Do gunshops resent doing transfers?

[Beav]

With all of the talk in the past regarding support for your local gunshop and the "unfair" advantage internet and chain dealers have, I was wondering if gunshops resent doing transfers?

I've ran into some questionable service when I did a transfer not too long ago and I was wondering why? Perhaps the guy was just having a bad day.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Some do. Some won't even handle transfers. I have a hunch smart gun shop owners understand it's better to handle small sales than none at all, and those who welcome my transfer fees are much more likely to get my other business, as well.

 

[Wildalaska]

probably its becasue of the usual discourtesy to the tranderring dealer that we see time and time again..

Person buying gun calls EVERY DAY asking..."is it here yet.."

Gun arrives without FFL or even better from private person with n o info to but in book, so ya have to track that down

No contact information for buyer, so gun sits in the back until he calls again, this same guy calling every day before the gun shows up doesnt call for two more weeks..

"What...you gonna charge me $25...for what...and why am I delayed I never get delayed at Wal Mart"

"Ya got ammo...hmmmnever mind I can buy it .15 cents cheaper at Wal Mart"

Not saying this is you of course, but seen plenty of them I have

WildpartridgeinapeartreeAlaska

 

[spacemanspiff]

only two of my guns have been purchased from local gunshops. well, one was from walmart. i got my P22 from northern security supply, half impulse buy, half customer service.
i shopped around for my winchester 1300, even went to a couple pawnshops. walmart had it for $30 less than anyone else.
two other guns were privately bought here in town.
the rest i've had transferred in mostly because of price, but also cause i've had a tough time finding a gunshop that doesnt treat me like a SCC. fwiw, ken at wild west guns has been great. Niels at gunrunners is a good guy; cant say the same for his employees, imho. the people at turpin guns are nice and willing to answer questions. northern security is great too.

i havent been to all the gunshops here yet, but those i've gone into, didnt impress me that much.
i do my transfers through a pawn shop. they dont mind it, and its only $10.

edit - and its a block away from work.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

When purchasing a new gun and finding a good price on the internet, I always ask my FFL if he can beat the price. Since he obviously cannot stock every firearm available, it gives him a chance to make a sale. Sometime he can beat the price and sometimes he can't, but at least he doesn't feel like I'm "bypassing" him completely and cheating him out of business.

 

[ajacobs]

My shop has great prices, and becuase of that I would never dream of having them do a transfer for anything but a used firearm. Any buisness for a new firearm I would give them.

 

[Monkeyleg]

My friend who owns a shop charges $50 for a transfer. His reasoning is thus: he has to pay somebody to unpack the gun, log the gun in, deal with the background check, and then spend time going over the gun with the customer (who's probably not going to buy ammo or accessories, either). Can't say that I blame him.

 

[atek3]

here in california they are mandated by law to do transfers, and the price they can charge is also mandated. Consequently several gun shops I know will either drag their feet, or be surly to discourage such activity. None of the guns I own were purchased at locally. They all were shipped locally to a 'kitchen table FFL' I know who did the transfers. Bay Area gun stores want an arm and a leg for any gun (probably due to taxes, and fees), I generally bypass them. Example, XD-40, 525 including taxes. Bought mine out of state for 400+20 shipping. Hundred may not seem like much, but it is for me. I'm sympathetic to the whole "support your local <insert small enterprise here>" idea, without gunstores, gunnies would lose a valueble way to get new people into ownership, as well as a place to congregate and talk. But I think that until taxation and regulation are restructured in this country, I think brick and mortar businesses will lose the business of the internet-savvy and patient consumer.
oh ya, transfers, once i move out of PRK, private transfers

atek3

 

[Sisco]

The two shops I frequent don't mind, one even advertises in their flyer that they're glad to do it. Both charge $20.
They both also make it clear that if you have a problem with the gun, don't bring it back to them, take it up with whoever you got it from.

 

[Black Snowman]

Local gun store here has done 2 transfers for me now. The latest was with CDNN and they actually have a preferred salesman you go through there so they always know who to talk to if they have an issue. He was very up front with his policy. If it's new and something he stocks or can get at a fair price he won't do the transfer. If it's a non-catalog item he can't get or it's used it's no problem.

The CZ-40B I ordered from CDNN I had them check first. Their cost would have been $380 direct from CZ so he said getting it from CDNN was fine. This spring I'm planning on getting a Biathlon basic from him even if it is more money because they treat me well . . . now that I've been going there more regularly and they have some competition from Cabela's.

 

[P95Carry]

I guess I am lucky with my local guy .... he has done many transfers for me.

However .... two things may well influence this, apart from him (and his bro) being good guys.

First is ........ I patronize the shop sufficient that I have bought several guns direct from him, and consumables and accessories.

Second ..... any transfer I arrange ... I ask him first as a courtesy ... having also of course to ask him to mail off a copy of his FFL. I then inform of all details I have ... what is coming, from whom and expected arrival etc. I only get charged $10.

It has reached the point now when if he gets anything come in he's not sure of ... he'll assume initially it's for me and ask!!

 

[Beav]

...

 

[cracked butt]

If they want to charge me $50 per gun, it means they resent doing it, and therefore I resent doing business with them. The cheapest I can find in my area is round $20 per transfer, but a shop that wanted my business charged $25 per transfer, but gave me a break when I asked them how much they would charge for 3 guns- The owner said if I ordered 3 guns at once, he would only charge me for 2 of the transfers.

