This will most-likely be the last time I ever order a firearm online...

[Echo40]

I only have limited experience ordering firearms from online retailers, but I'm generally a "three strikes" kind of guy, and this will have been my third negative experience ordering firearms online. All of the orders I've placed were from different retailers who have a generally good reputation, but I'm going to withhold their names.

Now, before anyone makes any rash assumptions, this has nothing to do with shipping time. I'm well aware that shipment has been slowed down by COVID-19 and thus I was fully prepared to wait patiently for shipment/delivery to my FFL.

The problem is how the retailers I've dealt with have managed my orders. Problem number one is lack of communication. When I purchase something as expensive as a firearm, I expect to be kept up-to-date regarding the status of my order. I want step-by-step notifications, frequent updates, and in-depth information. (If Amazon.com can do it for cheap little things, then there's no reason why an online firearms retailer cannot.) Unfortunately, it appears that all online firearms retailers I've dealt with have a very hands-off approach to keeping customers notified, take their sweet time to update the status of the order, and generally only provide information after the fact.

Shipments are another problem, as they often don't provide very many options, and sometimes they only use USPS Priority Mail, which I've had nothing but trouble with. USPS Priority Mail is slow, provides poor tracking, and frankly doesn't pay any attention whatsoever to business hours when it comes to the recipient, they just deliver it whenever and if nobody is there when it arrives, then it gets stuck in limbo and either you have to reschedule the delivery (sans time of day, so they can easily deliver it outside of business hours all over again) or the FFL has to take time out of their day to go pick it up from the post office.
Frankly, USPS Priority Mail shouldn't even be used to ship firearms because they're just not reliable enough to be trusted with it, but the retailers don't care because they aren't the ones who have to deal with it when the USPS screws everything up by delivering outside of business hours.

Lastly, I dislike their hands off approach towards problem-solving. Sure, you can provide them with all the information, but if something goes wrong, then they're slow to inform you of it, and need you to hold their hand if not take the reigns when it happens. For example, the last retailer I dealt with needed additional information from my FFL to complete the order, and although I provided them with my FFL's contact info, they wanted me to contact my FFL to tell my FFL to contact them, without providing me with a phone number, Fax, or e-mail address to give my FFL. So I ended up having to e-mail the retailer, politely yet sternly reminding them that I'm paying them and that they should be making use of the contact info they had me fill out for my FFL, not complicating the matter by using me as a middle-man to relay a message to my FFL.

Currently, my latest firearms order is stuck in limbo at the Post Office because the USPS attempted to deliver the package at 8:40am despite the fact that there a big roadside sign outside my FFL which clearly lists that they don't open until 10:00am due to COVID-19. Of course, the mail man couldn't simply go about his business and swing back around later to deliver it, so instead he left a notice at my FFL, took it back to the Post Office, and now I either have to either reschedule a delivery or the FFL Dealer has to go retrieve it.
I'm going to wait until the end of the day, just in case my FFL decides to go pick it up, and if it isn't retrieved, then I'll reschedule a delivery for tomorrow. Problem is, the option to reschedule a delivery does not include what time of day to deliver it, meaning the mail man might just end up trying to deliver it outside of business hours all over again, so hopefully my FFL Dealer will retrieve it instead.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure that this is the last time I'll ever order a firearm online. It's just too darn stressful.

 

[emptypockets]

Sorry to hear about the negative experience. When buying a firearm online one must prepare for the possibility of having their heart broken or their *** chapped. Been there and survived. I hope when you do receive it you are satisfied. Hang in there....

 

[gonerydin]

I suspect your ffl goes to the post office quite frequently. Ordering anything firearms related has been troublesome since the virus happened. They are all apparently swamped.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Andyd]

I only have limited experience ordering firearms from online retailers, but I'm generally a "three strikes" kind of guy, and this will have been my third negative experience ordering firearms online. All of the orders I've placed were from different retailers who have a generally good reputation, but I'm going to withhold their names.

Now, before anyone makes any rash assumptions, this has nothing to do with shipping time. I'm well aware that shipment has been slowed down by COVID-19 and thus I was fully prepared to wait patiently for shipment/delivery to my FFL.

The problem is how the retailers I've dealt with have managed my orders. Problem number one is lack of communication. When I purchase something as expensive as a firearm, I expect to be kept up-to-date regarding the status of my order. I want step-by-step notifications, frequent updates, and in-depth information. (If Amazon.com can do it for cheap little things, then there's no reason why an online firearms retailer cannot.) Unfortunately, it appears that all online firearms retailers I've dealt with have a very hands-off approach to keeping customers notified, take their sweet time to update the status of the order, and generally only provide information after the fact.

