Buying on GB.com

[mkk41]

Just like with Ebay , you're not buying from them. You're buying from the lister. Just make sure the seller has a good number of transactions and an A+ rating.

Haven't had a bad deal yet. My number should be higher , but some folks don't leave feedback.

I feel once I pay in a timely manner , I have fulfilled my obligation and should receive positive feedback , regardless of my satisfaction and subsequent feedback on the seller.

 

[mkk41]

I sell a few on G-broker BUT will not ship to CA, NY, or NJ. Sorry but you don't like your laws vote them out.

I'm with you. Some states laws are so darn confusing , I'd just rather not deal with the headaches.

 

[jaykellogg]

The fly in the ointment with Gunbroker is most auctions the seller wants a money order. So you pay and hope you recieve the goods. Also, if the seller isn't a dealer it is difficult for him to allow you to return an item. I have bought two guns on GB. One was from a gun store.

 

[Gryff]

Never bought on gun broker or any other auction/weapon sites. I live in calif., and I'm curious as to how easy it is to purchase stuff and have it shipped to a local ffl. Any other state I would probably have no worries, save for NJ,NY.

Is it a simple as eBay?
Thanks
Chuck

No, it isn't.

There are three issues that you have to deal with when buying on Gunbroker and shipping into California. First it must be received an an FFL, second is whether there are any California-specific laws that apply to the gun, and third, it has to be sent by an FFL that is registered with the California Firearms Licensee Check (CFLC) Program.

Regarding having it sent to an FFL, there is no limit in the fees that the FFL can charge you for receiving the gun. Aside from the state-mandated DROS processing fee, the dealer can tack on any amount they want (normally $75 to $125).

In terms of laws, obviously we have the mis-named assault weapon ban laws, as well as the safe handgun roster.
- You cannot receive a rifle that is on the named assault weapon ban list without an assault weapon permit (which is impossible for a regular gun owner to get)
- You cannot receive a rifle that has the state-defined features of an assault weapon unless a) your FFL has an assault weapon permit, and b) they modify the gun to meet the assault weapon laws (i.e. put a bullet button on it. There are some ways around this like having the gun sent disassembled to some degree, but it still has to be sent to an FFL.
- You cannot receive a handgun that is NOT on the Safe Handgun Roster (not sure if our legislature intended that name to be a joke or not). There are limited ways around this like having it processed as a Single Shot Exemption, but it is not a convenient or readily available option for many Californians.

Finally, California (in its ever-increasing spiral into mindless liberalism) implemented the California Firearms Licensee Check (CFLC) Program a couple of years back. This means that the shipping FFL must be registered with California, and must get a CFLC shipment number before sending the gun to a California FFL. The good news is that it takes only a few minutes for an out-of-state FFL to register with the program, it doesn't cost anything, and takes only about two minutes to fill out the online form before shipping a gun. Unfortunately, many non-California FFLs use the CFLC program as an excuse for not shipping to California, but the ones who are run by non-'tards change their mind when they find out how easy the process is (I love the idiots who think that California gun owners allowed this system to be implemented. They conveniently ignore the fact that RKBA folks in the state are out-numbered 2, 3, or 4-to-1 by the liberals and illegals).

Suffice it to say, this is a quick and dirty description of the issues. There are fine points and other considerations that I don't get into, but you are welcome to PM me (or even better...post the question here for all to see).

Also, there is an excellent wiki on California gun laws here:

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php/Main_Page

 

[Gryff]

Sorry but you don't like your laws vote them out.

Thanks so much for standing by us. Glad you think that it is easy as "vote them out" when we live in a state where we are out-numbered 2:1 by anti's.

Personally, I would think that you would want to stick a finger in the anti's eyes by making sure that pro-2A Californians aren't hurt by these back-door bans, but that is probably just crazy talk by me.

 

[o3rugby1]

Shipping to Cali can be a nightmare. Use a ffl thats been around not a new guy. Other than that its easy just do your homework. Read the entire descripition includeing shipping several times so you dont miss anything. If your buying off an individual(non ffl) that is shipping to your ffl the non ffl does not have to registerd with cali.

 

[timn8er]

FInd a new FFL, mine is $10.

Same here. Plus, after five transfers they do it for Five bucks.

 

[scout II]

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area and the FFL I use charges $65.00 including the CA DROS.There are lots of good FFL dealers in CA that charge a fair price.There are also some that charge a very high price as they would rather sell you a gun they have then have one shipped in for you.Gunbroker has an FFL finder by zip code that shows local FFL dealers to you and a lot post there prices for receiving guns for you.

 

[etc1006]

I found my 6904 on GB. Found a small shop to use for the FFL for $75 + 10 for state police paperwork. And I'm doing my Utah CCW class with them next month.

 

[V-35]

You need to shop around for a FFL in your area. I have one who charges $10. per, and another charges $20. for 1st gun, then $5. each additional gun on the same day.

Of course, Okla. doesn't have many dumb State laws to 'gum up the works'. I hope that people in Ca, NJ, Il. & NY can have real freedom some day, but thing seem to be going the other way for all of us.

I really don't understand why EVERYBODY on this board doesn't have a NRA badge by their screen name. TALK ABOUT SHORT SIGHTED!!
Also, EVERY gun shop should try to sign up anyone who buys a gun from them. (Why not include NRA membership in the price of the gun) After all, it IS in their best intrest. We don't have a chance, if we don't stick together with words And money against the Very well healed anti's.

