Do This Next Time You Order A Gun From Out Of State...

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do This Next Time You Order A Gun From Out Of State...

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:15:50 PM EDT

I've been doing this for guys who bought from Group Buys for over a year now.

Many of you are in places like NY where any FFL automatically charges 10% on ANY transfer.

Now, as is very well known, I am all for dealers making a living with their license but I never understood transfers on "private sales" or "internet specials." If someone is trying to order at "dealer price" from a wholesaler and a FFL is interetest in that 10% markup then that is fine, but even I don't think it is fair to pay 10% on a nonFFL to nonFFL private deal that HAS to be received by a FFL.

So here is your solution.

Next time ask to source to simply mark the invoice "prepaid" with no dollar amount indicated.

I think this solves both problems. If someone is just trying to backdoor a dealer and order at wholesale direct, no distributor will be willing to customize a invoice like this.

But if you truly are buying a used shotgun from Joe in Ga. off his Gunbroker ad, then I'm sure Joe will have no problem marking the bill of sale "prepaid."

And if you are buying from a dealer and already paying "retail" or "discounted retail" then there is no reason your local guy should make an additional markup in the 10% range.

Now to be fair it is probably unreasonable to expect a FFL to receive your gun for free. A flat fee (in addition to any background check fees that may apply) should apply.

So once again, request an invoice simply marked "Prepaid."

I hope this makes your future acquisitions fair and equitable.

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:23:22 PM EDT

[#1]

I've never heard of any dealers here charging a percentage of the value of the gun for a transfer. Most that I've called/heard of will charge between $25 and $50. I think $25 is a very fair price to pay for the transfer, but $50 is a rip off for sure. For what it's worth, I'm paying $35 for a transfer on a rifle coming in tomorrow here in Phoenix.

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:24:46 PM EDT

[#2]

also use this to find an ffl that charges a flat rate
www.shotgunnews.com/fflguide/

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:26:29 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I've never heard of any dealers here charging a percentage of the value of the gun for a transfer. Most that I've called/heard of will charge between $25 and $50. I think $25 is a very fair price to pay for the transfer, but $50 is a rip off for sure. For what it's worth, I'm paying $35 for a transfer on a rifle coming in tomorrow here in Phoenix.

Seems to be in places like NY and Cali.

Anyway, just a solution for those who aren't in firearm paradise.

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:30:27 PM EDT

[#4]

That is crazy . . . I have heard of and paid up to $25 for a transfer, but 10% on top?
now my FFL does all my transfers for free, no matter who or where they come from. . .he is a good guy

Posted: 8/25/2004 3:35:49 PM EDT

[#5]

I had an ffl try to do that with the SEAK. Wanted almost 70 bucks to transfer it. I found a guy who charges a flat fee of 20.

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:32:47 AM EDT

[#6]

Call and confirm that the local does in fact charge a flat fee. Several I called, didn't and were surprised they were still on the list.

Had one tell me he could beat the price since I was local. so I went down and talked to him and his business manager looked up the special order price and I still would have been $120. He then talked to his wife and they got in a pissing match, needless to say I didn't use them. I got swept by other customers the next couple of times I was in there. I had been in for ammo and cleaning supplies but no guns. Just not in the market. So I saw the wife at the market and she asked where I got the rifle, told her I finally ended up going with the Exchange at Camp Pendleton, may have paid about $50 more than mailordering after all done, but I had ZERO bullshit and time wasted so I figure that $50 wasn't really wasted, plus the CQB Slings saved about $12 each, so I really didn't do too bad. Told her also that after having been swept too many times, I'ld be back but wasn't overly happy, especially with the pissing match.

Also the local range had changed hands and hadn't done it for several years, including the previous proprietor. they had no storage for long guns.

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:34:50 AM EDT

[#7]

My FFL charges me $15 regardless of what Im getting.

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:39:46 AM EDT

[#8]

Mine charges me 25.00 for the first gun and 5.00 for any others on the same form

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:42:52 AM EDT

[#9]

I'm charged a flat $20

S.O.

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:46:07 AM EDT

[#10]

$20 fee from mine. I get it for what it costs him, plus the $20.

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:54:10 AM EDT

[#11]

Or we can just go to LRB - home of not only the nicest M14 recievers, DAMN FINE AR receivers and a great surplus store, but also the workplace to two of the nicest, most honest decent and hardworking folk I have ever met.

(Note that the author of the above praise was F'ED UP THE A by two other FFL's prior to finding LRB)

www.lrbarms.com/pages/1/index.htm

Posted: 8/26/2004 1:54:37 AM EDT

[#12]

I get charged $5

Posted: 8/26/2004 2:20:29 AM EDT

[#13]

Here is part of my story.
I need to transfer a long gun from MO. to NY.
My local FFL is a rapist. He will charge me 10% of the cost plus $25.00 plus NYS sales tax and must be sent from a FFL at my additional cost.
I bought a rifle from a private seller and I want him to send it from his home to a local FFL. My FFL will only take a transfer from another FFL.
Anyone know of a FFL that will transfer from a individual in the Dutchess/Westchester NY area?
Thanks.
End result is a found another FFL for $35.00 flat, but haven't picked up the rifle yet so I will see what the out the door cost will really be when I get it.

