Question about buying online and transferring thru FFL

[Tubby Rower]

ok I might end up having to buy my new Ruger online and transferring it through a local FFL. So my question is simple and probably already asked and answered. anyway here it is.

1. How exactly does this process work?

2. Are local dealers jerks about the whole issue that you didn't buy a gun from them?

3. What are reasonable transfer fees?

ok it was 3 questions.. but I'm new to this.

 

[Ash]

1) You send payment, the FFL sends his FFL via e-mail, fax, or USPS.
2) Some dealers charge a high fee, others are pretty laid back. But it is rude to buy something online that the dealer carries in his shop.
3) $15-$25 are common fees.

Ash

 

[Conqueror]

1) Your local FFL faxes/mails his paperwork to the seller. Seller sends gun to FFL who logs it into his book. Then you go in, and he does the background check on you, you fill out a 4473 like any other gun, and he hands it to you.

2) Some are, some aren't. You just have to shop around to find a good guy with an FFL. The first two I used were arses who overcharged and were snooty. The guy I use now is great, very friendly and only charges 20 bucks.

3) It's rare to see someone charge over $50, but $10-30 is more fair.

CQ

 

[Tubby Rower]

thanks for the prompt replies. Hopefully I can haggle the used one that they have to a reasonable price. If not he could order the gun for me and change me ~ $50 more than I can find the gun online. So it looks like it'll be a wash and I'll just buy it from him so as not to tick off my local gunsmith.

 

[TexasRifleman]

But it is rude to buy something online that the dealer carries in his shop.

It's rude if the dealer will get close to the price you are paying, but at some point you have to just give up.

I tried to buy an FN PS90 from a local dealer but they were almost $600 higher than the place I found online. I asked if they could come down and they said not that much and were OK with me buying it that way. I bought some ammo the day it came in I think, just to be nice. The last thing we want to see happen is the retail gun stores close their doors. That's bad for everyone.

 

[Conqueror]

Personally I don't think it's rude to buy online, regardless of price or stock. You're the consumer, it's your money to spend. A dealer who gets pissed at a customer who buys a stocked item online for less is a dealer who doesn't respect your right to save money or patronize whomever you choose. It's not like you've stolen anything, and you're still paying him $20 for a service which takes him MAYBE 10 minutes.

 

[Gord]

I agree. I know that some dealers don't like the potential legal PITA (several I went to in CA refused because they had apparently been investigated by the BATFE in the past for accepting transfers that ended up being stolen or something) but honestly, as far as I can tell it's a quick twenty bucks for signing a couple of papers. I only wish I could make money that easily.

My general rule of thumb is that if the dealer can't come to within 10% or $40 of the online price, whichever is bigger, I will order online. I'm not wealthy, I don't have money to throw away needlessly and even that $40 difference would probably be my ammo allowance for a couple of weeks. If the dealer can't appreciate that, oh well. Capitalism at its finest.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I run into this situation quite often where I work (people buying the same product off of the internet that you carry). You guys are correct in saying that you have the right to purchase products from anyone you choose. Here's where I have a problem with that. A person comes in to handle an item and get a feel for it, asking the salesperson a boatload of questions about said item and then walks out the door to buy it online. This person then gets the item and expects you to answer any questions he/she may have about the item. So, if you want to purchase an item online, by all means do so. Just don't bother the local store with problems or questions concerning the item. That is rude. The only exceptions would be if you were either buying an older item that is no longer available or something the dealer can't get.

I support my local gun dealers because I want to make sure that they stay around. It costs money to have a storefront with knowledgeable people to answer questions. Many of the internet sellers keep their costs down by not having either, therefore, passing the savings on to you.

______________________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"

 

[oneshooter]

Local transfers

I have a local FFl who refused to do transfers. He wants you to buy it from him, but he doesn't carry what I want! When I asked him about some milsurp rifles he said that he won't even allow "That junk" in his shop.:banghead:
Needless to say that he has seen no green from me, and no recomendations ether!
My gunsmith will transfer for $22 and headspace check/test fire for $17. More than glad to see your green!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[Gord]

Just don't bother the local store with problems or questions concerning the item. That is rude.

