FFL Dealer Shipping

[gatorb]

Good subject- As bang bang stated everyone looks at things different. I talked to my LGS first, will even see if they can order it before using the internet for purchasing. Sometimes They will knock tax off to try and price match. But when that doesn’t work I go to the online sites and have found out sometimes if you are patient you can get it on a good deal and or no cc fees & free shipping. But if you ever have to send it back you will be out certain fees, so the price just went up.

[bang bang]

something else you need to consider when i state location.

i live on one side of the continent.   So take a look at where you live and you dont say, but look at the cost of sending something from where you live to each side of the continent if you arent on the ends.    Then add in Hawaii and Alaska.   Look at something like a rifle size and weight. If you have any of your rifle boxes, use those measurements.  Or if you have a rifle case, use it.  See what you get for shipping prices.  look at the cheapest like ground and the 2 or 3 day air.  See how much it costs to ship something. 

i dont know about you and how you think, but im not in the mindset to loose alot of money on my sales.  I dont mind < 20 bucks or so on all of my sales and i pay for FFL XFER since i use my FFL to ship guns via USPS.   Also any GB add comes with a cost too and that is also not a money maker.  But i see it as the cost of doing business on the web. 

i totally get you not wanting to pay a dime more than you have to, but i think you are not looking at the big picture, but only your wallet and what you "think".

[Long Branch Setter]

something else you need to consider when i state location.

i live on one side of the continent.   So take a look at where you live and you dont say, but look at the cost of sending something from where you live to each side of the continent if you arent on the ends.    Then add in Hawaii and Alaska.   Look at something like a rifle size and weight. If you have any of your rifle boxes, use those measurements.  Or if you have a rifle case, use it.  See what you get for shipping prices.  look at the cheapest like ground and the 2 or 3 day air.  See how much it costs to ship something. 

i dont know about you and how you think, but im not in the mindset to loose alot of money on my sales.  I dont mind < 20 bucks or so on all of my sales and i pay for FFL XFER since i use my FFL to ship guns via USPS.   Also any GB add comes with a cost too and that is also not a money maker.  But i see it as the cost of doing business on the web. 

i totally get you not wanting to pay a dime more than you have to, but i think you are not looking at the big picture, but only your wallet and what you "think".

I understand large bulky items and high dollar/ collector firearms shipping being more expensive due to size and insurance costs. Many dealers price firearms with a fair markup, which everyone should expect, they then charge actual shipping cost and cost to package the item. Distance to final destination will impact that cost which is perfectly fair. Buyers also need to pay attention to state sales tax, some dealers charge it and some don’t. Tax and shipping are valid expenses which dealers should charge and be compensated for.

Some dealers also price firearms cheaper and charge “FLAT RATE” 40-50 dollars to send them to the neighboring state hoping the auction or “buy now” winner will not notice until its too late to back out. The intent of my post was to save some buyers from this type dealer, maybe support the LGS within reason and save them a few dollars.

What I “think” and suggest is to look at the final price, including the FFL transfer fee, and since this a a forum, people are allowed to post what they “think”.  Hopefully a few less experienced internet buyers will see the original post and save a hard earned dollar or two.

LBS

[bang bang]

something else you need to consider when i state location.

i live on one side of the continent.   So take a look at where you live and you dont say, but look at the cost of sending something from where you live to each side of the continent if you arent on the ends.    Then add in Hawaii and Alaska.   Look at something like a rifle size and weight. If you have any of your rifle boxes, use those measurements.  Or if you have a rifle case, use it.  See what you get for shipping prices.  look at the cheapest like ground and the 2 or 3 day air.  See how much it costs to ship something. 

i dont know about you and how you think, but im not in the mindset to loose alot of money on my sales.  I dont mind < 20 bucks or so on all of my sales and i pay for FFL XFER since i use my FFL to ship guns via USPS.   Also any GB add comes with a cost too and that is also not a money maker.  But i see it as the cost of doing business on the web. 

i totally get you not wanting to pay a dime more than you have to, but i think you are not looking at the big picture, but only your wallet and what you "think".

I understand large bulky items and high dollar/ collector firearms shipping being more expensive due to size and insurance costs. Many dealers price firearms with a fair markup, which everyone should expect, they then charge actual shipping cost and cost to package the item. Distance to final destination will impact that cost which is perfectly fair. Buyers also need to pay attention to state sales tax, some dealers charge it and some don’t. Tax and shipping are valid expenses which dealers should charge and be compensated for.

Some dealers also price firearms cheaper and charge “FLAT RATE” 40-50 dollars to send them to the neighboring state hoping the auction or “buy now” winner will not notice until its too late to back out. The intent of my post was to save some buyers from this type dealer, maybe support the LGS within reason and save them a few dollars.

What I “think” and suggest is to look at the final price, including the FFL transfer fee, and since this a a forum, people are allowed to post what they “think”.  Hopefully a few less experienced internet buyers will see the original post and save a hard earned dollar or two.

LBS

you can do your PSA.  No harm, no foul.

but what i notice on the various forum i participate on, it will fall on deaf ears.   many people go around with what i call "blinders" on and dont see anything other than their question or needs.  They wont read anything posted before or use any search feature.   All they care about is to post their question and it maybe a similar question posted several posts down.

Also, i say that everyone starts at 0.   Sometimes you learn the hard way and sometimes you dont.