Rural FFL transfers

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nettlle

nettlle

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Preble County, OH
About 12 years ago we moved out into the country. No gun shops close by. So I shop online and google my first local FFL person. He receives the gun and I have to wait a week to pick it up (although his house 15 minutes away). Says he is too busy to see me any sooner.

Second try, different gun, same FFL. He receives the gun. I wait a week until the next weekend and he tells me if I want to get the gun I have pick it up at a gun show he is attending that's a two hour round trip from my house. Even though his house is only 15 minutes from my house.

Third try. Same FFL. Different gun. I emailed him to send his FFL to another out of state FFL and he agrees to do so but never emails his FFL. Nor does he email me back why he didn't.

Fourth try. Different FFL. Different gun. When I call him about setting up the transfer he hangs up on me because of a bad cell phone connection. I call him back on another phone and he agrees to the transfer. The gun was shipped and tracking provided and delivery was attempted today. USPS delivery attempted but says no access to delivery address. I emailed them today during business hours about the failed delivery attempt and got no reply. Is this typical of transfers with FFL holders?
 
No, that is not typical, at least in my experience. It sounds like your FFL is more of a hobbyist and less interested in running a business.

I would have thrown in the towel after the first transfer when he wouldn't let you get your gun for a week after it had arrived. I understand that the FFL needs time to get his paperwork in order, but it doesn't take a week to do that. I would expect that a dealer who had something going on that he couldn't get me the gun for a week either wouldn't accept the transfer or would at least let me know so that I could take that into account when deciding if I wanted to use him.

Bottom line, it looks like this has happened enough that it is not an anomaly and is his normal way of doing business. I would find someone else to handle your transfers. Personally, I'd prefer to drive an hour each way for a transfer rather than deal with the guy you describe, just on principle.
 
It sounds like you live in an area in which not every type of establishment with which you wish to do business is going to be readily accessible. Rural living differs from city living in many regards, and that's certainly one of them.

Like many other types of businesses out there, you may have to make the drive to get to one that works for you, and that will probably have to be one with an actual shop.
 
Not normal at all. Most transfers I've done are completed same or next day after delivery. Depends on time of day of delivery. There is paperwork to be done, but any functioning business wants to take in a few bucks as quickly and painlessly as possible. Find a new FFL to do business with.
 
Sadly typical, depending on location. I wouldn’t give even a second chance. Guy sounds lazy.

There’re many FFLs in my area that flat out refuse to do transfers, or purposely make it difficult so you don’t use them.

If you’re going to do transfers, I expect to be able to pick up my gun within a day or two of arrival and I’ll confirm that before ordering.

FFLs need hours where they are available to be contacted by the ATF (I think), but don’t need to have open hours for the public. You can’t just just show up during a home-based FFL’s hours and expect service. Lots of FFLs around me that don’t suck are appointment only.
 
My FFL guy is fast, efficient , friendly and only charges $20. He also is careful about who he does transfers for; he prefers referrals only. It seems to me that our OP has some real duds. I would look hard for someone who actually wants to do the work. BTW, when I'm buying a gun on line I call my FFL and ask him if he's going to be around to accept shipment. I try to coordinate the delivery if I can. He appreciates the contact. I've bought 5 or 6 guns over the past couple of years and he always processes my transfer with a smile and a thank you.
 
I live rural and my FFL of my choice has a day job who is 10mins away. Sometimes, between our schedules it can be months before I pick up a gun. Regardless if I purchased it through him or transferred it in.
Guess I am not as anxious as some?

***caveat being I am only in country 6m a year.
 
The OP's situation is just one reason why I've never considered a FFL Joe Blow operating out of their house.

It's only a couple dollars more to deal with a reputable FFL that I know.

This is also the same issue I have with getting a FFL and doing anything but getting guns for myself. I don't want strangers coming around my place for gun related things.
 
The FFL I use in rural central Va runs his out of his home. He charges $20 and is very friendly, professional and fun to chat with. I’ve never had an issue and the only time I couldn’t pick up on a Saturday was because he had a family commitment.

It wasn’t a big deal as we simply planned a time. I was a little disappointed as I’m always very busy but I also understand family comes first.

The other times I’ve used him, he’s called when the gun or lowers came in and he reminded me of his hours and said I can come by any of them. As a courtesy, I let him know what works doe me and come then.

So never a problem.

Btw there are FFLs closer than this one but he’s the cheapest and he’s the nicest so I prefer to use him.
 
I am rural and the local part time FFL I use will call me and say that my toy has arrived and it will be ready to pick up in about a half hour if I can get there. :thumbup:
 
I'm rural and if purchasing via the internet (usually Bud's) I have a 1.5 hour drive to one city or a 1.4 hour drive to another city for a pickup. Part of rural living. Sad part is I can drive to a gun store or pawn shop in Jackson WY in 45 minutes (providing the Teton pass is open).
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
The OP's situation is just one reason why I've never considered a FFL Joe Blow operating out of their house.