Link to whole story

Posted: 8/26/2004 2:31:29 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Or we can just go to LRB - home of not only the nicest M14 recievers, DAMN FINE AR receivers and a great surplus store, but also the workplace to two of the nicest, most honest decent and hardworking folk I have ever met.

(Note that the author of the above praise was F'ED UP THE A by two other FFL's prior to finding LRB)

www.lrbarms.com/pages/1/index.htm

These people are out of their mind. $899.00 for a standard forged M14 receiver??

Posted: 8/26/2004 2:31:38 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I've never heard of any dealers here charging a percentage of the value of the gun for a transfer. Most that I've called/heard of will charge between $25 and $50. I think $25 is a very fair price to pay for the transfer, but $50 is a rip off for sure. For what it's worth, I'm paying $35 for a transfer on a rifle coming in tomorrow here in Phoenix.

Seems to be in places like NY and Cali.

Anyway, just a solution for those who aren't in firearm paradise.

I doubt it has anything to do with firearms laws, I get guns brought into NY all the time and only pay $ 20, I think this happens in more urban areas where there is a high cost of living and people feel more comfortable gouging customers; in NY I have never heard of this happening outside of downstate/ Long Island. There if the ffl is going to do it, he is just going to charge you the gouge fee based on book value or something if there is no price on the receipt

Posted: 8/26/2004 3:14:03 AM EDT

[#16]

A buddy of mine was stupid and used a local guy that charged the 10% even though he was getting a gun from an individual online.

Sad thing is, the dealer had my buddy convinced that he was required to charge the 10% BY LAW for "tax purposes" (whatever that is supposed to mean). Took me forever to convince my buddy that the dealer was FOS.

Posted: 8/26/2004 3:21:29 AM EDT

[#17]

My FFL charges me $20 and a case of Bud Light... in the cans.

Posted: 8/26/2004 3:25:40 AM EDT

[#18]

Greater Pittsburgh Gun Club charged me $147.00 for an FFL transfer

Posted: 8/26/2004 3:37:20 AM EDT

[#19]

NGX, $25 and they still recieve from non-ffl which is getting rare around here.

I've never had the seller send a bill of sale with the firearm. The sales transaction is always conducted seperately from the transfer.

w00t.

Posted: 8/26/2004 7:57:10 AM EDT

[#20]

$15 for long guns
$25 for handguns

One of the "no storefront" FFLs left in the area.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:00:35 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
$15 for long guns
$25 for handguns

One of the "no storefront" FFLs left in the area.

Those are good prices - but I wonder why handguns are more - is there additional paperwork for a handgun where you live?

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:03:04 AM EDT

[#22]

My FFL charges $10 no matter what

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:09:12 AM EDT

[#23]

wow. if any gunshop pulled that shit with me that'd be the last business he ever got from me. can't believe people put up with BS like that.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:11:40 AM EDT

[#24]

One that I used to use charged 10% with a minimum of $20.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:13:38 AM EDT

[#25]

When I lived in CO, a locally known C3 dealer wanted 10% on NFA transfers.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:18:13 AM EDT

[#26]

What does a background check cost an FFL, if anything?
I understand it costs "time".
Just curious.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:29:33 AM EDT

[#27]

I like to spread it around so too many 4473s are not in the same place!

That way the Russians from Red Dawn really have to do their homework.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:38:52 AM EDT

[#28]

Good idea for percentages, Steyr. I had one dealer want to charge me $50 bucks a pop on five $80 lowers. (He didn't stock any AR parts.)

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:45:42 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Good idea for percentages, Steyr. I had one dealer want to charge me $50 bucks a pop on five $80 lowers. (He didn't stock any AR parts.)

Yep.
Vance's in Columbus, OH wanted $45 to transfer a $95 RRA lower a couple weeks ago.
Or they would sell me one for $159.

I have bought 2 guns from them in the past, as they are very reasonable and have a huge inventory.
But after that, I think I'll stick to the Internet for the most part.

Posted: 8/26/2004 8:53:44 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
What does a background check cost an FFL, if anything?
I understand it costs "time".
Just curious.

Depends, it's $2 here in VA. We are a POC sate (our NICS is done by the state, not by the feds)

Posted: 8/26/2004 10:02:04 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
A buddy of mine was stupid and used a local guy that charged the 10% even though he was getting a gun from an individual online.

Sad thing is, the dealer had my buddy convinced that he was required to charge the 10% BY LAW for "tax purposes" (whatever that is supposed to mean). Took me forever to convince my buddy that the dealer was FOS.

The dealer was "quasi" FOS.

There is a sepcific requirement that a dealer "Be engaged in business for profit." A $5.00 transfer dealer is in potential danger of being deemed a "hobbyist" depending upon how agressive the local ATF inspectors are. I know a couple FFLs who were "non renewed" because they are a "transfer only" operation.

But there is no specific tax requirement or required 10%.

Posted: 8/26/2004 10:06:15 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
What does a background check cost an FFL, if anything?
I understand it costs "time".
Just curious.

Not true here.

We can't use NICS (which is free) and have to use FDLE (who calls NICS for free I'm sure) and then charges us a "background check" fee for each call.

When I do a "transfer" for a person who has bought from a private sale my fee is based upon the FDLE charge, the fact that I must store the 4473 for 20 years and then I add enough to get me a Happy Meal.

If a customer is on my "preferred" list, I don't factor in a Happy Meal.