Using gun shops ffl to receive gun

[jkmo]

The last few years I have bought a couple of guns off GA or GB and used local gunshop's ffl to get the guns. Both times I felt like there attitude was bad. Like it makes them angry I'm buying a gun off the internet instead of them (which is probably true).

I would think they would be saying to me, Hey next time you are thinking about a gun give me a chance and let's see if we can make a deal. I would respond positively to something like that but it has been a poor attitude both times.

Anybody else see this?

Also what is the ffl transfer fee in your area?
It was $50 and $40 for the 2 different guns I am talking about. 50 for a Ruger 44 Blackhawk and 40 for a Brownng over and under

Thanks

 

[gregintenn]

My friend owns a gun store, and he charges $20 per gun plus the $10 background check. He's happy to do it, and says it is the easiest money he makes.

 

[2x6]

I could see that they might be unhappy if you didn't price a new or currently manufactured firearm with them before buying elsewhere. They shouldn't be upset about a used firearm or a firearm that is no longer maunfactured. It's pretty easy money for a little paperwork. Fifty dollars seems steep for a tranfer fee. It's normally $25 to $35 around here.

 

[Forester]

The local shop two miles from my door charges $50. The little guy 30 minutes away charges $25. He says it is easy money. The local shop has great people and good prices on everything else. they are also very friendly and helpful. They get my regular business but the odd transfer goes to the cheaper guy.

 

[walnutred]

My small, local shot is probably 10 miles away. However he only charges $20 and I can swing by on my way home from work. He must think its reasonable money because he eventually just gave me a copy of his FFL and told me to make copies as needed. Just give him a heads up when I order something. As everything would still have to be delivered to his address I guess he figures it's safe enough.

I do buy ammo from him, though at the prices he charges I don't know where he's getting it. Last week I bought 4 boxes of 9x19 factory for $11 a box.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My local gun store charges $25.00 for any gun. While doing the transfer I always buy other stuff in their store to compliment the transfer. When I bought my last guy I gave them the opportunity to beat the price I was quoted at Bud's Guns...they couldn't do it and recommended that I buy it from Bud's....nice folks.

 

[Filbird]

What is the standard mark-up for a handgun in a gun shop, anyway? You plop down $500 for a gun, what do they make on it? Just wondering if the $35 transfer fee is all that much less than what they might make from some of their actual gun sales, especially where there are several competing stores.

Of course, nowadays, with everyone worrying about impending gun laws, I'm sure they are making more money than usual - it's a seller's market...

 

[Photog]

My local guy charges around 10 percent of the cost of the gun or $40, whichever is cheaper.
I really don't understand why dealers have a problem in transferring guns. It is easy money for them, not an inventory item that they have paid for and is sitting, no worries about warranty or such things.

 

[safearm]

I pass right by a shop going to and from work. I stopped in a couple of weeks ago to see if they would accept a transfer; they gave me a copy of their FFL to send to the shipper (and I'm allowed to make as many copies as I need). They charge $25.00 (plus the obligitory sales tax) for any firearm transfer. I've bought and traded with them in the past; they're now the only place I'll go. They also have a gunsmith on contract that does fantastic work.
P.S.-the only guns I've purchased on-line have been from members of this forum.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Around here, most shops charge about $100 plus state fees. With all the headaches of CA laws, they just don't want to do it, so they try to make it so expensive, that no one wants to do it. I have only done it once, and I didn't pay near that much, although that is the regular price at the dealer I used.

 

[H Richard]

Guess I'm lucky. My close friend does internet sales of guns for people. He only asks I pay the $2 phone call for the check out. He does get invited to my house for dinner and drinks. I believe he charges 10% to sell a gun on the internet. I seldom sell one.

 

[USAF385]

Two of the shops I frequent won't even accept orders from online. One is.. just a bunch of stubborn older gents who I really wouldn't expect to do it.. the other is a younger guy but half his stuff is way over priced and probably doesn't feel it is worth his time.

 

[zoom6zoom]

They charge $25.00 (plus the obligitory sales tax)

How can they charge you sales tax on something they didn't sell you?

 

[Thicker]

One gun shop wasn't too helpful in the transfer of a weapon,but the shop I am dealing with now seems to friendly and fair to me.

 

[straightshooter1]

zoom:

One FFl here charges sales tax, the others do not.

The Florida Department of Revenue says the sale occurs here, thus tax must be collected.

There's an argument for their position. You cannot buy a gun in another state without going through an FFL (not talking about C&R), so they say the gun is being "sold" to the local dealer who then "sells" the gun to you with the 4473 and background check. That the $ for the gun never touches the local FFL's hands means nothing to them.

I bet you are not surprised the tax collecting agency would say anything resembling a sale must involve sales tax. Florida tries to collect taxes on clothes, etc. purchased from Land's End, Eddie Bauer, etc., but has had little success since its Revenue Department is pretty strapped for resources.

I don't know of anyone who has challenged this argument. As I said, other FFLs just ignore it.

They are probably safe as there is almost never a sales tax audit unless the business stops paying the tax or there is a complaint.

The one FFL is just real careful to dot the i's
and cross the t's.

Other states, of course, have different laws and rules.

Bob

 

[mtgianni]

Local pawn shop charges $10. It is against MT law to charge for the phone call, which is a toll free #.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Twenty bucks, or is it twenty five, I forget. I drive an hour each way.

If you check Gunbroker or Auction Arms, there ought be a list of transfer dealers in your area.

 

[oldRoger]

There are several FFLs within easy reach of me. The best gun store is usually reasonable to buy from but really resents a sale from elsewhere; he is a very competitive guy and wants to make the sale, so he socks it to you if you want a transfer.
One has The Florida Use Tax ingrained (see straightshooters remarks) and wants to charge sales tax +fee, one wants a percent, no top limit but a minimum.
I suggest looking at pawn shops, they usually don't sell new guns, their stock is limited so they don't have what you want anyway, and they are used to making their money a bit at a time. The one who transfers for me charges $25 + postage if outgoing.

 

[deadin]

re the dealer charging sales tax on a transfer.
As there is no place for him to record or reason for him to know what the actual sales price was, I would just be one of those real bargain hunters that finds all of my guns for 5 or 10 dollars each.

 

[bamafan1977]

The FFL that I use charges $20. I do alot of business with them, besides transfers. New customer, it'll cost them $40.