Why do people charge so much to ship guns?

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To all the guys that go to the post office...USPS has next day pick up if you use Priority or Express Mail. Are you guys far enough off the beaten path that they won't pick up at your place, or are you just old school?
 
I can't stand it any longer. I've been waiting for the regular posters to point out to DaveJ since the 4th that $265 plus $35 shipping is not $295 total. Sorry my engineer side kicks in when see these things. poppy
 
Let us face facts, some gun people are cheap! That is polite as far as that goes. They want something for nothing, and they wanted yesterday! When they trade their gun is worth more then retail on new one! Most NOOB's do not remember when it took a FFL to order brass, primers, bullets, powder, and ammo. Oh yeah that was the way of the world. But, then Slick Willy purged many of the kitchen table FFL holders. I used to live in a town of 1500, and there were no less then 17 FFL holders. Only 4 were store front dealers. The three hardware stores and mens clothing store that had big gun business!

What the original poster fails to grasp is FFL's cost money! They require time and effort to keep up with paper work, and other local regulations! So if you are that cheap to begrudge a fellow making a living you mise as well get out of firearms!
 
To all the guys that go to the post office...USPS has next day pick up if you use Priority or Express Mail. Are you guys far enough off the beaten path that they won't pick up at your place, or are you just old school?
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The former. They don't even deliver the mail to me, but to a communal set of boxes a half mile a way. Also, the latter . . . they have to sign form 1508 and stamp it when I ship a handgun, which I think needs to be done at the post office.
 
HiTech78 said:
Zundfolge, you make sense when you say " they charge so much because people are willing to pay". I'm just trying to convince others that when they pay someone $35 to ship a gun they are donating their hard earned money.

I see in this thread FFL holders trying to justify why they charge so much, and other arguing directly to me about what I have said. FYI, I am in the process of getting an FFL. As for some of the arguments I have read: An FFL shouldn't have to try to pay the bills, or put food on the family's table just by individuals buying, selling or trading. Processing ingoing and outgoing consists of writing a serial number down-- that's worth $15. As for a couple of you saying some charge low prices for guns and add a little on shipping to make up the difference, that is something that discourages me and I will not buy from them. I know a "good deal" is when final price is a deal BUT all of you have to realize when an FFL charges more for shipping he is using a loophole to avoid paing taxes as well !!!! See, they don't pay taxes on shipping because it is a "service". As for the last comment by Majic: he charges $10 because he has to call in for transfer when receiving, shipping he does nothing except write down the serial number.
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What are the chances you are making a purchase over the internet to avoid paying taxes?
 
DaveJ said:
umm NO you couldnt, handguns MUST be shipped across state lines, no cash and carry allowed


I know that is true for cartridge pistols but didn't think it applied to black powder as well. The Scheels store in Sioux City sells the Traditions kits with pistol and accessories and I believe for those it is just out the door.

I could be wrong though, which is okay, that's the only way I learn.


DaveJ
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You are correct Dave, I was in a rush, saw Ruger and promptly blew it.

I forgot that the Old Army is black powder :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
Thanks for the heads-up waterhouse, I will have to make an inquiry the next time I am in the post office, I can only recall seeing one size.

Since I dont want to take time to look myself :p :p can you tell me if the Flat rate boxes are available on the USPS website???

Thanks
 
newfalguy101 said:
Thanks for the heads-up waterhouse, I will have to make an inquiry the next time I am in the post office, I can only recall seeing one size.

Since I dont want to take time to look myself :p :p can you tell me if the Flat rate boxes are available on the USPS website???

Thanks
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Yes they are, both sizes.
 
poppy said:
I can't stand it any longer. I've been waiting for the regular posters to point out to DaveJ since the 4th that $265 plus $35 shipping is not $295 total. Sorry my engineer side kicks in when see these things. poppy
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Yeah, I saw that too and was wondering how long before someone picked up on it. I didn't go back and fix it because the amount isn't as important as my thinking on the subject. Actually, the gun was $259 for a total of $294 with shipping.

I think the mistake is the result of the sub-zero temperatures and lack of decent sunlight. My brain gets sluggish. That's the downside of living up here in South Dakota during the cold season. The up side is that it keeps our population down and fewer people means I can go out in the back yard and shoot till I'm tired of it. Unless it's 5 below zero and the wind is blowing 30 mph.

I'll try and pay more attention to the details but I'm not promising anything until it warms up and I can think straight again.

Merry Christmas all,
DaveJ
 
"This morning I, a non FFL, shipped a PT-111 via FED-EX from Fla to Ohio. Cost = $12.36. Overnight was not required, the package will go ground and I was told it would be delivered in two days. The process was quick, convenient and simple. Filled out a simple form, showed the copy of the FFL, paid my money and off it went. I plan to ship another gun tomorrow the same way. I asked and received $25 for shipping, I intend to return the difference to the buyer."

You guys see this reply??????? I AM THE ONE THAT HE SHIPPED THE PT-111 TO !!!!! I wish everyone was like teag. I am not saying a man is not entitled to make a buck......I'm just sayin' we should work together as pro-gunners and cut the costs to our brothers. BUT we cannot do that can we? WHY? Because most of the replies to my post is directly quoting my opinions and throwing stones. That type of mentality is cut-throat. Go ahead reply in a negative manner, quote me, prove my point for me, please.
 
