Internet Gun Sales and Transfer Fees?

[Watchdog]

I'm not sure this is the right forum category to put this question in, but since it involves a pre-1961 revolver, this is where I'll put it.

I'm seeing something on a popular online auction site I don't remember seeing before.

The seller is increasing "shipping" costs because he states he has to pay a transfer fee in order for his FFL dealer to ship the gun. I'm guessing he's talking about transfering ownership of the gun to his FFL person?

Then, if I should buy the gun, I'll have to pay another transfer fee to my FFL dealer when I get the gun.

This doesn't sound right to me. When I've sold guns and shipped them through my FFL dealer, I don't recall paying a transfer fee on my end...all I remember paying is the shipping that my dealer charges me, which is $39.

Frankly, this sounds kinda hinky to me. If I'm charged for his transfer fee, then for my own...by the time you add in shipping, I'm paying out a good bit over a hundred bucks more than the gun is actually worth.

How does this sound to any of you? I hope I'm explaining this right. Anyone have any experience with two transfer fees? Does the procedures and fees vary state to state?

 

[Wee Hooker]

It sounds like normal business to me. The seller brings the handgun to his/her FFL for processing through his/her books and shipment to the buyers FFL. The buyers FFL receives the gun and transfers the gun to the buyer. Both FFL holders are required to process the gun through their books and regularly charge for it. Generally speaking, the buyer and seller pay their respective FFL's themselves. I'll also add is that many FFL's charge different rates for incoming and outgoing transfers.
It's the cost of buying guns on the net and should be factored in ( along with shipping) to the end price before bidding.

 

[GerSan69]

Probably some sort of "add-on" fee from his state. Where is he? Should be easy enough to google the fee for more information.
We have sort of a "transfer fee" in Colorado... the state charges FFL dealers $10 for the NICS check, which of course is passed on to the buyer. Don't know of any fees to sellers here though.

 

[vytoland]

When I've sold guns and shipped them through my FFL dealer, I don't recall paying a transfer fee on my end...all I remember paying is the shipping that my dealer charges me, which is $39.

the $39 you pay to your FFL includes his FFL fee and shipping. the cost of the sellers ffl is passed on to the buyer in most cases.

you have to factor in all costs, shipping, ffl, insurance, etc....if you still want the gun at the total price....buy it.....

 

[raljr1]

Pretty typical since many FL holders are very reluctant to receive firearms from a private person. Non FL holder.

 

[jjbrewst1]

There is NO Charge for a FFL to Put a Gun out of his Book...Unless the FFL chooses to Charge one...I Would just choose a Different FFL...

If a Guy wants to sell a Gun he should add his fees into the Price instead of sticking it to the Buyer...Might at least help initial sticker shock...

I wont Pay more than a reasonable amount...Just My .02 cents...A hundred bucks up and above a Guns selling price is Out of Hand and crazy and something I refuse to do..But to each there own...

 

[cgt4570]

My local FFL friend will receive or ship anything for $10 over his costs. Very fair for his time. Most charge more.

 

[opoefc]

There's two things going on here ( maybe more) - (1) Different states, and some cities have imposed "transfer fees" on gun sales, as a revenue source. Depending on where you live and where you send, or receive, the gun can generate different fees., and (2) Some dealers feel that the service they supply you to receive a gun you didn't buy from them, using their FFL , should have a surcharge, or extra "fee." over and above what the would charge you for a gun you bought from them. If that's the case, it's your decision whether to keep using that dealer, or not. If he keeps his eye open for a S&W coming in the store and calls you first, his extra fee may be worth it. Ed.

 

[gdnagle]

The FFL is doing a service he is logging it in, packing, as he needs to see the S/N to log, taking to the PO. His time is worth something. Usually most factor it into the price and you don't see it but it's there.

 

[mchom]

It sounds to me that the problem is caused by the receiving FFL insisting on having the gun shipped from another FFL. Not sure how laws differ from state to state. My own FFL dealer here in Texas is fine with the seller providing a copy of their Drivers License so its just one fee.

 

[Engine49guy]

IIRC a seller does not need to ship through an FFL when it is being received by an FFL.

The advantage of going through an FFL to ship a handgun is the FFL dealer can use the US Mail where a private party
must use FEDEX or UPS which charges more.

Transfer fees on the receiving end can vary but for guns made before todays date 50 years ago the FFL 03 (C&R license)
comes in very handy as it ships right to your door saving the TX and call in fees etc.

 

[sunnyd]

I have bought several guns off of the net. Most disclose the cost of shipping in the add and that is part of the total price. I recently purchase one that said free shipping. After I won the bid the seller sent me a message and said there would be $35 shipping and another $35 for the dealer transfer on his end. I told him he could keep the gun.

