FFL Transfer Fees

[9mmepiphany]

overcharge.

He thought he "had to pay" $75 to get a firearm transferred.

correct me if i'm wrong, but you can't overcharge someone who is will to pay that price. the "going rate" is determined by the buyer, not the seller.

i liken it to buying Art. there is the price that the artist/gallery will ask or have marked on a piece. if you just want it, you'll pay that price and establish the "going rate"...like MSRP

the fact that someone else would ask for a discount and receive it (usually starting at 40-50%) is simply a reward for their additional effort of researching the market first.

the seller was just selling the item for what each buyer was willing to pay.

the first buyer wasn't "gouged", he paid what he was willing to pay for the item...so did the 2nd buyer

 

[Flash!]

my local FFL of choice charges $30..... but they also you give you a coupon to use their indoor shooting range free for one day.... I think it is more than fair..... but they are in business to sell guns.... I always ask them to see if they can buy a gun cheaper than I can on line...if so, I will pay the online price I would have paid and let them make more money and I get the same deal I could online. We need to keep the local shops in business.

 

[oneounceload]

Well e-x-c-u-s-e m-e !!

You're excused, now learn basic free market economics and you'll see what some of us are saying

 

[RP88]

yea, I'm not sure if that's gouging.

Gouging to me is CTD charging 68 bucks for a box of .380 because almost no one could find any.

Charging 75 bucks for a transfer when others in the area are charging 20-40 is just "uncompetitive" pricing.

 

[jbkebert]

There are two local guys that I use. One charges $7 dollars and the other while out of my way charges nothing. He told me when I asked about the free of charge service. He replied that the next time a customer wants to buy they will look him up. One other shop charges $50 and another $60 I personally don't due much business with either one of those shops. The one that charges $60 is a great guy he just doesn't want to do a deal without scratching his own back. I don't blame him a bit; the guy who charges $50 is just a jerk that I would not trade with if he was the cheapest guy in town.

 

[oneounceload]

The one that charges $60 is a great guy he just doesn't want to do a deal without scratching his own back.

And you have a problem with this.....why?

If it was you, you mean you would do this for free? I wouldn't - business is business, and it takes a profit to stay in business

 

[Hanzerik]

I only pay $10 for a transfer at a local pawn-shop. So I would say $75 is too expensive.

 

[jbkebert]

The one that charges $60 is a great guy he just doesn't want to do a deal without scratching his own back. I don't blame him a bit

I do not have a problem with what he charges as I stated above. I do not make transfers through him because I can do it elsewhere cheaper. I have made a couple purchases from him but don't go out of my way to go there like him or not.

 

[foob]

Complaining about the amount of time you THINK your FFL puts in for your transfer is exactly as misguided as complaining ablout how much it cost when:
-your faucets leak and you call a plumber to install a ten cent "O" ring.
-your car AC won't work and your mechanic fixes it with a ten cent fuse.
-your computer keeps locking up and all the Geek squad guy did was run an antivirus program on it- he didn't even install any parts!

Get the point?

The plumber, mechanic, and computer repair dude have technical knowledge that allows them to do their job better. Something that takes months or years of education or experience. And they get better with experience. You pay more for a master plumber or mechanic. I've never heard of paying more for a FFL licensee who has been one for longer.

An FFL licensee doesn't require any special technical knowledge to do the 12 steps you mentioned. A BMV clerk can do the same with a few hours of training.

To equate the two is a stretch.

I am not arguing whether $75 is too high or not. I'm just stating my opinion that your analogy is sketchy.

 

[oneounceload]

YOU, as the consumer, have the ultimate power - you either choose to do business with any local shop, or not.....if you don't like their prices - whether a gun shop, gas station, or grocery store - you have the freedom to go elsewhere

 

[dogtown tom]

foob Quote:
The plumber, mechanic, and computer repair dude have technical knowledge that allows them to do their job better. Something that takes months or years of education or experience. And they get better with experience. You pay more for a master plumber or mechanic. I've never heard of paying more for a FFL licensee who has been one for longer.

An FFL licensee doesn't require any special technical knowledge to do the 12 steps you mentioned. A BMV clerk can do the same with a few hours of training.

To equate the two is a stretch.

I am not arguing whether $75 is too high or not. I'm just stating my opinion that your analogy is sketchy.

You completely missed the point.

