Why FTF sale only

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nickn10

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I've bought handguns from this forum, gunbroker and Armslist using my FFl dealer and never had a problem. Is there a reason DFW sellers only want to sell FTF. I'm curious not judgemental.
 
shipping charges are not what many buyers want to pay.
 
JERRY said:
shipping charges are not what many buyers want to pay.
Click to expand...

Then they don't have to buy then. By limiting to FTF you eliminate most potential buyers. Find a good dealer and it is easy. I drop off a gun, pay $15 transfer fee and $11 shipping and the dealer does the rest. They box it and everything. I just add the shipping to the selling price or use it as a negotiating tool.
 
85308: I don't think most of us have that opportunity. $25 is the lowest transfer fee I have found around here and the shipping can easily double that which makes a good deal a not so good deal....
 
It does not cost nearly what people think to ship a firearm. Granted, some dealers will gouge you, which sucks all around. We ship tons of stuff out of the store for customers, and it normally costs under $25 for even long guns, unless they cause it to go up with massive amounts of packaging.

We get rifles in from manufacturers in a simple plastic case, inside a cardboard box, and they dont show up all broken and bent. Going overboard on packing merely makes it cost more. You can do it correctly without making it weigh a ton
 
a lot of buyer try to haggle over shipping fees, then they dont have their ffl documents lined up......

its simply easier to do FTF but if a buyer is serious and has everything on their side lined up it can be shipped fairly easily...after funds clear of course.
 
Shipping can be a big hassle if you don't live close to a common carrier's hub(satelites won't ship guns). Using the USPS is cheaper as long as it is efficiently packaged and insured(nothing on the package that indicates it's contents). I have shipped(mailed)rifles but will only do FTF from now on.
 
I prefer to do FTF to avoid having to ship the firearm and pay an FFL to do the transaction.
 
Anoter factor: DFW is a big market. It's often pretty easy to find a buyer/seller within a short drive of your home, or near a common destination (Cabela's, Bass Pro, whatever).

For me personally, I don't want the hassle of boxing and shipping a rifle--and a handgun, forget it.

I've done quite a few face-to-face deals, and they've all gone well.
 
Shipping and FFL fees are a pain in the butt.

Who wants to give up a percentage of the money to some money exchange place (like paypal), and pay for shipping, and pay an FFL for the transfer...when you can just meet in a parking lot and exchange cash for the product?
 
The few guns I have listed online over the years were face to face. They were not guns I had to sell quickly and just didn't want to deal with the hassle of awaiting payment and shipping. I also like meeting other local gun people, nice to have a common enough interest in that particular gun. I enjoy my gun going to good local home ;)
 
I've wondered the same thing often. Why limit your prospective pool of buyers so drastically, especially on a national forum?

Along the same lines, I wonder why some sellers don't take the effort to post pictures but then state "pics available on request." Just put the freaking pictures up! The worst that could happen is you waste the extra two minutes; best case you pick up an impulse buy.
 
I drop off a gun, pay $15 transfer fee and $11 shipping
Click to expand...
try buying a pistol on a C&R
when you are looking at 50-70 dollar NEXT DAY AIR...
or paying $20 to a dealer for them to ship via the post office to another dealer
for a total price of 50 in 2 transfers and 20 -30 in shipping.
 
Some sellers prefer to meet the buyer as well as see their ID prior to selling to them. Some are just trying to be responsible in legal manners. Others simply don't care to go the extra inch. Oh well. It's their sale to make or break.

It seems to me that just because this is a forum with national exposure, that doesn't infer that a seller has to use the national market. Especially when all sales listings have to list the state they are in to begin with.

There was another thread on here about people being ripped off by sellers using fake ID's through the mail. As a buyer, I don't even look at sales outside of my state. I will only buy from someone I can do a FTF with because that's what is comfortable for me.
 
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Even if you want to pay his price and all shipping fees/charges he still has to box it, get your ffl info, find someone to ship it. I have had people want me to ship guns or drive half way across the state but if I wait two more days it is sold in my area for CASH IN MY HAND.
 
I can't speak to selling, but I only buy on a FTF. When I have found something online, the S&H and FFL fees on my end ($45/50) bring the total cost to more than what the gun is worth or more than what it costs retail from my LGS. And the benefit of no paper trail.
 
When I sell guns, I prefer FTF only.

1. Buyer can inspect on site, in person, in my presence. If he likes it, done deal, no going back. If not, it's fine, too. Next buyer.

2. Selling online, where I have to ship, involves hassles and potential loss (and subsequent headache) that I don't care to deal with. I had an AR upper that was for sale stolen by the FedEx delivery guy a few years ago. A total loss, as I refunded the buyer his money in full.
Another time, I sold my NIB undamaged HK rifle online for a great price. The buyer received it and said there was some dings on the flash hider. Very upset about it, I offered him a full refund, to which he declined.
That's it for me, never again selling guns online.:cuss:
 
All of my sales are FTF, primarily because I have no skills connecting cameras to computers etc (or burning cds etc), but also don't want the chance of a disatisfied customer wanting his/her money back etc. Why bother.....

Without a decent pair of photos, a distant sale is not likely to take place anyway. Nobody at shows here wants my Yugo Mauser 48A for a decent price, so it stays in the safe unused. Better that, than lose money on Both ends.
 
It is an advantage for me as a buyer to be able to meet the seller at Bass Pro and try out his merchandise before I buy.

I have read so many threads about defective guns (even new ones) that it affords peace of mind to both of us.

Works the same for me as a seller.

It is also nice to show the other party my CHL, take a look at his, and proceed. Exercising a freedom is never a bad thing.
 
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