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Shipping cost question

pitbud5
So I am going to be listing some pistols and rifles for sale. I have asked earlier about selling and the majority of you stated that it would be cheaper to ship pistol through FFL and long guns I could ship myself.

Based on your experience what would be a reasonable set price for shipping for a pistol and or rifle for a individual like myself that is not a FFL dealer shipping to a FFL dealer. Keep in mind I would like to keep the these guns in the lower 48 states but may reconsider the other to if the price is right or if the bidder is willing to pay the difference.
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Comments

21 comments

Date Votes
  • grumpygy
    Would not list a set price, but list as Buyer to pay Exact shipping. That way you do not lose out.
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  • pitbud5
    quote:Originally posted by dnelson457
    Would not list a set price, but list as Buyer to pay Exact shipping. That way you do not lose out.


    That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. Never thought of that
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  • pitbud5
    So lets say my FFL dealer locally charges 20 dollars to do a transfer when ever a BUY a firearm off gunbroker. Am I looking to pay that plus a shipping cost if it is the other way around? Example I am the seller needing to ship to a buyer?

    Just wondering so I can set a decent starting bid for everyone so they will sell in one auction go around.

    Any licensed peoples feel free to chime in on this one.

    Thanks
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  • spurgemastur
    quote:Originally posted by pitbud5
    quote:Originally posted by dnelson457
    Would not list a set price, but list as Buyer to pay Exact shipping. That way you do not lose out.


    That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. Never thought of that


    That's the way I like to do it.
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  • David Nunn
    I will not bid on an auction, here or elsewhere, that states, "buyer pays exact shipping costs." I have done that and found that "exact shipping" is what it costs to drop the item, unboxed, at the local Pack & Postal and let them pack it, wrap it, box it and ship it. OUCH!

    It isn't too hard to come up with an educated guess on shipping costs. That's what I do. Sometimes I come out ahead by a buck or two, sometimes it costs me a buck or two. It all evens out.
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  • pitbud5
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    I will not bid on an auction, here or elsewhere, that states, "buyer pays exact shipping costs." I have done that and found that "exact shipping" is what it costs to drop the item, unboxed, at the local Pack & Postal and let them pack it, wrap it, box it and ship it. OUCH!

    It isn't too hard to come up with an educated guess on shipping costs. That's what I do. Sometimes I come out ahead by a buck or two, sometimes it costs me a buck or two. It all evens out.


    I understand where you are coming from. I have seen these auctions know that I think about it and have wondered what shipping may come out to be. So am I looking at more for shipping on long guns or pistols? Is $25 or $30 reasonable for both a long gun and or pistol shipping? That seems to be the usual rate
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  • David Nunn
    If you are a non-dealer, and you are going to ship a handgun to a dealer, you must use something like FedEx or UPS Next Day services. You should be able to get rates from their websites or by calling their 800 numbers. Rates will vary by zone, but you can get a pretty good idea. Rates will probably hover around $35 or so.

    I ship my handguns USPS Priority Mail, and usually pay $8-20 depending on the weight, distance, and amount of insurance. A bit over $20 shipped a 6" Smith & Wesson revolver, insured for $1500.

    I can ship a long gun via USPS Priority Mail or Parcel Post, usually for $15-20, maybe more if it is very heavy. This service is available to non-dealers, too.

    I just bought 9 handguns from a major distributor in Pennsylvania. It cost me $126.77 to get them shipped to Texas. OUCH! again.
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  • pitbud5
    Thanks nunn.

    I shall finish up some research on what these items may average in cost.

    Then they will be for sale.

    Don't worry ladies and gentleman I will let you know the minute they are up for grabs.

    Thanks again
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  • duckhunter
    $20.00 for hand guns plus what ever you dealer is going to charge you. $25.00 for long guns USPS priorty mail insured.
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  • shoff14
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    Rates will vary by zone, but you can get a pretty good idea. Rates will probably hover around $35 or so.






    I think this is a little low. I had something shipped next day from Ohio to California and it was 60 something. Package weighed about 5 pounds.
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  • David Nunn
    You may be right. I don't use UPS for that very reason.
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  • dynaman
    Iv seen them on here just like ebay, charge 40 to 50 dollars for shipping to increase there profit. and i know it dont cost that much.
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  • shoff14
    quote:Originally posted by dynaman
    Iv seen them on here just like ebay, charge 40 to 50 dollars for shipping to increase there profit. and i know it dont cost that much.


