Distant retailers and local FFL, who usually contacts whom?

idek · September 12, 2014, 12:27 PM

I recently ordered a gun from an online retailer several states away. I provided them with the address and phone number of a lgs to send it to for the transfer. Then I called the lgs and told them about the order I had placed and gave them contact info for the retailer. They said they'd call the retailer to make arrangements.

A week later, I call the retailer to check on the order, and they said they've heard nothing from the LGS.

I'm a bit irritated with that shop anyway, because they suddenly bumped their transfer fees up by $20, so I decide to have the gun sent to a different lgs (I also provide the retailer with the new lgs info) I call the other place and tell them of my order and contact info for the retailer.

A week later, I call the retailer and they still have my gun packaged, but sitting. They say they are waiting for the lgs to provide their FFL information.

I've done a couple distant purchases like this in the past. In those cases, everything went quickly and smoothly, and I didn't really think of which side (retailer or lgs) assumed contact responsibilities. In this case, it seems each side is just sitting around waiting for the other to take initiative.

I'm not writing this to complain. I'm just curious as to which party I should be getting after to get this done.

kilimanjaro · September 12, 2014, 01:48 PM

My FFL initiates the contact once I email. I copy that to the vendor, so he knows to expect it and can query if nothing comes around.

So far, no issues.

FrankenMauser · September 12, 2014, 02:32 PM

It goes both ways. It just depends on which party makes the phone call (or sends the fax/email) first.

Sometimes the shipper makes contact.
Sometimes the recipient makes contact.

It just depends on how much laziness there is at that particular time.

I've never had it take more than 2 days for the shipper to receive the recipient FFL's information (even for weekend purchases).

2ndsojourn · September 12, 2014, 03:34 PM

I've never bought on line, but I have bought out of state. I always gave the seller my LGS/transfer guy all contact info, and in turn got all contact info of seller to my LGS/transfer guy. So far, my LGS/transfer guy emails a copy of his FFL to the seller right away. And I follow up with both daily and get a tracking number, and follow that to delivery.

My transfer guy is a 'kitchen table FFL' and he's always been responsive. It sounds like you need a new LGS/transfer guy. The on-line seller can't do anything without your local guy's FFL # and contact info.

**Tom Servo** · September 12, 2014, 09:56 PM

Assuming the shipper has reached out to him, the local retailer is the sticking point. It takes two minutes to fax or email an FFL.

(Yes, we still use facsimile machines from time to time. In 2014, there are businessmen who do not know how to use email.)

**Aguila Blanca** · September 12, 2014, 11:13 PM

The only direct contact necessary is for the receiving FFL to send a copy of his license to the seller. I have never -- ever -- heard of a seller contacting the receiving dealer to ask for it. It's your responsibility as the buyer to ensure that the FFL you selected as the transfer agent follows through and sends his license to the seller.

2123 · September 12, 2014, 11:38 PM

Some gun shops will receive a firearm for you, but won't ship one for you, if you sell one.

Fees vary greatly as well. And, to make matters even worse, a lot depends upon which person you speak to a in gun shop. You can have 10 employees in a single gun shop, and chances are, you'll receive at least 2-4 different opinions on what they can or can't do for you.

The last handgun I had shipped to a local gun shop went okay, but when the handgun arrived, they were under-going an inspection by the BATF, and for some reason, they had no record of my handgun being sent to them, even though I had spoke to the asst. manager and he gave me his business card.

So, my gun shows up that day, and they can't explain why. I'm tracking the gun on-line and see that it was delivered that day and the time. I bee-bop on down to the shop to pick up my gun, and it's just lying there out in the open, on the counter with no one around.

I stand there right in front of my gun and some kid happens by and asks me if I need help. I say yeah..........that's my gun. He just looks at me as if starring at a ghost.