Blumburg alone has already said the is going to spend Millions or Billions, (he has 29 Billion) if that what it takes to destroy the NRA & outlaw ALL guns

I just don't see how any gun owner can just sit on their hands and hope 'someone else' carries the load.


Art

 

[hAkron]

Most of the sites will have some kind of 'find an FFL' feature on their site. Make notes of all of the ones in your area and contact them before you buy anything. Tell them you are buying something online in the near future, and would they be interested in doing the transfer. Also get their price. Ask if there are any additional fees (some will charge a transfer AND a fee to call it in). You might also want to ask if they transfer multiple guns for you at a time, do they charge for each. The going rate for a transfer is about $25. Keep looking until you find an FFL who will do it for that or cheaper.

A few of these guys will be 'kitchen table FFLs'. These are industrious men and women who have a regular job, but went to the trouble and expense to get an FFL to either take the hassle out of their own purchases, or just to run a side business. The advantage to using these folks is that they are generally a bit cheaper, and they appreciate the business. The disadvantage is that they might be at their regular job when the shipment arrives, and they may not be able to pick it up until the next day. They also may take a little longer to exchange info with the seller. If you are impatient, you might be better off using a full time FFL.

 

[moe l.]

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area and the FFL I use charges $65.00 including the CA DROS.There are lots of good FFL dealers in CA that charge a fair price.There are also some that charge a very high price as they would rather sell you a gun they have then have one shipped in for you.Gunbroker has an FFL finder by zip code that shows local FFL dealers to you and a lot post there prices for receiving guns for you.

Thanks. My experience has been that if the FFL doesn't carry the gun I'm buying they will handle for their fee. If they carry the gun I'm buying they want to charge the difference plus FFL fee. I've checked with every FFL in my area (I live in Los Angeles) and they all want $150-$175. I didn't think to check w/pawn brokers - good suggestion from a previous poster.

 

[beemerphile]

Shipping to Cali can be a nightmare. Use a ffl thats been around not a new guy. Other than that its easy just do your homework. Read the entire descripition includeing shipping several times so you dont miss anything. If your buying off an individual(non ffl) that is shipping to your ffl the non ffl does not have to registerd with cali.

That is what I do with Cali buyers. I ship from my (non-CA registered) FFL otherwise because fees plus Priority Mail cost is less than Next Day UPS and because some receiving FFL's (thinking the federal laws are not restrictive enough) will not accept from non-FFL's. I leave it to the Cali buyer to confirm that his FFL will accept from an individual and that the gun is importable into CA. If it is not on the list, the CA FFL will not transfer it.

 

[Gryff]

If it is not on the list, the CA FFL will not transfer it.

We have a process called Single-Shot Exemption (SSE) that some dealers (Type 7, I believe) are using to get around the stupid roster. Basically, if a gun is single-shot and has a 6" or longer barrel, it's exempt from the roster requirement.

So, SSE-capable dealers are having 6" barrels made, along with special single-shot sleds for the magwell, for the popular off-roster guns. When the gun arrives, the FFL swaps the barrel and mag, transfers the gun to you (along with the original parts). You step out of the business, turn around, go back in, swap out the parts, give the conversion parts back to the dealer, and walk back out with the original gun. Silly, but it meets the letter of the law and our state DOJ has not been able to put a stop to it yet. A large part of the DOJ's ineffectiveness is that we aren't prohibited from possessing off-roster handguns. The law just prevents dealers from selling off-roster guns to non-LEOs (apparently the state isn't too concerned about LEOs having safe handguns).

Obviously, the buyer has to pay a premium for this service, but the cost isn't usually horrid. My wife purchased her Ruger LCP this way, and I'm hoping to acquire an M&P Pro via SSE. The trick is just finding an SSE FFL who has a barrel for the gun you want.

 

[4011]

My problem with GB is they wanted a bunch of my personal info I didn't want to give them. Have not bought since. Bought several prior to that.

 

[swampeast]

All gunshops here only charge $20 for a transfer. I sold a shotgun on GB and in the listing didn't put any shipping restrictions but after dealing with their **** laws I understand why people don't want to ship to CA, IL, or any other crazy states!!

 

[rwsmith]

That's what going to happen...

All gunshops here only charge $20 for a transfer. I sold a shotgun on GB and in the listing didn't put any shipping restrictions but after dealing with their **** laws I understand why people don't want to ship to CA, IL, or any other crazy states!!

They don't have to ban guns, they just have to make it too much of a hassle to try and own one. These are called 'sensible gun controls'.

 

[rwsmith]

It is almost worthwhile

Everytime I've had the urge to bid, I remember that FFL fees from my local FFL's range from $150-$175. That makes the transaction so much less attractive I just 'pass'. I think in AZ it's only $30.

If you plan on dealing in guns to any extent it would just about be worthwhile to get an FFL. Just a quick study says it would cost about $400, but I don't know what California laws and taxes would do to increase that. Just a thought.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I have had no issues on gunbroker, this forum and two other forums (snipershide and ar15.com)

But, beware: there are scams, as well as bots/automated ads. Armslist.com is especially rife with bots/frauds and should be avoided. You can find the same photos for different ads across the country.

If you're in CA, you have the problem of people not wanting to ship there, which has increased exponentially post Sandy Hook.

 

[swampeast]

Dang just noticed I can't even post the word c rap. Ha oh yes CA laws are anything but sensible!