Question about buying guns online

[Malice]

I know how the FFL transfer process works. The thing is, my local gun shop sells the S&W I am thinking about ordering. Buds gun shop sells it online for like $260 or somthing. The shops wants about $400 for it...

So, am I going to go in there and say "I want you to do a transfer for me, it is a SW9VE from Buds."

Wouldnt they say "Well we have that gun here too."?

Would they still do the transfer?

Would they go down on their price to match?

Seems like an akward situation.

Would they go down to like $300 just by me saying "Ill just order it online"?


BTW I know you cant predict what the shop will do, but I mean in your experience, or if you own a shop, how do you go about that?

 

[lyricsdad]

if they are not willing to transfer it, just find someone that will.. i believe gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com have a place you can locate people and dealers who can transfer a pistol or firearm to you.

 

[Coltdriver]

What you pay for the gun is none of their business.

But, just to keep the peace, I would probably find another FFL to do the transfer for me.

You may find that with shipping and the FFL transfer fee that your 260 turns into 325 plus real quick.

Most of the gun shops I know of do want a very high amount for a transfer.

Check the gunbroker database for an ffl in your zip code.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Print the page from the auction site. Take it to your local dealer. Ask why you should pay more to buy from him.

If he tries to hand you any baloney, turn around, walk out, and take your dollars where you're respected.

 

[joab]

ould they go down to like $300 just by me saying "Ill just order it online"

If it were my shop I would, assuming all things were equal

If not ,everybody else here has given sound advice

 

[GSMD Fan]

Short Story,

The guy who gave me my CHL class had a FFL. he said he would handle transfers or help us order the guy we wanted.

Anyway, a few months after the class I found something on line I wanted. Called him and arranged the deal. His first response was why should I do this, I sell guns? I said fine. Find me a model X for y dollars and you are on. He said he can not do that for that price. I said, well you can still make money on the transfer.

So the FFL guy has a choice, make a few dollars on the transfer (if you look at how long it takes for paperwork and what they charge it is a good deal for them) or not. You are not bound to pay more for the gun.

I would not tell them what you are paying unless you know the guy and are friendly with him. My new FFL guy often says I got a good deal, he makes 15 bucks a transfer for a quick transaction. Not bad for him either.

 

[jlh26oo]

Look at the online listings for FFL's, and find someone "small". The guys who don't have shops are usually cheaper. On gunbroker's FFL listings, they all have their fees right there beside their name, phone number and email. I get mine for $10.

I've even seen shops not only charge twice that, but also try to add on sales tax to something THEY are not even selling you. If he's overcharging that much in his shop, he's probably a d1ck anyways. Foo Kim.

 

[Bane]

I recently had to do this exact same thing. I purchased firearm from a THR member for a very good price. I called around and found an FFL that would do the transfer for $25. When I went in to pick it up I found that the dealer had the exact same gun for 35% more than I paid (after shipping) . As I was fondeling my new firearm he handed me the paperwork that came in the box and said "You got a really good price on that". I told him I got a deal from a friend. There was no way he could have sold me his firearm for what I paid and I didn't want to offend him be even asking. The gentleman was very friendly and said he would be happy to do any transfers for me. A good dealer will work with you on a price if they can and if not they will do a transfer for you at a reasonable cost.

 

[Red Tornado]

A lot depends on your relationship with the dealer. I'd add the transfer plus the overnight shipping, call it $45, to the $260 to find your actual price of $305. Then see how close your dealer can get.

If I liked the store, and he legitimately couldn't go less than, say $325, I'd pay it just to do business locally and help build goodwill. Some guys here probably won't pay any more than online pricing, some will probably pay a lot more than I would.

You've got to decide what it's worth and see what he can do. A smart dealer will do the transfer if he can't hit your price, and keep smiling while he tries to sell you ammo when it comes in. My dealer and Bane's dealer understand that.
RT

 

[Boxerrider]

transfer

Remember that people don't have to do what makes sense.

I wanted a K31 and inquired in a nearby gunstore about one. He said he couldn't get one. I asked him about doing a transfer and he said he would, $25 (his guns America listing said $15). I bought a box of ammo and said I would get back to him when I found what I wanted.
I find a rifle online a few days later and take the info to him. He looks at it a while, asks me if I found it online and I answered yes. He looks at it a little longer and tells me he will do it for $35 and I will need to provide an envelope and postage. Then he proceeds to lecture for a while about "real stores" and "internet storefronts" and how I was essentially putting him out of business. I politely listened, replied that I didn't mean to ask him to do anything he didn't want to do and I left.
While I hadn't been a customer of his previously there was no reason for me not to become a regular in the future. No chance of it now.
Found an individual who was happy to do it, friendly and a complete gentleman, $10.
I'm all for supporting local bussinesses, but refuse to be treated like crap.

Enjoy!

 

[Chad]

As many have said, it depends on the store and the circumstances.
Do you or have you shopped there before?
It shouldn't matter...as was mentioned a sensible shop owner should realize the potential for future business.
But sometimes it does make a difference in getting over beginning dealings.

I've done 2 transfers in the last 2 years...at a shop where I've also bought 3 new handguns in the same time period.
There was never any awkwardness or hard feelings...one transfer was a Delta Gold Cup I found out of state that the shop couldn't have provided, the other was simply at a price he couldn't have touched.

Don't hesitate to ask if they'll do your transfer, or lower their own price...it's just business, and it lets you see how they will deal with you.
If you don't like it, go somewhere else.

It may take 2 or more tries before you find a shop that suits you, but when you do stick with them.

A good gunshop where both sides come away happy from a transaction is worth it's weight in gold!

 

[hotpig]

Some shops see the writing is on the wall. In ten years you are going to have to look hard for a brick and mortar gun shop. They will die the same death as the gun show. Metropolises will still have the big shops that offer guns, ammo and accessories as well as indoor ranges , firearm classes, gunsmith services and yes, beef jerky.

I am a internet dealer. I know that I would hurt any brick and mortar dealer in my town, if it had one. I do have a small shop that I had built behind my house. I use it for storage since it has been two years since a customer stepped foot in it. I do have people come in and do transfers but they are not there to buy what I have in stock. I do not advertise locally or have a sign outside and I like it that way.

I do not mind doing transfers because I use that money to pay for my FFL. I also have to move numbers to keep my FFL.

I can afford to sell guns from someone else's stock for almost no profit. The down side for the customer are.

If I do not have it in my shop you can not touch or see it until it is ordered.

You work around my schedule. I work two days on, four days off (48/96)as a Firefighter.

Sometimes the wholesaler has computer glitches and a item turns out to not be in stock. There is nothing I can do about this other than try to get a estimate on when new stock will arrive. Often this is impossible to find out.:banghead:

Faxing a FFL to me is not going to speed up the process by very much on non stock items. You order from me I order from the wholesaler. He ships it to me than I ship to your FFL. Do not expect it to magically appear the next day at your FFL. I do not accept faxed FFL's anyway so the point is rather mute.

If you do not mind these little inconveniences you can save money using a internet dealer. If you want to touch,look, taste,and smell it before you buy. You need to help the brick and mortar guy pay for his costs.