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

[stonebuster]

Does your "mom and pop" gun store have limited hours and days of operation? I've made only one online firearm purchase(during pandemic) through Gunbroker. I decided to use a local FFL whose documentation was on file with GB rather than the small shops in my town with limited days and hours. I notified the FFL and the seller only to have the FFL close due to Covid a few days later. I chose another registered w/ GB FFL and notified the seller of the change. Everything else went smoothly including good communication with seller and FFL. I only bought online because the revolver I bought was a 40 year old model I was very unlikely to find locally. I understand your frustration and the virus has complicated everything lately. Good luck and I hope your firearm meets your expectations.

 

[boykinlp]

Um, the USPS already have attempted to ship it to my FFL twice and have informed me that they'll be trying again tomorrow.

Evidently things have changed since you worked there.

I can't speak for Toddlars1, but I interpreted his post to mean twice in the same day.
Larry

 

[Echo40]

I just recently got home with my gun.

My order shipped and arrived at my FFL this morning, so I went out and got it.

Glad that's over with, now I can relax.

 

[LVSteve]

I just recently got home with my gun.

My order shipped and arrived at my FFL this morning, so I went out and got it.

Glad that's over with, now I can relax.

Site must have a problem because the pictures aren't loading.

 

[Echo40]

I'll be posting it on the "What's your latest purchase?" thread once I've gotten it all cleaned up.

The whole reason why I purchased a firearm online to begin with is because it was a military surplus firearm that I couldn't order directly through my FFL. It's a Romanian Tokarev TTC.
They ship the things packed with cosmoline and unfortunately the magazine is rusted around the baseplate, so she's going to need a deep cleaning before she's ready for her closeup!

I also bought a Plain Jane Glock 17 Gen 5 while I was there, but I probably won't bother photographing it because it's just an ordinary G17.
Oh, and I almost forgot, they must have had someone go in early so that someone would be there to accept my package because it was delivered hours before the shop opened for business. If that wasn't enough, because I bought the G17 while I was there they gave me a $15 discount on the Transfer Fee. That's one of the reasons why I keep going there, they treat me right.

 

[Toddlars1]

Um, the USPS already have attempted to ship it to my FFL twice and have informed me that they'll be trying again tomorrow.

Evidently things have changed since you worked there.

Yeah I meant in the same day.......unless your FFL gives a generous gift in his Xmas card, he won't stop twice in the same day usually due to time constraints

 

[4506517]

Interesting.

Purchased two on Sunday. Both due to arrive at FFL by Friday.

Both purchased from the auction site.

My dealers FFL is listed on the site.

Literally ....... 6 clicks they were on the way.

And got emailed the tracking numbers.

Not sure why so many here have so many problems ordering online.

There cant be that many sellers that are so inept

 

[dr. mordo]

I've bought a bunch of guns online.

My Beretta 92FS was shipped, not delivered, and then lost. My FFL and the seller (a very reputable gunstore I have bought from multiple times) contacted the USPS Post Office responsible and got no response at all (if you are familiar with Miami-Dade, this is no surprise, it is undoubtedly run by a bunch of Cubans who speak no english). The seller contacted the ATF and told me it was the first time he had to do that after decades in business.

A little over a month later, it showed up back at the seller, and he called to ask me what I wanted to do, then resent it.

It shoots great.

That experience is far less unnerving than paypalling $900 to some dude I haven't met selling a gun on a forum. I check to see folks have a history on a forum before I buy, and so far I have not had a bad experience. But it still gets to me. My last purchase was a Super Grade Winchester Model 70 on another forum, and I admit I was relieved when my FFL called.

The way I look at it, it's a gamble to buy online, so I never spend money I can't afford to lose. So far, I have not lost money unless you count buying something I shouldn't have.

 

[OLDSTER]

Nearly 5 years ago, I got into a real peeing match with a seller on Gun Broker. The GB admin. sided with that crook, and, of course, I couldn't let it go. So long story short I was banned from GB ( up to that point in time, I was an A+ buyer of over 25 guns.). Best outcome I could have hoped for. No more buying on line for me.

 

[Echo40]

Yeah, I'm almost certainly done at this point unless something really special comes along again like my S&W 4006TSW CHP.

