Shipping

gunlovingirl · #1 11-26-2009, 09:44 AM

Please don't tell me to do a search for this topic, because it's been discussed 1,267 times. I already did that. But I'm still confused (I AM a blonde afterall). I was thinking of selling a handgun to help fund another purchase and have some cash for Christmas gifts. I checked with one of the local shops, and was told they would charge me $80 to ship a handgun to another FFL. $80??? How do y'all ship a handgun to an out of state buyer, and how much is the cost? If I have to add $80 to the asking price, it won't sell. And if I have to eat the $80 I may as well keep the gun because I won't make any profit. Help!

Hunt200 · #2 11-26-2009, 09:51 AM

Misty, it is what it is. You need to find a FFL that will give you a reasonable price or ship it to a FFL that will accept from a private individual. Even then you will pay around 60 bucks. FTF is the best way to go to save you and the buyer money.

shaggist · #3 11-26-2009, 09:58 AM

Around here, the cost is $40 from a friend of mine with a FFL, and $52 at my favorite gun emporium. I suppose this is to cover the time to fillout the paperwork involved. In the case of the gun store, I think the extra is to encourage you to buy from them rather than from another seller and have it shipped in from somewhere else. Still on the high side, in my opinion, but I am not the one accepting responsibility for making sure that all the 'i's are dotted and the 't's are crossed.

Just curious, what are you wishing to sell?

66TAS · #4 11-26-2009, 10:03 AM

I usually ship via Fed Ex. The last one I shipped, FedEx, policy was for it to be shipped via overnight service. Average cost is 50-60.

I use a local outdoor forums swap and sell mostly. Its easier and cheaper to do some driving and sell or trade face to face.

There is a member here that trades on the Georgia Outdoor News board, Gav N Tn(Ten), who is a Tenn resident. You might PM him and ask if there is a Tenn board for gun sales that he knows of.

Its hard for nonFFL's to not lose money when having to ship, usually not worth it.

ect1222t · #5 11-26-2009, 10:11 AM

Misty,
I agree that's kind of high. I'd suggest that you call around to the dealers to get their prices and compare. Ask your friends, maybe they know an individual with an FFL who will ship for you cheaper. You could also put in your ad, "your FFL MUST be willing to receive from a private party". Then the transfer fees are on them. AFAIK, An individual (YOU!) can ship directly to a FFL in any state. Then all you're out is whatever the USPS (ULTRA-Slow Procrastination Service), UPS, or FedEx will charge for actual shipping and insurance. Hope this helps. -Ed.

handejector · #6 11-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Here is something you all might want to try-

Go to the Post Office, OR get online at usps.com and obtain a copy of the Form 1508. It is a very simple form. Make copies of it for future use.
Fill out a sample form.
Talk to an FFL and explain the situation. They may NOT be familiar with shipping hassles. Offer $15 or $20 for what you are about to propose--

Explain to them that you will do ALL the legwork. You will bring him a gun, a FILLED OUT Form 1508, a PRE-addressed Priority Mail box, and a copy of the receiving FFL for his files, or it will be mailed or faxed TO HIM.

It will work like this-
You show up at his shop with all things listed above.
He logs gun in from you.
He logs gun out to receiving FFL.
Time expended- 3-5 minutes. Pay him $15 or $20 CASH.
You pack gun in pre-addressed Priority mail box.
He signs PRE-filled out Form 1508.
YOU take box and Form 1508 to Post Office and ship it for $8-15, plus insurance.

MAKE IT EASY for the FFL to make $15 or $20 CASH in 3 minutes.

This can be taken even further-
If the FFL doesn't really know you and is concerned that you might not really ship the gun, you could do this:
Set up an online account with usps.com. You can prepay the shipping and insurance (ONLY up to $500) ONLINE, and print a label. You can enter the FFL's address as the sending address. You can have it picked up FREE at the FFL's shop, so the only burden added to him is handing them the box, since YOU packed it.

oldfella · #7 11-26-2009, 10:12 AM

Misty - Inquire form FEDEX to see how much they charge for you to ship the gun to the buyer's FFL, if it is less then the the guy who wants to skin you, then ask the buyer to check with the receiving dealer to see if he will accept from a non-FFL... some dealers will accept with a coy of your drivers license. If you are are not near a FEDEX hub, FEDEX will pick up at your house for a small fee, maybe $10 bucks. Here is FEDEX number: 800-463-3339 - when prompted say "REP". If you need more info, email me. I hope this helps.

