Bad Gun Store Experience

[Double_J]

The FFL dealers in my area charge $25-35 per transfer, which I find reasonable. We did have one guy who would charge $50 but he ran himself out of business in short order. If one of those shops were to do the "bait and switch" with me I would talk to the manager or owner of the shop post haste. The only thing that keeps a shop in business is CUSTOMER SERVICE a.k.a. a loyal buying community of people. That kind of activity leads to customers leaving the shop behind.

 

[longknife12]

With Colorado and the new local laws, transfer fees/background checks and sales taxes, I'm cheaper to buy local in the first place! I haven't bought on line in several years!
JMO
Dan

 

[BSA1]

I called them and asked them the same question, they reaffirmed that it was 25$.

IMHO this was your mistake. I have a LGS that I have done several transfers though for $25.00. Even though he knows me I always stop in person with the information and confirm he is ok with the transfer. This way there is no confusion or misunderstanding when I pick the gun up. I also pay for the gun myself when I order it so all the dealer has to do is log it in and out.

In the O.P.'s case he would be able to go to the person he talked about the amount of the transfer.

 

[TennJed]

terrible business practice. I would never set foot in there again. If they were good at what they did they would honor the original quote, and explain the issue of having to compete with internet companies. Do it in a respectful way that impresses the customer and wins his business.

The whole idea that a customer OWES you something is a load of crap. The business should impress the customer and win his business. This is a lost art in American small business. People moan and complain about internet companies then act like jerks to the customer and wonder why no one is loyal.

This business had a perfect opportunity to win over a customer and show them why they should go there first, they did the opposite and just showed the customer why they should shop online. When that place goes out of business they have no one to blame but themselves

 

[Machete]

IMHO this was your mistake. I have a LGS that I have done several transfers though for $25.00. Even though he knows me I always stop in person with the information and confirm he is ok with the transfer. This way there is no confusion or misunderstanding when I pick the gun up. I also pay for the gun myself when I order it so all the dealer has to do is log it in and out.

That gun store is like 40 minutes from my house so I didn't really want to drive out there when I could just call. Despite the few problems I've had there I really like the place. It's on the way to my dad's hunting property and I often stop on the way to buy fishing lures or ammo. Plus, like I stated before I really like their archery shop.

If you would've been a fly on the wall you'd have a different opinion, I'm not perfectly articulating what happened. It wasn't a nice way to conduct business. I think he thought because of my age and demeanor he could take me for some more cash to be honest.

 

[CLP]

I avoid transfers to my LGS for this reason. I found a pawn shop owner/FFL in Calera, AL who is friendly and charges 15$ flat. I once ordered three lower receivers and he just said, "ah, $30 bucks is fine"- I insisted on paying 15$ per receiver. I wished he had a better selection of firearms in his store- I'd definitely buy from him just because of his business attitude.

For these LGS, it's a bad business move. Jacking up their transfer fee isn't going to compel me to buy from them, and they lose a reasonable transfer fee for a few minutes of work.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Get yourself an FFL and try it yourself. There is pretty much no money to be made on new guns ... so little that I don't even bother with them unless someone asks me to order one. I can generally buy new guns for less on GunBroker than I can get them for wholesale.

Which is a load of crap since every gunstore claims they make no money on guns.

 

[CLP]

All the more reason to make a buck every way you can, especially by doing quick and easy transfers. Your goal should bring more people into your store. Once there, people buy other things.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Good fortune.....

With luck & good fortune, I was put in touch with a local FFL holder & small business owner(gun shop). He's a retired USNR officer(JAG office) & a real estate atty too.
He has wide connections to many gun dealers & online retailers. The best part is that he only charges $25.00 for FFL fees & works with customers to get the ordered weapons(good QC).

My friend purchased a new Ruger LCR .38spl(www.gunsamerica.com ) in 2013 using the FFL holder & had 0 problems. I had plans to buy a police trade-in Glock 23 .40S&W gen 04 a few weeks ago but had to cancel at the last minute.
I contacted the office & he had no issues or disputes.
If I make any future plans to buy any guns, Id use his office for the transfer & I advise others to go to his business.

 

[skeptical_in_Ohio]

Some examples from my experiences in the local area (SW Ohio)-

In the not too distant past, I have dealt with a very nice guy who runs a home shop rather than a storefront - $15 fees for transfers, scheduled at mutual convenience (never has taken me more than a day or so to get our schedules synced to make the pickup). If it's something he can get I usually offer him the chance to match. At least once I found something cheaper than he could get (let alone make anything on) so he happily took delivery and did the transfer for $15.