...the amount of time you THINK your FFL puts in...

 

[Catfish25p2000]

I am an FFl and I would say that dogtown tom said it best... I don't like to do them, but I will for $25. I don't advertise that, but if someone needs one, I will do it but kinda cringe when they need one. You also have to remember that you are dealing with another dealer in BFE that may want to give you his info, or not. He may send the gun soon, maybe not. If he doesn't, you have the guy who paid for it up your ass wanting to know where his gun is. I don't know how guys do it for $10! As the matter of fact, I will point guys in the direction of the cheaper FFL's so I don't have to deal with it. You also have the issue of if there is something wrong with the gun when it comes in. If there is something wrong with the gun when it gets there, you are going to deal with the other dealer saying it wasn't like that when it left his shop, blah blah blah. It is just kind of a pain in the butt. I do think $75 seems a little much though!

 

[clarence222]

I've been buying guns online since I first got the internet installed in the mid to late 90's. In that time I've used several different dealers in 2 different states. The most I've paid is $25 I tend to think that is a fair price. One dealer quoted me 2 different prices,$20 if they didn't carry that particular gun $50 if they did. I don't do much business with them but not for that reason. They are out of the way and their prices on ammo and accessories is ridiculous, not to mention they are difficult to get along with.

The dealers I deal with all know that I'm constantly looking for older harder to find firearms, as well as new firearms. I always check them first for new guns, whether they have it in stock or can get it ordered. If for some reason they can't get the new gun then if they are ok with it I'll have them do a transfer. The majority of guns I've bought online were much older guns that they simply couldn't order.

I never get pushy with the dealers I deal with and never get irate or out of line. They are perfroming services for me that I can't perform myself. I always treat my dealers and the employees with respect. My dealers also know I'm going to spend money everytime I walk in the door, it might not be a large amount everytime. At the mininum I buy at least a box of shells and usually more than one box.

$75 to high maybe. I always figure the value of the gun plus shipping and transfer fees in. If I'm getting the gun at a good bargain then I wouldnt mind it as much.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Personally, I have no problem paying an FFL dealer $20.00 for their time and position, but I consider $75.00 to be greedy opportunism.

Then "vote with your feet" and go use the FFL that is charging $20.

Or, better yet, get your own FFL and do it yourself for free!

Lets see, you'll need the local business license, sales tax collection license (and file the monthly returns), zoning approval, Insurance, FFL license, any local firearm dealer license (mine required a $10K bond on top of the license fee), safe for secure storage, ability to store the records (so that you can find a specific one on a moments notice, mind you) for 20 years, and be subject to unannounced inspections by the BATFE with the possibility of jail time if you screw up any of that paperwork. If you are lucky, shouldn't run you much more than, oh $2,000 - $2,500 or so total.

THEN ... you to can start ripping people off with transfer fees.

Myself ... I charge $25, and I hear people b*tch about that being too much (and I even eat the sales tax!)

 

[mgkdrgn]

I was in business for 23 yrs. with an active FFL I never charged more than $25.00 I think $75.00 is outrageous Just my opinion

Be glad you are not in Washington, DC. There is only ONE FFL there willing to deal with the general public (there are three others ... but they are not actually in "business") ... he charges $125.

Oh, and as there are NO gunshops in DC, EVERTHING has to go through him.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Oh, and as there are NO gunshops in DC, EVERTHING has to go through him.

nor there's a capitalist who saw a need and filled it...i'll bet he could charge more and still run a thriving business

 

[Flame Red]

Here in central Florida there definitely is collusion. Except for a couple of dealers and some pawn shops, most don't want to do transfers, or discourage transfers by charging $100 or more. A few will do them for $50 but invent all kinds of 'rules' on the guise that the ATF makes them. Common ones are:

* No transfers from private parties
* I won't send my FFL without getting the other FFL first (what happens if the other guy has the same rule?)
* No gun can leave the store without a trigger lock, and if you don't bring one, we will be happy to sell you one
* No transfer of any gun I can possibly get for you.

There is only one shop that is decent enough to transfer anything for $30 - even if he has it in his case. He gets all my business, not just transfers. The rest can go pound salt as far as I am concerned.

 

[oneounceload]

There is only one shop that is decent enough to transfer anything for $30 - even if he has it in his case. He gets all my business, not just transfers. The rest can go pound salt as far as I am concerned.

