Transfers insult to FFLs?

[K3]

The guy that owns the gun shop I go to told me that if he doesn't have it, he can order it, and he'll just charge the transfer fee and not mark up the price of the weapon. He's even let me thumb through his catalogues. I believe I've found a winner.

 

[ezypikns]

Try a local pawn shop.

Mine does transfers for 10.00. If you don't like the way he does business, find someone else.

 

[tinygnat219]

If you live in Northern VA, go to Gilbert's Small Arms Range in Lorton, VA. They charge 15 bucks for an FFL transfer. I have shifted ALL of my transfer business to them. They are the cheapest thing going around here.

Here's what I have found:
Some shops don't like doing them, so they charge a lot more. Some shops know that they are one of the few games in town, so they will charge accordingly. Some shops and kitchen table FFLs think it's the easiest thing in the world to do. Just fill out the paperwork, make a quick phone call, give the rifle / pistol to the customer and pocket the cash. 15-65 bucks for 10 minutes worth of work is worth it to them.

For the folks in CA. Wow... I feel sorry for you. 100 bucks PLUS the tax? :banghead: Next time you are in the shop, ask when you get the *J since you already got @(*&$#*$@ on the transfer.

I guess it depends on the interest. If it's C&R firearms, DEFINITELY get the C&R FFL. It's worth its weight in gold. Some of the dealers around here like em, some hate em as they see us as competition, and I actually get to see what they pay for their prices.

 

[Barr]

As far as transfers go, from now on I know a gentleman that does it for $27 after tax. He does not seem to mind doing it at all. There are a few listed near where I live that would do it for $20. Sounds like I have a winner here.

I do not mind the $35 fee that much. $5-10 difference between FFLs is not that much of a big deal. Just the snide remark about an insult to him and then the arbitrary markup to $50 makes me wish to make my dollar speak. $25 difference usually makes or breaks a deal for many people especially on a $250-$350 gun. Nice shop with a very good selection, but it just does not have that same feel if you know what I mean.

 

[MD_Willington]

Check out the FFL list on Shotgunnews.com.
http://listings.shotgunnews.com/fflguide/findfflguide
There are several dealers you will never find in the Yellow pages,many offering to do transfers for a very reasonable price.

Well I didn't find my local FFL's listed on it..

Here's two that I know of in the Palouse, LC Valley area of WA/ID

Schurman's True Value Hardware - Ask for Kurt.
801 6th St
Clarkston, WA 99403-2002
(509) 758-6411

Greyman Guns - Chance Bidle
2011 Chicken Ranch Road
Colfax, WA 99111
509-397-2378


There may be more than that, but those are the two that I have been in contact with.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

Another reason why I love my local gunshop. I was in there yesterday picking up my latest wheelie gun and asked him about buying one for my daughter who lives in a different state. He explained how it would have to be transferred to another FFL in her state so she could pick it up. He charges $15.00 regardless of who buys what where. He warned me about the high fees some charge and told me to check it out. He went on to say that if the guy close to her was going to charge $50.00 like some do, it would make more sense to buy the gun directly from the local guy to save my own money. I love doing business with this guy. He treats his customers very well all the time.

 

[DMK]

I am an FFL, I charge $10.00 each transfer. When you are a regular customer it may even be free. I found it has increased my business about 30% or so due to sales in the shop as customers buy from me instead of my competitors.

That's good business and good customer service. Getting foot traffic in your store and making good relations is good. Getting it without costing anything is even better. A lot of businesses pay big buck in advertising or giveaways or other promotions just to get more people to come in their stores and look around.

The fact that federal laws force customers into the store is a huge benefit. Gunstore purveyors who don't take advantage of it and even encourage it are very foolish indeed.

 

[Lord Bodak]

We have one place that charges $25 and one that charges $30. I usually only do transfers when buying something C&R or used that you can only get from certain places.

When I bought my Stoeger Cougar I did use a transfer. I went into the shop with the CDNN catalog, showed them what I wanted, asked them if they could get it for me. They looked it up in their system and said "we're not sure if we can get you one or not, but even if we can, we won't be able to top that price, so go ahead and order it from them."

I can't understand the attitude that doing transfers is bad-- it's pure profit. I paid them $32 ($30 for the transfer and the $2 VA state fee) and the only thing they had to do was log the gun in and out and do my paperwork.

 

[MD_Willington]

I'm thinking of the same thing with CDNN, I'd like to get a Stoeger Cougar, locally I can get one + transfer etc for close ~375.. If I go the CDNN route + mags + Shipping + transfer, I come out at about the same price but with extra mags...

 

[ArmedBear]

Where you been?

California, Zundfolge.

We have FFL's that charge $100 PLUS the state's $25 fee. $40 is one of the better deals around.

That's fine if I want a Perazzi or an original Broomhandle Mauser, but for a hunting beater, it doesn't make much sense for me to buy from the Internet.

Davidson's, yes, if I want to buy new, but sadly they don't have any scatterguns from the Beretta conglomerate (Benelli, Beretta, Franchi, Stoeger, in short, the majority of new shotguns of all price ranges -- no guns -- that someone who already has an 870 and an 1100 might want to buy ).

