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Transfering guns bought at auction through FFL dealer

bhayes420bhayes420 Member Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
Hello all, Ran into something that I haven't before. I have bought several rifles on auction, never had a problem getting the local gun shop here to transfer them for me. They are pretty reasonable on their transfer price ($20 + NO tax on the $20). Yesterday I called about getting a gun shipped to them that I bought on auction, and they have decided not to handle these types of transactions. Said that as long as they had the same type of gun for sale in their rack, they would not run a gun I bought through their books. Never mind that I usually save about $60-$70 below their price on what I buy, or that I buy mostly used guns. After several minutes of [ahem] heated conversation, they did agree to handle this one last final transaction. Anyone ever run into anything like that? I know that it is their perogative, but I still buy loads of ammo from them, the occassional scope, and, yes, a few firearms along. NO MORE!
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Comments

  • azgunnut2@yahoo.comazgunnut2@yahoo.com Member Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello ,I would like to say that most of us have hada "unpleasent" experience with our local dealer ...That is one of the reasons that wereopened our shop , and by no means will we ever treat our customers in any way like thisI grew up in & around this "business" and after 22 years into it , I still understandthat "customers & proper treatment" is whywe are in business...If you are located inEast Tn get in touch with us , we will be more than happy to "serve" you !!! Thanks &Good Luck !!! Gallery Sales - 120 Sharp Rd ,Athens , Tn 423-746-4587.azgunnut2@yahoo.com.
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  • bondaibondai Member Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I charge $15.00....
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  • bhayes420bhayes420 Member Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SaxonPig, No, can't blame them for wanting to sell their own guns. Not at all. But that isn't really the point. It isn't like I just walked in off the street, sight unseen, and asked them to do that. I consider myself a decent customer of this particular shop. Bought two guns there last year, albeit nothing to terribly expensive. And have spend probably $500 each year for the past three on ammo. Plus am a member of the gun club the shop sponsors, so they get some of my funds that way. And they do most of my gunsmith work. I do support this shop. That is why I can't understand the attitude. So, I will find a new shop and a new shooting range.
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  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I found a great FFL dealer on my very first GB purchase. He has been on the local police force for several years(5+?) and before that he was in the military. He sells at cost, plus a 20 dollar transfer fee. He not only does the transfer for you, he will explain the break down and operation of the weapon and even cleans it up. I get delayed on all my transactions so Ed calls in my yellow form and gets it approved before he even calls me, that way I don't have to go through all of the heartache of leaving without my new purchase. If any of you guys need a great FFL dealer in the SouthWest Houston Area, Call Ed Alldredge @ 281-787-1268.Munkey
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    bhayes --I understand your feeling, but I think every dealer has the right to decide for themselves how they feel about this and either decide to participate or not. This is still a very new area for the FFL people and around my city there is a variety of reactions. I find that most dealers here have been approached and do have a ready answer for me. From a stocking dealer, the first question is often "what kind of a gun is it?" They want to know if I want to buy the same gun on their shelf for less from somebody else and make them a party to it. I think it's understandable that they would be more willing to help me purchase a gun that's out of production than a gun they can sell me themselves. They don't want to open the door to having to compete with every dealer in the country on their margins. I'm not sure they can hold off the inevitable, but I understand the impulse...The biggest legitimate stocking gun store in Fort Wayne (the one open for business 6 days a week) has decided to charge a flat fee of $30, period. This is a good deal on more expensive guns compared to those who want a percentage, but not a good deal on a $400 gun compared to some of the other local dealers. Another guy I just dealt with has a $15 fee -- but he has no regular business hours, and almost goofed up my receipt of the gun by missing the postman, who didn't leave the gun without a signature -- on top of that he was unwilling to run down to his post office and take delivery because he felt it wasn't worth his time. Oh, and he has also decided he won't do these transfers for non-carry permit people. So don't lose your permit before your mail arrives. Then I have a dealer with whom I'm friendly, a stocking dealer, but he wants 5% plus sales tax. He is apparently under the impression that sales tax may be necessary, and why take a chance. Obviously, he would be a pretty good deal on many gun auctions, except for his hang-up about tax. I would like to see dealers who do this settle on a flat receipt fee of 4%, and charge tax only on in-state transfers. A local walk-in used gun transfer in this town (from a classified ad) is only $10, and that includes the filling out of the form 4473. At 4%, a dealer is getting $16 on a $400 gun and $32 on an $800 gun, $40 to transfer a $1000 gun, which is good for them, and I think good enough for getting their mail -- they have no inventory risk in these cases, after all, no shelf life -- it's practically free money for the stocking dealer, who's going to be in the store anyway. THat's why all local transfers are only $10. Again, I keep saying this is a buyer's game, and by carefully choosing our FFLer for receiving our guns, we can control prices on this stuff to a degree. But beware the non-stocking dealer who never is around when the mailman comes, because as long as the mail is cheaper to use than FedEx, a lot of us are going to be trying to use the P.O. and they need a signature. The best that can happen is your non-stocking dealer will sign the paper slip and arrange for re-delivery. At worst, the P.O. will give up and send your gun back to your seller's FFLer. Then you'll get to pay shipping again for someone else to receive it.
