Why do FFLs charge fees for Transfers?

[OnDuty]

A silly question...

Is there any reason why dealers charge fees for tranfers? Seems like it is just to make some extra money? I have seen fees ranging from $30 to $10 per transfer.

 

[carebear]

They have to log the weapon into and out of their books. Which admittedly doesn't take long but does acquire them some liability ATF wise. So, that firearm has to pay some amortized part of the FFL licensing which allows them to provide the service of transferring in the first place. If they have a storefront, they have to pay for the rent, lights, heat, insurance, salary(s) etc. Every transaction of any kind has to pay for its share of the total operating cost of the business, in any business.

On a more renumerative level, every gun you buy from somewhere else on a transfer is a gun they didn't sell from inventory or get a bit of profit on.

TANSTAAFL

If they didn't charge something for transfers there soon would be nobody left to do them. As long as there is competition between your local options on costs then there's no unfairness to it.

 

[GRB]

They do so because they are in the business, they are in business to make money - not to give you free services. Why do you accept pay at work? Same principle.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Do you normally give your time away?

- Chris

 

[22-rimfire]

In my state, the instant background check costs the dealer $10. So, the fee they charge you reflects their costs to some degree, and if the gun was not sold by them, a little to record it in their books. It is also based on what other dealer do in the area. Look at gas prices, for the most part the price reflects only the adjacent gas station prices and not the ones down the street or at the next exit.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A silly question...

Is there any reason why dealers charge fees for tranfers? Seems like it is just to make some extra money? I have seen fees ranging from $30 to $10 per transfer.

Because they are in business!! They are in business to make money. If you buy a gun from them, they make a profit. They have to pay rent, heating and lighting, telephone, license fees, and taxes -- just like any other business. If they fail to make a profit, they go broke -- just like any other business.

If you buy from someone else, they lose that profit -- so why should you expect them to do the paperwork for free?

 

[trickyasafox]

it's also incentive. buy the gone from me and you have one less charge. if they didnt charge a fee no one would buy their guns. now its not meant to be a deterrent of transfers, im sure a lot of shops do good business in transfers alone, but they also have to move their merchandise as well

 

[c3006]

I dont know about the others but we charge at out store because we like to eat

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Seems like it is just to make some extra money

Duh.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I dont know about the others but we charge at out store because we like to eat

People who think dealers ought to do transfers for free should get their own FFLs and hang out a shingle, "FFL transfers for free!!"

See how long they'd last.

 

[orionengnr]

ten to thirty dollars

is a reasonable sum. I have seen FFLs charge $50 and $75, and (in one case) even $100. Needless to say, I did not patronise these establishments.

I believe in making a living, not in making a killing.

 

[iamkris]

The depth (as in lack of) of most people's understanding of simple economics is frightening...

 

[Sistema1927]

The depth (as in lack of) of most people's understanding of simple economics is frightening...

What is even more frightening is the fact that the same people vote.

 

[Justin]

The depth (as in lack of) of most people's understanding of simple economics is frightening...

But hardly shocking.

 

[iamkris]

True...and true.

And depressing...

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Can we call this the most inane THR thread ever?

Really. I charge for engraving... anything. It costs me nothing but a few minutes of time.

EXCEPT for, my $200,000 building and $50,000 in engraving equipment. Not to mention my 35 years experience in the field. And my overhead.

Really, why should I charge for a few minutes of my time?

As I said before; Duh.

 

[XLMiguel]

Most inane thread - most likely -

A silly question...

Yup.
How old are you? Do you work for a living? What do you do for a living? Are you paid for your time? Are you paid a premium for your skills or knowledge or expertise or investment in physical plant and equipment? Overhead?

 

[WarMachine]

Yep, they do it to make a little extra cash, and I would do the same if I were a shop owner. However, I might let it slide if they bought a few boxes of ammo, holster, etc. at the time of transfer

 

[Matthew748]

Charging $ 10.00 - $ 30.00 is A-OK with me. The problem I have run into are dealers who want their fee to be based on a percentage, usually 10%, of the gun's selling price. Hmm.., $ 1,500.00 * .1 = $ 150.00. No thank you.

 

[grimjaw]

The FFL I use now doesn't charge much, $10-15. He says he doesn't really do it for the money, mostly just to keep his license current. The FFL I used in Ohio seemed to be the same way. Both of them had side offices off their houses.

I don't mind paying the fee. It keeps it legal, keeps me from having to be around to pick up a gun at the house. I travel often.

jmm

 

[Standing Wolf]

Do you normally give your time away?

Yep. Lots of it. Volunteering is good for the soul.

That said™, I don't volunteer for every cause that wanders past.

 

[NineseveN]

What planet has invaded THR with threads such as this popping up so frequently?

 

[solareclipse]

because they are for profit business. also, they risk getting stuck with a gun you get denied. while some people will use the ffl to sell the gun to someone else (takes time and effort) most will abandon it there.

 

[arizcowboy]

Sounds like On Duty is on a fishing expedition to me.

 

[dasmi]

Why do FFLs charge fees for Transfers?

Because they can.