Our dealers are taking full advantage of the laws. And as a capitalist, I don't blame them.

Just don't give me the "insulted" BS.

 

[Bart Noir]

I'm confused, perhaps soon to become stunned.

Cheapest I found in N. Cal. is 75.00 transfer fee, plus 25.00 for the state check, plus tax at 7.75%.

This quote, plus some other comments, make it sound like California requires sales tax to be paid on a gun that was purchased from another state. That can't be right. Actually, I wonder if that is constitutional. Isn't it the Federal Gov. that has the power to regulate interstate commerce?

And if you fellow THRs meant that the dealers in CA are charging $75 or $100 transfer fee, not included in the price of the gun they are selling you, then the gun prices had better be lower by that amount!

Bart Noir

 

[TaxPhd]

Every state that has a sales tax requires you to pay on out of state purchases. If the seller doesn't collect it, you are supposed to self assess it and include it with your state return. It's called "use tax."

 

[kungfuhippie]

the $75 to $100 are what they charge when you get a gun off gunbroker etc. not from the store. If you buy from the store then it's the $25 dros fee. The sales tax (I'm no lawyer) could be that the FFL takes possesion of the gun and can only "sell it" to you after 10 days and a background check, so it could count as a sale. My local guy is great, I got three guns last week, and went back today for another, I ended up getting three more (don't know how I'm gonna explain this ) He'll give you a deal, but does prefer that you buy from him. If he can't get it and you're a regular he'll bend over backwards. If you are just some guy off the street he'd rather not bother.

 

[Bart Noir]

I almost hate to ask you, TaxPhd, for obvious reasons but are you sure this applies to every state? And not all states have "state returns" as in "income tax returns".

Now my FFL transfers are handled for a small fee, by a uniformed police officer who is "on the clock" and at his place of employment. So I can just assume that all laws are bing followed. Yes, that's what I assume.

Bart Noir

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of liability does the FFL have in a case where a "simple" transfer goes bad? Say if the item is not what the auctioneer promised and the buyer refuses to pick it up or pay... or if the seller is criminally late in sending the item... etc.

really, none, if you're smart. i usually keep the box sealed up and when the customer arrives to pick up their weapon they open the box themselves. that way if there's a scratch on it or something, there is no doubt that it was not caused by me. most of the guys doing transfers appreciate this. it also shows that you didn't take it out and let every other person passing through your shop finger it before the actual buyer got to touch it himself first.

if the buyer refuses it then really that is his right to do so. the buyer then has to figure out the refund policy of the seller. i dont mind sending it back if they are willing to pay the shipping charges/insurance back to the seller. it's not my problem if they can't figure it out. most sellers won't ship a gun until they receive the money or trade item anyway. if some dumb seller sent me a gun and didn't get payment, it isn't my fault. they shipped me a gun and told me to transfer it to the buyer.

as far as being "criminally late" in sending the item, im not sure what that is. but, nowadays, everyone uses tracking numbers, so generally people know when the item is shipped and when it was received. that way there's no doubt that it was delivered to me and i am for some reason hiding it from the seller.

Now my FFL transfers are handled for a small fee, by a uniformed police officer who is "on the clock" and at his place of employment. So I can just assume that all laws are bing followed. Yes, that's what I assume.

that's weird, bordering on silly i dont recall where they teach how to properly fill out a 4473 in the police academy! besides, if you lie on the form it is a federal violation, not providing false information to a peace officer. he's not in the performance of his duties.

 

[gezzer]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of liability does the FFL have in a case where a "simple" transfer goes bad? Say if the item is not what the auctioneer promised and the buyer refuses to pick it up or pay... or if the seller is criminally late in sending the item... etc.

None what so ever, you get my FFL to transfer the gun. You pay the seller for the gun and shipping. You don't like it and want to send it back? That is your decision. You have paid me the transfer fee when I sent the FFL. You don't want it and want to send it back You pay the return shipping at actual cost to me and I ship it back.

Dealing with the seller is your problem not mine I am just the transfer agent on your deal. You want me to be responsible for what you buy, you buy from me. What do you expect for $10.00???

 

[BlkHawk73]

I agree with the dealer. It would be a slap in the face to buy elsewhere and use his service simply as a transfer agent. Sure buying from the local guy way cost a few bucks more but it's supporting the local guy that'll be able to offer more to you than the guy states away. charging a differnt rate depending on the current availability of the gun is just the same "free enterprise" as the buyer going elsewhere for the purchase.

 

[kungfuhippie]

The local guy will make it worth the little extra to get a gun there. Mine just sold me a rifle for $50 (arisaka 99) that I'd of paid $200+ for at a show becaues he knew I colelct them and it was one I've wanted to get. He had it in the back for years and saw it as a way of thanking me for the buisness he's gotten from me. His policy with used and surplus guns is great, there's no warranty, but if it breaks or doesn't work right bring it back and he'll work something out. That has been everything from a exchange to cost of parts only repairs. I was there once when he gave a guy a new trigger group for an sks he bought that wasn't working right (can you say fires without pulling the trigger sometimes ). The internet seller or online store won't do that. My local mom and pop shop will get you anything you want and you may pay an extra $20-40 bucks for it but they will stand behind their guns, even used ones.