There is a local smith who does them for $30 (he is closer). Basically, he's the best around here (and has the 4- to 5-month backlog to prove it), so he's not planning to do a lot of transfers - from what I can tell that's just his opportunity cost to move off finishing somebody's rifle long enough to handle, store and process the transfer.

A newer shop in the area (closer to my house than my first example) was doing $15 transfers coming and going, but they sell range memberships (indoor range) that includes a no-transfer fee benefit. Guess where all my transfers go now .

Because they are new they can't get the very best deals from manufacturers and distributors yet (and may never have the volume to truly do so). Hence, they can't match places like Bud's on price (and they do get this) so they go for customer service, a clean, bright, well-lit store and range area and a pretty decent selection. Nobody (and I mean nobody) hits the door without somebody saying hello, and you should see how nice the range officers are to my wife and kids (e.g., a range officer giving my daughter a high five when she had a good grouping). I've never seen them talk down to anybody (e.g., my wife and kids), and they're most tolerant of dumb questions - one can probably guess how I know this .

They also run classes, have nationally-known individuals in to give shooting clinics, and listen to their customers for ideas. Given that they have the range, people end up spending a lot of time in their store (which obviously helps them move ammo/targets/accessories and as well arms). Smart.

As a result, when I'm looking for something new, I always check their prices before trying someplace else. Yes, I do get stuff elsewhere sometimes too, but the price had better be a LOT better (I generally think in terms of 10%) or something they can't readily get. Since I'm one of those people that actually pay use tax, that particular benefit of shopping online is lost on me.

To me, saving money has utility. However, having a great LGS that provides excellent service, convenience, selection and expertise and a place to shoot when it's either 95 or 15 outside has utility as well. I always to try to think total cost versus total benefit; not just the price on a given purchase. But that's just me.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

to
me 25 buks is all its worth really. its a moneymaker for them becuz they have nothing invested other than a phone call or two. i have a small local smith who works out of a shed behind his house who loves to take 25 buks for tranfers. he does not sell guns except a few used ones on comission. he has to have a ffl becuz he works on guns. that 25 buks is pure gravy to him becuz he did really nothing more than open the door for the ups,fedex guy.and log it in.if yu count the time we bs he has maybe 15 min in that 25 buks. he loves it.

find somebody like that.

 

[orionengnr]

My mom n' pop FFL place still does transfers for $20. I always ask them about any gun I am interested in, and they quote very reasonable prices, if they can get it. I waited almost a year for a Kahr CW380, and they sold it to me for (IIRC) $329. Their price on LCPs is (IIRC) $299.

Every time I walk in, there are 2-3 people either buying something or picking up a transfer. They are not going out of business any time soon.

I was looking for a complete AR lower a while back, after I bought a .300BLK upper. I asked about a lower, and she pointed me towards PSA and their Easter sale. I went home an ordered a lower for some ridiculous price, somewhere around $200 delivered.

They shipped it to my local shop, who collected $20. Everyone is happy.

 

[kcofohio]

Our LGS has on their window, "Internet Transfers: $25" It's money in the till.

 

[Sagetown]

Machete said: " What are your thoughts? "

I would find another FFL. Life is hard enough without a run-in with a sour shop clerk. Been there and done that, and the bad memories still linger on.
The LGS folks I shop with now are super.

 

[Onmilo]

My LGS will order anything 10% + tax & shipping up to $250 and flat $25 + tax, $4 for the call in fee & shipping over that mark.
I know they make money on the shipping charge which runs about $20 but who cares?
If I buy a used gun and pay for it and the shipping direct, they only charge the $25 fee + $4 call in fee is all they collect.

 

[Tirod]

I say that the market will supply all the cheap transfers we want thru the kitchen table FFLs who work from home and don't have to pay for brick and mortar.

Most of them were run off when the BATF raised the fees:

The number of “Type 1” FFLs (dealers licensed to sell firearms, as opposed to those licensed to manufacture firearms or sell ammunition or curios) saw an even more dramatic decline since the reforms of the early 1990s. The number of Type 1 FFLs dropped 79 percent between 1994 and 2007 (from 245,628 to 50,630).

From: http://smartgunlaws.org/federal-law-on-dealer-regulations/

FFL's are under no obligationn whatsoever to implement your internet transaction, and due diligence on your part in discussing your transfer is entirely up to you. The usual situation is to get a copy of their license from them to send to the selling dealer, or they send it. Everybody is usually in the loop.

The fee changed "weeks ago." Ok. Sounds like somebody wasn't in contact with the dealer during that time. I don't see that as being in close coordination with them concerning the transaction. It shouldn't have been a surprise from either point of view.

