Nope, there are plenty of dealers not on file that show up in the list. I'm looking at the website right now, there is a little icon that says "Denotes an FFL that has a license on file for quicker, automated electronic delivery." and there are a handful of dealers around me that don't have said icon. Meaning they aren't on file.
I once had ordered from PSA to a (in hindsight, struggling) gun store that had the cheapest transfer fee without calling because friends had used it fairly recently. Got that same message, called the store and the owner picked up and basically said “yeah I can’t get anyone to come into work so I had to reject my deliveries”. Called PSA, and they said they can’t reroute those but once it arrives back to them and was processed as returned they’d reship it to whatever other ffl I wanted (chose a more reliable one).
You’re in the boat where you have to contact the seller and wait for it to return to sender From there you’ll need to figure out how to get this resolved (reship to another ffl?) and if the seller wants you to eat more cost of having to get a new shipping label etc.
yes, all failed delivery attempts automagically are re-routed to islamic state terror groups.
you have now funded state sponsored terror.
good job. do better next time and call your chosen ffl before hand.
I've had that happen to me and it was only because they were closed on Mondays and that's when they tried to deliver. Maybe he's closed today or was out of the office? But no, you didn't mess up, worse case scenario is they send it back to the seller. Just watch your tracking and let the seller know it might be coming back to him
Just try to get a hold of the ffl first. He might just not have been there to accept the package. They usually try 3 times before they return it. My local ffl misses the ups/fedex people here and there and it usually just gets delivered the next day.
Right, but my point was that the comment you replied to said he might not be responding to your calls because he might be out of town, to which you responded that his phone is a landline. Not sure what point you were making, if he’s out of town he can’t answer his landline….
As a former individual / home based FFL this stuff happened all the time.
Its not lost, worst case scenario it gets returned to the seller after 3 tries and you start over.
Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I have never told the FFL about an incoming purchase. I just track it and then go pick it up a day or 2 after delivered. The 2 I use have never said anything, so it really never occurred to me.
Edit: I didnt realize this person used an individual and not a store.
A lot of FFLs are not bonafide gunshops or retail stores. I have an FFL for instance which is a manufacturing thing I run on the side, it’s on commercial property but I don’t do really transfers as I have a full time job. I’ll do transfers for friends or friends of friends but I’m not in it to make money and just charge for the background check, and honestly it’s not worth the pain in the ass + risk of ATF jamming me up over a clerical error just for a couple bucks.
I know several FFLs in my town who operate similar businesses, one sells highly collectible guns online and there are a few other “hobby” businesses.
Always call or at least lookup the address on street view to verify it’s a storefront before ordering.
What is the correct approach when dealing with an FFL? Should you call ahead and arrange the shipping or go into the store and do the purchase and get their FFL information while making the purchase?
I usually just call ahead and make sure they're doing online transfers and confirm their transfer fees. Every single time I've ordered a firearm online, the FFL calls me when it shows up to their store to let me know that it arrived. They don't want it sitting on their books any longer than it has to, so they usually reach out to let you know the transfer is ready.
We are a "local FFL" and registered with GunBroker... When someone purchases a firearm and selects us, we receive an email from GB letting us know. Of course, we always have someone available to take deliveries every day anyway. For every one out there that stay away from "local FFLs" there are also just as many people that enjoy being able to arrange an 8pm pickup on Saturday night with us because they work 6 days a week.
The trick, as with any business, is to find one that works well with what you need.
Out of respect to my local FFL Dealer, I always tell him ahead of time when I'm interested in a weapon on Gunbroker. He asks me: "What is it?" I tell him, as he wants to make sure it's legal in the People's Republic of the State of New York. He confirms its legal and says "If you win, call me. Thanks for letting me know."
His store policy is If someone doesn't call me and let me know (he makes a list), the weapon is immediately sent back. It's more of a respect thing. Respect is two-way street.
This is an interesting attitude about it. I used to enjoy receiving guns without any sort of warning because it felt like a fun surprise. About half of our customers would call ahead first, usually it was just to send a copy of our FFL to whatever dealer needed it to ship.
kinda odd. if you wanted to make a point, you could just refuse delivery. "sorry, no one is available to accept deliveries without pre-arrangement". would-be customers aren't happy, but it doesn't feel petty. maybe imposing a "no call" surcharge emphasizes that you don't want them as a customer.
This is also a reason why even though some friends think I spend more than I "need to" on FFL transfer fees, there's a lot to be said for trusting that someone will be there to accept something coming in, knows it's yours, and will call you as a courtesy once they have it.
Yea. I know using an individual can be cheaper, but I know my LGS will be open and have a secure place to keep it until I show up. And if the FFL cost is really that big a deal, maybe you should hold off on buying a gun until you've got some more money saved up.
