Ohh the agony... thanks to local FFL holder.

[centermass]

I purchased a "new to me" CZ 75BD via GunBroker last week. The seller and I have been in constant communication since the auction, he's a heck of a nice guy in Arizona. I am off of work on Fridays and Saturdays, so last Friday I proceeded to my local FFL to send out the paperwork (even supplied my own stamped and addressed envelope!) assuming he was going to send it out that day... We all know what happens when we assume, right ? I noticed while I was in his shop that he was packing most of his firearms up in preparation for a local show. He put the signed copy of the FFL in the envelope, sealed it up, gave me my receipt, and I was on my happy-go-lucky way. When I got home, I informed the seller of aforementioned pistol that the FFL was on its way, he told me that as soon as he received it he would ship out the gun and e-mail me with the tracking number. Pretty routine.
The same day, I purchased a couple of standard capacity (16rd) magazines from a gentleman all the way across the country (about as far as you can get, he's in Alaska, I'm in Florida), which arrived on Tuesday. 3 days, not bad! Ordered some ammo from Natchez Shooter's Supply, arrived Wednesday. By now, I'm getting concerned about my copy of the FFL being lost in the mail, so I e-mail the seller. Surely the post office would deliver a letter to Arizona faster than something can arrive to me from ALASKA, right? Still no FFL.
I called my local, he admits that he did not mail it out until last Monday! AWWW MAN! :banghead: At any rate, it did arrive to the seller today but he won't be sending it out until tomorrow, which means it won't arrive until Monday (stupid UPS charging a small fortune for Saturday delivery... I thought "next day" meant next day, not "next convenient day for us"!) Due to my work schedule- I leave for work before the shop is open and don't get home in time before they close during the week- it looks like I may have to wait until next Friday!!!
Crap. What do I do with ammo, magazines, and cleaning supplies for another week?
Thanks local FFL holder... I hope you made more than the $15 you charged me for the transfer at that gun show! Honestly, he's a great guy, and I hope he did do well at the show, but I am in pain here! Sorry, just had to rant a while! I feel only slightly better, though.

Take care all, Steve.

 

[Sisco]

I've only done a mail-order buy once, back when ebay still listed guns.
I had pre-arranged with a local FFL before bidding just to ensure a smooth transaction. When I won the auction I took an envelope with the sellers name to the FFL, he said he'd take care of it. I hinted that if he would put his paperwork in the envelope I'd be glad to drop it in the mail but he didn't like the idea. (He's not a stranger, I've known him since I was a kid).
Anyway...after not hearing from the seller for several days I checked back with the FFL, ooops! he hadn't mailed it yet. Assured me it would go out that day.
After a few days the seller contacted me and said he had received payment and the gun was shipping.
Week later, checked with the dealer, no gun.
Another week, still no gun.
Few more days go by, I'm sure I've been ripped off. Checked back at the dealer, he wasn't there but his wife was minding the store. She went to the back room and brought out my Ruger. "This thing's been back there over a week, didn't anyone call you?" To top that all off, there was still a seven day waiting period for handguns at the time so I still had to wait another week after filling out the proper forms.
Haven't been back there since.
Needless to say I took my business elsewhere after that.

 

[Blackhawk]

Reading these posts has me facing a real mystery.

I can't figure out when or how I learned to be patient....

 

[yankytrash]

I'm the type that feels too funny getting my dealer to do the transfers. Don't get me wrong, I have him do'm, but it costs me a guilt trip in the form of ammo, accessories, and sometimes a new shotgun or rimfire rifle from him.

He does it all quickly and painlessly for me, but somethin about buyin a gun from someone else, not even askin my dealer to price one, then having him make the transfer.

It's like a neighbor having another electrician put in a main panel, then call me back three days later to slap one breaker in it. I dunno man, it just ain't right.

 

[9x19]

I keep a couple-three "signed in ink" copies of my local dealer's FFL on hand, so if I buy a pistol from out of state, it's quick and easy to hand or mail the seller the FFL.

Then I just let my dealer know the pistol is coming in... smoooother that way.

 

[mini14jac]

I took my cracked Taurus PT145 to my dealer to ship back to Taurus.
I paid the $5 shipping that she asked.

A week later, I called Taurus to see what they were going to do with my gun.
Reply: "What gun?"