I don't see how - they can still make money off me for gunsmithing fees if it's not something I can fix myself, and earning my gratitude and coming off as "nice guys" makes me much more likely to spend money there in the future. I don't understand the "I don't give somethin' for nothin' " attitude that a lot of dealers have. Do they really think their time is that valuable? Most shops I've been to have a rather slow pace, it's not as if these guys are actually busy and I'm taking them away from paying customers.

I give Autozone all my car-parts money because they let me use their diagnostic computer for free, and the counter guys in every Autozone I've ever been in are always happy to come outside into the heat and give advice and shoot the breeze for a few minutes. People are much happier to throw their money at you when you don't give the impression that that's all you're interested in.

I can see why you'd get tired of "that guy" who comes in every time, fondles eight different guns, asks questions for twenty minutes then walks out - but some of us are in possession of brain cells in sufficient quantities to do the bulk of our research before heading to the shop to buy something.

 

[Ash]

Well, if the dealer has a gun on the rack, regardless of the price, it's pretty cheeky to have him transfer the same fun from the internet. Others may feel it okay, but to me it's a slap at the dealer.

Ash

 

[CDignition]

Well, if the dealer has a gun on the rack, regardless of the price, it's pretty cheeky to have him transfer the same fun from the internet

I dont agree with this at all...

the only reason the free market isn't working the way it should is due to some archaic gun control that is GCA68,... that requires transfers thru FFL's.

The only reason I would be in some dealers shop that wants list price for guns that can be had for 30-50% less in some cases is to USE them to get the gun lawfully, VIA other means(Internet).


Why should I be held Hostage to pay some crackpot dealer stupid high prices just because "It is tacky".. BS, time is money...I have no time or patience for jerks that want to pay the rent with one sale.
.

 

[Conqueror]

Well, if the dealer has a gun on the rack, regardless of the price, it's pretty cheeky to have him transfer the same fun from the internet. Others may feel it okay, but to me it's a slap at the dealer.

I say it's a slap at the consumer to expect him to pay a significant premium for the "pleasure" of dealing with your store. Most gun stores I've been to have inattentive, halfassed staff who don't know a Mauser from an AR-15, and on top of this nonsense they want me to pay $950 for a gun I can get for $800 on Gunbroker? Screw that. Unless a dealer impresses the hell out of me with his service, I'll not be spending a premium just to say I bought it from him. That money would be better spent on ammo, mortgages, food, whatever.

 

[Phydeaux642]

The shops I deal with make 10 to 15 percent on gun sales. I don't think that is going to pay anybody's rent. I have never been in a shop where I live where the dealer gets "full-blown" retail. The guys I shop with would be happy to do a transfer for me for something they can't get because I spend money there all of the time. It's the guy that always shops online except when he has a question he needs an answer for that I find the epitome of rude.

________________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"

 

[Ash]

Hmm, I suppose for me I actually LIKE my FFL, LIKE dealing with him, and wouldn't think of buying something online that he carries in his shop.

Ash

 

[Gord]

As I said, some of us are not wealthy and don't have money to be throwing around needlessly.

Do you pay $300 for groceries at a "mom and pop" store every week even though you can get the exact same stuff at [insert regional chain here] down the street for $200?

Strange how nobody seems to want to "support the little guy" when he wants $4.50 a gallon for milk...

Liking your dealer has nothing to do with whether or not his prices stink. There are plenty of people in this world who can use your charity more than your "local guy." He ain't starving - some people are. You choose which party you want to give that extra $20, $50, $100 to...

 

[Tubby Rower]

woah.. I didn't expect this much out of a simple question.

I've been impressed by the staff at the local gun store. The price difference isn't significant. So I'll think that I'll end up jsut buying directly from him. He doesn't have the new gun I want in stock but he said he could order it and I'm not in a hurry (but I am excited) to get it. If I can haggle him down on a slightly used exact version of what I want.. then this is all moot anyway

 

[VARifleman]

Ash, you cannot email an FFL last I checked, only fax or mail.

 

[American_Pit_Bull]

Well, if the dealer has a gun on the rack, regardless of the price, it's pretty cheeky to have him transfer the same fun from the internet. Others may feel it okay, but to me it's a slap at the dealer.

