Rifle FFL Shipping question

[KingMedicine]

I purchased a rifle about 3 weeks ago and sent them payment and my FFL. They received it about 2 weeks ago and sent out the rifle. Now its been two weeks and my FFL hasn't received it, and i cant actually get a hold of the seller to find any details on the shipping.

My question to you. Every rifle i have shipped took only a few days to ship, is two weeks still standard for shipping, specially during the holiday season? Or should i start getting nervous?

I figure most of you have done this alot more then i have, so i might as well throw it out there. Thanks again!

 

[nyresq]

Get nervous, I have shipped rifles from the east coast to the west coast and never had it take more the 5 business days even by US mail. Any reputable seller will provide you with tracking info when they ship out a gun for a customer. Most will give you the tracking/confirmation number when they notify you it was shipped.

Did the Seller actually tell you it shipped out? Or did they tell you they were GOING to ship it out on a particular day. ***** happens and maybe the dealer had something come up that delayed shipping it out. But the not being able to contact them would also make me nervous. Is there no answer when you call his phone number or just an answering machine? if he's a dealer, Maybe do a search online for the local police department and give them a cal and ask them if something happened to the store.

Lots of possibilities, some bad and some not so bad, but keep ontop of it. How did you pay for the firearm? Credit card? Call and stop payment. Check? Call the bank and stop payment. USPS money order? Call the US Postal inspectors. But before that I would give it a few more tries to get in contact with the FFL.

 

[KingMedicine]

Seller sent me a email stating it would be sent out, never heard back afterwords. I have send 3 emails and called his cellphone (which was shut off) and left a message. I paid with a Money Order from my personal bank, and he did recieve it.

It was a Private seller off here in the trading post. Im going to review my emails with him and see if i can find a different contact number.

 

[DougD]

I have significant experience with buying/selling/shipping rifles. When you are able to make contact with the seller, you should ask what shipping service they used and to provide you with the tracking number for the shipment (if any exists).

I once sold a rifle to a guy and shipped it via USPS. The rifle took almost a month to get to him. No explanation by the US Post Office, no apology, and no accountability. The guy I sold the rifle to was starting to get angry and I don't blame him. He was polite but obviously suspicious of me since I did not have a tracking number. I never used the postal service again. I only use FedEx for shipping firearms now.

You should be getting slightly nervous and you should start asking some direct questions that require simple and direct answers. Go ahead and call or email the seller with those direct questions. NYresq is correct in advising you to call the local PD where the seller is located and make an inquiry. They may or may not talk to you about the seller though. It's hard to give you any further advice without knowing more specific details about the seller, the method of payment, the location of the seller, or the shipping method used.

 

[KingMedicine]

Yeah, i have been attempting to get into contact with him and only getting machines, But it took him a week to recieve payment just because he went on a trip and didnt notify me he would be out of town during a part of this transaction.

Im hoping its more towards slow shipping and something stupid, because from the emails and communication when there was communication, it seemed smooth and as honest as you could be.

 

[nyresq]

You have his name and address, start searching the web, call information in his area see if there is a listing for him or another for that address. If it's a small town call people with the same last name and ask if they know him.

And even with USPS shipping a delivery confirmation number (cost a whole whopping $2) will tell you where it is in the USPS system or the last facility it was in prior to going on the road. If his cell number is disconnected I would be in full on search mode by now. You could also post his info here on the boards and maybe another member might know him and could help you get in contact.

 

[KingMedicine]

I left a new message on his home phone and cell, and sent him work and personal emails. Im going to give it a few days, and i dont wanna post his info. This could just be a misunderstanding and he could be upstanding on the shipment. I could get it tomorrow, but i wish he would answer the dang phone.

 

[KingMedicine]

Got it call figured out. Snow storm killed communication and the money order was held for 14 days before the bank released funds. I just didnt know.

 

[nyresq]

He should have let you know there would be a delay as soon as he knew... and this is almost 2010... snow storms knock things out for a day or two, huge blizzards and ice storms, maybe three at most... two weeks is just being an ass and an irresponsible seller.

But I am glad you didnt have it turn out on the bad side of possibilities.

 

[KingMedicine]

Im just happy the deal is still a go... past that, i can deal with whatever comes up.. its a good deal for a solid gun.

 

[Schutzen]

nyresq;

Yes it is 2009 and communications are far better than they were even 10 years ago. But, storms can and do knock out communications. In the last 5 years we have been with out cell phone or land line communications 3 times. Once was just 24 hours, another was for 72 hours, but the whopper was for 6 days. Snow partially collapsed a tower for the short outage, a tornado cleaned out several towers for the second outage, and the third outage was an ice storm (we were without power for 19 days on that one).

That being said, I have not heard of any east coast storms of that magnitude this fall. The current storm excluded.

 

[Legionnaire]

In addition to communications problems, USPS money orders have been targets for counterfeiters. My bank won't cash a USPS MO over a certain amount; have to deposit it, and they put a hold on the amount until it clears. There is some security that comes with money orders, but they are not "as good as cash." So understandable if your seller waited for it to clear.

 

[nyresq]

A USPS MO can be cashed at any US Post Office on the spot. It is verified instantly and cashed on the spot. I have cashed thousands of dollars of USPS MO's and never once had any problems other then being asked to wait while they went in back if they didnt have enough cash in the window register. ONLY a USPS MO has this ability. Your bank may not treat it as cash, but the Post Office does.
You can also check the USPS MO online with the ID number on it. it will tell you where it was purchased and if its been cashed and where. Its a handy tool for buyers to know when and where their MO was cashed.
And if you use a USPS MO the postal inspectors take mail fraud very seriously and will open a case if a USPS MO was used and the buyer never received anything.

Western Union MO have a very bad reputation for counterfitting and fraud problems, and a MO from a bank is only good if you have a branch of that bank where you live. If not, it has to be verified through a clearing house like certified checks.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I second the USPS MO! When I sell a gun if it is not one, which I usually ask for, I'll wait untill the other type of cashiers check clears...always. USPS money orders, I'll ship the same day of recieving it. Also, when using USPS to ship, always insure it and demand the shipping label #. Anything over $200 needs to be signed for, and they take that seriously. With the USPS, there is a lot of accountability and it is easy to check on something by having the post office look up the label #. Sometimes oversized boxes are late in comming. I just sold a M14 from IL to MS took 9 days using Priority. I had the PO look it up today. I was going through the same thing, only on the shipping end. Had to hold the personal check, shipped insured and 8 days later the guy is rightfully getting nervous. Heck I agreed to sell it around Thanksgiving and it arrived there today.

 

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

If you know where he works call him there. And keep calling