The Romanian Tokarev TTC that I received was of a lower grade than the description lead me to believe. According to the description on the website, it had been factory refurbished prior to being imported, but my example most certainly wasn't "refurbished" by any definition of the term. It appears to have been reblued at some point, but not prior to being imported because said bluing is worn thin in contact points due to holster wear, the barrel was dirty when I broke it down for cleaning, the grips are worn, and the magazine that it came with was rusty around the baseplate.

Granted that it's a MilSurp so I wasn't expecting it to be in anything resembling pristine condition, nor would I want it to be since a bit of wear is part of the mystique of old police/military firearms to me, but I'm still displeased that the condition of the firearm listed on the website wasn't accurate. Another website was selling them for the same price in "very good to excellent condition" and even posted a YouTube video showing off some random examples from the shipment that they had received, which fit the description perfectly.

I could complain to the retailer about it, but they're sold out now so they couldn't ship me a replacement, I doubt that they'd do that even if they weren't out of stock, and even if they did I wouldn't want to have to cope with the stress of USPS attempting to deliver it outside of business hours and playing phone tag with my FFL about it again.
Besides, it's still obviously in useable condition and most certainly has its share of character, so I can live with it, but this whole experience has soured me on ordering firearms online, so from now on I'm only going to do so for something really special and I won't be ordering from the same retailer again. I'll either go back to the retailer whom I ordered my 4006 CHP from or try someone new.

 

[Puller]

I've bought around 15 firearms on line in recent years. I had to go through a couple of FFL's to get one willing to earn that $15 transfer fee.

 

[MP-5]

Hello S&W Forum,
I have been an avid user and collector of Smith and Wesson Firearms for almost 30 years. I also have been a fan of this forum and have been a passive reader for a very long time (12+ years??)

It is my “go to” forum and have enjoyed the knowledge and experience in the posts here. It is absolutely the most professional forum out there with participants who bring extensive historical and practical knowledge. With the S&W product line that has been in existence for over 130 years combined with the breadth of products, revolvers, semi-autos, long guns, air rifle/pistols, knives etc. this forum has something for everyone.

Unfortunately, this is my first post here at this forum. Well here it goes:

I've bought a bunch of guns online.

My FFL and the seller (a very reputable gunstore I have bought from multiple times) contacted the USPS Post Office responsible and got no response at all (if you are familiar with Miami-Dade, this is no surprise, it is undoubtedly run by a bunch of Cubans who speak no english).

Dr. Mordo, to insinuate that the reason the U.S. Post Office personnel didn’t respond to your FFL inquiries is because “they are a bunch of Cubans who speak no English” is ignorant bigotry. As a Federal LEO for over 23 years of experience, working with LE and non-LE agencies, I can tell you the Postal Service does not hire individuals who do not speak the English language.

As a new member I reviewed the general rules:

DIVERSITY
This is a public board viewable by people of all ages, genders, and demographic groups. We expect you to conduct yourself in a mature, courteous manner. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Inflammatory, libelous, slanderous, lewd, obscene, bigoted, indecent, and threatening posts will not be tolerated.

Let’s keep these kinds of comments out of Smith and Wesson forums. Dr. Mordo, if you have to express your discontent with the Postal Service employees in this way, please DO NOT DO IT HERE.

The last thing I wanted to do here, as a new contributing member is to be the "forum police." Moving forward I hope to contribute constructively to a forum that I have been enjoying for years.

Many young folks are graduating today! Enjoy the weekend.

 

[vipermd]

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.

You can not schedule a delivery time for USPS, only your dealer can change delivery date.The problem I see is with your dealer. Are you just doing a transfer though the dealer or are you buying from him. It seems as though the problem is your dealer, not the seller, or shipping service. If something is delivered before I am in the shop, I get the package or my wife does. I deal with the seller, since I want receipt with correct make, model,SN, caliber , and an FFL. I do it because it is more efficient, I know it is done. If you purchase a 95 percentage RM, and the auction states a 3 day inspection, that is what you will get, or I will be dealing with seller, or auction company. What you have described is unacceptable, by seller or your dealer. I wish you the best, and that I lived next door to eliminate these problems. You are paying me for a service and that is what you get. Be Safe,