First time FFL user questions

[mg.mikael]

I never bought a firearm online or across statelines before, but as of recently I felt I missed some great deals when I saw a gun I wanted but didn't have any FFL to send it to. Therefore it's time I get an FFL dealer so those missed deals become 'great' deals. And yes, I searched the forums but couldn't find anything that answered my basic questions.

What questions should I ask an FFL dealer before doing business with him? I'm assuming I should ask if he does online and out-of state transfers. What his transfer fees are. Is there anything else I may be forgetting?

If I decide to go with that dealer, what do I need from him in order to have a gun shipped or transferred to him? Should I get a guarantee on the FFL fee in writing? Do I need to contact the FFL dealer before I make an actual firearm purchase so that he can expect a shipment? Example: Say I'm at a store and see a gun I want, do I have to call the FFL so that he can expect it at at his 'door'?

As for the FFL dealer I'm interested in doing business with, it's TWS Antiques in Oak Lawn, IL and the dealer is Thomas W. Sobeck. Hopefully he's honest and reputable. Thanks in advanced for any help in answering my questions.

 

[natman]

Contact your dealer and ask him what his fees are. Yes, you should contact him first so he can send his FFL information to the seller and so he knows how to contact you. Ask if he will accept a transfer from a non-FFL. It's perfectly legal to do it, but some FFLs don't like to as a matter of personal policy.

Be sure to ask the seller to put your name on the box. Nothing drives an FFL crazy like a gun that shows up with no clue who to contact about it.

 

[mg.mikael]

Contact your dealer and ask him what his fees are.

Okay sounds good.

Yes, you should contact him first so he can send his FFL information to the seller and so he knows how to contact you. Ask if he will accept a transfer from a non-FFL. It's perfectly legal to do it, but some FFLs don't like to as a matter of personal policy.

Do I still have to have him send his FFL info if the seller is a gun store or sporting goods store? I'll defiantely ask about the non-FFL transfers.

Be sure to ask the seller to put your name on the box. Nothing drives an FFL crazy like a gun that shows up with no clue who to contact about it.

A okay.


Thanks for the help, anyone else willing to offer up any advice?

 

[heeler]

I notice your location is Chicagoland.
I assume you have that ridiculos FOID card...Right??
Generally I pay 15-20.00 for a transfer but all areas are different.
This is really an easy process once you find a transfer dealer.
You can get on www.GunBroker.com and find FFL's near your zip code and what they charge.

 

[JoeMal]

Do I still have to have him send his FFL info if the seller is a gun store or sporting goods store?

If you buy it from a Dicks/Academy/Bass Pro/Local gun shop then no, you don't have to send it through an FFL since they are selling the gun themselves.

 

[mg.mikael]

If you buy it from a Dicks/Academy/Bass Pro/Local gun shop then no, you don't have to send it through an FFL since they are selling the gun themselves.

I probably should have been more clear, but I'm talking about out of state stores. That's why I'm asking the questions about using an FFL.

 

[JoeMal]

I probably should have been more clear, but I'm talking about out of state stores.

Then yes, you will have them send to your FFL. If you buy something online from a website, even if it's from another gun shop, you will need to have it sent to your local FFL to handle the paperwork.

 

[medalguy]

I do this a lot, and have a good relationship with my dealer. He gives me a handful of signed copies of his license, so whenever I buy something I just enclose a copy of his license with the payment. I then call or email him to let him know what I bought, where it's coming from, and what it is. I always ask the shipped to mark the box "ABC Firearms Co FOR JOE" on the label.

In your case, just ask the dealer what his transfer fee is, and if he accepts incoming from individuals, as already stated. Whenever you buy a gun, he will probably need to send a copy of his license to the seller. I might give him a stamped addressed envelope with the payment to facilitate the whole deal, and let him add his license and mail it.

Them when the gun arrives, just go pick it up and do the 4473. Otherwise not much I can add, except maybe ask around to see if anyone else has used this dealer. Every once in a while there's a horror story about dealers, although they are rare.

 

[c1ogden]

Go to www.GunBroker.com. They maintain a list of FFLs who will do transfers for you and the list is organized by state. You will see that the fees vary quite a bit so shop around.

 

[Bubbles]

Be sure to ask the seller to put your name on the box.

Actually inside is preferred, with just the FFL on the outside.

 

[dogtown tom]

Bubbles

Quote:
Be sure to ask the seller to put your name on the box.

Actually inside is preferred, with just the FFL on the outside.

I prefer the customers name on the outside of the box.....but not on the address label.

That way I can call or email him as soon as I receive it and open it in front of him.

 

[medalguy]

Tom's right, that's what my dealer does. In the event there's a problem, I see the gun coming out of the box. One time there was a question about a scratch on the stock, but since I saw the box cut open at the other end, we both knew it went into the box that way. Just mark the first name on the label, not the complete name.

 

[natman]

Actually inside is preferred, with just the FFL on the outside.

OK, why?

 

[mg.mikael]

Here's a checklist of the things mentioned I'll will ask the FFL, please feel free to add something I missed.

