FFL Transfer Charges
- Thread starter Mozart 2
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dsb1829
Member
My local N.AL FFLs are $25-45. In CA Bay Area, where I am from, they range anywhere from $65-100. Guess the extra CA paperwork is worth an arm and a leg.
skipjack
Member
"i personally think any shop that charges $50 or more for a transfer shouldn't be doing transfers in the first place.
if you don't want to do them just flat out don't do them instead of ripping people off. "
It is called supply and demand. If you don't want to pay my fee, find
someone who will do it cheaper. If you agree that my fee is reasonable,
then it is just business.
I have had people question my fee...a local kitchen table guy charges
half of what I charge. Problem is, he is hard to get in touch with, and
one has to make an appointment to get their firearm.
My store is open 7 days a week.
Bear in mind that handgun transfers in Maryland means
two trips to the receiving dealer. The buyer has to
decide if saving $25 is worth the convenience of dealing with me.
Either way, no hard feelings on my part.
if you don't want to do them just flat out don't do them instead of ripping people off. "
It is called supply and demand. If you don't want to pay my fee, find
someone who will do it cheaper. If you agree that my fee is reasonable,
then it is just business.
I have had people question my fee...a local kitchen table guy charges
half of what I charge. Problem is, he is hard to get in touch with, and
one has to make an appointment to get their firearm.
My store is open 7 days a week.
Bear in mind that handgun transfers in Maryland means
two trips to the receiving dealer. The buyer has to
decide if saving $25 is worth the convenience of dealing with me.
Either way, no hard feelings on my part.
I just paid $35 last week in western Ohio for a transfer. Most I have ever paid. Used to be $15-20. This is a relatively small shop. They didn't stock the exact model I had tranferred but based on what they did stock for this manufacturers, I would have paid about $120 more plus $35 in state tax.
I, like many others here, would rather buy directly from the local shop but not at a 20%-25% premium.
I, like many others here, would rather buy directly from the local shop but not at a 20%-25% premium.
dirtyjim
Member
i would not be a willing participant so i would not be the one getting ripped off, and regardless of what you claim it is a rip off and only an uneducated person would claim otherwise.
there is a difference between being reasonable and charging an outrageous fee for something that you don't want to do in the first place.
if the vast majority of transfers were reasonable we wouldn't be having this conversation right now.
it seems that in the last two years everyone but the tabletop ffl's and pawnshops have doubled their fees. i'm also seriously considering upgrading my c&r to a 01ffl & doing free transfers just to annoy the rip-off artists in the area
What is "reasonable"? Is it based on the lowest price published anywhere in the U.S? Who are you to decide?
I have talked to all kinds of tradespeople who tell me they've shot customers high prices because they didnt really want the work. Sometimes they get the job anyway. Is the customer "ripped off" in that situation? Or is the customer getting the best deal for him?
And there is no "upgrading" a Class03 C&R to an 01 Dealer. They are completely different with completely different purposes. You want to engage in the firearms business, go in peace.
I have talked to all kinds of tradespeople who tell me they've shot customers high prices because they didnt really want the work. Sometimes they get the job anyway. Is the customer "ripped off" in that situation? Or is the customer getting the best deal for him?
And there is no "upgrading" a Class03 C&R to an 01 Dealer. They are completely different with completely different purposes. You want to engage in the firearms business, go in peace.
Acera
Member
Regarding this subject I did a poll year before last on it.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=485448&highlight=FFL
Over 80% of respondents said they paid $30 or less.
Do you guys think the prices have basically stayed the same or moved from then? I would think that the prices have fallen from my experience.
The last set of guns I have transferred went through a store front, on a major Interstate, with regular business hours for $20. The last time they did two for $20 total! Good folks in you need that service in The Woodlands, TX from Operators Edge.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=485448&highlight=FFL
Over 80% of respondents said they paid $30 or less.
Do you guys think the prices have basically stayed the same or moved from then? I would think that the prices have fallen from my experience.
The last set of guns I have transferred went through a store front, on a major Interstate, with regular business hours for $20. The last time they did two for $20 total! Good folks in you need that service in The Woodlands, TX from Operators Edge.
