Recourse in FFL transfer

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mike4330

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Feb 24, 2011
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Location
Manassas, VA
Hello folks,

I am attempting to purchase my first handgun. I bought online and have had it shipped to a local FFL gun range who is giving me the run around about when I can pick up my handgun. It was delivered on Tuesday, and now on Friday it's still not ready.

My question for the forum members is, do I have any recourse here? It seems like these guys can keep my gun as long as they like.

Any recommendations?
 
Ask em what the hold-up is.

I wonder if maybe the gun showed up without an FFL or other pertinent info from the seller.

Whenever I do a transfer, I call my customer as soon as the gun shows up, I have on more than one occasion, logged guns in then out to my customer within hours of receipt.
 
call the owner, the call the ATF and explain that the FFL has your gun on his books and refuses to do the transfer

He only has two ways to clear the gun, send it back to the original owner, or transfer it out to you. I would go to the shop and wait, might take a little while, but it's hard to say you don't have time when the place is empty....
 
Whoa, whoa - let's not go involving the ATF unless we have to, huh?

OP - What reason has the shop given you for not allowing you to pick up your gun? It could be any number of things, and telling us that you found out it's "not ready" yet isn't too helpful. Depending on what their answer was when you called/visited to pick it up, we can help you out - but more info is definitely necessary.
 
Shadow 7D said:
He only has two ways to clear the gun, send it back to the original owner
Click to expand...

Once he accepts delivery, the FFL must enter the gun in his bound book and then sending the gun back to the original owner is no longer a legal option.
 
NavyLT said:
Shadow 7D said:
He only has two ways to clear the gun, send it back to the original owner
Click to expand...
Once he accepts delivery, the FFL must enter the gun in his bound book and then sending the gun back to the original owner is no longer a legal option.
Click to expand...
I see we're exercising again (jumping to conclusions).

The OP did not state who he bought the gun from, just that he did it online.

An FFL can return a gun purchased from another FFL (such as Bud's) to the shipping FFL.
 
nalioth said:
I see we're exercising again (jumping to conclusions).

The OP did not state who he bought the gun from, just that he did it online.

An FFL can return a gun purchased from another FFL (such as Bud's) to the shipping FFL.
Click to expand...

True. Good point...
 
Hi guys, I bought the firearm from Bud's Gun shop who had this shop listed as a "preferred FFL" so that no prior notification was necessary. Apparently this was news to the shop.

According to the shop, I was supposed to have notified the shop ahead of time and filled out a form before they could log it in. Also apparently they only have one staff member who can log transfers, and he only works sporadically.

My feeling is that this is pretty poor customer service. I choose this shop because I had planned to join as a member there.

Should I contact Bud's to complain?

Thanks again!
 
Unfortunately, the preferred FFL on Bud's means that they've shipped a gun to that FFL and it's still valid.

Contacting Bud's isn't likely to do anything. I would continue to work with the shop and take this as a lesson learned. Out of courtesy you should always contact the receiving FFL.
 
mike4330 said:
Hi guys, I bought the firearm from Bud's Gun shop who had this shop listed as a "preferred FFL" so that no prior notification was necessary. Apparently this was news to the shop.

According to the shop, I was supposed to have notified the shop ahead of time and filled out a form before they could log it in. Also apparently they only have one staff member who can log transfers, and he only works sporadically.

My feeling is that this is pretty poor customer service. I choose this shop because I had planned to join as a member there.

Should I contact Bud's to complain?

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
From what you've said, you need to tell them to return the gun to Buds and choose another FFL to have it shipped to.

From what you've said, the gun shop is operating illegally.
 
I'm gonna agree with Nalioth on this one. Have them send the gun back to Bud's, and find another shop to work with.

Also, Atblis is right - you need to arrange the transfer with the receiving shop first, and then purchase it. Otherwise, how are they supposed to know to expect your gun?
 
We are a Bud's "Preferred FFL". They called us before we got that status to let us know, and to verify our transfer fees and policies. Bud's also always provides paperwork on who purchased the gun and the purchaser's contact info. They are one one of the easiest companies to deal with for transfers.

If the dealer doesn't want to be on that list they should call Bud's and ask to be removed from it. Actually the OP could also let Bud's know that the dealer shouldn't be on the preferred list.

Don't have the gun shipped back to Bud's, have it sent to Virginia Arms for the transfer. They have A+ customer service.
 
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"...only have one staff member who can log transfers...no prior notification was necessary..." There's something fishy about that. The notification thing doesn't sound right either. The dealer you used listed in green on Bud's list? Bud's site also says to contact the dealer before ordering from Bud's.
Mind you, we don't have the FFL transfer nonsense, up here. Ownership change paperwork gets done and the firearm is shipped directly to you.
I'd be on the phone to Bud's. If another dealer is giving his customers grief, he'll want to know about it.
 
You should have told the dealer who was receiving your gun that you had one coming. If the seller did not put info in there how are they supposed to know who it is being transfered for?