Pete (The Oldfella)

shooboy · #8 11-26-2009, 10:16 AM

Find a dealer that will ship your gun USPS Priority Mail. You can use a free from the Post Office Flat Rate box. Gun will arrive in two days usually, and I've shipped and insured handguns for $20 total. The FFL fee you will have to pay varies according to the dealer. Go to gunbroker.com and look up dealers in your area according to your zip code. Their FFL fees are listed on gunbroker, you should be able to find one that will do it for $20-$25. So figure a total cost of around $45 on your end, and the buyer should pay the shipping cost. This is the way I do it, good luck, Shoo
Here's the link to gunbroker's FFL page, just simply enter your zip:
http://www.gunbroker.com/FFL/DealerNetwork.aspx

oldfella · #9 11-26-2009, 10:20 AM

Lee - That's a great Idea - however, some post offices require an ID from the presenter proving he/she is the dealer, or a letter from the dealer authorizing the presenter as his agent.

Pete

gunlovingirl · #10 11-26-2009, 10:31 AM

Thanks for all the good advice! I will definitely be checking into it. I wasn't sure how it worked for an individual to ship to a FFL. That may be the way to go. I haven't dealt with the lgs that I mentioned in a long time. The lgs I usually deal with, and that does my incoming transfers was closed, so I couldn't get their price. Now that I have other options I'll look into them.
shaggist- I may be selling a 15-4.

deadin · #11 11-26-2009, 10:58 AM

I have a local FFL brick and mortar store (well, about 40, 50 miles) that ships out free. (Just the actual postage).
They charge $25 for receiving.
My local (in town) FFL charges $20 (in or out) to use his license. You do the legwork.
Shop around, I'm sure you can find a better deal.

Rule3 · #12 11-26-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunlovingirl

Thanks for all the good advice! I will definitely be checking into it. I wasn't sure how it worked for an individual to ship to a FFL. That may be the way to go. I haven't dealt with the lgs that I mentioned in a long time. The lgs I usually deal with, and that does my incoming transfers was closed, so I couldn't get their price. Now that I have other options I'll look into them.
shaggist- I may be selling a 15-4.

The only problem with you shipping to a FFL is you must use a common carrier (Fed Ex or UPS) they insist on overnight delivery so it's probably around $60 or so.

Lee's suggestion is the best, cheapest. By using a local FFL they can ship US mail flat rate priority which is like $10 for a medium box

9146gt · #13 11-26-2009, 05:27 PM

Smith recently send me back a revolver, Fed Ex 2nd day that I picked up at their hub . When I asked about it she said that it was a recent change to allow 2nd shipping on a handgun.

Tom

windjammer · #14 11-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Misty......The FFL I use charges me $25 to receive a pistol and charges me $50 to send one to another FFL. $80 seems a bit high.

digi-shots · #15 11-26-2009, 05:35 PM

Misty,

I agree with some of the other posters, that's kinda high!

Check with your local FFL's... some might let you do the legwork, wrap, pack & ship - all they do is log the s/n in their book. A shop here in town will log in the transfer for $10.

The local shop will also accept guns directly from individuals - they simply log the s/n into their book for a $25 charge.

handejector · #16 11-26-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9146gt

Smith recently send me back a revolver, Fed Ex 2nd day that I picked up at their hub . When I asked about it she said that it was a recent change to allow 2nd shipping on a handgun.

Tom

You have to always remember that a large corp can negotiate their own deal with FedEx or UPS. The carrier can agree to let them ship as slow and cheaply as they wish- it is NOT Fed Law that they be sent Overnight Priority. The FedEx regs online still say Overnight Priority for an individual. That can often run $70-90. I have paid it- that is not heresay.
If an individual violates their regs and the gun disappears, they DO NOT pay the claim.

9146gt · #17 11-26-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

You have to always remember that a large corp can negotiate their own deal with FedEx or UPS. The carrier can agree to let them ship as slow and cheaply as they wish- it is NOT Fed Law that they be sent Overnight Priority. The FedEx regs online still say Overnight Priority for an individual. That can often run $70-90. I have paid it- that is not heresay.
If an individual violates their regs and the gun disappears, they DO NOT pay the claim.

Interesting, as I have sent handguns from that hub since via second day.Looks like it is time to quit while I am ahead.

Tom

66TAS · #18 11-26-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9146gt

Smith recently send me back a revolver, Fed Ex 2nd day that I picked up at their hub . When I asked about it she said that it was a recent change to allow 2nd shipping on a handgun.

