I suspect that to a large degree there is a premium that some people are willing to pay for actually levering and inspecting a firearm up close (in this case a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag).
In other words......look at the internet offerings. Nice pictures. BUT, can you feel the lever action and/or trigger pull through a picture? Once it arrives at your FFL and he logs it into his book and gives you a phone call, what's next? You run down to the FFL's and the first thing you do when he hands you the firearm is to probably inspect it. Real close. Check that it's empty, look at the wood to metal fit, metal finish, tooling marks, wear if it's used.....lever that action (maybe dry fire it). Whatever/however way that you like to do this inspection process.
IF you're the picky sort of guy, maybe you'll determine that it's "no good". OK, you have that 3 day non-firing inspection period.
So......
Who will be paying the fee to your FFL.....he has it logged into his books. He did some work. Isn't he entitled to his labor cost?
If you send it back......you (I suspect) will be responsible for the shipping cost.
When it arrives back at the seller's FFL. The seller's FFL will log it in. So, will you be charged for that process too?
Course......it might be debatable about IF in fact you have a legitimate gripe in the first place. Are you a picky person?
OK, OK, ok. So what I'm pointing to, is the fact that.......
IF you buy locally.....at least you get to inspect it, before you put your money down on the counter. IMHO, that is worth something. Maybe......a premium.....$25, $50, whatever.
So you thought that you saved money by making the purchase via the internet? Maybe the risk was worth it, maybe not? Whatever.
Not to mention that certain internet auctions are known to be.......NOT CHEAP. Rather, they have a reputation for asking for "crazy prices".
If you're determined to find that Marlin 1894 .44 Mag at $200 - $300.....well, Good Luck.
Aloha, Mark
PS....prices tend to be regional and of course dependent on the circumstances of the seller. Everything is not universal......despite being in this internet age.