Local FFLs refuse to accept internet transfers
Hello all,
Long time lurker, as I have so much to learn, but the local attitude is really frustrating and I need some help that I couldn't find addressed in the forums.
Anyway, I am running into a problem with each local FFL holder/gun shop. Each one I've spoken with say they will not help with auction/internet/out-of-state sales. They say almost across the board, "If I can get it, I won't accept/allow the transfer." I've been told by the only two within the local area that basically I can't order a lower receiver, period, because no matter what the brand or style they can get it and so they won't accept any transfers for an individual like me.
Ok, I get that there is a financial aspect to this as the initiating dealers/sellers are cutting into their profit, and I can only imagine that the paper work isn't exactly fun to deal with but ..... Come on. Isn't there some law or regulation or anything that can put a stop to this? Isn't this some sort of restriction of inter-state commerce?
I have been finding that based on this attitude the local shops are able to artificially over charge for anything they want because they know you don't have a choice. I live in Maryland (aaaahhhhh [V] I know, I know - but it's the cards I've been dealt and can't draw any new ones at this time). But I have heard this from some friends in other states, but they can generally find someone to accept the transfer. My area is very limited.
Any suggestions or anyone know an FFL holder in the area somewhere near Rockville, MD that would be willing to help?
Thanks, Jonathan
Long time lurker, as I have so much to learn, but the local attitude is really frustrating and I need some help that I couldn't find addressed in the forums.
Anyway, I am running into a problem with each local FFL holder/gun shop. Each one I've spoken with say they will not help with auction/internet/out-of-state sales. They say almost across the board, "If I can get it, I won't accept/allow the transfer." I've been told by the only two within the local area that basically I can't order a lower receiver, period, because no matter what the brand or style they can get it and so they won't accept any transfers for an individual like me.
Ok, I get that there is a financial aspect to this as the initiating dealers/sellers are cutting into their profit, and I can only imagine that the paper work isn't exactly fun to deal with but ..... Come on. Isn't there some law or regulation or anything that can put a stop to this? Isn't this some sort of restriction of inter-state commerce?
I have been finding that based on this attitude the local shops are able to artificially over charge for anything they want because they know you don't have a choice. I live in Maryland (aaaahhhhh [V] I know, I know - but it's the cards I've been dealt and can't draw any new ones at this time). But I have heard this from some friends in other states, but they can generally find someone to accept the transfer. My area is very limited.
Any suggestions or anyone know an FFL holder in the area somewhere near Rockville, MD that would be willing to help?
Thanks, Jonathan
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Sorry that you live in a area of idiots, they are cutting their own throat. My local FFL will happily do the paerwork for $25, easy money for him. He doesn't have to fork out several hundred dollars, he just signs the shipment in, fills out the papers, and collects his money.
I hope someone on here can give you a direction to turn.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mdpollacks
Hello all,
Long time lurker, as I have so much to learn, but the local attitude is really frustrating and I need some help that I couldn't find addressed in the forums.
Anyway, I am running into a problem with each local FFL holder/gun shop. Each one I've spoken with say they will not help with auction/internet/out-of-state sales. They say almost across the board, "If I can get it, I won't accept/allow the transfer." I've been told by the only two within the local area that basically I can't order a lower receiver, period, because no matter what the brand or style they can get it and so they won't accept any transfers for an individual like me.
Ok, I get that there is a financial aspect to this as the initiating dealers/sellers are cutting into their profit, and I can only imagine that the paper work isn't exactly fun to deal with but ..... Come on. Isn't there some law or regulation or anything that can put a stop to this? Isn't this some sort of restriction of inter-state commerce?
I have been finding that based on this attitude the local shops are able to artificially over charge for anything they want because they know you don't have a choice. I live in Maryland (aaaahhhhh [V] I know, I know - but it's the cards I've been dealt and can't draw any new ones at this time). But I have heard this from some friends in other states, but they can generally find someone to accept the transfer. My area is very limited.
Any suggestions or anyone know an FFL holder in the area somewhere near Rockville, MD that would be willing to help?
Thanks, Jonathan
I bet since you posted your area someone will provide the name of an FFL that will do the deed. So far as a law is concerned, no there is not one that would require your local, privately owned FFL to do business with you as you see fit and although it may be a pain that's the way it works.
The smart move for the FFL is to charge a bit for the transfer, make a bit off the deal and hope to ding you for a few $$$ on whatever else you may buy from his store.
So far as FFLs cleaning up, I don't think comparing a guy with a store front and employees, insurance, licenses and such to online sellers is a proper comparison. And I think it's worthwhile to support the local guys - no on line seller has given me free gun parts, free gunsmithing and free ammo, all of which have been done for me by the local guys. There's a place for each used properly.0 -
Sounds to me like you need to drive outside your immediate area and contact a few shops. There are FFL's in Maryland who are willing to accept internet purchases from individules because I have sent guns to FFLs there for guys. 0 -
Go back to the Auction main page. Notice the black strip across the top. Inside the black strip is a 'For Buyers' link. Click on it. Now..
On the page that appears scroll down to where it says 'Find A Transfer Dealer'. Type in your zip code.
What will appear, in outward ranging circles, is a listing of FFL's willing to accomplish transfers for you.
May not be the closest dealers, but they wouldn't be on the list if they were unwilling to accomplish transfers. Good Luck!! Joe0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
Go back to the Auction main page. Notice the black strip across the top. Inside the black strip is a 'For Buyers' link. Click on it. Now..