He finally goes to get help and comes back with a female. She asks me if it's my gun and I say yes. She then begins to chew my rear about it showing up and no one knew about it. We go at it back and forth, and I decide to cool my jets, pay the transfer fee and leave.

Once I paid for it, and had it in my hands, I tell her what I think about the shop, their practices, and how $&*^%#@* they are.

I may not have accomplished anything by doing that, but I felt a whole lot better as I was walking out the door.

**Tom Servo** · September 13, 2014, 01:05 AM

Quote:

I have never -- ever -- heard of a seller contacting the receiving dealer to ask for it.

Actually, I have sellers calling for mine several times a day. I send it to them, and they send the package to us.

thunderarms · September 13, 2014, 03:08 AM

What Tom Said, As a seller I dont rely on the recieving gun store. I take customer service very seriously. I will make sure the reciever sends me his FFL in a timely manner so I can ship the buyer his gun ASAP.

idek · September 13, 2014, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it can vary. In any case, I emailed the LGS with the details (I spoke on the phone last time), and shortly after I got a response saying they had sent their FFL. Hopefully, things will progress smoothly now.

dogtown tom · September 13, 2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Aguila Blanca .... I have never -- ever -- heard of a seller contacting the receiving dealer to ask for it.....

It only happens about 1 in 100 transfers. I'll get a call like this:

Caller: "I need a copy of your FFL"
Me: "Who is this?"
Caller: "Bob at Bill's Tactical Armory & Pawn, I have a customer who bought a gun and wants us to ship it to you.....I need your FFL"
Me: "Who is the customer?"
Caller: "Uh, hang on a minute.....uhhhhhhh.....I just need your FFL so we can ship it."
Me: Sorry, I don't accept mystery guns, just have the buyer contact me.
Caller: "I just need your FFL"
Me: "I know that........but I get too many guns with no name, no contact info and they sit in my safe for two weeks before the buyer remembers where he had it shipped. Do you have ANY contact info for the customer?"
Caller: "Uh, no, my boss is the only one that can tell you that and he's at lunch. I just need your FFL."
Me: Just have the customer call me and I'll be happy to send it right over.
Caller: Oh, we'll need the FFL signed in blue or red ink when you email it.
Me: "Ummm yeah, bye.

JimDandy · September 14, 2014, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Actually, I have sellers calling for mine several times a day. I send it to them, and they send the package to us.

The FFL I love to death in my neighborhood put theirs up on the internet. I email/fax the link/page to the seller myself with the instructions that come with the page, the info they need, and give the local shop a heads up about it coming through, although they're already partially in the loop because I've had them looking for whatever I bought already.

thunderarms · September 15, 2014, 03:59 AM

Wow...on the internet? Dont know about others but I dont give mine out to just anyone. Our company policy is only to other license holders. Non license holders can use FFL EZ check.

September 12, 2014, 12:27 PM	#1
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	Distant retailers and local FFL, who usually contacts whom? I recently ordered a gun from an online retailer several states away. I provided them with the address and phone number of a lgs to send it to for the transfer. Then I called the lgs and told them about the order I had placed and gave them contact info for the retailer. They said they'd call the retailer to make arrangements. A week later, I call the retailer to check on the order, and they said they've heard nothing from the LGS. I'm a bit irritated with that shop anyway, because they suddenly bumped their transfer fees up by $20, so I decide to have the gun sent to a different lgs (I also provide the retailer with the new lgs info) I call the other place and tell them of my order and contact info for the retailer. A week later, I call the retailer and they still have my gun packaged, but sitting. They say they are waiting for the lgs to provide their FFL information. I've done a couple distant purchases like this in the past. In those cases, everything went quickly and smoothly, and I didn't really think of which side (retailer or lgs) assumed contact responsibilities. In this case, it seems each side is just sitting around waiting for the other to take initiative. I'm not writing this to complain. I'm just curious as to which party I should be getting after to get this done.