My local FFL delivers such a good level of customer service and a significantly better price and selection than his competition, the charges don't offset that. When I'm still saving money and getting good service and support long after the sale, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
 
HiTech78 said:
"This morning I, a non FFL, shipped a PT-111 via FED-EX from Fla to Ohio. Cost = $12.36. Overnight was not required, the package will go ground and I was told it would be delivered in two days. The process was quick, convenient and simple. Filled out a simple form, showed the copy of the FFL, paid my money and off it went. I plan to ship another gun tomorrow the same way. I asked and received $25 for shipping, I intend to return the difference to the buyer."

You guys see this reply??????? I AM THE ONE THAT HE SHIPPED THE PT-111 TO !!!!! I wish everyone was like teag. I am not saying a man is not entitled to make a buck......I'm just sayin' we should work together as pro-gunners and cut the costs to our brothers. BUT we cannot do that can we? WHY? Because most of the replies to my post is directly quoting my opinions and throwing stones. That type of mentality is cut-throat. Go ahead reply in a negative manner, quote me, prove my point for me, please.
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Glad to hear about your positive experience.

I believe I read that you are getting an FFL, my condolengrats to you.

Give it a few months, you will see, all of us money grubbing, evil FFL holders will seem like normal everyday guys who have shipped enough products to get a pretty good idea of what its actually costs, THEN maybe you will understand.

I am all for keeping prices down, but I cant afford to sell the guns at cost or just over, and then eat the shippng on top of it, can YOU????????

And finally, I sincerely hope you have a good job to support your FFL habit.

Good luck
 
Mine charges me $10 transfer, plus actual shipping. The price has dropped a bunch. I simply explained, I buy guns. I know gun guys. Do you want the profit or not. Shop guys, shop!!! He knows I e-shop, but he also knows if his prices are in line, he gets ALL my new purchases. "Here is what I can get it for-match it, and we have a sale". I have brought over 20 other buyers to him in the last year. Treat people fair, you make money. Offer me a transfer "DEAL" at $50 because you think I'm a dumb????, or unaware, and "I" tell others!! Word of mouth works. My FFL told me, that because of me, people now contact him when they are looking to sell guns. Estates sales, cash crunches, etc.. "See" treating people right works. ????ting on them doesn't! ADDED: I've had him tell me, "hell you can probably pick it up at Walmart cheaper than I can get it shipped in". I've said, how much cheaper, and bought it from him. Saved me a trip to Wally world! I purchased my first firearm, on my own, 42 years ago. I've spent a lot of capital on them. Little things like GOUGING on transfer/shipping ARE noticed.
 
newfalguy101 said:
Glad to hear about your positive experience.

I believe I read that you are getting an FFL, my condolengrats to you.

Give it a few months, you will see, all of us money grubbing, evil FFL holders will seem like normal everyday guys who have shipped enough products to get a pretty good idea of what its actually costs, THEN maybe you will understand.

I am all for keeping prices down, but I cant afford to sell the guns at cost or just over, and then eat the shippng on top of it, can YOU????????

And finally, I sincerely hope you have a good job to support your FFL habit.

Good luck
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Some times you win some times you lose. I sold off my 340.00 glocks for 299.99 plus 15.00 shipping. You have to be willing to sell even if it cost you just so that you have tranactions in your bound book. If you do not have enough transactions they may not renew your FFL.
 
As for the last comment by Majic: he charges $10 because he has to call in for transfer when receiving, shipping he does nothing except write down the serial number.
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The point in the quote of my post was the dealer wasn't in it for the greed of money, but I guess that phone call cost $2.70.
 
hotpig said:
Some times you win some times you lose. I sold off my 340.00 glocks for 299.99 plus 15.00 shipping. You have to be willing to sell even if it cost you just so that you have tranactions in your bound book. If you do not have enough transactions they may not renew your FFL.
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Where was your ad. Depending upon what glocks you had, I would probably have bought them all.
 
Most ive paid was to ship a Mosin 91/30 with accessories from AZ to FL using UPS and that ran me $18.50.
 
We charge what we think it is worth. We have to keep the 4473 for 20 years. We can get fined for every mistake for on them for 20 years. Technically, we can loose our license for only two mistakes. Most people who fill out the 4473 have more than two mistakes on a single form. Even when a package is outbound we have to record it, pack it, and take it to UPS, FedEx, USPS or where ever. I don't work for free. I would suppose some FFL's charge a higher price to discourage this type of very high risk activity. Instead of bitching, moaning and complaining go get you own FFL and do it for free.
 
the last pistol i shipped for someone i charged $10 + the actual shipping and insurance. i used a USPS Priority Mail flat rate box of $7.70 and he opted for insurance, so the total was around $20-25.

however, since i am only making $10, i don't drop everything i'm doing to get your gun and ship it right away. i will do it ASAP, but as i do not do this full-time i cannot always do it right away. however, i do try to make the customer experience as great as possible.

i think everyone i've done this service for understands that for $10 + actual shipping, my service is worth it. i've never had an unsatisfied customer!
 
ohio

GREED! Anyone who charges over the normal 20.00 ask on most gunsites (GA, AA, GB) doesnt deserve or get my business. And at the 20.00 mark you are still making money, I have shipped enough to know. John
 
Stainless0ne said:
GREED! Anyone who charges over the normal 20.00 ask on most gunsites (GA, AA, GB) doesnt deserve or get my business. And at the 20.00 mark you are still making money, I have shipped enough to know. John
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Fair enough.

See here, this guy has it all figured out, he has his set point and doesnt go over it.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH how refreshing, capitolism in action, if you dont like the price DONT buy
 
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