How did that go wrong?

 

[HexHead]

Personally, I think $50 is pretty steep. My guy charges the required $10, plus 5 or 10 for his time. It takes all of 2 minutes to punch the ffl info into the computer. Charging $50 for a transfer does nothing but alienate customers.

Nonsense. My LGS charges $75 for a new gun and $50 for a used one, plus the $10 background check. They're not the only store in town yet do plenty of transfers.

 

[GBExpat]

The fee changed "weeks ago." Ok. Sounds like somebody wasn't in contact with the dealer during that time. I don't see that as being in close coordination with them concerning the transaction. It shouldn't have been a surprise from either point of view.

How did that go wrong?

The only reason that it "went wrong" was because the clerk handled it very poorly. "Close coordination" with the Dealer during that time would have been wasted time on both sides of the telephone.

 

[LT.Diver]

I would have charged you double just for putting the dollar sign on the wrong side.

 

[BSA1]

IMHO this was your mistake. I have a LGS that I have done several transfers though for $25.00. Even though he knows me I always stop in person with the information and confirm he is ok with the transfer. This way there is no confusion or misunderstanding when I pick the gun up. I also pay for the gun myself when I order it so all the dealer has to do is log it in and out.

In the O.P.'s case he would be able to go to the person he talked about the amount of the transfer.

Personal relationships build trust and goodwill while avoiding misunderstandings.

That gun store is like 40 minutes from my house so I didn't really want to drive out there when I could just call. Despite the few problems I've had there I really like the place. It's on the way to my dad's hunting property and I often stop on the way to buy fishing lures or ammo. Plus, like I stated before I really like their archery shop.

If you would've been a fly on the wall you'd have a different opinion, I'm not perfectly articulating what happened. It wasn't a nice way to conduct business. I think he thought because of my age and demeanor he could take me for some more cash to be honest.

It sounds like you got the gun for the transfer fee you were wanting to pay. Since you say you really like the place and got what you wanted why are you complaining?

 

[stonecutter2]

Transfers are near pure profit, aren't they?

Hardly any time or effort required for the shop. Mostly just storage taken up.

They can charge whatever fee their local market can bear...but should stand by their word.

I'd write them and explain why you're unhappy. See how or if they respond. If they don't reply, shop and transfer elsewhere.

I've never understood shops that gripe about transfers. If they can't compete with online pricing...at least they're getting the transfer fee and can offer you accessories at a good price. You're already in their store!

Instead of wasting your time with griping, the guy should've said hey, with a transfer you get 10% off any AR accessories in stock. I like PMags. Need any bore cleaner or oil? And so forth.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Trying to change the price on you after you have committed to using them for the FFL transfer? Sounds pretty shady. I guess there is a small chance it could have been an honest mistake or coincidence that they changed their policy between when you called and when you came in.... but unlikely IMO.

My only experience around with FFL transfers is with a couple of "kitchen table" types that charge $20 and $15 respectively. I guess that fee is basically all profit to them because they dont have the overhead of a storefront. I like that they are cheap, the only thing is you have to be patient when scheduling pickup and paperwork with them as they have their own families and day jobs, so they arent available 24/7 for your convenience. The cost savings is worth the extra day or 2 to me.

 

[Sniper66]

Try looking on your state's web site. Here in Kansas you can find a list of all FFL holders. I called a 3 of them and based on our conversation, I picked one and went to visit him. All of them expressed an interest in handling the transfer. My guy has now handled several transfers for me and charges $20. He keeps excellent records and when I arrive at his house he has everything ready, has looked over the gun to make sure it was not damaged in shipment, we talk guns for awhile, and I go home happy. Does he make money? Not much. He does it because he loves guns, is retired and enjoys having something to do. Another guy quoted me $15, but based on our conversation, I didn't choose him. there are plenty of people who will handle your transfer; make it easy on yourself and choose wisely.

 

[plexreticle]

This doesn't look like a miscommunication to me, OP got snookered for $25. I wonder what other little tricks and scams this LGS pull. Holding guns hostage for exorbitant repair bills?

Even if it was a miscommunication, that falls squarely on the dealer.

 

[BobTheTomato]

In all honesty I think you will see the demise of the local shop replaced with different types. You will have the big box stores, the local guy who has a range, training and a lot of other stuff under one roof, pawn shops, and the kitchen table guy. As others have stated the world has been changed by the internets (sorry I have to add the s). Car dealerships understood that new cars don't make money. You make money doing service work. FFL will need to find niches or ways to get people in the door. We the customer will ultimately benefit from this.

I would imagine those who cling to the old ways wont survive into the future.