FFL transfers - Has anyone had this problem?

[Dstyles75]

Has anyone ever had any problems with their FFL being upset because you didn't buy a gun from them instead of buying one online?

I run into that sometimes. They ask what gun I bought and how much I paid for it. They are sometimes un-cooperative in sending their license promptly. I've had one refuse to give me a copy of his license so I could send it with the money order like the seller asked. I've had another insist he speak to the seller on the phone before he sent his license.

Is all of this normal? I can only guess it's because they wish they had the sale.

 

[Stevie]

Well?....It's sort-of like going to the local diner for breakfast and bringing your own eggs....

Buy some guns from the gunstore now and then. That way they are less likely to be pe'od when you buy online and just need them for legal paperwork

 

[3dots]

Never heard of this. My FFL is family operated and deal right from their home. Very sweet couple just down the road from me. I'm very fortunate...

 

[ibewbull]

I have one who insist on mailing or faxing his FFL and will not give me a copy.
I like having a copy and saving a trip to town which is 30 minutes.
So my other dealer e mailed me his FFL and I use him for transfers.
The first guy is a stoking dealer and has good deals but I don't want any new guns. I find a trade in occasionally there [36 snub ]
I also steer business to the dealers I know. I do not frequent BIG BOX shops. Cabelas , GM etc.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Use the FFL search on GB.

 

[garystl]

My LGS doesn't do transfers, but fortunately I know a kitchen table dealer in the next town who does. I even have a pdf copy of his license to send to any dealers I'm buying from.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

FFL Transfer

If I have a particular gun I am interested in purchasing, I would check prices on line and them visit my LGS and inquire on the price of the same gun that he would sell. If the price is higher and he will not negotiate, nine times of ten the owner will accept the FFL transfer for purchase. It has happened to me and most of the time are in agreement. If you have had several purchases from the LGS, they are pretty good in completing the transfer.

Nick

 

[twobit601]

My local gun shop does transfers. They fax their FFL info and do not give paper copy to me to mail. They charge $30. This is more end profit than the markup they put on a gun and less work for them. They have a sign at their counter saying they do transfers and state the fees. I buy powder, primers, and some ammo from them, but most of my guns come thru GBer.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If I asked either of my LGS operators to do that, I would have bought my last gun from them at any price. My LGS operators are personal friends, and I see them in the communities. My advice is to find an FFL separate from the store where you do business, and don't discuss your online purchases with your brick and mortar guys. On the rare occasions I buy a gun like you describe, I don't involve my friends. I'll sometimes run a price by them, and usually they can do better or at least as well. Like they said in Ghostbusters, "Don't cross the streams . . . "

 

[tbgunner88]

The gun shops around here that don't want to do transfers make it known by charging 3 times the normal price for a transfer fee, I usually deal with a small pawn shop that seems to appreciate any business that comes their way. I also try and pick up something gun related (ammo, holster, rifle sling) just as a little something extra to say thanks for doing the transfer for me.

 

[Dstyles75]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I understand about buying from them first or checking to see what they have in stock. The problem is I'm usually purchasing an item I can only find on line like a gun that's no longer in production or a special edition like a TALO. After and if my FFL completes this last transfer I'm waiting on, I don't think I'll use him anymore.

 

[Ματθιας]

When I was looking for an FFL to do my transfers, I had one LGS owner literally yell at me - just for asking. I had another tell me that he flat out wouldn't do a transfer if it was something he could get. Yet, another said he'd charge more if it was something he had in stock. Most gunshops are $35+, so, I don't do local gun shops. I have a pawn shop who charges $16.05 with no fuss.

 

[Fishinfool]

I can see a dealer balking at doing a transfer for you with a new gun he already has in stock for sale. But like you said, if it is a used, or hard to find item, something he does not have in stock, then I fail to see the problem. He is still making $20 - $40 for ten minutes of paperwork, plus is likely to sell you an accessory or two when your gun comes in.

I have a couple local dealers I work with who are more than happy to send an FFL copy to a seller when I buy something online.

I have sold a number of guns on GB, and have noticed in the past couple years, it does seem some buyers have a hard time finding a dealer who will accept a gun from a non dealer. One young lady in FL who recently bought a rifle from me became so frustrated trying to find a local FFL to accept the rifle, she was ready to give up. I found a local dealer for her, and made the transaction happen. I advised her he was who she should give her future business too......

Larry

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I've done a lot of business with the shop I use for my FFL transfers.

He knows that anything I'm buying is either an old gun that I'm buying for a specific reason, or if it's a new gun I've given him the chance to get it for me before I buy from elsewhere.

Plus, it's an extra $25 for him for what amounts to about 10 minutes of work.

Thus, I've never had any problems at all.

 

[JJEH]

Some FFL just don't like handing out copies of their licenses and rather send it directly to the other dealer.

I'm not unhappy if a customer buys somewhere else, I still make money on the transfer.

I would appreciate if a customer asked if I could match a particular price. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. Money is king and we all decide for ourselves where we going to spend it.

 

[pawngal]

I am a small pawn shop and for the most part don't stock new guns so I'm happy to do transfers. $20 for 10 minutes of my time is a win-win as far as I'm concerned. Besides I get to see whatever cool guns someone else purchased.

I do not give out copies of my FFL tho.

But I can understand a stocking dealer being upset about doing transfers for new guns they might have in stock.

 

[the ringo kid]

Nope,never had any problems. I just ask them,they tellme their fee-I pay and the rest is history. Most of the gun shop guys here in town are great--only a few aint.

 

[CatSnipah]

My FFL is a range first, and very limited on the arms they sell. If I wanted to buy something they have, I'd strongly consider getting it from them (member pricing!).

However, I'm fortunate not to have that pressure too often.

 

[NYlakesider]

I do a bunch of business with one sort of big LGS and at least for me they are easy and honest to deal with. (+ I hit most all LGS in the area and if it's what I want I buy it.

I made my bones there years ago and when I order something to come in its not something they have in stock or see much of. Just in the last two years I bought 3 NO LOCK Smiths from them and found 2 more here on the forum and had to have them shipped to the LGS. They just love to open my boxes as it's something they do not have and of course their gun enthusiasts also.

 

[deadin]

I don't have a lot of experience with FFL Transfers as I collect antiques and C&R's and have a FFL03 so I deal direct for the most part.
However, after that *** that Washington just passed, it looks like I may be doing FFL Transfers as I-594 has castrated my C&R License. (Now you are either a dealer as defined in 18 USC 923(a) or you are nobody. (C&R are defined in 18 USC 923(b))
I have only 4 transfer dealers in my area. The closest is around 50 miles round trip and the farthest is 90 miles RT. Currently they all charge in the $25 dollar range for a NICS check and paperwork.
[RANT ON]
I just wonder if these prices will hold up when they realize they have a government sanctioned monopoly. The new law did not cap what they can charge, they're allowed to charge a fee that reflects the "Fair Market Value" of such a service. If all of them decide that they want to charge $75, wouldn't that be what the "Fair Market price be?? Worse Possible Case would be that they all refuse to do transfer (Nothing says they have to), then they would control all legal firearm sales in the area. (i.e. I would have to sell my firearm to the dealer (he would have the upper hand on the price) and you would have to buy from him, at his price.
The only choice in this case would be, "I hope you are happy with what you currently own."
[RANT OFF]

 

[b_san]

I do not give out copies of my FFL tho.

Do you mind if I ask why you don't give it out?