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    I disagree with your flat 4% fee. I pay $20 + $10 for transfer and NICS Fee. That is reasonable.There is a reason I say this. I liken this to tipping. I have been in restaurants that charge $50.00 for a steak dinner, and I have been in restaurants that charge $15 for a steak dinner. It just so happened that the diner that served the $15 steak dinner had better service and better quality food. Now the dilemma, does the waiter that offered better service and served lower cost, higher quality food deserve less than the waiter that offered poorer service and served higher cost, lower quality food? My solution was to tip them both the same amount $5. The waiter at the smaller diner received a 33% tip and was very happy. The waiter at the tourist restaurant received a 10% tip and he did not care one way or the other. (I still look back on that experience and believe I tipped the waiter at the tourist trap too much. BTW, I continue to go to the little diner every chance I get.)Moral - You don't always get what you pay for, but always be fare. The old "Golden Rule" concept.It does not cost anymore to process a $1000 gun than it does to process a $200 gun. It is better to build good-will than to have a one time customer.Well, thats my 2.5 centsBoomer
    Protect our Constitutional Rights[This message has been edited by Boomerang (edited 01-23-2002).]
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have had much the same good experience as some of you. My local pawn shops charge 20 and 25, I use the 20 one of course. I feel its reasonable, had some flack with them once, but I think they see things my way now after making about 300 dollars off of me in transfeer fees, and I have yet to have them prove to me they can sell me the exact same USED gun to me as I'm having transfered from auction. The thing is, once you get ticked off for good reason, take your business elsewhere, and take your friends with you. Screw the idiots that are out to screw you, and see who gets hurt more, it wont be you. This is sort of the same subject as the shipping fees that are charged by people, makes me mad too.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • HAIRYHAIRY Member Posts: 23,606
    edited November -1
    Guys, the reason is pure ole "greed". My former gunshop got angry at the seller(!) because I was able to purchase a gun cheaper than "I should be able to." I even gave him a chance: I can purchase this gun, pay this amount in shipping, and pay you your $38 transfer fee; but if you will match that price, including state taxes, I'll buy from you. He agreed and when I went to pick up the gun he told me, "Sorry, but I had to pay more than I thought--you owe me an extra $25." I paid--without complaint--but never tried to deal with him again. Am now using a dealer who says if the gun is new, from a dealer, he wants first dibs at selling it; if used, no sweat.
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  • MPinkstonMPinkston Member Posts: 799 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boomerang, who does your transfers for $20?
    aguncollector@yahoo.com
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The shop I used for several years also balked at doing a transfer on a new rifle for me. I recently found a local FFL through one of the auctions sites and he charges $10. He will also order new firearms at cost plus 10%. Haven't been back to that other place which charged $25 anyway.Dealers do have a right to make a profit and charge what they need too. We also have a right to shop elsewhere.
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  • concealedG36concealedG36 Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I go through a guy who was one of the FIRST Navy Seals. He is very fair, $20 no matter what type of gun or how many/few you buy. He is great to talk to as well, very knowledgable. I found him listed on GB and I have done business with him several times now.Sorry to hear about some of your luck guys, but like K-Mart; if they don't meet your requirements don't go back. Eventually, they'll be the ones who pay...
    Gun Control Disarms Victims, NOT Criminals
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    I have one dealer that charges $25 and another that doesn't charge anything. Depends on which I am in the mood to deal with when I do need a transfer.
    Allen Glore
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    I do transfers for $15. I don't care if it is a gun identical to one I have in stock or not. It is $15 more than I had yesterday, and it gets a guy into the shop. He buys a gun, maybe he needs ammo and a holster.Some of these dealers are cutting off their nose to spite their face.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • BUCK/91/92BUCK/91/92 Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess I feel pretty lucky because my FFL dealer never charges me to transfer a gun. In return, I buy my hunting licenses,my ammo, my dog food, my gardening supplies and some guns. They run a big Sport Shop and feedstore in upstate New York. Super people to deal with. More dealers ought to learn how to keep their customers happy.
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    MPinkston - Whitten Arms on Old Whitten Road, Memphis, really nice people. Great shooting range to boot. Why, have you not been able to find a good FFL here?Boomer
    Protect our Constitutional Rights.
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  • bhayes420bhayes420 Member Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Boomerang, that is a nice gun shop! I lived in Memphis for several years. Got my degree from MSU, went to work for FedEx, and then transferred away. Need to get back down that way sometime and check things out.
