Gunbroker, C&R and FFL

Reptile · Jun 16, 2015

I don't have a lot of experience with Gunbroker purchasing, but I have won a couple of auctions, mostly for C&R eligible or antique items. Never had a problem until now.

I won an auction for a 97 year old handgun, but the seller will not accept a C&R license. Fine, that's his call. My FFL sent him his information so the handgun could be shipped to him, but the seller refused to accept an e-mail attachment. He insists on a snail mail originally signed hardcopy, which I assume he will give to his FFL.

OK, we can do that, but it really doesn't seem necessary and has not been necessary in any other auction or on-line retail order I have made.

Am I misunderstanding what I thought was SOP for a transfer to an FFL?

JamesH · Jun 16, 2015

This guy may be getting some bad info from his local FFL, or is just plain paranoid. ATF says email is fine. But then, your C&R should be fine, too...

somd_mustangs · Jun 16, 2015

If he is using an FFL on his end it might not be a bad idea to just talk directly to them.
Who knows, maybe they'll even take the FFL-03.

rseymorejr · Jun 16, 2015

I always contact the seller to clarify things like this before I place a bid. That way there aren't any surprises. I was even able to convince a seller to sell me a Savage Model 99 on my C&R just by asking him and sending a link to the ATF website showing that it was eligible.
Sometimes you can work with people and sometimes you can't!

Reptile · Jun 16, 2015

rseymorejr said:
I always contact the seller to clarify things like this before I place a bid. That way there aren't any surprises. I was even able to convince a seller to sell me a Savage Model 99 on my C&R just by asking him and sending a link to the ATF website showing that it was eligible.
Sometimes you can work with people and sometimes you can't!

Communication has been good throughout. I knew up front that he wanted FFL info. When I won the auction I told him my FFL was working a gun show and was closed on Monday, so it would probably be today before he could get the FFL info to him. Asked then if my C&R would be OK and he said no. The seller acknowledged receiving my payment yesterday, but no FFL information. I contacted the FFL who said he sent it Friday. I contacted the seller again today after sending him a softcopy of the FFL information. He said he needed a hard copy. I can understand how he might be uncertain, but posted this just to be sure my previous experiences were not unusual and this one is a bit out of the ordinary.

rseymorejr · Jun 16, 2015

Reptile said:
Communication has been good throughout. I knew up front that he wanted FFL info. When I won the auction I told him my FFL was working a gun show and was closed on Monday, so it would probably be today before he could get the FFL info to him. Asked then if my C&R would be OK and he said no. The seller acknowledged receiving my payment yesterday, but no FFL information. I contacted the FFL who said he sent it Friday. I contacted the seller again today after sending him a softcopy of the FFL information. He said he needed a hard copy. I can understand how he might be uncertain, but posted this just to be sure my previous experiences were not unusual and this one is a bit out of the ordinary.

Some sellers seem to go overboard but it'll all work out in the end.

toolness1 · Jun 16, 2015

Unfortunately it is all up to them, and no matter what the law says, they can be jerks about it. And, IMO, it does count as "being a jerk" when you can easily prove that an email copy is fine, and the item is C&R eligible.

Machodoc · Jun 16, 2015

Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. It's like talking with some wives* ... it doesn't matter what the facts are, whatever they believe is the reality you have to deal with.

[*Not mine, of course!]

JasonB · Jun 16, 2015

I'd suggest giving me his FFL a call directly. Maybe the seller is the one unsure of the rules.

Reptile · Jun 16, 2015

toolness1 said:
Unfortunately it is all up to them, and no matter what the law says, they can be jerks about it. And, IMO, it does count as "being a jerk" when you can easily prove that an email copy is fine, and the item is C&R eligible.

Well, truth be told I REALLY wanted that 1918 Colt 1911 and was more concerned about the few extra days before I could call it mine than about the way the seller should have handled the transaction. I appreciate the benefit of everyone's knowledge and experience. At least it confirmed what I thought should have happened.

good guy 176 · Jun 16, 2015

The seller does not need a hard copy. He can go online and with a few numbers from your FFL01's license, that license can be verified on the ATF website. The seller is a novice and unsure of himself.

I've completed over a 115 transactions on GunBroker. The ones who get under my skin are the FFLs and/or sellers who will not accept a FFL03 license.

Lew--Ranger63

Threeband · Jun 17, 2015

Could be he's just an old fart who doesn't hold with this dad-burned new-fangled e-nonsense, consarn it.

Reptile · Jun 17, 2015

Threeband said:
Could be he's just an old fart who doesn't hold with this dad-burned new-fangled e-nonsense, consarn it.

You may be right. His Gunbroker history indicates he has been disposing of an extensive collection of vintage Colts, as well as other brands.

Reptile · Jun 17, 2015

My FFL contacted the seller and, indeed, he has no fax or printer, thus the request for a hard copy.

rseymorejr · Jun 17, 2015

Reptile said:
My FFL contacted the seller and, indeed, he has no fax or printer, thus the request for a hard copy.

Well, you can't fault him for trying to stay off the grid!

Reptile · Jun 17, 2015

Here's what I'm waiting for now that the FFL issue has been sorted out:

It dates to 1918 and was sent through the Augusta Arsenal for refurb during WWII. I'll have to field strip it when it arrives to see just how much of a mixmaster it is.

toolness1 · Jun 17, 2015

Machodoc said:
Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. It's like talking with some wives* ... it doesn't matter what the facts are, whatever they believe is the reality you have to deal with.

[*Not mine, of course!]

Haha!, worried she has a key logger or checks your forum posts?

Sent from my XT901 using Tapatalk

Threeband · Jun 17, 2015

rseymorejr said:
Well, you can't fault him for trying to stay off the grid!

The City of Huntsville can:

Veteran Living Completely Off-The-Grid Gets Threatened By City Officials For Not Using City Utilities

falconguy · Jun 21, 2015

Threeband said:
The City of Huntsville can:

Veteran Living Completely Off-The-Grid Gets Threatened By City Officials For Not Using City Utilities

What a country we live in huh? If the local Government can't get your $$ the legal way they'll do it another.

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