THERE ya go - you voted with your wallet and feet - so what how much other charge, you found someone you prefer to do business with; he sounds very customer-friendly and focused......

 

[CoRoMo]

The question should be...

Will you pay an FFL holder $75 to conduct a transfer for you, if another local licensee is only charging $15?
​

If you answer YES, I fail to understand why.
If you answer NO, I can relate.

Either way you answer, you're free to do what you like.

 

[Guns and more]

I pay $30.
After watching what they actually do, and the time they take, I think it's fair. (It's a lot more than a stamp on an envelope.)
I had a gun dealer (while I was trying to buy an AR locally) tell me he charges $100 unless I buy the gun from him. Ha! He lost any chance of future business from me.

 

[chiggerbyt]

This is a small compilation of what I've seen happen. Let's call this Part 1 and I'm sure we could easily make a 3 part series with each party contributing to making anything but a "smooth(and therefore economical)" transfer happen.


Buyer (ficticious Mike) in black
FFL dealer is in Red

Phone rings- Excuse me while I answer the phone please.
Hello do you do transfers?
yes
How much?
Twenty dollars
I need you to send a fax to 555 555 5555
Who am I talking to please?
Mike
Hi Mike are you buying a gun over the internet?

yes it's a Tarius Weston Judgement four tenner forty five and I need you to fax your license right away as I just talked with him and he is about to leave.

Mike, who is the seller?

I don't have their name here in front of me but they are online.

Are they a licensed dealer?

Yeah they sell on the internet.

Let's start from the beginning. I need the name of the seller and if they are a licensed dealer or private individual. Their address and phone number.

I also need your information Mike. Your last name, address and contact information

If this is from an online auction please get the auction number. Do you have this information available now?

NO
Can you please call me back when you have the information Mike?
CLICK (Mike hangs up)

Two weeks later......RING<RING

Hi this is Mike is my gun there yet?

And the 20-30 minutes to fill out the 4473 form hasn't even entered the picture.


It takes all three parties to complete the transfer. This is just one example of two parties without really involving a third yet. Yes, it's nice when it all works with an experienced buyer,seller and FFL but that's not always the case. Just as individuals are different transfers will be also, and take varying amounts of time and effort. The ffl sets his/her/their price according to what they feel is fair to themselves or their customers and sometimes both.
Just my .02 chig

 

[dogtown tom]

Flame Red: ...A few will do them for $50 but invent all kinds of 'rules' on the guise that the ATF makes them. Common ones are:

* No gun can leave the store without a trigger lock, and if you don't bring one, we will be happy to sell you one

The gun store/FFL is correct if it is a handgun.

18 U.S.C. § 922 (z) Secure Gun Storage or Safety Device.— (1) In general.— Except as provided under paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person other than any person licensed under this chapter, unless the transferee is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device (as defined in section 921 (a)(34)) for that handgun.

 

[gyvel]

Lets see, you'll need the local business license, sales tax collection license (and file the monthly returns), zoning approval, Insurance, FFL license, any local firearm dealer license (mine required a $10K bond on top of the license fee), safe for secure storage, ability to store the records (so that you can find a specific one on a moments notice, mind you) for 20 years, and be subject to unannounced inspections by the BATFE with the possibility of jail time if you screw up any of that paperwork. If you are lucky, shouldn't run you much more than, oh $2,000 - $2,500 or so total.

And those are all expenses that you have elected to incur in the course of opening a RETAIL business, open to the public, having a tangible stock of merchandise, etc., so don't give me any whining about the few people who ask you to do a transfer. If you really believed in the RKBA, you would do it for free.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

gyvel owes me a new bovine scat meter. He just twisted the needle plumb off of mine.

 

[12many]

Mine does it for $25 and I am a bit surprised they charge that little. Better deal than the 25$ I pay the gov. for a background check, every time, so I can pay to prove to them I an not a criminal (guilty until you pay to prove you are innocent).
Businesses have lots and lots of expenses that it takes to just run the business. Rent, business licenses, corp. fees, utilitys, taxes, insurance, plus the risk of loss, federal rules, and if they f-up the paper work, they get the gov down their back and lose it all to the feds.

Also depends where they are at. Los Angeles and NY have higher cost of doing business then a rural shop in Idaho.

Like everyone else said, $75 is higher than the going rate though, but just shop around to find a better rate. No big deal.