It's only a couple dollars more to deal with a reputable FFL that I know.
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I've found that FFL's who have a store are not somehow automatically nicer to deal with than ones who operate out of their home. In fact, I've found the opposite to be true, in general. Plus, I don't have to deal with delusional gun store employees who want to give advice.
 
RETG said:
I'm rural and if purchasing via the internet (usually Bud's) I have a 1.5 hour drive to one city or a 1.4 hour drive to another city for a pickup. Part of rural living. Sad part is I can drive to a gun store or pawn shop in Jackson WY in 45 minutes (providing the Teton pass is open).
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You know you can use the Jackson store for rifles and shotguns, right?
 
Never understand why an FFL won't send out their license. It is public record. I occasionally sell a gun or buy from someone out of state and this happens on a regular basis
 
frogfurr said:
Fourth try. Different FFL. Different gun. When I call him about setting up the transfer he hangs up on me because of a bad cell phone connection. I call him back on another phone and he agrees to the transfer. The gun was shipped and tracking provided and delivery was attempted today. USPS delivery attempted but says no access to delivery address. I emailed them today during business hours about the failed delivery attempt and got no reply. Is this typical of transfers with FFL holders?
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Regarding fourth attempt this is true where we live.

Our cell phone service sucks. I often have to walk around to different parts of the house or outside (unpleasant in the winter) to get a good signal.

Likewise my UPS delivery is very slow and all of my packages are delayed for one reason or another which is total b.s. The best reason I can come up with is U.P.S. holds my packages until they have enough packages to deliver in my area to make it profitable to the truck out. My service is so poor I make it S.O.P. to drive into town to pick-up my package. (I drove into the UPS Hub Friday to pick up a ammo order and the trip took a additional 45 minutes.)

I agree that the F.F.L. holders you have contacted are just hobbyists and doing transfers for friends and family. We had a small gunstore open recently and my wife and I have agreed to buy our guns from them even if they are a little more expensive.

After 12 years you should know that living in the country is more expensive than living in the city. :( But that is the price we pay for more freedom. :D :D :D
 
BSA1 said:
We had a small gunstore open recently and my wife and I have agreed to buy our guns from them even if they are a little more expensive.
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This is what I try to do whenever possible. My FFL can usually get whatever it is I'm interested in. Usually it's around the same price as what I can order it for online but if he can get it I don't really care what the price difference is. It's never that significant anyway. Rather give the guy an extra $30 or whatever and improve the relationship and his business.
 
RETG said:
I'm rural and if purchasing via the internet (usually Bud's) I have a 1.5 hour drive to one city or a 1.4 hour drive to another city for a pickup. Part of rural living. Sad part is I can drive to a gun store or pawn shop in Jackson WY in 45 minutes (providing the Teton pass is open).
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You must live in Pierre's Hole. My mom was born and raised in Tetonia.
 
frogfurr said:
About 12 years ago we moved out into the country. No gun shops close by. So I shop online and google my first local FFL person. He receives the gun and I have to wait a week to pick it up (although his house 15 minutes away). Says he is too busy to see me any sooner.
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Did you ask what his availability was BEFORE you had a gun shipped to him?

Second try, different gun, same FFL. He receives the gun. I wait a week until the next weekend and he tells me if I want to get the gun I have pick it up at a gun show he is attending that's a two hour round trip from my house. Even though his house is only 15 minutes from my house.
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Same question as above.
Third try. Same FFL. Different gun. I emailed him to send his FFL to another out of state FFL and he agrees to do so but never emails his FFL. Nor does he email me back why he didn't.
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Why? Why? Why?

Fourth try. Different FFL. Different gun. When I call him about setting up the transfer he hangs up on me because of a bad cell phone connection. I call him back on another phone and he agrees to the transfer. The gun was shipped and tracking provided and delivery was attempted today. USPS delivery attempted but says no access to delivery address. I emailed them today during business hours about the failed delivery attempt and got no reply.
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I've had USPS/UPS/FedEx incorrectly note delivery "attempts" numerous times since I became a gun dealer, so I place little value on what online delivery updates say.
And it is ANNOYING AS HECK to have a customer call/email/text within minutes of a supposed delivery. Believe me, EVERY gun dealer wants to process the transfer as fast as possible. Calling/emailing/texting SLOWS DOWN the process because the dealer will have to put aside what he's doing to attend to that call/email/text. And believe it or not.....the dealer KNOWS when your gun has arrived because he will be holding it in his grubby hands.



Is this typical of transfers with FFL holders?
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Not for me. I became an FFL because of someone like you first described. I've been in business for ten years and have never failed to notify a customer of a transfer within two hours of me taking possession. (and that's 2,000 transfers a year)
 
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