, why the delay on the nci. His delay could be from a myriad of different issues. Good luck, time won't kill you. Regardless I'd the instant gratification society we've became.

Delays happen for any number of reasons ranging from incompetence to laziness. As for the quip about "instant gratification", I knew I wasn't going to have it in my hands the day after I paid for it. I'm peeved that the guy can't keep appointments. Am I some sort of a-hole for having the audacity to think that I should be able to take a man at his word?