Can someone tell me the ins and outs of FFLs? Understood PSA is a solid FFL–but some of the online sellers have “preferred” arrangements with other local and closer to me FFLs. Some of them will supposedly accept the firearm for half the fee.
Just looking at a few websites, some of them seem to be individuals or located in a residence…but again “preferred” by the online seller. I presume advisable to call the FFL first to make sure there’s a person on the other end before having it shipped.
What other traps might befall a newbie for not going with the standard options?
Look up the local FFL list for your neighborhood. Call and Talk with the FFL concerning if they will accept your shipment, they can also tell you if it is legal in your locale. Ask about their fees and procedures. You can get hit with the tranfer fees, package storage, electronic filing feed and other things. The place I use charges one fee, the guys down the block, literally, charge double on a per item basis.
Yes, PSA buyers have had purchases shipped to locations that are no longer in business or no longer accept transfers.
Usually if an online retailer has an FFL listed as “preferred”, they have a copy of the FFL’s license on file and/or they have agreed to accept packages without prior notice.
That said, if you plan to use an FFL for their transfer services , YES call them to give them a heads up. ESPECIALLY if they are home based. Buyers don’t always understand that their FFL is a person, who has a life outside of your gun, so they might need to know that something is coming their way. Also pass along tracking information so they can be home to sign for the package (a requirement by shipping companies). I can’t count how many times I’ve been away on vacation and FedEx shows up with an unexpected package. At this point, if you don’t care to let me know it’s on the way, I can’t possibly care to ensure it is received.
Help me understand what you mean regarding “half the fee”. FFLs set our own prices for transfers; there’s no agreement between us and any retailers on our prices. I charge $20/item. A guy across town charges $85/transfer. People use me to transfer their PSA purchases even though I am 2 miles away from the store because I don’t have a line of other customers to tend to - i can get them in and out in 20 minutes, so it’s worth their $20. I get nothing from PSA (or any other retailer) as a receiving FFL, - like money or working relationship. They send your package to me, then I charge you for my services.
Call the FFL, find out if they are accepting transfers, ask their prices, give them tracking info, and be flexible with your schedule for pickup.
Thank you so much for that explanation. I guess that’s what I was just coming to realize–that an individual can be an FFL–ie a home-based business. I didn’t fully understand that but what you have outlined makes a lot of sense. What I meant by “half” was that a brick-and-mortar charges, say, $50 – and as I mentioned the “preferred” FFL posts $25 as the fee. Understood there may be other fees/charges added but that was my initial question.
Yes, absolutely I would never think of having a firearm shipped to an individual/home based outfit without communicating/affirming first. I can’t understand how someone would think that is a good idea.
Gotcha. Yeah, brick and mortar stores charge more for transfers because they make more money selling you the gun than transfering it. So they have to make it worth their time. Home based have little to no overhead (no employees to pay), so it’s less expensive.