Givette - Thank you so much. That is a great feature and pulled up several in the area. I've already sent out some feelers to some of the closest to how to proceed with them.
Dfletcher - I agree with you whole heartedly about the difference between the shops and the strictly online dealers. I do not have a problem paying a reasonable fee for the service, everyone is entitled to their piece of the pie. It was the flat out refusal that was bugging me.
Thanks again everyone. I hope this will help others around here with the same problems.0 -
Look, its frustrating, but these are private individuals and they can (fortunately) do business or not do business with whomever they please.
In my opinion, these dealers are just being short-sighted.
If they would simply offer you a competitive price to begin with, then you wouldn't need to be buying stuff off the internet in the first place.
No, every little shop can't be expected to meet the best price anywhere in the country, but they should at least make an attempt to earn your business by trying.
Personally, I don't mind paying a LITTLE more to help support my local dealer, but there is a limit. When the local shop is asking $600 for a gun that I know is listed online at ten different places from $400-450, it that's not just a turn-off for that sale, but for every OTHER thing in the store.
In terms of facilitating the transfer. . .its a piece of cake. They fill out a form, make a phone call, and collect $25 (or in many cases more) from you. I'd think they should be THRILLED to get that kind of return for 5-10 minutes work in this economy.0 -
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
Look, its frustrating, but these are private individuals and they can (fortunately) do business or not do business with whomever they please.
In my opinion, these dealers are just being short-sighted.
If they would simply offer you a competitive price to begin with, then you wouldn't need to be buying stuff off the internet in the first place.
No, every little shop can't be expected to meet the best price anywhere in the country, but they should at least make an attempt to earn your business by trying.
Personally, I don't mind paying a LITTLE more to help support my local dealer, but there is a limit. When the local shop is asking $600 for a gun that I know is listed online at ten different places from $400-450, it that's not just a turn-off for that sale, but for every OTHER thing in the store.
In terms of facilitating the transfer. . .its a piece of cake. They fill out a form, make a phone call, and collect $25 (or in many cases more) from you. I'd think they should be THRILLED to get that kind of return for 5-10 minutes work in this economy.
Agree. Buying a gun through the mail (almost always) requires the buyer to go to a store (FFL) to complete the purchase. Pretty much any business would love to be in a situation where a buyer must in a fashion pay a fee just to enter their store and do the deal. But many FFLs treat it as an inconvenience and not an opportunity.0 -
You guys don't understand. Most dealers in MD have been driven out of business by aggressive politicians, both local & in the state legislature. There isn't a single gunshop left in the entire city of Baltimore! 75% of the new handguns most of you guys can buy can't be sold in MD, because they don't have a "sealed fired case" & "internal lock". Sales are so low, dealers HAVE to get a high mark up to cover their fixed expenses. Plus, the state has many record keeping & reporting requirements that eat up a lot of a dealers time.
Jonathan, you can't expect to get what you want "locally", especially in a white collar area like Rockville. Accurate Pawn & Tackle, 6653 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, 21075, 410-579-1576 is < an hour away, & will accept anything. If you want additional suggestions, email me.
Neal0 -
I use A&D Pawn at 706 Crain Hwy. N. in Glen Burnie. Phone # is 410-766-7357. Have transferred lowers, long guns and pistols, all without a problem. Haven't done one in a while but give them a try. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
You guys don't understand. Most dealers in MD have been driven out of business by aggressive politicians, both local & in the state legislature. There isn't a single gunshop left in the entire city of Baltimore! 75% of the new handguns most of you guys can buy can't be sold in MD, because they don't have a "sealed fired case" & "internal lock". Sales are so low, dealers HAVE to get a high mark up to cover their fixed expenses. Plus, the state has many record keeping & reporting requirements that eat up a lot of a dealers time.
Jonathan, you can't expect to get what you want "locally", especially in a white collar area like Rockville. Accurate Pawn & Tackle, 6653 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, 21075, 410-579-1576 is < an hour away, & will accept anything. If you want additional suggestions, email me.
Neal
To the contrary, I DO understand.
MD is no worse than MA, and in fact the climate for gun dealers is probably WORSE in MA than MD. There are a VERY few new handguns that are permitted to be sold in MA.
There are ZERO gunshops in the city of Boston MA. There is ONE in Cambridge (which is a bit shocking, actually, if you know Cambridge), and and only a few in the entire Eastern part of the State.
Yet despite this there are honest dealers in MA who'll give you a competitive price on new guns that he can sell. (Thanks Carl at Four Seasons in Woburn).
They do charge more for transfers in MA, but that's because guns have to be certified MA-compliant, which really does require more legwork and paperwork.
Again, of course you can't expect that any brick and mortar store that has to pay rent and employees is going to be able to match the best prices of internet-mostly stores with low overhead, but that still doesn't justify rip-off prices.
No matter what the climate is for gun sales in MA, or MD, or anywhere else, there is still a market. The market had "bids" and "asks" and there is such a thing as a fair market value. While the fair market value of guns in MD probably legitimately IS higher than in other neighboring states, if the seller is consistently asking more than the MD fair market value, he's just not going to make sales.
In general, alienating customers is also not good for OTHER sales, like ammo, targets, accessories, etc.
If I were these MD shopkeepers, I'd be welcoming transfers, not sending them away. I'd just mark up the transfer costs accordingly (say to $50) to what the MD gun market could bear.
Also, for MD pollacks, you might look into getting your own C&R FFL. That *might* give you a little more flexibility in terms of importing older guns into the State of MD (don't know).0
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