Mozart 2
Member
oneounceload
member
Again, what is a common amount in MY area might not even be close to what they are in YOUR area - that does not mean one person is getting "ripped off" - it means that free market economics are working in your area.
And t all those who think it is so easy and there's a fortune to be made - get your FFL and do $10 transfers and make a fortune................funny how those who complain the most are the ones who wouldn't consider doing just this
skipjack
Member
I would invite anyone who thinks that I should be delighted
to do transfers to start their own business, and do transfers
for less.
You will need to get a good safe, an alarm system and
insurance for liability and for the guns while in your possession.
Of course, be ready for ATF and state audits, and the
call from the ATF tracking center, if one of your transfers
ends up being used in a crime or lost. They are famous
for needing forms faxed at least three times.
You will also be able to be entertained by the endless calls
asking if the gun arrived. Never mind that one can find that
out with a tracking number from the shipper.
Once the gun arrives you get to listen how it is either
the wrong gun, or how much you must be crazy to try
and sell the same thing for a higher price.
Lastly, don't worry about stocking anything in your store.
They won't buy it from you...it is cheaper on the internet!
to do transfers to start their own business, and do transfers
for less.
You will need to get a good safe, an alarm system and
insurance for liability and for the guns while in your possession.
Of course, be ready for ATF and state audits, and the
call from the ATF tracking center, if one of your transfers
ends up being used in a crime or lost. They are famous
for needing forms faxed at least three times.
You will also be able to be entertained by the endless calls
asking if the gun arrived. Never mind that one can find that
out with a tracking number from the shipper.
Once the gun arrives you get to listen how it is either
the wrong gun, or how much you must be crazy to try
and sell the same thing for a higher price.
Lastly, don't worry about stocking anything in your store.
They won't buy it from you...it is cheaper on the internet!
Mozart 2
Member
I find it interesting that when customers complain about high prices, the merchants are quick to claim "free market." Yet, when the customer goes to the internet for lower prices, the merchants start complaining about lost sales...
Capitalism is a 2-way street...
Capitalism is a 2-way street...
Hanzo581
Member
$30 at the shop I go to. There are a few places where I can get it a little cheaper but the people at this shop are much more friendly so they get my money.
oneounceload
member
And when you have to go through an FFL to get ammo shipped you bought from the internet, the howling will really start..........think something like CA in February...........
why pay at all
here in kansas city there are many free options for ffl transfers.. not just from buddies, or for large purchases.. many shops just choose to do them for free! I have never paid for a transfer. I have sold guns where people insisted on going to their buddy, or a big name store, and they asked me to split the transfer on the sale. I refuse. I don't see paying anything when there are free options. and it's not like your buying a cheese burger where some taste better. a 4473 is a 4473.
here in kansas city there are many free options for ffl transfers.. not just from buddies, or for large purchases.. many shops just choose to do them for free! I have never paid for a transfer. I have sold guns where people insisted on going to their buddy, or a big name store, and they asked me to split the transfer on the sale. I refuse. I don't see paying anything when there are free options. and it's not like your buying a cheese burger where some taste better. a 4473 is a 4473.
Mozart 2
Member
...please see post #61 in this thread...
Hanzo581
Member
I am not saying you are lying, but what possible reason would a gun shop do a transfer for me for free?
I guess they want to attract business.. I have no reason to lie.. and I honestly would rather not just post names up here.. however if someone is here in kc, I would be more than happy steer them toward a local shop.. actually now that I think of it one shop (not the one I use) asks for donations to local charity in exchange for transfers
Last edited:
skipjack
Member
Mozart,
I would hardly call post 61, by me, as complaining about lost
sales...more an answer to folks who complain about the way
dealers are "ripping people off".
I would hardly call post 61, by me, as complaining about lost
sales...more an answer to folks who complain about the way
dealers are "ripping people off".
RhinoDefense
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2010
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- 883
Customers complain about a $40 transfer but have no problem buying a gun from a dealer that makes $150+ gross profit from the sale.
oneounceload
member
What guns are there, under 1K, that have that markup?
RhinoDefense
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2010
- Messages
- 883
Under $1,000 I'm not sure. I don't deal with the low budget guns.
Mozart 2
Member
The overall tone of the post sounded to me like complaining...sorry, my bad.
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