September 12, 2014, 02:32 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,778	It goes both ways. It just depends on which party makes the phone call (or sends the fax/email) first. Sometimes the shipper makes contact. Sometimes the recipient makes contact. It just depends on how much laziness there is at that particular time. I've never had it take more than 2 days for the shipper to receive the recipient FFL's information (even for weekend purchases). __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

September 12, 2014, 09:56 PM	#5
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,095	Assuming the shipper has reached out to him, the local retailer is the sticking point. It takes two minutes to fax or email an FFL. (Yes, we still use facsimile machines from time to time. In 2014, there are businessmen who do not know how to use email.) __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

September 12, 2014, 01:48 PM	#2
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	My FFL initiates the contact once I email. I copy that to the vendor, so he knows to expect it and can query if nothing comes around. So far, no issues.

September 12, 2014, 03:34 PM	#4
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	I've never bought on line, but I have bought out of state. I always gave the seller my LGS/transfer guy all contact info, and in turn got all contact info of seller to my LGS/transfer guy. So far, my LGS/transfer guy emails a copy of his FFL to the seller right away. And I follow up with both daily and get a tracking number, and follow that to delivery. My transfer guy is a 'kitchen table FFL' and he's always been responsive. It sounds like you need a new LGS/transfer guy. The on-line seller can't do anything without your local guy's FFL # and contact info.

September 12, 2014, 11:13 PM	#6
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,051	The only direct contact necessary is for the receiving FFL to send a copy of his license to the seller. I have never -- ever -- heard of a seller contacting the receiving dealer to ask for it. It's your responsibility as the buyer to ensure that the FFL you selected as the transfer agent follows through and sends his license to the seller.

September 12, 2014, 11:38 PM	#7
2123 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2014 Location: It changes.....a lot. Posts: 356	Some gun shops will receive a firearm for you, but won't ship one for you, if you sell one. Fees vary greatly as well. And, to make matters even worse, a lot depends upon which person you speak to a in gun shop. You can have 10 employees in a single gun shop, and chances are, you'll receive at least 2-4 different opinions on what they can or can't do for you. The last handgun I had shipped to a local gun shop went okay, but when the handgun arrived, they were under-going an inspection by the BATF, and for some reason, they had no record of my handgun being sent to them, even though I had spoke to the asst. manager and he gave me his business card. So, my gun shows up that day, and they can't explain why. I'm tracking the gun on-line and see that it was delivered that day and the time. I bee-bop on down to the shop to pick up my gun, and it's just lying there out in the open, on the counter with no one around. I stand there right in front of my gun and some kid happens by and asks me if I need help. I say yeah..........that's my gun. He just looks at me as if starring at a ghost. He finally goes to get help and comes back with a female. She asks me if it's my gun and I say yes. She then begins to chew my rear about it showing up and no one knew about it. We go at it back and forth, and I decide to cool my jets, pay the transfer fee and leave. Once I paid for it, and had it in my hands, I tell her what I think about the shop, their practices, and how $&^%#@ they are. I may not have accomplished anything by doing that, but I felt a whole lot better as I was walking out the door.

September 13, 2014, 03:08 AM	#9
thunderarms Junior Member Join Date: September 8, 2014 Location: Giddings Texas Posts: 14	What Tom Said, As a seller I dont rely on the recieving gun store. I take customer service very seriously. I will make sure the reciever sends me his FFL in a timely manner so I can ship the buyer his gun ASAP.

September 13, 2014, 11:58 AM	#10
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it can vary. In any case, I emailed the LGS with the details (I spoke on the phone last time), and shortly after I got a response saying they had sent their FFL. Hopefully, things will progress smoothly now.

September 15, 2014, 03:59 AM	#13
thunderarms Junior Member Join Date: September 8, 2014 Location: Giddings Texas Posts: 14	Wow...on the internet? Dont know about others but I dont give mine out to just anyone. Our company policy is only to other license holders. Non license holders can use FFL EZ check.