Shipments are another problem, as they often don't provide very many options, and sometimes they only use USPS Priority Mail, which I've had nothing but trouble with. USPS Priority Mail is slow, provides poor tracking, and frankly doesn't pay any attention whatsoever to business hours when it comes to the recipient, they just deliver it whenever and if nobody is there when it arrives, then it gets stuck in limbo and either you have to reschedule the delivery (sans time of day, so they can easily deliver it outside of business hours all over again) or the FFL has to take time out of their day to go pick it up from the post office.
Frankly, USPS Priority Mail shouldn't even be used to ship firearms because they're just not reliable enough to be trusted with it, but the retailers don't care because they aren't the ones who have to deal with it when the USPS screws everything up by delivering outside of business hours.

Lastly, I dislike their hands off approach towards problem-solving. Sure, you can provide them with all the information, but if something goes wrong, then they're slow to inform you of it, and need you to hold their hand if not take the reigns when it happens. For example, the last retailer I dealt with needed additional information from my FFL to complete the order, and although I provided them with my FFL's contact info, they wanted me to contact my FFL to tell my FFL to contact them, without providing me with a phone number, Fax, or e-mail address to give my FFL. So I ended up having to e-mail the retailer, politely yet sternly reminding them that I'm paying them and that they should be making use of the contact info they had me fill out for my FFL, not complicating the matter by using me as a middle-man to relay a message to my FFL.

Currently, my latest firearms order is stuck in limbo at the Post Office because the USPS attempted to deliver the package at 8:40am despite the fact that there a big roadside sign outside my FFL which clearly lists that they don't open until 10:00am due to COVID-19. Of course, the mail man couldn't simply go about his business and swing back around later to deliver it, so instead he left a notice at my FFL, took it back to the Post Office, and now I either have to either reschedule a delivery or the FFL Dealer has to go retrieve it.
I'm going to wait until the end of the day, just in case my FFL decides to go pick it up, and if it isn't retrieved, then I'll reschedule a delivery for tomorrow. Problem is, the option to reschedule a delivery does not include what time of day to deliver it, meaning the mail man might just end up trying to deliver it outside of business hours all over again, so hopefully my FFL Dealer will retrieve it instead.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure that this is the last time I'll ever order a firearm online. It's just too darn stressful.

Are you feeling better now?

 

[LVSteve]

Now, before anyone makes any rash assumptions, this has nothing to do with shipping time. I'm well aware that shipment has been slowed down by COVID-19 and thus I was fully prepared to wait patiently for shipment/delivery to my FFL.

Yep, doing that myself right now.

The problem is how the retailers I've dealt with have managed my orders. Problem number one is lack of communication. When I purchase something as expensive as a firearm, I expect to be kept up-to-date regarding the status of my order. I want step-by-step notifications, frequent updates, and in-depth information. (If Amazon.com can do it for cheap little things, then there's no reason why an online firearms retailer cannot.) Unfortunately, it appears that all online firearms retailers I've dealt with have a very hands-off approach to keeping customers notified, take their sweet time to update the status of the order, and generally only provide information after the fact.

Well, Amazon is Amazon and most everybody else online isn't. Remember that a lot of "online retailers" are actually small businesses only online for survival in the face of the onslaught of Gunbroker, Armslist Proxibid etc. I would agree that one particular, apparently large, online retailer has a poor reputation for communication and slow delivery. Maybe not having staff to do those things is why they have such low prices.

Shipments are another problem, as they often don't provide very many options, and sometimes they only use USPS Priority Mail, which I've had nothing but trouble with. USPS Priority Mail is slow, provides poor tracking, and frankly doesn't pay any attention whatsoever to business hours when it comes to the recipient, they just deliver it whenever and if nobody is there when it arrives, then it gets stuck in limbo and either you have to reschedule the delivery (sans time of day, so they can easily deliver it outside of business hours all over again) or the FFL has to take time out of their day to go pick it up from the post office.
Frankly, USPS Priority Mail shouldn't even be used to ship firearms because they're just not reliable enough to be trusted with it, but the retailers don't care because they aren't the ones who have to deal with it when the USPS screws everything up by delivering outside of business hours.

USPS for delivery isn't going away. It's the cheapest method, and people like cheap. As for giving you choice, then they would need a contract with UPS and Fedex.

