"My understanding is you have to set up the deal with a local FFL dealer that charges you a transfer fee, plus the background check fee and then a Brady law fee. Plus shipping in most cases. After all of those charges, that might end up being more than me just purchasing it locally and paying sales tax."
My local FFL charges $30 period.
So I pay the gun price , + shipping
( maybe $25 - Buds ships most guns free ) + $30 transfer - NO SALES TAX
If you order a gun from your FFL you will pay his price plus sales tax.