Sounds like you got yourself into this one, and you really are at the mercy of the gun shop now.

What can you do? Well you can wait for them to log your firearm, and have them transfer it to you when they are ready. Next time you might want to notify a ffl that there will be a gun arriving for you and give them as much info as you can.

Do you know the person who sent Bud's gun shop the original FFL? How do you know that was not the owner or one of his regular customers that sent the FFL? I have seen dealers charge out the nose (100.00) for FFL transfers if you use their license without letting them know, because technically that is illegal. I know 100 percent without a doubt that my local FFL dealer can order guns through S.O.G., and I can order guns and have them shipped to him, but he knows that I tell him when I order something and he called SOG and lets me use his FFL as a transfer. Which normally cost me 15.00.

Good luck...
 
crazy-mp said:
You should have told the dealer who was receiving your gun that you had one coming. If the seller did not put info in there how are they supposed to know who it is being transfered for?

Sounds like you got yourself into this one, and you really are at the mercy of the gun shop now.

What can you do? Well you can wait for them to log your firearm, and have them transfer it to you when they are ready. Next time you might want to notify a ffl that there will be a gun arriving for you and give them as much info as you can.

Do you know the person who sent Bud's gun shop the original FFL? How do you know that was not the owner or one of his regular customers that sent the FFL? I have seen dealers charge out the nose (100.00) for FFL transfers if you use their license without letting them know, because technically that is illegal. I know 100 percent without a doubt that my local FFL dealer can order guns through S.O.G., and I can order guns and have them shipped to him, but he knows that I tell him when I order something and he called SOG and lets me use his FFL as a transfer. Which normally cost me 15.00.

Good luck...
Click to expand...
Good luck? Did you actually read any of what was written?

Bud's suggested the FFL to the OP - He did not pick them.

If the gun shop charged the OP $100 (or any extra amount) because "someone else" sent them their FFL, that's plumb crazy. Also, it's not illegal for you (or "someone else") to send a copy of an FFL's license to any FFL holder. What's illegal is sending a FORGED copy of an FFL to any FFL holder.
 
This comes as no surprise to most, but I recommend a different approach. Stick with this transfer... you can always choose not to use them in the future. You made some mistakes, and they made some mistakes. Perhaps this relationship started off on the wrong foot.

If you go in there with a good attitude, maybe in the end you will have a good relationship. If not... well... at least you tried.
 
Is there a waiting period?...I skimmed...little early to be calling ATF lol..

Have you tried FTF?
 
nalioth said:
From what you've said, you need to tell them to return the gun to Buds and choose another FFL to have it shipped to.

From what you've said, the gun shop is operating illegally.
Click to expand...
I'll give you dollars to donuts that the gun didn't -actually- come from Buds ... it came from Sports South as a drop ship.

NOW who does it go back to? And who will pay for the shipping?
 
I am attempting to purchase my first handgun. I bought online and have had it shipped to a local FFL gun range who is giving me the run around about when I can pick up my handgun. It was delivered on Tuesday, and now on Friday it's still not ready.
Click to expand...

I feel you should ALWAYS contact the dealer BEFORE making the deal with Buds or anyone else that will be shipping a firearm to them. It is just good practice. The gunshop may in fact have a problem with transfers of new guns that they routinely sell. It is a good thing to know ahead of time.

I suspect that preferred simply means they have a copy of their FFL in their files.

I'd do whatever the local FFL asks. If that bugs you, then try to look at it from their point of view.
 
A BIG reason why it's best to know your dealer before any such transfer. You always contact the parties involved so they're not surprised by any arrivals. I would really see the dealer as having poor customer service anymore than I would the customer not doing thier part.
 
mgkdrgn said:
nalioth said:
From what you've said, you need to tell them to return the gun to Buds and choose another FFL to have it shipped to.

From what you've said, the gun shop is operating illegally.
Click to expand...
I'll give you dollars to donuts that the gun didn't -actually- come from Buds ... it came from Sports South as a drop ship.

NOW who does it go back to? And who will pay for the shipping?
Click to expand...
You and I both know the gun came from an FFL holder somewhere, on request of Bud's. Since Bud's holds an FFL, it could be shipped back to them, or back to the wholesaler where it was drop-shipped from.

Myself, If I witnessed the behavior described in the OP's posts, I'd want it sent to a legitimately operating FFL holder, and would provide the LGS with a prepaid USPS flat rate box for that purpose.
 
I go to the dealr first"can I do an FFL transfer on a blah bluh firearm from goodys sales?"
Gun dealer says"sure you can"
I contact the dealer once I put the order through, that way they know it's on it's way and who it's for. Then I just wait for the phone call telling me my new howitzer has arrived.
Or in the process of all this, the dealer has one, or can order it for me and maybe save a couple of bucks. Or it may cost a couple of bucks more, he has to eat too.
Always check with the dealer first on every FFL transfer!
 
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