How to count shipping charge on gunbroker when sell a gun?

[efeng9622]

Hi,

I like to know how to count the shipping charge on gunbroker as a seller, because I saw other seller they usually just require buyer to pay
a fixed $20 to $40, , but when I asked a FFL ,he said the fee is different , dependent on the state should be sent , now my question is
if fixed fee means seller should pay the excess part if happened ? because I don't think at that time the buyer will agree to pay that additional charge.

thanks.

 

[CapnMac]

You can get on the various shipping sites, like USPS or FedEx, or UPS, and enter a given weight of a parcel, and enter what ever starting and ending Zip Codes you'd like. The sites will then spit back what the charges would be for that shipping.
Note, you will want to select Ground, and Insured, for firearms.

I would select a couple of endpoint zip codes, 97266 is Portland, OR; 04109 is Portland, ME; 71663 is Portland, AR. Those are a mix of near and far from "hub" shipping centers, and ought give the best variety of shipping costs.

I would also use the resultant cost as an "80%" amount, and use 1.2x to 1.25x that as the published shipping cost.

 

[efeng9622]

You can get on the various shipping sites, like USPS or FedEx, or UPS, and enter a given weight of a parcel, and enter what ever starting and ending Zip Codes you'd like. The sites will then spit back what the charges would be for that shipping.
Note, you will want to select Ground, and Insured, for firearms.

I would select a couple of endpoint zip codes, 97266 is Portland, OR; 04109 is Portland, ME; 71663 is Portland, AR. Those are a mix of near and far from "hub" shipping centers, and ought give the best variety of shipping costs.

I would also use the resultant cost as an "80%" amount, and use 1.2x to 1.25x that as the published shipping cost.

I only knew the Fedex in Maryland only accept FFL not individual to ship a firearm, I can try to put a general box to see if I can get a price, but finally I have to let FFL to ship the gun, so the FFL price should be higher than the price I get by myself.

 

[CapnMac]

but finally I have to let FFL to ship the gun, so the FFL price should be higher than the price I get by myself.

Since you need to collect at the GB point-of-sale, rather than after going to the FFL, that's why I advised to take the shipping costs and multiply them by a factor. And, you will have to decide what "comfort factor" that amount is. So, maybe you want to quote more than 25% more than the price you see.

Now, the carriers generally do not charge FFL more than the rest of us, but, they may want to get paid for their time in arranging the shipping.
Which suggests, to me, going to your likely shipping FFL, and asking them what they'd charge to ship a given arm from MD to some other place in the US. Maybe that's $75, maybe it's 'actual shipping' plus $25, maybe it's some other value. But, unless you are planning on "shopping" FFL to get the best price to you, it would be the way I would go.

Now, perhaps I have an advantage in having a really good relationship with my LGS.

 

[Chief TC]

Hi,

I like to know how to count the shipping charge on gunbroker as a seller, because I saw other seller they usually just require buyer to pay
a fixed $20 to $40, , but when I asked a FFL ,he said the fee is different , dependent on the state should be sent , now my question is
if fixed fee means seller should pay the excess part if happened ? because I don't think at that time the buyer will agree to pay that additional charge.

thanks.

I sell on Gunbroker and GunsInternational and it is up to the seller how they want to do it. I've listed the shipping charge separately on some and I have just listed the price of the firearm that included shipping. I ship USPS and don't use an FFL to ship rifles. You have to use an FFL for a handgun. Your post office can give you estimates on shipping costs but it depends on the dimensions of the package, where it is going and if you buy insurance.

 

[Rule3]

Hi,

I like to know how to count the shipping charge on gunbroker as a seller, because I saw other seller they usually just require buyer to pay
a fixed $20 to $40, , but when I asked a FFL ,he said the fee is different , dependent on the state should be sent , now my question is
if fixed fee means seller should pay the excess part if happened ? because I don't think at that time the buyer will agree to pay that additional charge.

thanks.

If you are not a FFL you have no choice in the matter. You can not ship by UPS or Fed Ex. You can ship a long gun by US mail )sometimes)

So the best way is USPS flat rate through a local FFL. It makes no difference other than the size of the box used. Ask you FFL how much for a flat rate large box and use that amount.

 

[Chief TC]

If you are not a FFL you have no choice in the matter. You can not ship by UPS or Fed Ex. You can ship a long gun by US mail )sometimes)

So the best way is USPS flat rate through a local FFL. It makes no difference other than the size of the box used. Ask you FFL how much for a flat rate large box and use that amount.

To clarify, handguns cannot be shipped by the owner through USPS. Rifles and shotguns can be shipped by the owner to any state per federal law. USPS does not have flat rate boxes for rifles and shotguns but through an FFL, they will use USPS flat rate boxes for a handgun.

 

[efeng9622]

I checked two FFLs , I said if I am going to ship a handgun to 300 miles far away another state FFL, they gave me price almost same , it is around $30 insurance plus $60 shipping handling fee, no sales tax need to collect ,total is $90. but now I give to you an example, this link is from GB, I can find there are more than one there , the seller ( they almost are gun dealer) charge above $600, but only charge average $35.00 shipping , I don't understand, why only ask $35 ? is seller going to pay the rest fee?

 

[Chief TC]

I checked two FFLs , I said if I am going to ship a handgun to 300 miles far away another state FFL, they gave me price almost same , it is around $30 insurance plus $60 shipping handling fee, no sales tax need to collect ,total is $90. but now I give to you an example, this link is from GB, I can find there are more than one there , the seller ( they almost are gun dealer) charge above $600, but only charge average $35.00 shipping , I don't understand, why only ask $35 ? is seller going to pay the rest fee?

People who deal alot in firearms may very well have an FFL and so they have no outgoing FFL fees. Insurance is technically optional. Sellers may incorporate some shipping costs in the sale price. Costs my about $70 to ship a rifle and I have incorporated that into my sale price sometimes.

 

[dogtown tom]

Some sellers offer free shipping.
Yet USPS/UPS/FedEx do not ship for free.

How do yo think the seller does it?

BTW, one of the most common complaints by buyers is "seller charges excessive shipping and handling fees".
Oddly, many buyers have no clue as to what it actually costs to ship.

Your local gun store doesn't get the same discounts as a high volume shipper.

 

[Lo-Profile]

My FFL charges $50 to ship a gun.
That's what I say I charge.

 

[dogtown tom]

My FFL charges $50 to ship a gun.
That's what I say I charge.

You give your FFL $50 and he ships regardless of height, weight, insured value with adult signature on delivery?
Or
Your FFL charges you a $50 fee plus the cost of shipping?

UPS Ground for a rifle or shotgun shipment from Dallas to Los Angeles:
45"x10"x8"
12lbs or less
$1000 insured value
Adult Signature on delivery

On the UPS shipping calculator that runs $55.26

Depending on your answer, your FFL has terrible business sense or is gouging the heck out of you.