I will support the local guys and pay as much as 15% over the out-the-door price... Once they are asking me to pay 20% and over I give my business to the online guy that knows me by name.

The dealer that I used to give my business to, now will not transfer something that he can order and if he can't he charges $50...

I now go to a local pawn shop that is happy to take my $20 per transfer.

 

[MaterDei]

I have yet to find a current production gun online that (after you add shipping and FFL transfer fees) is so much cheaper than my local dealers that it is worth the trouble to buy online. My only online gun purchases have been for used and/or out of production guns.

YMMV

 

[MJZZZ]

The reason I buy online is money, my local dealer is higher and they have to charge tax. I order online and pay for it myself, have it shipped to my FFL (co-worker) who charges $20 and we hookup and go shoot it. I've saved the $50-$60 in taxes, 10-15 percent markup, and range fees to shoot it right now. I still buy my parts from my local dealer, but not guns. $100 - $130 savings buys alot of ammo. Mike

 

[Ash]

I believe it has been changed that an e-mail is acceptable (but I will admit error if shown otherwise).

You know, I don't shop for groceries at Wally World, except for drinks (Sam's Cola is real cheap and I'm not enamored by name brand anything). But you see, that is self-preservation. My wife works for a major chicken producer (one of the largest in the country) as an accountant . Walmart does not buy their chicken, focusing on Tyson's products (doesn't hurt when a member of the Tyson family married a Walton).

So, while we get our chicken at wholesale, it doesn't pay to buy our other groceries at Walmart when Winn-Dixie carries her company's chicken. Kind of like cutting our own nose off, so to speak.

And yes, I do go to Hill Hardware for my local needs, as well as the two local lumber yards. I do buy my sockets and the like at Lowes because Kobalt is formed at the same foundary as Craftsman (Danaher Tools) (the US made stuff, not the Taiwanese stuff) and Kobalt tends to be cheaper for the same tool with the same warranty than Sears. I like Blackhawk tools, but they are very expensive. However, I sure wouldn't expect my CarQuest guy to accept a shipment of Kobalt sockets for me.

In any case, if I were to run a shop and I had, say, an SKS on the rack which I have to pay inventory taxes on, and some guy wanted to save some cash and get the same thing from another supplier, I'd tell him to hit the road.

If the FFL goes out of business, then how, pray tell, will you get your transfer? Now, I'll admit my FFL can be pricey on some of his stuff. But as my interests are eclectic, he seldom carries what I shoot.

I've got a tight budget like everyone else, but I do have to look in the mirror when I shave. Because of that, I kinda stick to that whole Golden Rule thing. If I refuse to help a guy with a flat tire, then I cannot expect anyone to help me. If I would get pissed that a guy ordered through a catalogue when I had the same thing (and had it shipped to my shop), then I sure wouldn't do that to a dealer.

Man, I don't even use a service-station bathroom without buying a drink or package of crackers or something.

Ash

 

[fixyurgun]

Ash your'e right about the emailing ffls. If I can locate the letter that the atf sent I'll give the details, having trouble finding where I filed it right now. jim

 

[Hanzerik]

1. How exactly does this process work?

2. Are local dealers jerks about the whole issue that you didn't buy a gun from them?

3. What are reasonable transfer fees?

I'll give you my experience with on-line transfers/sales. I have only done it once (A member here was the other party).

1. Contacted seller/trader for contact info and any special instructions. Went down to a Pawn Shop. Contacted the FFL down in Texas while I was in this Pawn Shop and had him fax up a copy of his FFL. They traded FFL licenses. Gave him my pistol and he shipped it off with a copy of his FFL in the box. The FFL down in Texas sent the gun up to this FFL. When it got here I went in and filled out the 4473, he made a phone call, and 5 minutes later I was back home with a new (New to me) pistol.

2. The FFL I used to use in the past told she me was not doing gun transfers anymore (She was good friends with that Army guy and his wife...the one who shot his wife here in Cheyenne). But the other in town are pretty good about doing transfers.

3. The one I used this last time only charged $10. The others around here range from $15-$25.

 

[Ash]

Sometimes FFL's charge 10% of the total cost. That works on cheaper stuff, but not on expensive.

Ash