Lastly, I dislike their hands off approach towards problem-solving. Sure, you can provide them with all the information, but if something goes wrong, then they're slow to inform you of it, and need you to hold their hand if not take the reigns when it happens. For example, the last retailer I dealt with needed additional information from my FFL to complete the order, and although I provided them with my FFL's contact info, they wanted me to contact my FFL to tell my FFL to contact them, without providing me with a phone number, Fax, or e-mail address to give my FFL. So I ended up having to e-mail the retailer, politely yet sternly reminding them that I'm paying them and that they should be making use of the contact info they had me fill out for my FFL, not complicating the matter by using me as a middle-man to relay a message to my FFL.

That's unacceptable. It's up to the seller to follow through on deliveries.

Currently, my latest firearms order is stuck in limbo at the Post Office because the USPS attempted to deliver the package at 8:40am despite the fact that there a big roadside sign outside my FFL which clearly lists that they don't open until 10:00am due to COVID-19. Of course, the mail man couldn't simply go about his business and swing back around later to deliver it, so instead he left a notice at my FFL, took it back to the Post Office, and now I either have to either reschedule a delivery or the FFL Dealer has to go retrieve it.
I'm going to wait until the end of the day, just in case my FFL decides to go pick it up, and if it isn't retrieved, then I'll reschedule a delivery for tomorrow. Problem is, the option to reschedule a delivery does not include what time of day to deliver it, meaning the mail man might just end up trying to deliver it outside of business hours all over again, so hopefully my FFL Dealer will retrieve it instead.

That can also happen with UPS and Fedex. You may guess how I know.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure that this is the last time I'll ever order a firearm online. It's just too darn stressful.

I get where you are coming from, but that isn't really an option here. Being at the far end of most supply lines we get it stuck to us on special orders and the like. The inventory of used guns is also pitifully small, so most collector pieces have to come via the Web.

Enjoy your gun when it finally arrives.

 

[Hair Trigger]

When buying a firearm online one must prepare for the possibility of having their heart broken or their *** chapped. Been there and survived. I hope when you do receive it you are satisfied. Hang in there....

Two reasons I've been very hesitant about buying guns online, and so far, haven't done it.

A picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, but nothing is as good as a hands-on examination. When you're shopping for something worth what a collectible firearm costs, you want to know without a doubt that the one you're looking at online meets your criteria. When you get it and it isn't like you were led to believe, then you're either stuck with it, or have to fight a war to get satisfaction. Plus the business of shipping it to you and it takes an inordinate amount of time because either nobody on the sending end is concerned with good service, or the shipper themselves don't seem to care when they get it to you; and then there's the possibility it will get diverted and you'll never see what you paid good money for.

I won't even go into what I think is happening with online gun sales. It's becoming the same way the collector car business is, artificially elevating prices to the point that the product (guns or cars) are markedly overpriced and only the wealthy can afford them.

 

[Echo40]

Well, my FFL didn't pick it up at the Post Office, so I rescheduled a delivery for tomorrow, and under the additional instructions section I specified that the package must be delivered during business hours.

 

[sparkyvega]

I've had good experiences ordering online, but there are definitely risks of doing so, even with reputable websites. Shipping and communication issues, and the disadvantage of not seeing the goods before the purchase. After three strikes, I'd probably give up as well.

BTW, I like your signature line.

Well, my FFL didn't pick it up at the Post Office, so I rescheduled a delivery for tomorrow, and under the additional instructions section I specified that the package must be delivered during business hours.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Well, my FFL didn't pick it up at the Post Office, so I rescheduled a delivery for tomorrow, and under the additional instructions section I specified that the package must be delivered during business hours.

Surely you realize the mail carrier on that route may not pass that location but once a day? If that is the case, he or she is unable to deviate from the route to re-attempt a delivery.

 

[Echo40]

Based on the location of the post office and the FFL, I find that unlikely.

 

[adwjc]

Harry, time out.

Take a chill pill and let your FFL handle it.

My FFL has standing instructions at his Post Office for them to hold ALL packages for him, he picks up on his way to the shop daily.

No muss, no fuss; he calls me when he has the package in his hands, then I head over to the shop and get it, done.

 

[Echo40]

That's all well and good, but my package has been at the Post Office since 05/29, and my FFL hasn't retrieved it yet.

