Did I get ripped off by my FFL?

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B_Scott

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I recently mailed a gun to someone out of state.
I did this through my FFL, who I have a good relationship with.
He told me I had to first transfer the gun to him ($25), then I could ship it for $40!!!

Does it really cost $40 to ship a handgun? He said it had to get there NEXT DAY.
Has anyone ever heard of having to transfer the gun to the dealer first.
If it helps I am in Louisiana and I was shipping a SA Mil-spec in original case to Alabama.

On top of that, since it was a trade - I had to pay the transfer fee for the rifle I got.

Please, someone explain all this to me.
 
He should have been able to mail it for like $15 Priority Mail with insurance.

$40 is what UPS charges to Next Day Air a pistol, which I think you could have done yourself, but I'm not 100% sure (I've only sent a pistol back for repair, never sold one).

Kharn
 
i think in most states an individual can ship a firearm to a FFL.
which would negate the $25 'transfer fee'.
$40 does seem very high, though i've gotten accustomed to lower 48 shippers sending me a package for $40, but i know some shops will ship it via fedex for $25.

check around your area. ask some local pawn shops if they handle transfers. pawnshops dont usually have the negative attitude towards transferring guns like gunshops do. your local gunshop is going to be a little irritated that you didnt buy out of his inventory, and thus may feel like sticking it to you.
 
My understanding is that all you really needed was proof that you were sending your gun to a FFL and then you could do it yourself. Then you could have over nighted the gun for around $25. FFL dealers can send a handgun via USPS Priority Mail. It costs them around $12 actual cost to ship a handgun, maybe more if it is a big heavy gun.
 
Legally, you do not have to ship a handgun from a dealer unless you with to send in via USPS. Otherwise it only needs to be recieved by an FFL.

And no, it does not cost $40 to send a handgun in the continental U.S.
 
I'd find another FFL.

If you ship at handgun, you have to ship it to an FFL in the receipients state. $40 shipping fee is about right since it has to go over night through UPS or FedEx. Thats about in line with their fees. You can do the shipping yourself. BUT IT HAS TO GO TO AN FFL in the buyers state. It's the buyers responsibility to settle the transfer fee with the FFL of his choosing.

Check the ATF regulations if you would like confirmation, they are the final voice on interstate shipping.
 
Thanks for the quick replies.
To be more specific:

Did I need to transfer the gun to the FFL before he could ship it via FedEx or UPS?
 
Did I need to transfer the gun to the FFL
Click to expand...
Not unless your FFL is in a state other then your state of residence.

Transfer of the gun is only necessary when it comes from another state ... he screwed you hard on the $25.

$40 for shipping of a handgun via FexEx or UPS overnight is not too high (I shipped a handgun a few months ago from Colorado to Texas and it cost me $35 at UPS).
 
Local dealers here really give you the shaft. They want a minimum of $45 and charge you tax on the gun!
 
There are...unfortunatley a lot of FFLS's that can be bitter about not getting the sale themselves...

It is fine if they don't want to do transfers...they can just say so...

But I have had more than one deal where the receiving FFL absolutley refused to RECEIVE a weapon from a private party...

Obviously trying to jack up the cost of the transaction to make his prices look better.....

Luckily...My local FFL simply gave me a copy of his license and I shipped it anyway!

Now THAT is a good relationship
 
Heard of FFL's really putting it to you if you are receiving because they are not making anything on it and expected you to buy out of their inventory. Don't see why they'd screw you for shipping out of state. They wouldn't have made any money on it anyway. (The FFL you shipped it to might feel like they lost out on a sale, though.)
 
Heard of FFL's really putting it to you if you are receiving because they are not making anything on it and expected you to buy out of their inventory.
Click to expand...
Yep ... nobody said every FFL was a good businessman.

Seems to me I remember reading about how most gun shops make the bulk of their money on ammo and accessories, not the guns. So an FFL who's not friendly to those of us who buy mailorder are probably going to lose out on the ammo, Hoppes and leather sales they would otherwise make.
 
$40 for overnight AM delivery is about right. of course he COULD have shipped it another way.
 
In this day & age, with all the funky diseases going 'round, PLEASE tell me you were using "protection?"

The FFL I have used charges $25 for a FFL transfer (WHERE REQUIRED BY LAW) and charges cost for shipping...and asks me how urgent it is to determine the cheapest way to get it there, given time constraints.

I was travelling out of state to a place with lotsa good gun shops & asked him how to go about sending it back to him via the mail/shiiping. He whips out a copy of his FFL, signs it, & tells me, "Gimme a call on my cell phone before you buy & I'll see if I can get you a better deal. If not, give him this & pay his shipping. I charge you $25 for the FFL transfer at my end. Happy hunting." I have bought from him in the past, however.

The shop has recently changed hands & I haven't yet had a transfer with the new owner. We'll see how he works out.

Oh, you might want to get a 03 C&R FFL if you plan on buying/trading milsurps. The $30 fee pays for itself in no time.
 
Now, if the gun is shipped in two parts, the slide, and the receiver, then it can be shipped any way, right? It's my understanding that the gun needs to be shipped overnight if it's sent in one fully functional piece.
 
Slide can be shipped normal. Receiver on a handgun still has to go iver night to my understanding.
 
If your FFL is a female supermodel that's not a bad price.... If that includes ammo and :what: .

But if you FFL is a big burly man... well ... to each he own.
Just make sure you lube up before your next transfer.
 
But I have had more than one deal where the receiving FFL absolutley refused to RECEIVE a weapon from a private party...
Click to expand...

Can't speak for other FFLs, but I require an FFL from every out of state transfer. Why? because the NYSP who monitor NYS dealers flips out if we don't....they state they'll arest dealers who DON'T require an FFL at the sending end if it is shown that a firearm that was shipped was unlawful in some fashion. It may not make sense, but thats how they treat us.





Local dealers here really give you the shaft. They want a minimum of $45 and charge you tax on the gun!
Click to expand...

Did you send the seller the cash or the FFL? If the answer is 'the FFL", then they were right in charging you tax on the full shot, at least here in NYS.
 
Can you tell us the name of this FFL ripoff artist?

I'll make sure to never do business with him and tell everyone I know not to do business with him.
 
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