Posted: 4/12/2008 6:27:34 PM EDT
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I've only ever bought one gun from an online dealer, and the local Atlanta FFL I had it shipped to charged a $30 fee for the transfer (too much? I have no clue). Since then they seem to have lost their license. I want to buy some more stuff-- I know Autrey's, and Bullseye in L'ville, American Classic, Tucker Gun--the local shops--but who charges a fair price for transfers? How much should I expect to pay? |
Ride on up to Ed's Pawn in Stockbridge....Much better people/pricing! |
Those are the list prices. They have always been willing to work with me on prices and i have gotten some really good deals from them. |
I will disagree with this. The people in McDonough I have found to be friendlier and I haven't seen much difference in pricing. |
Ed's sucks for transfers, they want $30. I use acme pawn in Jonesboro, he charges $20. Can't think of the name, but there is a pawnshop near Stonecrest mall that charges $10. Keep in mind that Ed's has a digital camera and they attach your picture to the copy of the firearms transaction, I think don't thats needed at all. I don't see any reason for them to need to take your picture when they have all your other info. |
This is an effort to reduce exposure to liability. If in the event that the firearm ends up in the wrong hands and is illegally used, everybody can (and probably will) get sued. So it is best to have all your ducks in a row when it happens. With that said, the more you have to lose, the more responsible your actions should be. When we did firearms transfers, a color copy of the buyer's drivers license was attached to the paperwork. |
I don't see this as responsible action. Of course some think illegal wiretapping, no-knock warrants, etc. are responsible also. |
I suppose that it would seem more responsible if you have something to lose. Personally, I do. All a photo, or photocopy on file is to show that the seller made an effort to establish that the person that is buying the firearm is actually who he or she says she is, according to the information available to the seller at that time. It is not for the government to have any better way of finding you, as that database is quite resourceful, even with very limited information on the front side. I know, I have seen it first hand  Litigation is very expensive and paperwork can be the difference between a few dollars and a few years.
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The Feds and State already require you to have your ducks in a row. Isn't that why we have the instant check? Having a copy of a Drivers license isn't that big a deal since most companies who mail order ammo have those on hand also. Getting the camera out for every firearm purchase is a little much I think. Microstamping and putting serial numbers on bullets has also been associated with being a responsible seller. You could take it to any extreme you want. Suggesting to every purchaser that they take firearms training would also be proof of their desire to be a responsible seller and they don't do that, nor do they suggest you keep your guns locked up and out of the reach of children! I wasn't watching, I wonder if they took a pic of my license plate when I drove off, guess that would be responsible. Sorry, but your argument has no merit in my opinion, there are already guidelines they have to follow and taking your picture doesn't prevent them from selling to the wrong person in any way. Ed's pawnshop doesn't NEED to get the digital camera when you go in to buy a gun. Anyhow, as far as transfers go, $30 is too much, charging more than $25 is just a way for the store to say that since they aren't making any money by marking the item up, their going to make it some how. When somebody charges $30 or more, its just another way of saying we'd rather not do transfers. There are too many places charging $20 or less. I have more respect for a store that just says sorry we don't do transfers than one who charges $30-50 for one. Charge $20 and ask the guy if he needs ammo or a holster with that.........better way to win a customer and keep him coming back for other purchases. |
I charge $20 to do a transfer, unless you are buying in bulk, then we can negotiate for a slightly lower fee. The way I look at it, I am on the hook for 20 years for each firearm that I transfer. I have to have your 4473 readily available for the FBI, BATFE, as well as any local law enforcement agent that requests it for 20 years. Personally I'd rather NOT find out what happens if I don't have your 4473 available upon request.....  I figure that $1, per gun, per year is durn near TOO cheap! But I sure don't want to appear greedy either. 
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What you say is true, but a lot of guys like me are loyal to stores that help them out. The pawnshop I use sells zero accesories or ammo, or reloading supplies. I'm sure you must have guys coming back making other purchases for doing their transfers. At least I hope you do, I would. |
As has already been stated your argument doesn't hold water. If your reasoning were acceptable the Feds would be requiring it. Your business and you can do anything you want but you won't be seeing my dollars. |
I do ~some~ extra business with the guys that I do a lot of transfers for, but it really doesn't affect my bottom-line to any degree. What I see more often than not, is the guys doing little favors for me, or giving me goodies that brighten my day from time-to-time. It does, however, give me the opportunity to quote them buying the same firearm thru me. And sometimes I pick up a little extra business there, but the margins on those deals are razor thin. Being as how it takes a minimum of an aggregated hour+ per transfer: discussing the transfer with the customer, often having to explain the whole process in detail; verifying the shipping dealer on the BATFE website; faxing my FFL to the shipper, usually with a small long-distance cost to me; tracking the shipment; receiving the firearm into my store from the shipping company; entering the shipping dealer into my database; entering the firearm from the shipping dealer into my books; entering the customer's info into my database; checking the completed 4473 for errors and omissions; usually having to call the FBI for a background check that can take anywhere from 3 minutes to 3 days; entering the disposition of the firearm into my books; receiving the funds from the customer, often in the form of a check that must then be deposited into my account; then, last but not least, having to safely maintain the 4473 records for 20 years, including the appropriate, regularly scheduled, hard-copy and data backups to the database..... I find it hard to justify transfering a firearm for less than $20. I'm sure I have probably left a step or two out, and the above does not include any complications to the process which does happen from time to time. I tip my hat to anyone that can do all of the above, cost-effectively, for LESS than $20! I think I mostly do transfers because I am a firm believer in getting as many firearms into the hands of LEGAL owners as possible! 
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Due to the nature of my business, if you eat, drink or at least pay taxes...I already have, and more than likely will continue to do so  |
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I charge $15.00 for transfers. I don't do transfers with the intent to add to the bottom line. I look at it as a way to get more people in my shop and hopefully sell them holsters, ammo ETC and possibly a gun in the future. Before they leave I'm make to tell them to check with me prior to their next purchase and give me an opportunity to meet or beat the price they've lovcated elsewhere. I also make sure to let them know we'll still be happy to do their next transfer if we can't meet or beat the out of state seller. TD |