Besides, what difference does it make? If he decides to go in and pick it up himself, then great, but he hasn't done so yet, ergo I chose to finally reschedule a delivery because I'm not counting on him to go pick it up. Either way, rescheduling won't impede his ability to go in and pick it up, especially if USPS once again attempts to deliver it outside of business hours, in which case it will most likely be right there waiting for him.

 

[usmc2427765]

Everyone is struggling now, however when there is a firearm floating around out there, I would be concerned.

 

[Oracle]

I have ordered several from the vendor Hickok45 uses with no problems whatsoever.

I have also ordered through a website whose webpage lists vast amounts of items for sale from a vast amount of vendors, kind of like &Bay. I did a purchase of an item which is rarely found with a very favorable price. That particular vendor immediately advised me they had the order, were short staffed and would get the order out as soon as they could. The vendor sent email advising each step. The order took a little longer but how could I complain with the excellent service.

 

[Absalom]

That's all well and good, but my package has been at the Post Office since 05/29, and my FFL hasn't retrieved it yet.

Besides, what difference does it make? If he decides to go in and pick it up himself, then great, but he hasn't done so yet, ergo ....

I may be missing something obvious, but it doesn’t sound like you’re communicating with your FFL. I can’t find any mention of you calling them and asking them to pick the gun up, or how they want to deal with a USPS delivery that comes by before they open.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

literally all my guns are bought online. Never had a problem

 

[msauter]

Your problem seems to be the FFL. If they are going to accept transfers they have an obligation to be available to receive them, or go pick them up on a timely basis.

I am surprised you were able to reschedule the delivery, since you are neither the shipper or the recipient of the package.

 

[Echo40]

I may be missing something obvious, but it doesn’t sound like you’re communicating with your FFL. I can’t find any mention of you calling them and asking them to pick the gun up, or how they want to deal with a USPS delivery that comes by before they open.

I was communicating with them, but they've become increasingly difficult to get a hold of since they're only open about 4-6 hours a day and typically during odd hours. Last time I called it took me 5 tries to get through because their phone was busy.

If the package isn't delivered during store hours today, then I'll try calling them tomorrow about it.

Your problem seems to be the FFL. If they are going to accept transfers they have an obligation to be available to receive them, or go pick them up on a timely basis.

I am surprised you were able to reschedule the delivery, since you are neither the shipper or the recipient of the package.

Perhaps, but I'm not going to hold it against them when they're a small mom & pop sort of gunshop with few employees, plus it's a tiny little shop not much larger than a garage, so with social distancing they can't have many customers inside at once, so they're busy.

I stick with them because they're friendly people with good prices on their firearms who typically handle things very smoothly. This is the first time that I've had any trouble, and given the circumstances as well as the fact that I really can't blame them for USPS delivering the package outside of business hours, I'm not about to hold this one negative experience against them.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Perhaps, but I'm not going to hold it against them when they're a small mom & pop sort of gunshop with few employees, plus it's a tiny little shop not much larger than a garage, so with social distancing they can't have many customers inside at once, so they're busy.

I stick with them because they're friendly people with good prices on their firearms who typically handle things very smoothly. This is the first time that I've had any trouble, and given the circumstances as well as the fact that I really can't blame them for USPS delivering the package outside of business hours, I'm not about to hold this one negative experience against them.

Sounds like you're ready to forgive the FFL which is obviously to blame for not picking it up at the post office like they should have (I mean, that is why the postman left a note for the FFL, the ball is in his court now, and by not picking up your firearm, the FFL is clearly neglecting their duties), but you're wanting to blame USPS when they seem to have done there job to the T...? Weird. Obviously you understand that your precious FFL is short handed, but you don't want to give the same slack to USPS? Some more weirdness in my book. You say your FFL handles things smoothly, but this is definitely not smooth; quite the opposite.

And why cut a business a break because they are a mom and pop store? We are all in the same boat. I like to apply Darwinism to businesses: if you are good at what you do then you'll grow and flourish. If you do your job poorly you're going to have to find another. That's beautiful capitalism at work! That's America baby!

 

[bobandmikako]

I've used two FFLs who are in the gun business part-time and have full-time jobs the rest of the time. I know one is a police officer, but the other also seems to work different shifts. Anyway, I've been notified by the automated tracking that nobody was there for delivery (both USPS and Fedex) but the FFLs made arrangements for redelivery and/or pick up. I don't recall ever having delivery of the gun delayed for more than a day. I do buy most of my guns by ordering through one of our local FFLs, but sometimes good deals at big online retailers are hard to pass up or they have something in stock that is hard to find.