Tom

I noticed that FedEx dropped the "overnight" wording on their requirements to ship firearms. I have a possible sale on hold over this very thing. I am going to call them tomorrow and I'll let yall know what I find out.

sipowicz · #19 11-26-2009, 11:05 PM

I just mailed my P7M8 via Fed Ex to Matt Del Fatti in a trade for his P2000 and a holster. When I went in, the woman said they had to open the box since it was to be insured for 1500...when she asked what it was, I told her it was a gun and she jumped back...then she said, you can't mail a gun. I said yes I could...it has to be unloaded, go to an FFL and go overnight..as I took out the gun and showed her it was empty, she called her supervisor who corroborated everything I said..then she smiled and told me it was her first gun and she was glad to learn the procedure...next she asks me how I want to send it...I told her it had to go overnight..she tells me that they can't guarantee overnight to the town it was going to and she asked if wanted to do 2 day...since overnight is their policy for shipping guns and one of their employees offered 2nd day, I took it....40 bucks including 10.50 for insurance....all in all, not too bad. I called Matt yesterday and he did get the gun that afternoon...

handejector · #20 11-26-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66TAS

I noticed that FedEx dropped the "overnight" wording on their requirements to ship firearms. I have a possible sale on hold over this very thing. I am going to call them tomorrow and I'll let yall know what I find out.

Taken from the FedEx website TODAY-

Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx Express cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.

Please feel free to see for yourself-
Go down the list and click "Firearms"-
Freight Terms and Conditions - General Terms and Conditions at FedEx.com

oldRoger · #21 11-26-2009, 11:21 PM

The local guys here are all over the map as far as charges go. I was lucky enough to find one who will ship for $25 + actual postage, let’s say $40 total. I bring the gun to him in the USPS Priority Mail Box ready to seal. He does the rest.

The nearest UPS or FedX is 40 miles one way and will only do overnight (in my limited experience) not including the time wasting trip, cost there is more like $80.

Smithhound · #22 11-27-2009, 05:17 AM

Misty, I don't know where in TN you are, but my guy here in SE TN charges only around $40-50, most folks who buy here would expect around $50 shipping cost tagged to the price.
You can always offer FTF if you are comfortable with that.
Good luck.
RD

gunlovingirl · #23 11-27-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithhound

Misty, I don't know where in TN you are, but my guy here in SE TN charges only around $40-50, most folks who buy here would expect around $50 shipping cost tagged to the price.
You can always offer FTF if you are comfortable with that.
Good luck.
RD

I'm in Nashville. The lgs that I trade with should be open today. I'll check with them, and ask about me having it already packed up in a flat rate box. I have one gentleman that wants it locally, but he has to sell another gun to buy it. Between the economy and the holiday season, it's not a good time to sell anything. But I need some cash for Christmas for the grandkids. Y'all know how that is! And as soon as I figure out a price, I'll list it here on the forum too. Thanks y'all. Y'all are sweethearts! (shhhh. Don't tell your wife I said that!)

CAJUNLAWYER · #24 11-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

Here is something you all might want to try-

Go to the Post Office, OR get online at usps.com and obtain a copy of the Form 1508. It is a very simple form. Make copies of it for future use.
Fill out a sample form.
Talk to an FFL and explain the situation. They may NOT be familiar with shipping hassles. Offer $15 or $20 for what you are about to propose--

Explain to them that you will do ALL the legwork. You will bring him a gun, a FILLED OUT Form 1508, a PRE-addressed Priority Mail box, and a copy of the receiving FFL for his files, or it will be mailed or faxed TO HIM.

It will work like this-
You show up at his shop with all things listed above.
He logs gun in from you.
He logs gun out to receiving FFL.
Time expended- 3-5 minutes. Pay him $15 or $20 CASH.
You pack gun in pre-addressed Priority mail box.
He signs PRE-filled out Form 1508.
YOU take box and Form 1508 to Post Office and ship it for $8-15, plus insurance.

MAKE IT EASY for the FFL to make $15 or $20 CASH in 3 minutes.

This can be taken even further-
If the FFL doesn't really know you and is concerned that you might not really ship the gun, you could do this:
Set up an online account with usps.com. You can prepay the shipping and insurance (ONLY up to $500) ONLINE, and print a label. You can enter the FFL's address as the sending address. You can have it picked up FREE at the FFL's shop, so the only burden added to him is handing them the box, since YOU packed it.

Good advice-I would add that you might want to leave an extra button unbuttoned too-this usually seals the deal