Posted: 12/17/2004 7:23:22 PM EDT
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I'm getting conflicting stories here and would love to hear from a FFL holder in our great state... The first story I get is from a FFL holder claiming that in order to process your app, you must have a ligitamate storefront and that it is a major pain in the butt to achieve. Then my ex-brother in law (who I get along with real well) starts going for his FFL, no storefront just gets a tax ID number, and he claims it's been a breeze so far and that he expects no complications...He kinda made friends with a guy over the phone while going for his C&R License, and the guy is helping him a bit. Is my ex-brother in law being overly optimistic, or is the FFL holder hoping to keep the competition down with scare tactics? Thanks Guys! Crpdeth |
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I would say scare tactic. I just got my ffl this past year it was no big deal just paperwork. You must be clear that you are doing it for buisness purposes not for collecting as already stated. Just a little tip though the price saving are not near what you would think unless your buying 10-15 thousand worth from the same company. Buying stuff 1-2 at a time your lucky to be able to make $10 bucks. |
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Thanks guys, his main intention is the same as mine would be, and he told them that he plans to sell to friends for the most part, to give them a price break and make a very minimual profit (15-20 bucks per firearm) he stated that it would be an "order as you need it operation" thus keeping no weapons on hand and eliminating the need for a safe. In my case, if all goes well with him, I'll take the same approach although I do have a safe bolted to the floor of my shop. A couple more questions if you dont mind. Is it wrong to intend to purchase one or two pieces a year for your own collection? AC Man, You mentioned price savings, I'm confused here only because looking in the "books" it seems that the markup on firearms is as much as 100% please elaborate as this would be a huge concern. Edit...Also. So I can assume that the storefront thing was a lie? Thanks again Men. Crpdeth |
What the ATF agent told me that did my interview was basically there is no limit on how many you can buy for your personal collection. You just have to be selling firearms ie: she said min 2-3 a year is what they expect to see you sell although officially there is no set number.
Please tell me what books your looking in. I'm not much competicion since I'm in OK. I have accounts with RRA DPMS DSA VECTOR RSR and lots of others. On your average list price is 50-200 more than wholesale on a complete firearm some are more But we all know hardly anything sells for List price except surefire lights unless you know who to go to. On a lower receiver you might save 20 depends on wich one. People sell bushmaster on this site for 10 over what I can get them for. If you know of some good wholesalers I would greatly apreciate the tip
Pure BS unless its a city ordanance I have been told by some people this is the case in some places. It is not required by ATF. If I can answer any questions feel free to ask. One of the guys I used to buy from told me about 9yrs ago that it cost 2thousand to get your ffl so I know what its like to be lied to. I never checked with the atf myself otherwise I would have got mine a long time ago. Even though If you have someone who sells to you right I'm not sure if its worth the hassle. I still haven't recouped the money for the license and 2 days off from work 1 to get fingerprints and letters together the other for atf interview. |
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Hmmm, I can see how I may be better off waiting to see how this goes...The books I refer to, I must admit I've never actually looked in, I suppose I simply trusted the source, one guy who's father in law has an FFL, he told me of these amazing prices in "the books", and then my ex-brother in law whom I spoke of eariler was quoting a price of like 400 bucks for a Bushmaster AR15. Otherwise, I'm starting to wonder how gun dealers make a living sitting in a store day after day selling a couple guns a week max. Thanks for all the info! Crpdeth |
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400 bucks for a Bushmaster AR15 Man I really want to see that book!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's either extremely old or I'm getting the screws put to me bigtime. Cheapest DPMS ar I can buy is 550 if I buy 15 at one time and I havent found anyone who sells any bushmasters cheaper than the same rifle from dpms. Volume Volume Volume its the only way you can make a living at it and you better have some capital to invest. The only three dedicated gun shops in sherman denison area are run by people who are retired from other jobs. Pawn shops we all know how they make their money. The bullet trap in plano is a prime example I bet they make more of the range than they do off gun sales. Accesories is the other thing everybody has to have them scopes rings ammo mags. I know for a fact the guy who sold me 10 mags for my buckmark made more than the guy who sold me the pistol. I'm not trying to discourage you Just letting you know. High end guns there is some money to be made but still not what I thought. If you ever wonder why the small gun shops charge so much for ammo just wait till you see the prices. I have seen ammo on sale at bass pro at less than my cost or the same. When you see that book I would really apreciate a TIP on who I need to be doing buisness with. Just one more note on prices and I'll get of my rant. I spoke with the owner of JLD to see about getting distubutor pricing wich is $80-150 less that what their advertised in shotgun news for. It takes a 25rifle purchase to get this discout wich is a min $15,000 purchase if you buy the cheapest model they make. |
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Oh no, rant on you'll no doubt save me alot of time and money, about the book, the guy I keep mentioning (James) lives about 45 minutes from me, but I will make an excuse to visit soon. To be honest I expected alot of problems with having/obtaining the FFL, but never doubted the savings... you've really enlightened me. The Bullet Trap sho' do have some eye candy though dont they?  Thanks for taking the time to educate me on this stuff, you've been a great help, even though it hasn't been what I wanted to hear, it will certainally save me alot of time and aggrivation. Funny that you mention the Buckmark, I just mentioned it in a thread of yours.  Crpdeth |
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Don't get me wrong you will save money in the long run on your own purchases but I'ts not what you would think. Obtaining the FFL should be relatively easy just time consuming. Buckmark if you don't have one yet its a must buy on my list of to have guns. I shot ruger Mk I's and II's for 9yrs untill I got a buckmark in a trade with a guy. I shot it when I got home to make sure it was OK to sell it wasn't what I was after in the trade. Wound up selling both my MKII's that I had at the time. Several long time ruger owner's have been converted thanks to that pistol.(stupid me didn't even want the damn thing when i got it) |
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If you're only going to clear 15 to 20 dollars on each firearm, you're going to lose money. I am losing money, but this is a side business for me. You do need a "premise", but it does not have to be a storefront. I rent a 10 by 12 office. If you do it from your home, remember, strangers will be coming ot your house to get GUNS. They will leave knowing that you have GUNS stored in your house. Good luck. |