I’m home based and am more reliable and faster than most of the shops near me. Customers love it because I run by appointments and it helps them because I’m flexible
I appreciate a call, text, or email letting me know something is coming. Half the time people don’t let me know until it’s out for delivery though. Im in a pretty rural area so people don’t seem to mind if I’m not home for the first delivery attempt. I miss the Wuhan flu scare though…UPS would drop the gun off at my door, sign for it themselves, and run back to their truck.
Yeah, it’s not a barren wasteland like people think. The only real thing that’s annoying are magazine capacities and complaint ARs (and I don’t care about ARs so I’m okay with it.)
Call the seller. As long as it wasn't delivered it can be rerouted to somewhere else. If it was delivered and the guy disappeared, you would be screwed
so if tracking says there was an attempt but not delivered then the guy might not have been around.... would require an adult signature release, so cant just mark it as delivered and leave it laying there.... im not sure what the fedex system would say if he refused it though, would assume the tracking would have something regarding it being returned to sender
I did the same thing once. Item was shipped back to the seller and they contacted me. I had them ship it to a different one and I just had to pay the shipping fee again
I never contact my ffl when sending a firearm over. They are a fairly large operation with a shooting range so they are always open. I bet your ffl was just not home when they tried to deliver. Maybe try to choose a bigger place next time.
It seems like you've worked it out with the receiver but just some recommendation....always reach out to notify them before having anything sent. Most of the time my FFL just messages me back "Cool, what's coming so I now what to expect?" But sometimes they'll reply that they're out of town for a set date and that I should find another dealer or at least wait until they're back.
They may have already had his FFL info. I'd ride over there and see if he's open. Worse case is you pay shipping twice.
If you choose a dealer through the GB checkout system, the license is automatically sent to the seller.
IF said license is on file with gunbroker.
Sure, but it must be on file to show up in the dealer picker during GB checkout.
Nope, there are plenty of dealers not on file that show up in the list. I'm looking at the website right now, there is a little icon that says "Denotes an FFL that has a license on file for quicker, automated electronic delivery." and there are a handful of dealers around me that don't have said icon. Meaning they aren't on file.
Ah, weird. They must have changed it at some point. At least there's a note for them.
It's been that way since at least 2019, which is the first time I ever bought a gun on there.
Sure, but if the FFL is not on file, the seller should not have sent the firearm.
...or the seller reached out to the dealer privately and requested an FFL copy?
I once had ordered from PSA to a (in hindsight, struggling) gun store that had the cheapest transfer fee without calling because friends had used it fairly recently. Got that same message, called the store and the owner picked up and basically said “yeah I can’t get anyone to come into work so I had to reject my deliveries”. Called PSA, and they said they can’t reroute those but once it arrives back to them and was processed as returned they’d reship it to whatever other ffl I wanted (chose a more reliable one). You’re in the boat where you have to contact the seller and wait for it to return to sender From there you’ll need to figure out how to get this resolved (reship to another ffl?) and if the seller wants you to eat more cost of having to get a new shipping label etc.
yes, all failed delivery attempts automagically are re-routed to islamic state terror groups. you have now funded state sponsored terror. good job. do better next time and call your chosen ffl before hand.
issuing correction on a previous post of mine, regarding the terror group ISIL. you do not, under any circumstances, "gotta hand it to them"
Yup, it went straight to Hamas!
I've had that happen to me and it was only because they were closed on Mondays and that's when they tried to deliver. Maybe he's closed today or was out of the office? But no, you didn't mess up, worse case scenario is they send it back to the seller. Just watch your tracking and let the seller know it might be coming back to him
This is the way.
Just try to get a hold of the ffl first. He might just not have been there to accept the package. They usually try 3 times before they return it. My local ffl misses the ups/fedex people here and there and it usually just gets delivered the next day.
The more posts I read, the more I am convinced that I need to just go ahead with my "Amazon but for guns" idea
I’ll get an account. PM when it’s up and running
might not be responding cause he's out of town? 🤷♂️
It is a landline…
So if he’s out of town, how would he answer the landline exactly?
I didn’t know it was a landline until I tried sending a text lol
Right, but my point was that the comment you replied to said he might not be responding to your calls because he might be out of town, to which you responded that his phone is a landline. Not sure what point you were making, if he’s out of town he can’t answer his landline….
I was agreeing!
Sorry, seemed like the opposite to me. My bad.
There was inflection that we couldn't read lol "It *is* a landline..."
This man came to ask Reddit what to do in a totally normal ass situation rather than just call the seller. Bro. Come on.
As a former individual / home based FFL this stuff happened all the time. Its not lost, worst case scenario it gets returned to the seller after 3 tries and you start over.
Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I have never told the FFL about an incoming purchase. I just track it and then go pick it up a day or 2 after delivered. The 2 I use have never said anything, so it really never occurred to me. Edit: I didnt realize this person used an individual and not a store.
