Background Check Fee?

[LineWalker]

Looking through the mail today, I received one of those fairly large mailer packs which contains coupons for local businesses. I typically flip through them quickly before throwing them in the trash, however, there was one particular mailer that got my attention. It was for a LGS that contained a coupon for a "Free Background Check (with purchase of firearm)". The last time I purchased a firearm was a at a LGS (not long ago), I did not recall an extra charge for a PICS background check. That's not to say there was no a charge, but if so, I didn't recall one. So, if this LGS is offering a coupon for a free background check, it seems to me the implication is that there is a background check fee. Can anyone confirm? Part of me thinks this is just a marketing stint to get customers in their door.

I already checked previous threads here, but wasn't able to find an answer.

Any insight is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[ExFlyinguy]

If you buy from a PA Dealer there is a $2 Pics Fee and a $3 taxable gun Surcharge. If you buy online from out of state and have it transferred at your FFL of choice there is just the $2 PICS fee + FFL fee.

ETA: Pics fee & Surcharge are fees from the State and get mailed to the PSP.

[greenjohn88]

Total bullshit, no one does that outside of gun shows.

Someone who decides to charge the $5 PICS fee on top of the list price at their store will make other decisions that put them out of business and deservedly so.

Name and shame the LGS, if you don't mind.

[esh21167]

Some tack it on and some include it in a purchase. It does cost the FFL $2 though.

[knight0334]

Total bullshit, no one does that outside of gun shows.

Someone who decides to charge the $5 PICS fee on top of the list price at their store will make other decisions that put them out of business and deservedly so.

Name and shame the LGS, if you don't mind.

Actually most do that I shop at.

They do it so that the $5 isn't taxed. ...which would be a tax being taxed.

You really are better off with them separating it from the cost of the gun.

[LineWalker]

Total bullshit, no one does that outside of gun shows.

Someone who decides to charge the $5 PICS fee on top of the list price at their store will make other decisions that put them out of business and deservedly so.

Name and shame the LGS, if you don't mind.

PM inbound.

[ungawa]

It's uncommon, but not rare. When it comes to dealer stock I expect there will be no fee, and I have never paid one. Obviously if they are doing a transfer or receiving merchandise you ordered directly it is only fair they charge a fee much greater than $5. $20 seems to be good, $30 seems to be bad, anything outside that range is either a steal or a ripoff.

[TaePo]

Some tack it on and some include it in a purchase. It does cost the FFL $2 though.

Let's not forget the indirect cost of manually searching hundreds to thousands of paperwork to find info that a sobbing officer needs to get a stolen one off the streets or the cry baby users who didn't save their paperwork separate and safely away from the actual firearm like we ask at time of sale etc.

"I think we bought it from you in August or September three or four years ago."

In less than two years, I have heard it all. There's a lot more than just filling out forms (exact and perfectly I should add) that is involved.

[raxar]

Total bullshit, no one does that outside of gun shows.

Someone who decides to charge the $5 PICS fee on top of the list price at their store will make other decisions that put them out of business and deservedly so.

Name and shame the LGS, if you don't mind.

Every local gunshop does it, a couple charge over $5, once charges $8 and the other $10

[Orlov556]

Total bullshit, no one does that outside of gun shows.

Someone who decides to charge the $5 PICS fee on top of the list price at their store will make other decisions that put them out of business and deservedly so.

Name and shame the LGS, if you don't mind.

I wouldn't trust a shop that didn't charge me $5 for the pics fee. 2.00 for the BG check and 3 per taxable firearm. Should be itemized so you don't pay tax on a tax. I would bet that the shops not charging the fee are charging you too much for the gun. Have a local shop here who itemizes it out and his prices are the lowest in the area, and most of the time he beats online prices too.