    Sure it does if you are shipping a pistol next day.

    Last month I shipped a bow to West Virginia, it cost 24 for regular ground UPS. Add next day to the same thing and its 80 or 90.


    Nunn, that was Fed Ex that the item was shipped through.
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  • slumlord44
    I shiped several long guns by FedEx recently to several locations. Ran about $20 each. UPS is too difficult to deal with for me. If you are the seller, it is the buyers problem to send you an FFL or C&R if applicapble. FedEx has never asked me to see the FFL but I like to have it to be sure.
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  • kimi
    Here is the link to the USPS webpage: http://www.usps.com/ Go there and familiarize yourself with the "calculate postage" information and you'll get a good idea as to what their shipping costs are.
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  • hk-91
    last pistol i shipped through ups cost my 63.00 one before that cost 22.00 just depends on how uptight the person working is. first one let me send it second day air. last one next day. rates have gone up lately and a non ffl is better off having a dealer ship it if you have one that will be reasonable. i consider 15.00 to 20.00 plus shipping cost reasonable.
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  • Wagion
    If you where really worried about it you could set the shipping cost high say $50 and then also state that you would refund the difference in the actual shipping and throw a check or MO in for the difference.
    If you decide to put the "buyer pays exact shipping" option also list which shipper you intend to use, your zip code, weight of package, and any extra shipping option you use (insurance, confirmed delivery, etc) in the item description that way people can calculate the estimated cost.

    Just a remind to to everyone and you if you ship USPS (Post Office) you have to pay extra to get a tracking number. If you don't there is no way to track the item they are not like UPS and FEDEX that put a number on every package.
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  • COLT
    ...Im with David, I wont bid/deal with a seller who leaves the shipping cost open to their whim.

    ...For a long gun in the lower 48, $25 bucks will just about cover to anywhere, any long gun, thru USPS. Actual cost may be +- a few bucks, either buy a Big Mac, or eat the few $$ loss, no biggie either way...[;)]

    ani-texas-flag-2.gif

    bhog.gif
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by pitbud5
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    I will not bid on an auction, here or elsewhere, that states, "buyer pays exact shipping costs." I have done that and found that "exact shipping" is what it costs to drop the item, unboxed, at the local Pack & Postal and let them pack it, wrap it, box it and ship it. OUCH!

    It isn't too hard to come up with an educated guess on shipping costs. That's what I do. Sometimes I come out ahead by a buck or two, sometimes it costs me a buck or two. It all evens out.


    I understand where you are coming from. I have seen these auctions know that I think about it and have wondered what shipping may come out to be. So am I looking at more for shipping on long guns or pistols? Is $25 or $30 reasonable for both a long gun and or pistol shipping? That seems to be the usual rate


    I do agree with nunn, as far as packaging is concerned. I always ship in the original box if I have it, or get an el-cheapo hardcase to ship it in. Then I take the box or hardcase, and pack that into another adjustable length 9x9, or 12x12 inch box, that is well packed around that. I always insure for more than the purchased price was. As an example, one rifle I shipped last week, the box shipped was 9x9x54, and weighed 14 pounds. Because of the box size, I was billed for 29 pounds. The total shipping was 34.89...not including the 12.99 hardcase. Handguns will be less weight, but UPS requires it goes overnight if I am not mistaken.
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  • pickenup
    I emailed a seller a couple of weeks ago, asking what shipping would be, since he did not have specifics listed in his auction. He didn't answer my email, I did NOT bid on his handgun. I would have paid more than what the auction closed at....IF....I would have known what shipping was going to be.
    Been there, got shafted. [:(!]
    Now I want exact numbers.

    Last time I was going to ship a handgun, as a NON FFL, it was going to cost upwards of $60. Went to an FFL and got it done cheaper.
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  • MFI
    I have shipped long guns to California from NY and its costed me $50 or more using USPS, especially if it an extra large box . I usually state my S&H at $35.00 that way it evens out when its sometimes $45 to one state and $20 to another.
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