FFL transfers - Has anyone had this problem?

[gordon21]

I don't understand the logic of not giving the FFL number to a customer. Anyone can go online and look up the FFL number of any licensee (except C&R). I have only done one transfer in my life. I asked a local pawn shop if he would do it. He said no problem: $25. I said this is your FFL number XXXXXXX, right?? I want to give it to the seller on an auction site. He was kinda stunned as to how I got it. I told him about 2 minutes on the internet was all I needed to get it.

I prefer local purchases, but sometimes if you want an oddball item, you have to go out of market to find it.

 

[Muss Muggins]

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

Here they ask for the purchase price because they charge state sales tax after the fact. Their FFL "service" is also a profit center so they can add additional fees as they see fit. In other words, yes, they wanted to make the original sale.

That is impressive that a business can charge state sales tax on something they did not sell . . .

 

[Ματθιας]

So, yesterday, I'm with a buddy at a local LGS and I see a new .308 AK. It's marked at $589. Add to that about $40+or- tax and the total price is around $630. Having tried to haggle with them on price before, I know they won't budge.

I look around online and the price is $565 shipped to my pawnshop FFL + the $16 transfer is $581.05.

If I order online, I save ~$49.

And no, I didn't ask the sales person to help me (despite that being his job)- he was too busy on his iphone. And no I didn't order it online.

I have to ask, if I was going to order it, why would I want to spend an extra $50?

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have had these problems numerous times. I ran a thread on it....the shop owners are jealous of the business being done online. It is that simple.

I heard a bunch of guys jump in to try to stick up for the dealers. Over time I realized that they too were often dealers working this forum, Gunbroker and some may have had their own brick & mortar establishments.


I have one FFL that receives all my purchases. There have been more than 25 this year. He is happy to have the business.

When I do local purchases I do that at the shop three blocks from my house. They are a neighborhood landmark. Over 40 years in business. I hang out there once or twice a week and buy from them often. I will not ship a gun to them however. They don't want the business really. I am okay with that.

Sadly these two brothers are retiring near the end of the year. The store will stay open but it will not be the same. I will miss them.

Joe




Can you spot the "New York Reload N Frame Appendix Carry" on this guy?

Better not mess with him. He looks dangerous to me.











To be honest, he is a good friend and a great guy.

Actually, you can . . .

 

[KevinCH]

So, yesterday, I'm with a buddy at a local LGS and I see a new .308 AK. It's marked at $589. Add to that about $40+or- tax and the total price is around $630. Having tried to haggle with them on price before, I know they won't budge.

I look around online and the price is $565 shipped to my pawnshop FFL + the $16 transfer is $581.05.

If I order online, I save ~$49.

And no, I didn't ask the sales person to help me (despite that being his job)- he was too busy on his iphone. And no I didn't order it online.

I have to ask, if I was going to order it, why would I want to spend an extra $50?

That's less than 10% more than an online purchase - around 8%. If the LGS proprietor is "a good guy" & a shop I like to frequent, I'll pay that extra amount to have a local brick-and-mortar store that is fun to visit & where I can touch & feel the merchandise & take my gun when I lay down my cash.

 

[TTSH]

That's less than 10% more than an online purchase - around 8%. If the LGS proprietor is "a good guy" & a shop I like to frequent, I'll pay that extra amount to have a local brick-and-mortar store that is fun to visit & where I can touch & feel the merchandise & take my gun when I lay down my cash.

That probably wasn't the greatest example of when to blow off your local LGS and do a buy-online-with-transfer thing instead. But some of us don't have the extra $50 sitting around to do otherwise. Being retired (not by choice) and on a relatively small fixed income, I live and die by my budget. I have passed up guns for as little as a $25 difference in my offer vs. their price simply because my wallet and bank account didn't have that extra $25 in it.

Conversely, $50.00 is nothing to some folks. Chump change. Vest pocket money. Chicken feed. I get that. If I were in a strong position to pay that extra $50 to be able to buy it from my local LGS, I certainly would do so.

 

[hittman77]

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

Well said.

I have a couple of buddies who like to "save" paying sales tax yet they fork over $30.00 shipping plus $25 to $50 FFL transfer me. (~ ?? ~) Sounds like they're mad at their money but ..... to each his own.