I called my dealer.
"Oh, we haven't shipped it yet.":banghead:

Or the time I called another dealer to get my name on the waiting list for a Guardian 32.
He hadn't heard of it, but it started a list, (he said) and put my name first on the list.
Two months later, I called to see if they had gotten any Guardians.
Reply: "No, but we can put your name on the list."
Me: "I think I'm first on the list."
(Sound of at least 3 pages turning.)"No, your name's not on here."
Soooooo....... they put me on the list. Again!
Three months later, I'm browsing his shop, and guess what they have under glass? A new Guardian!

Well, I know FFLs and other business owners are just human.
I just get the impression that local dealers would treat me better if I bought a couple of $3000 shotguns every year, instead of my usual 1 -2 $400 guns.
Probably not.

 

[TarpleyG]

I keep a couple-three "signed in ink" copies of my local dealer's FFL on hand, so if I buy a pistol from out of state, it's quick and easy to hand or mail the seller the FFL.

We've got no one around here that'll do that! The paper never leaves the store unless the mailman is taking it. I don't see why it is such an issue. Guess a few bad apples have once again made everyone else suffer.

GT

 

[gbelleh]

I've been pretty lucky with FFL transfers so far. The biggest problem I had was when my FFLs letter to the seller really did get lost in the mail, but it turned out that the seller already had the FFL on file anyway.

One shop I've used in the past, won't do a transfer for you if they have the same gun in stock. They also charge a $50 fee for guns over $500 ($25 under $500). So, I found another dealer who absolutely doesn't care what it is you're getting, he's happy to do the transfer.

 

[MoNsTeR]

My local dealer is super-cool about doing transfers for me, which has helped win me as a permanent customer.

The only bad experience I had was when we sent a license copy and my $400 money order USPS 2-day express, which ended up taking 8 days. Stupid post office

 

[444]

When I have my dealer send an FFL to someone, I show up with the stamped self addressed envelope. After I ask him to mail the FFL copy, I also ask if I can do him a favor and stick it in the mail box for him; I know he is busy. My dealer is more than happy to do pretty much whatever I ask of him .......... when is another story.

 

[agony]

Ohh the agony... thanks to local FFL holder.

Thought you were talking about me.

I'm lucky in that my local FFL gives me signed in ink copies of his license....for those must-have items I run across at out of state shops and gunshows.

 

[9x19]

TarpleyG,

Try asking if you can pay his fee up front for the copy of his license... then if you use it, the fee's already paid when the gun comes in. That $$ tactic sometimes works with reluctant dealers.

 

[swampgator]

I remember my dealer giving me a present on fourth birthday, that's how long we've known each other (25 yrs). Last year I told him I wanted to order a Caspian frame. He hands me a few signed FFLs and says to "send in a money order, they ship the fastest."

Still have two or three sitting in the drawer under my keyboard.

 

[Kahr carrier]

I guess I am lucky my FFl holder gives me a signed copy anytime I ask.I send them out myself when I buy a gun .Its faster and simpler.

 

[centermass]

No, agony, this was not directed to you especially. You just happen to have a forum name that expresses how a lot of us feel about you... just kidding, was that out of line? I don't know you that well!

BOT, this dealer does not seem to remember anything very well. Let's keep in mind that this is a "gun and pawn" shop, the only one in this part of town, and I'm sure he sees many people daily. However, I have lived in this town a long time and have been into the store more times than I can count, have pawned a few things there when times were tough, and held numerous conversations with this gentleman directly, and every single one of them starts out, "So, do you live near here?" The actual shop owner knows my voice on the phone, and I used to work with one of the other employees, so he remembers me, but the in-house FFL guy just can't seem to unblock me! It's probably just as well that he does't go handing out copies of his FFL to anyone!

Best, Steve

 

[TIMC]

I charge a $30.00 fee for transfers. It is higher than most but you are guarenteed the FFL copy will ship by the next day from your request, you will be notified the day of arrival and I will stay open late if needed for you finish paperwork and pick up your gun. Most of my customers feel it's worth a little extra cost for piece of mind.

 

[centermass]

I think that your type of service is definitely worth the extra cost TimC. I'm browsing forums for another week, when I could have been at the range this weekend then spent next week compusively cleaning my new toy!

-Steve

 

[Zak Smith]

FWIW,

My local dealer - where I've spent $thousands$ on new pistols - will do transfers for $20. He just hands me a signed copy when I ask for one, and I can mail it as fast as I want to.

-z