 

[raylan007]

It is your option in the end

I use my FFL to ship the occasional revolver to avoid the outrageous rates that UPS or Fedex charge for their policy of next day only for shipping a handgun from a individual (non FFL) to a FFL . I reside on the west coast so if my buyer happens to be on the east coast it is guaranteed to exceed $100.

My FFL on the other will ship USPS Priority and charge me a flat rate of $50 so there are no surprises as with auctions that state in their shipping terms, shipping charge (ACTUAL) that can leave a big variance depending on who wins their auction and in what zip code

I usually state in my auction shipping. $30-35 and eat the difference because anything in excess of $35 shipping when I am checking out auctions turns me off, but that is just me.

I inquired with my FFL if in shipping for me whether he had to log in the shipment and got a definite yes to my inquiry but they are a pawn shop so I suppose they go by the book which is what I want so nothing comes back on me.

I think your seller is jacking you around due to knowing your desire for his gun. The base price of a Priority Mail container for any revolver shipped to any zip code is $15, add another $5-7 for insurance and there you have it.

Good Luck, Today I received a revolver and did some quick math to realize that I have racked up enough FFL fees and shipping to have purchased a couple of really nice revolvers but in our small town it is online or nothing when it comes to either new or used Smith revolvers.

 

[quinn]

IIRC a seller does not need to ship through an FFL when it is being received by an FFL.

The advantage of going through an FFL to ship a handgun is the FFL dealer can use the US Mail where a private party
must use FEDEX or UPS which charges more.

Transfer fees on the receiving end can vary but for guns made before todays date 50 years ago the FFL 03 (C&R license)
comes in very handy as it ships right to your door saving the TX and call in fees etc.

Only an FFL can ship a handgun via USPS, typically priority mail. I pay my FFL $25 plus roughly $25 mailing with insurance. FedEx will allow me as an individual to ship a handgun to your dealer but it must be "overnight" at a typical charge of $75 or more. Ergo, buying from an individual it may be less expensive to go through an FFL at the seller's end.

 

[Old TexMex]

My FFL shop charges 25 to receive, zero to send.

 

[glowe]

Here is the quandry, most of the auction houses online have their own FFLs, so they are not paying anyone to send a gun out. There should be no other fees except for the auction premium and the shipping. Still some online houses are now adding a transfer fee.

I found an antique that was listed at one auction and it stated a transfer fee would be charged. I called the auction house, since antiques do not need to be cleared by an FFL. The appraiser called me back and said theey made the mistake on dating the gun. I asked him about the transfer fee and he stated it was established to recover the appraisal fees for valuing the guns and drafting the descriptions in the auction. The appraisals were done by an outside firm, who also had the FFL and did shipping. He was very helpful and told me that I do not have to pay the $10 fee since the gun was not described correctly.

So, bottom line is that the transfer fees are not always dealing with the actual use of the FFL. I wonder, however, if some of these charges should be part of doing business and why are these companies recharging every expense to the buyers and sellers?

 

[Nicksterdemus]

No one is raffling off the wares at cost + premium + shipping though many are attempting to add shipper to their resume of services provided. The cost of doing business too often is giving the buyer the business.

As well why would I be submitted to NCIS check twice in one transaction? The internet seller isn't shipping the arm to me. As a transfer my ffl is required by the goobermint to run me through a check and I must fill out the paperwork there as that is the point that I am taking control/ownership of the arm.

 

[H Richard]

Many auction houses do not have an in house FFL, and rely on a local FFL to provide the service, usually for a flat $10 or so fee. That would be charged in addition the whatever shipping and fee's the auction house assesses. If I sell a gun and the receiving FFL requires the shipment to be sent from an FFL, my FFL charges me $20 plus the USPS shipping which for a handgun is usually around $13- $15. I understand from others that this is a fairly low fee, and many others charge quite a bit more.

 

[crsides]

I had a recent transaction on the forum here and the auction said actual cost to ship. The seller assumed that included the fee charged by his FFL plus the carrier costs. I PM'd him that normal protocol was for the seller and the buyer to pay there own FFL fees. The shipping charged by the carrier was the only thing included in the "plus actual shipping" amount. He was ok with that and we agreed on $30 for the actual shipping fee since the exact mount is unknown when paying for the gun.

Charlie

 

[jsfricks]

I sent one out through my FFL the other day. She has to run it through her books but she charges nothing to send and receive. It's all free. She's hoping that she gets a lot of sales this way and I'm sure it helps. When I ship through her I leave her a generous tip.