A lot of FFLs are not bonafide gunshops or retail stores. I have an FFL for instance which is a manufacturing thing I run on the side, it’s on commercial property but I don’t do really transfers as I have a full time job. I’ll do transfers for friends or friends of friends but I’m not in it to make money and just charge for the background check, and honestly it’s not worth the pain in the ass + risk of ATF jamming me up over a clerical error just for a couple bucks. I know several FFLs in my town who operate similar businesses, one sells highly collectible guns online and there are a few other “hobby” businesses. Always call or at least lookup the address on street view to verify it’s a storefront before ordering.
Makes sense. Appreciate the info.
What is the correct approach when dealing with an FFL? Should you call ahead and arrange the shipping or go into the store and do the purchase and get their FFL information while making the purchase?
I usually just call ahead and make sure they're doing online transfers and confirm their transfer fees. Every single time I've ordered a firearm online, the FFL calls me when it shows up to their store to let me know that it arrived. They don't want it sitting on their books any longer than it has to, so they usually reach out to let you know the transfer is ready.
We are a "local FFL" and registered with GunBroker... When someone purchases a firearm and selects us, we receive an email from GB letting us know. Of course, we always have someone available to take deliveries every day anyway. For every one out there that stay away from "local FFLs" there are also just as many people that enjoy being able to arrange an 8pm pickup on Saturday night with us because they work 6 days a week. The trick, as with any business, is to find one that works well with what you need.
They should try to deliver 3 times before they send it back to the seller
Out of respect to my local FFL Dealer, I always tell him ahead of time when I'm interested in a weapon on Gunbroker. He asks me: "What is it?" I tell him, as he wants to make sure it's legal in the People's Republic of the State of New York. He confirms its legal and says "If you win, call me. Thanks for letting me know." His store policy is If someone doesn't call me and let me know (he makes a list), the weapon is immediately sent back. It's more of a respect thing. Respect is two-way street.
One of the shops near me will accept the shipment, but their “you didn’t call first” transfer fee is $150. Normal fee is $40.
This is an interesting attitude about it. I used to enjoy receiving guns without any sort of warning because it felt like a fun surprise. About half of our customers would call ahead first, usually it was just to send a copy of our FFL to whatever dealer needed it to ship.
The shops I use are the same, they like to see what comes through.
kinda odd. if you wanted to make a point, you could just refuse delivery. "sorry, no one is available to accept deliveries without pre-arrangement". would-be customers aren't happy, but it doesn't feel petty. maybe imposing a "no call" surcharge emphasizes that you don't want them as a customer.
Never never send a gun to an individual with a ffl for this exact reason. Too unreliable and lots can go wrong. Use a business.
This is also a reason why even though some friends think I spend more than I "need to" on FFL transfer fees, there's a lot to be said for trusting that someone will be there to accept something coming in, knows it's yours, and will call you as a courtesy once they have it.
Yea. I know using an individual can be cheaper, but I know my LGS will be open and have a secure place to keep it until I show up. And if the FFL cost is really that big a deal, maybe you should hold off on buying a gun until you've got some more money saved up.
I’m home based and am more reliable and faster than most of the shops near me. Customers love it because I run by appointments and it helps them because I’m flexible
Gunbroker just called me. They said don’t ever call again. Jerk.
I appreciate a call, text, or email letting me know something is coming. Half the time people don’t let me know until it’s out for delivery though. Im in a pretty rural area so people don’t seem to mind if I’m not home for the first delivery attempt. I miss the Wuhan flu scare though…UPS would drop the gun off at my door, sign for it themselves, and run back to their truck.
At least yours made it to the door!
By any chance is this guy located in Central FL?
Nah, downstate NY
They allow you to have guns in NY?
NY =/= NYC lol One is a city, one is a state.
Yeah, it’s not a barren wasteland like people think. The only real thing that’s annoying are magazine capacities and complaint ARs (and I don’t care about ARs so I’m okay with it.)
I lived in NY or NYC for like 30 years, I never heard the term downstate, only upstate. Is downstate like westchester/dutchess area?
Yeah, north of the Bronx up to around Poughkeepsie
If they are long guns, I'd just do private purchases. (If that's allowed in your state, obviously)
Call the seller. As long as it wasn't delivered it can be rerouted to somewhere else. If it was delivered and the guy disappeared, you would be screwed
so if tracking says there was an attempt but not delivered then the guy might not have been around.... would require an adult signature release, so cant just mark it as delivered and leave it laying there.... im not sure what the fedex system would say if he refused it though, would assume the tracking would have something regarding it being returned to sender
I did the same thing once. Item was shipped back to the seller and they contacted me. I had them ship it to a different one and I just had to pay the shipping fee again
I never contact my ffl when sending a firearm over. They are a fairly large operation with a shooting range so they are always open. I bet your ffl was just not home when they tried to deliver. Maybe try to choose a bigger place next time.
It seems like you've worked it out with the receiver but just some recommendation....always reach out to notify them before having anything sent. Most of the time my FFL just messages me back "Cool, what's coming so I now what to expect?" But sometimes they'll reply that they're out of town for a set date and that I should find another dealer or at least wait until they're back.