Why does UPS ask "is it for repair?"
Every time I sell one of my guns (all 3, I DO NOT like to part with them!) online, when I go to UPS to ship, they ask, "Is it for repair?" I dunno why they would ask this; I have the buyer's ffl in hand just in case, and it is my gun; if I am selling it, it doesn't matter; if it is for repair, it is MY GUN and can come back to me anyhow. Are they just being nosey?
Once this question is asked, I have to make a choice. If I say, no, I am selling it, I got a hassle- twice- even though this is at the actual UPS counter, not some subsidiary like Staples. Once the guy finally just said, ok, and once he had to make a call to see if this was allowed. The other time I lied and said, yes, for repair, and no trouble at all. I don't see how this lie would hurt anything, just curious.
So what's the scoop?
I think next time I will mail from a rural US post office. A buddy of mine tried to legally mail a gun from an office in cleveland and when the dumb broad behind the counter heard it was a gun, she called the cops, who took the man into custody. As soon as the police read the post office rules they let him go but still, jeesh. Whereas in a rural area, the clerk would probably ask, 'oh, cool, what kinda gun?'
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
Once this question is asked, I have to make a choice. If I say, no, I am selling it, I got a hassle- twice- even though this is at the actual UPS counter, not some subsidiary like Staples. Once the guy finally just said, ok, and once he had to make a call to see if this was allowed. The other time I lied and said, yes, for repair, and no trouble at all. I don't see how this lie would hurt anything, just curious.
So what's the scoop?
I think next time I will mail from a rural US post office. A buddy of mine tried to legally mail a gun from an office in cleveland and when the dumb broad behind the counter heard it was a gun, she called the cops, who took the man into custody. As soon as the police read the post office rules they let him go but still, jeesh. Whereas in a rural area, the clerk would probably ask, 'oh, cool, what kinda gun?'
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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It seems that Computers and Firearms both follow the "for repair" rule for fraud prevention reasons, at least that's the way the branch manager explained it to me, no hassel BTW, only asked if it was going to a FFL didn't even want to see a copy of his papers.
They about choaked when I requested 2K worth of insurance however, which is why the mgr came to the counter (he had no problem once he knew it was a custom rifle).
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
The problem is there are so many rules on firearms that some U.P.S./POSTAL counter people are pardon the pun "GUN SHY" . as long as you are not breaking the law, shipping to non lic holder etc I see no harm in the FOR REPAIR answer 0 -
I had all those hassles at UPS. That's why I exclusively use Fedex. They couldn't be easier to work with,are cheaper, and don't regard me a a maniac when I walk in with a cased firearm. 0 -
I used to get the same question and the same hassel. I belive that managment at UPS does not want to be in the gun shipping business. Sr. management has put in the rules so that it is OK to ship a gun. Mid-managment does not understand the rule or has been given leway to ignore the rules. The one rule evry clerk understands is " If the gun is going to a gunsmith for repair it is OK to ship UPS" If not then we have to check. It got so difficult for me I also switch to FedEx. Since then no hassel. My 2 cents [8D] I have this issue with long guns and shot guns at my local UPS.
Greg
Former Marine
A N G L I C O0 -
Sorry fellows, but you MUST read the rules if you are going to give advice on this subject.
The rules of shipping guns by UPS and FEDEX are in their tariffs, which can be found on their websites. There are several conditions under which nonlicensees can ship firearms, but for sale is not one of them. Even though such a shipment may be legal, both companies have made a business decision not to accept firearms under this condition. I think that it is stupid, & probably based on liberal Ted-Kennedy-elitism, but they have a right to make that choice. Your choice should be to ship long guns by USPS.
The rules for shipping by USPS are contained in Publication 52. A nonlicensee may not ship a handgun by USPS, but the rules for shipping a long gun are quite reasonable.
Neal0 -
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
Sorry fellows, but you MUST read the rules if you are going to give advice on this subject.
The rules of shipping guns by UPS and FEDEX are in their tariffs, which can be found on their websites. There are several conditions under which nonlicensees can ship firearms, but for sale is not one of them. Even though such a shipment may be legal, both companies have made a business decision not to accept firearms under this condition. I think that it is stupid, & probably based on liberal Ted-Kennedy-elitism, but they have a right to make that choice. Your choice should be to ship long guns by USPS.
The rules for shipping by USPS are contained in Publication 52. A nonlicensee may not ship a handgun by USPS, but the rules for shipping a long gun are quite reasonable.
Neal
Which further supports my idea of shipping it from a rural post office; the one down the street from our summer cottage perhaps.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
I just shipped a hand gun to Colt by way of UPS. Omaha Nebraska You have to go to there main shipping office to ship a hand gun. So when I got to the counter the UPS lady ask what was in the package I told her a hand gun she wanted to know if it was going in for repair I said yes.(cause it was)She took a box cutter and opened the package up I ask her if she was sure that she wanted to open the box in front of every one! She said it would be OK. I ask her why she had to open the box was it because of 9/11 She said no! We use to lose alot of money on claim's at this counter but now that they open ALL packages they are making money now.She went on to say that they are doing this in other city's as will.I sent a 2nd gun to Colt last Wednesday Fed Ex They didn't open the box,and it was $5.00 cheaper. 0 -
At our local UPS office, they have computer terminals set up. You type in your vital info, what the item is, and the amount of insurance needed. When you hit "enter" a little gizmo prints out your addressed UPS sticker, which you stick on your package. You flop it onto the counter, pay the indicated amount. No discussion with clerk necessary. 0 -
I went to mail (USPS) a customers rifle to him in state. Postal clerk said I could not do that, unless I was a dealer, and put a copy of my FFL on the package. I showed him the federal stautes that forbid any marking that would identify the contents of the package. He still refused to send it. I ended up getting my federal represenative involved, and got a nice letter of applogy from the state postmaster, informing me that the emplyees had been instructed, and there is a postal regulation against identifying the contents of any package containg a "deadly weapon". I have not had any problems since, and I have not seen that emplyee since. 0 -
Question authority. If someone asks for information that might not be any of their business, tell them so and ask why do they need to know in the first place. My mother told me when I was young, if someone asks a stupid question, you are entitled to come up with a stupid answer. Remeber, Big Brother is watching. 0
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