 

[Amish_Bill]

The general rule I've seen is that if they have the product on the shelf, or more specifically, if you've spent their time fondling the one they have on the shelf, then you ask them to transfer another identical or materially similar weapon in, they will be cranky. They are warranted in this - you've just used them for a hands-on demo and rubbed their nose in the loss of a sale.

If it's an unusual item, or something the don't have instock, then it's another matter.

No matter what, TALK TO THEM FIRST, and be POLITE! Let them know that you've come across "a heck of a deal" on something and you need a receiving dealer. (I like the idea someone else had... tell them what you've found and for how much. If they can come up with a similar or better deal, buy it from the dealer)

Give the dealer all the info you have. Where does his FFL need to go? Who is shipping it to him? What is it, What's it's serial #? Multiple contact methods for you.

Above all, be patient. If you have a tracking # on the package, don't call or show up as soon as the # shows up as Delivered. Give the guy a chance to unpack all his incoming and get everything logged in.

 

[clubsoda22]

I've only done 1 transfer and that was for the HK from CDNN. I told the guy i was having one sent, he asked me why i didn't just buy one from him. I told him if he could match the $370 price i would. He understood. In all fairness, i had bought from him in the past (my bersa thunder)

 

[mtnbkr]

My local shop charges $20 is quite friendly about it. They make it so pleasant, I've started considering Internet purchases more often.

Chris

 

[schadenfreude]

The local shops that I called about a transfer turned out to be a PITA just to get a conversation. They lost my business on that. I bought a pistol from one shop and called back 3 days later asking about a transfer on a rifle I wanted and they were too rude to earn my business ever again.

On gunbroker I called the FFL closest to me first. He turned out to be a really nice guy that does it on the side to save himself and all his friends money on transfers. He charged $25 and that included the $9 background check. So he did the transfer for $16.

He also said that he is a dealer for several companies. Anything I want to get in the future I will give him the chance to earn the business. I know he can't beat the prices from some online retailers but.............. if he's close (within $50) I would buy it from him.

Some times gunshops have been in business sooooo long, they know the fastest way to talk themselves out of any future business.

I like to support local business too. I no longer purchase any firarm products from wallmart so I can support the range I go to and the sporting stores but they are making it hard.

I tried to by 3 rifles this weekend and 3 local gun shops treated me like crap. Honestly it was the last straw. Internet only from now on probably.

 

[XLMiguel]

I've never bought a gun off the 'net, but I like the shop I deal with regularly, and they do Xfers for $20, no hassle or attitude, so I'd have a chat with them to the effect that, 'I've found gun X on the 'net for $XX, and if I add in the cost of shipping, insurance and Xfer fee to that price, can they come close, as I prefer to do business locally and support my local gunshop, etc?' If they came in within $10-25, give or take, (depending on how bad I wanted the gun-) I 'd buy from them . . .

I figure that gives them a fair shot at your business, maybe a little room to deal or negotiate, and if they can't beat the price, they understand why you're doing things the way you need to.

As I said, I've not done this with guns, but I've bought a lot of other stuff (electronics, car stuff) this way locally that I'd otherwise have to ship/wait for, and I always wind up going back for more/other stuff, so they get to know you as a good customer, If the service sux, tho, weel, ya don't get a second chance at a first impression.

 

[Lightsped]

My local dealer charges 40 bucks for FFL transfers. This limits my internet gun purchases considerably. By the time I add the 40 bucks plus 20 for shipping, I can often get a better deal at his shop or several other local gun shops....

 

[duckfoot]

Found a fella near me that will do transfers for $15, but all the other shops are $25 + 6% of the sale.

 

[Pilgrim]

atek3

here in california they are mandated by law to do transfers, and the price they can charge is also mandated. Consequently several gun shops I know will either drag their feet, or be surly to discourage such activity.

Actually, the only transfers they are required to do is private party transfers where both parties, seller and buyer, are present in the shop. The rate FFLs can charge for these transfers is regulated.

If you want the FFL to do a transfer from out of state or some deal you swung on the Internet, the FFL is free to charge what he thinks his administrative costs are in addition to the DOJ DROS fees.

Pilgrim

 

[kernal_panic]

i know one pawn shop/dealer who is paying his monthly rent doing transfers. its not his bread and butter but it is paying the bills.

 

[RVSinOK]

The shop that I bought my brand new S&W 686+ from, and have a membership to their indoor firing range, charges $100!

They said that it is just too much of a PITA, so they charge what it "really costs them". Other than that, I have no complaints, but I do my transfers elsewhere for $20....

 

[45Badger]

My local guy charges $10. I buy ammo etc to keep up the good will. When I lived in Wisconsin, local shop charged $20. I though this was very fair, and bought many guns from him.

 

[P95Carry]

45Badger .... not sure where you are in PA but ...... seems like us PA guys are gettin some of the best deals. My FFL (who does I admit get plenty of my business) is also a $10 fee ..... well, for me anyways .... and I have done many transfers thru him.

I do genuinely try to support my local shop ... it is important. So ... despite many transfers ... I have spent quite a fair bit - directly with him.