First, ask the dealer what his fees are. Whether or not he will accept out of state transfers, online purchases, and transfers from non-FFL's.

Second, ask the dealer for signed copies of his FFL license.

Third, call the FFL to expect a transfer of ____ gun from _____ place.

Fourth, after purchases are made I get the FFL's name on the outside of the box, along with mine.

 

[dogtown tom]

mg.mikael Here's a checklist of the things mentioned I'll will ask the FFL, please feel free to add something I missed.

First, ask the dealer what his fees are. Whether or not he will accept out of state transfers, online purchases, and transfers from non-FFL's.

Second, ask the dealer for signed copies of his FFL license.

Third, call the FFL to expect a transfer of ____ gun from _____ place.

Fourth, after purchases are made I get the FFL's name on the outside of the box, along with mine.

Plan on getting laughed out of the store on this one. There are dealers who refuse to give a copy of their FFL to other dealers.

 

[natman]

Here's a checklist of the things mentioned I'll will ask the FFL, please feel free to add something I missed.

First, ask the dealer what his fees are. Whether or not he will accept out of state transfers, online purchases, and transfers from non-FFL's.

Second, ask the dealer for signed copies of his FFL license.

Third, call the FFL to expect a transfer of ____ gun from _____ place.

Fourth, after purchases are made I get the FFL's name on the outside of the box, along with mine.

I have to agree that while the Second point is possible, as a practical matter it's more common to give the receiving FFL the sending FFL's contact info so the receiving FFL can transfer his info directly. It's now legal to send a copy of your FFL via email or fax.

 

[mg.mikael]

I have to agree that while the Second point is possible, as a practical matter it's more common to give the receiving FFL the sending FFL's contact info so the receiving FFL can transfer his info directly. It's now legal to send a copy of your FFL via email or fax.

Ahhh, thanks for the clear explanation natman.


dogtown tom- "Plan on getting laughed out of the store on this one." The title of this thread is first time FFL questions, that's obviously why I'm asking for advice not snarky comments.

 

[dogtown tom]

mg.mikael

dogtown tom- "Plan on getting laughed out of the store on this one."

The title of this thread is first time FFL questions, that's obviously why I'm asking for advice not snarky comments.

The comment wasn't intended to be snarky, just a heads up.
You'll find pretty quickly that there is an inordinate number of paranoid gun dealers who invent their own Federal laws.

I'm shipping a gun for one of my customers. The receiving dealer in California refuses to send me his FFL (required by law) unless I send mine first (not required by law). Not good enough that i always enclose a copy with the shipment...he wants it first.

Problem is he turned off his fax machine and "doesn't do the email thing...".

 

[mg.mikael]

Thanks for the heads up, dogtown tom.

 

[snubbies]

?????

What is the problem with sending your FFL license to the California Dealer first. This is his practice. It is not a question of "required by law" You can't ship to California without the letter of authorization. For this you need a copy of his license or his FFL info.

 

[dogtown tom]

snubbies What is the problem with sending your FFL license to the California Dealer first. This is his practice. It is not a question of "required by law"....

The problem? As I posted above he demanded a copy of my FFL first, then the Einstein turned off his fax machine.

Federal law REQUIRES that he send his FFL to me. Without it I'm not allowed to ship the gun per Federal law.

You can't ship to California without the letter of authorization. For this you need a copy of his license or his FFL info.

I ship to California several times a month and am fully aware that of what California law requires.

 

[Last Knight]

The problem? As I posted above he demanded a copy of my FFL first, then the Einstein turned off his fax machine.

Federal law REQUIRES that he send his FFL to me. Without it I'm not allowed to ship the gun per Federal law.


I ship to California several times a month and am fully aware that of what California law requires.

Sounds like your customer needs to find himself a different FFL to do the transfer for him. =/

 

[dogtown tom]

Last Knight Quote:

Originally Posted by dogtown tom
The problem? As I posted above he demanded a copy of my FFL first, then the Einstein turned off his fax machine.

Federal law REQUIRES that he send his FFL to me. Without it I'm not allowed to ship the gun per Federal law.


I ship to California several times a month and am fully aware that of what California law requires.

Sounds like your customer needs to find himself a different FFL to do the transfer for him. =/

My customers FFL (me) isn't the problem....it's the California FFL who has ground things to a stop.

 

[Last Knight]

My customers FFL (me) isn't the problem....it's the California FFL who has ground things to a stop.

Guess I got the relationships backwards, I thought you were the selling agency attempting to send it to the customer. ^_^ No offense intended.

 

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Bubbles
Actually inside is preferred, with just the FFL on the outside.

OK, why?

Our UPS driver is a twit. We have had customers track their own packages (why the sending FFL gives the tracking # to the customer but not to us is a rant for another day), and come over to the house to wait for the gun to arrive. Problem is neither the buyer nor seller bothered to tell us the gun was coming, so we weren't home to sign for it. UPS twit gives gun to buyer, says he can sign for it since his name was on the box just above the company name, and both take off.

Fortunately the buyer knew he had to do the 4473 so he brought it back later that day when someone was home.