FFL etiquette when ordering a rifle

[AStudman97]

i suppose they might if you arent sending a copy of the ffl directly.

Basicly I was told they (the shipper) needed to talk to the FFL directly due to the Information I send to them could be false. I decided not to go thru with the deal in the end.

[PaBimmerGuy]

Basicly I was told they (the shipper) needed to talk to the FFL directly due to the Information I send to them could be false. I decided not to go thru with the deal in the end.

that could be but atf has a web site to verify information.

[AStudman97]

that could be but aft has a web site to verify information.

I had no Idea... Good to know!

[renalp]

just make sure its not from Buds they will not do a FFL shipment from them And i can understand why.

Can you explain why?

[PA Rifleman]

Hi all,

I'm sure this marks me as a noob, but I was wondering what the etiquette is for having a rifle shipped to an FFL -.... should I contact them prior to ordering? ...

^ This. I doubt you'll even be able to order. You'll definitely be discussing this in detail before ordering anything through a dealer, either a brick & mortar shop or a kitchen-table dealer.

It's been a while since I leafed through 27 CFR 178, but here's how I recall how it applies today:

Ordering through an FFL generally has three primary details, all of which require agreement or at least familiarization before ordering.


Ordering protocol, FFL:
The two styles seem to be:

• Customer orders or buys, arranges shipping to FFL place of business, then calls FFL with all the details
• Customer goes to FFL with make/model gun info, FFL handles finance, interaction with seller and shipping arrangements.

since the shipper needs to have a copy of the shippees ffl on file before shipping you might have to have the receiving ffl send his off before you order.

To put a finer point on it: Federal Firearms Licenses concern receipt of firearms through commerce channels. It's legal for a non-licensee to ship to an FFL (dealer) or repair facility, but not to another non-licensee. In other words, you can ship a gun back to the factory for repairs, but not to another person if you sold it to them. Also, as a non-licensee, other parties may not legally ship modern firearms to you. Significance: Many FFLs will not accept shipments from non-FFLs dealers. It can complicate matters for the FFL if there's a problem with the transaction. If the gun isn't wanted for any reason by the customer, the FFL is stuck with the gun. This is why it's so common to hear that copies of FFLs are required on both ends. Likewise, UPS will not accept firearms in lieu of an FFL (also their policy). What to ask: This will become important if you try to buy a gun online (typically gunbroker) and the seller fails to mention they lack an FFL. Ask your dealer about shipments from non-FFLs. If your dealer won't accept shipments from non-licensees, you'll have to ask the seller about this detail before payment on any firearm under consideration.

Payment:
Depending on the FFL, you'll either pay the FFL, or pay the seller and a fractional amount to the dealer. This will either be a fixed fee or a percentage, depending on the dealer's policies. Don't forget to allow for PICS and PA state sales tax.

Notification:
Some dealers will require prior discussion or approval before ordering or buying a gun, others may be more lenient. Again, this depends on the dealer. In nearly every case, they will at least want to know a package is en route.

Also, I'm Located in West Chester if anyone has recommendations for an FFL.

The closest brick & mortar gun shop to WC that I'm aware of is Gordon's in Lionville.
http://www.gordonssportssupply.com/

By the looks of their web page, they might be able to handle your needs. The rest are kitchen-table dealers.

King's in King of Prussia also gets frequent high marks, John Bennett in Phoenixville is on this board. I haven't personally dealt with either.

And then there's Google...

Ahhh yes forgot Your a West chester boy... And Havetown ... And Springfield....

That would be "Springfld" in local vernacular.

that could be but aft has a web site to verify information.

And that would be BATFE, their instant-check portal is:

https://www.atfonline.gov/fflezcheck/

Note that this works only for "01" dealers (commercial dealers), not 03 FFLs (curio & relic licensees).

[AStudman97]

Can you explain why?

Its a retail thing. Buds buys in bulk that drives the price down. Your typical local shop may Buy 4 of the New Springfield 5.25 XDM in 9MM for $600 and sell it for $650 (prices are all off the top of the head) and take 4 months to sell them..
Buds May buy 400 and get a Bulk rate for 475 each and sell them for $550. and sell out in 3 weeks..
The rate of Profit is MUCH hire for buds. But your local Dealer cant even Touch the price with out losing money.
The Other thing is Shops do whats Loss leaders... Discount a Item less then what they pay to get you in the door/webpage they typicly have Little inventory on the item But get you in as hope that while there you will Buy something else... Examples of this are Black fiday sales.. They only have 15 of the Big screen TV that you want for $50.00 But people will come in all day to get it and walk out with other stuff..

[renalp]

Its a retail thing. Buds buys in bulk that drives the price down. Your typical local shop may Buy 4 of the New Springfield 5.25 XDM in 9MM for $600 and sell it for $650 (prices are all off the top of the head) and take 4 months to sell them..

OK, I thought maybe there was something specific about Bud's that they didn't like.

Sure, local shops don't want competition from internet sellers. However, the internet marketplace isn't going away, and refusing to accept transfers seems like a losing batle. The customer will just go elsewhere, and the shop that handles the transfer makes $25 or $35 off the deal, plus they get a customer in the door for possible accessory and ammo sales and future business.

[AStudman97]

OK, I thought maybe there was something specific about Bud's that they didn't like.

Sure, local shops don't want competition from internet sellers. However, the internet marketplace isn't going away, and refusing to accept transfers seems like a losing batle. The customer will just go elsewhere, and the shop that handles the transfer makes $25 or $35 off the deal, plus they get a customer in the door for possible accessory and ammo sales and future business.

I want to be Clear... They Are NOT shying away from internet sales.. The only Avoid Buds.... They are very resonable. Everytime i have gone in and shown them a deal I found online they Match or beat it saving me even more money on shipping also. The fact that they Help with any issues with the weapon even after Its been shot a ton They stand behind EVERY thing. Also The FFL fee from what I understand does not cover what it takes to file paperwork and overhead and staffing. You would need to do a LOT of that to make it worth it.

[PaBimmerGuy]

The rate of Profit is MUCH hire for buds. But your local Dealer cant even Touch the price with out losing money.

they use their profits for employees?

[topsykretts]

Here's the deal with my FFL (who I no longer use because they charge 100$ *COUGH FIRINGLINE COUGH*).. I order, have it sent there, when it arrives I call them to confirm they've transfered it into their books and they're ready to transfer it to me, then I go and pick it up and get robbed (by the ffl).