 

[Gord]

Sure buying from the local guy way cost a few bucks more but it's supporting the local guy that'll be able to offer more to you than the guy states away.

I have no desire to support "the local guy" who wants to charge me $500 for a gun I can get on the internet for the common going price of $400 all day long, if not less. Tell the local guy to lower his price down to an acceptable level and I'll buy from him; at that price, he's insulting me.

Unless you need the local guy to mount a scope for you or sell you an expensive custom gun that may have problems or something, I don't understand the "offer you more" argument so commonly used to support the notion that ordering from your local overpriced Gouge-N-Shoot is somehow better and more beneficial to the buyer. Firearms from major manufacturers typically have pretty good quality control, and if by chance you get a lemon, there's a thing called a "warranty." I would imagine that 98% of sellers on the 'net care just as much about our 2A rights as the local guy does, so there's another "benefit" shot down in flames.

Can anyone give me a compelling reason to spend (typically) $100-200 more locally for a gun instead of buying online and having the pawn shop downtown do a no-hassle $25 transfer (in California, no less) for me?

 

[kungfuhippie]

If your local guy is charging $100-$200 over the market price he'd not get my buisness either. My local shop may mark up by $20-$40 on a new gun but that's worth it to see/try before I buy and not have to wait for shipping on top of the ten day wait. On military surplus rifles he may mark up over the shotgun news prices by $20-$40 bucks but picking one out in person is definatly worth it to me. Not to mention that he kicks in a box or two of ammo when you pick up.

 

[Gord]

I wouldn't pay extra for something like a Mosin - going rate or nothing. If the local guy can't make enough of a profit on them to make 'em worth his while, he can stop carrying 'em. Big 5 takes care of those for me, anyway - if Local Guy can match $90 and do it with a smile, he gets the sale. If I have to listen to the phrase "commie crap" even once, back to Big 5 I go, permanently.

Some of you seem to be blessed with down-home good-ole-boy dealers who do favors, recognize dedication and generally make the local shop a fun place to be. Service speaks volumes, and I wouldn't have trouble paying a bit over going rate for it - but in my experience, those FFLs are few and far between. My local dealers won't budge on prices and generally look down their noses at me whenever possible. I would much rather save some money and frustration and order online from someone who will simply take my money instead of being argumentative and condescending.

I'd give my left... ahem... for a friendly shop with competitively-priced guns, a knowledgeable, non-posturing staff and a decent selection of everything, not just shiny $2000 Remchesters and Kimbers. Cheap transfers would be nice too - though I wouldn't be making much use of them with a shop like that.

 

[kungfuhippie]

I hate the service/selection at big 5 for mil-surps. I've bought two guns from them when they were on sale. One because it was rare and they didn't know what they had. The other because I didn't know what I was doing. Waiting for an hour to get the damn box for your gun on day ten is reason to never buy from Big 5 again (they won't let it leave without it's box)

 

[Calliope]

Ok, you all have convinced me. I am getting my FFL license for Virginia.

I am driving to PA next month to pick up a shotgun I bought because the seller is in NY and it would be $100 to get it here. It's cheaper for me to go to PA for the weekend and shoot while I am there.

I'll let you know when I get the license so you can all go through me and I'll even wink at you as I take your $20 for the transfer.

Calli

 

[ArmedBear]

Really?

The local Big 5 (Point Loma in San Diego) is GREAT.

I go through their stock of guns and pick my favorite, and it's never a big deal to pick up the gun -- they keep it in its box.

Haven't bought one in a few months, but I was buying in bulk for a while (to get a number of them at "on sale" prices, on one DROS fee). They even called me when they got a good example of a Stey carbine I was looking at.

Much better deal than saving a few bucks but then paying for shipping and getting crappy -- or at least crapshoot -- guns.

 

[Gord]

The only issues I have with my Big 5 are that they only get two Mosins in at a time (who the hell puts out a sale flyer for a store that serves a 40-mile radius and then only orders two freakin' Mosins at a time?!) and their gun-counter people mostly tend to be the speak slowly, use small words, "hi, I want to buy a gun, nod if you understand what is coming out of my word hole" types.

Then again, they have several hot female managers that know their business. Keeps the balance.

I just wish they sold handguns. Turner's in San Bernardino is the next closest place that does, other than the pawn shops and the local guy with the huge markup and the attitude problem.

The non-sale prices blow (for everything, not just the guns - who's going to pay $150 for a S&W watch?) and they don't have a huge selection at any given time, but they rotate the ads between Mosins, Steyrs and Yugo and Turk Mausers. I don't think they're doing K-31s anymore, which is a shame. They also recently started carrying Ramington shotguns in addition to Mossbergs, so I'll probably be buying my Rem 870 HD from them.

The one thing that really irks me is that they now have mandate trigger locks on all the long guns, so I can't decock them after I handle them (and I can't take the bolt out to check the bore normally - have to look down the barrel, oi).