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  • concealedG36concealedG36 Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn, you are a good businessman. That is exactly what I was thinking...If you are making money, more money than you made yesterday, you are making progress. If you treat your customers the way they expect to be treated, you will continue to earn money tomorrow. If you forget about your customers needs, you will soon find that you have no customers.
    Gun Control Disarms Victims, NOT Criminals
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    nunn--Historically speaking, I would pick a family-owned gun store and patronize it for everything I needed along the lines of hunting and shooting. All gunsmithing, accessories and ammo were purchased there. His prices were higher than Wal-Mart but I can't fathom the amount of money I've saved by spending that little extra with the smaller dealer in order to build the rapport I needed to get him to do my GB transfers.
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  • MDSuppliesMDSupplies Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I charge $15.00 for transfers. I went into this business with customer service in mind. I try to keep my prices very competitive and provide the type of service I would like to receive from a dealer. I have many happy repeat customers because of it.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is a rosier picture than I expected to get, which is good news. My message above describes current conditions in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hopefully, they will learn that it's all about customer service. There are a lot of nutty FFLers in this area, and many of them think all the others are worthless. It's a strange environment. Perhaps this is not a universal phenomenon. In any case, some of them want to fix their prices higher and hate it when there is any other outlet. Many of these dealers don't go to the big gun shows in town any more because they don't compete well in that environment. But they don't learn anything either, apparently. They still fix their prices higher than need be. I just bought a PT-145 at a gun show for $329 when I had just seen it in two local gun shops for around $419-429. The same kind of mentality currently surrounds the issue of charging for auction mail order purchases. They don't want to see it as a simple "transfer". They want to characterize it as unfair competition. This is the price our provincial community is currently paying for their denial of the new "global economy." The other issue, of course is shipping. Total extra cost equals transfer fee plus shipping. When the selling FFLer quotes me $12 to ship by US mail and $25 to ship by FedEx, I'm going to choose US mail. Then my package arrives and my FFLer says there isn't but about 30 cents difference in the actual cost of shipping between the two services. Who the hell do I believe? Anyway, there's a mom & pop antique gun shop down in Decatur that only charges $5 for a mail order transfer. Maybe I'll try them next, though they don't keep regular business hours either, so God knows how they'll receive my package if it needs a signature.........!
    "The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    I'm right there with Nunn on this one, the first FFL Holder I used was a place I used to stop at every time I went shooting, spent $500.00 or better a year in ammo and $250 to $350 a year on guns. On my first internet purchase he charged me $30.00 AND state sales tax (about $75.00) on the gun. I follow the adage of "You screw me once, I ain't gonna give no more chances."He has never seen a dime of my money since.On the other hand my economic status has improved and my current transfer FFL has now twice had me come in to pick up a gun and purchase another off of his rack.I also go there when I'm in that part of town just to have a cup of coffe and look at what's new and exciting. Sometimes I even buy stuff or bring a friend and they buy stuff. Above and beyond this, I carry a couple of the store's cards, and sing their praises where approriate, and all the time I am doing so I throw the other guy "Under the bus".
    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!![This message has been edited by Matt45 (edited 01-24-2002).][This message has been edited by Matt45 (edited 01-24-2002).]
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  • sandman2234sandman2234 Member Posts: 894 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wandered into a pawnshop, bought a gun.Went back, bought another. Then transfered a couple dozen in, sometimes 3 or 7 at a time.At first, it was $10. Then he charged me 7 one time. No charge since then. Introduced him to a Really good friend, and they became friends. Then he bought a "line throwing canon" off a ship. Rusty mess, bolts broke off int the mount. He asked me what the best way to remove a broke off bolt. I told him to bring it to the shop and I would have it picked up and fixed. Ran it through the tumbler while we had it. Really made a difference. Had it powder coated and now it is nice. He is probably glad he gave up those $10. transfer fees. The property he shoots at got sold. No more shooting. We invited him down to "the farm" and we all enjoy the good times. Treat them like you want to be treated.
    Have Gun, will travel
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  • thunderboltthunderbolt Member Posts: 6,041 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I try to treat all my customers fairly. I charge $15 for transfers up to $1000in value, if they order from another dealer out of state. Some folks want to me to order guns (Colt ARs, Browning HiPowers, etc.)through my regular distributors, call it a transfer, and sell at a $15 markup and even then don't want to pay sales tax! And then they wonder why the cheap dealers can't be there 24/7 to watch for the mailman/Fedex. It's because they have 2nd and 3rd jobs to pay the bills. Selling guns is like any business, you must have a profit to operate. If you think $15to $40 is too much "profit" on a gun, get a FFL and give them away. You'll be popular, but you won't earn a living.
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