Are dealers ripping us off on transfer fees?

watts · Jun 22, 2013

To some degree, you're also paying for convenience. You could probably find an ffl who will do a transfer for less, but they may be far away and they may be worse in other ways. Find a couple ffls that you can trust and that do good work. You may pay a little more here and there but they have families to feed as well.

boricuamaximus · Jun 22, 2013

Beemerguy said:
Last November, I transferred two handguns through my local gun shop, where I have done business for more than 20 years. The fee was $45 for each transfer, plus the $10 MSP fee.

Today, I called that same dealer to see if they had a particular pistol in stock, or if they could order it. They advised that they didn't have it and couldn't get it, but would transfer it if I bought it online. The fee, however, is now $75!

I talked two more dealers, and got the same response: They can't get the pistol, but they will do the transfer for $75. One dealer reminded me that in addition to that fee, I will need to cough up $10 for MSP, and $35 for an Omega Lock.

Apparently, the laws of supply and demand don't govern just guns, but dealer services as well. I hope these dealers are proud of themselves...and I hope they remember the ill will they've generated when all the current hysteria fades.

I always make it a point to buy something, anything, anytime I am in a local gun shop, even if it's only a box of .22 ammo, in order to support small businesses. Never again. The internet is chock-full of merchants who will deliver ammo and gun-related products to my door, often at a lower cost.

Can anyone recommend a dealer who will handle a handgun transfer without gouging? Thanks.

Not really ripping you off. Just as previously stated, due to the back logs of MSP some dealers are having to store sold guns off site. So they have extra storage and they have to make room to get your gun in and wait on paperwork. Basically, storing stock that they were not accounting for. Sad but it's the politicians fault, not the dealers. They would love to sell you a gun and get it out of their hands as soon as possible but the extra cost of business needs to be passed on. $75 for transfer, does not sound that had in today's environment in the commie republik. Best thing you can do is either vote with your feet or try to get the moonbats out of office.

Anotherpyr · Jun 22, 2013

boricuamaximus said:
Not really ripping you off. Just as previously stated, due to the back logs of MSP some dealers are having to store sold guns off site. So they have extra storage and they have to make room to get your gun in and wait on paperwork. Basically, storing stock that they were not accounting for. Sad but it's the politicians fault, not the dealers. They would love to sell you a gun and get it out of their hands as soon as possible but the extra cost of business needs to be passed on. $75 for transfer, does not sound that had in today's environment in the commie republik. Best thing you can do is either vote with your feet or try to get the moonbats out of office.

Don't forget they have to store it longer (thus more storage fees if renting space). If you shop around you should be able to find cheaper fees but it eventually becomes a question of transportation cost vs savings.

MDElite · Jun 22, 2013

Don't forget the phone calls. " Just checking to see if I can pick up my gun today"

Maybe dealers should charge a phone call fee. Lower the price of the transfer and charge $5 every time you call asking about your transfer.

What if all the MD dealers decided not to do transfers at all?

K.C.Dean · Jun 22, 2013

The first transfer I had was a shocker. The dealer had their name listed on GB and all transfers $50.00. When I found what I wanted I called the dealer and no problem I also went by his shop and everything was good to go. When I go to fill the paperwork out $100.00 plus sales tax. Since his cost was posted on GB I didn't bother asking and he didn't tell me. I don't do business with AG&A anymore.

pleasant1911 · Jun 22, 2013

All considered, depending on the gun you buy, that 75 is not so bad. I went to a LGS and saw a Springfield RO for 1200 or something. I see it on the net forever for about 900, or so delieverd. So even with 75 to 900, its still cheaper. Cannot not bet them all the time.

babalooie21204 · Jun 22, 2013

BBestPawn said:
Don't forget the phone calls. " Just checking to see if I can pick up my gun today"

Maybe dealers should charge a phone call fee. Lower the price of the transfer and charge $5 every time you call asking about your transfer.

What if all the MD dealers decided not to do transfers at all?

NOt going to happen. I know 2 ffl's in md that all they do is transfers. Its their business

and yes they have cheaper rates than discussed here

Pinecone · Jun 22, 2013

I know about business costs. And I am all for a business making some money.

But $65 or higher for a NON-regulated transfer?

If it was $45 for a regulated transfer 3 months ago, why the jump to $75 or $100? Why are other dealers NOT raising their prices?

Are some dealer gouging on transfers? Yes they are. Are some of the price increases legitimate? Yes they are.

You have to decide what is reasonable and what is gouging, and not use dealers that you feel are gouging.

Bang1964 · Jun 22, 2013

Question was not the cost of a Transfer, question was why so high of a jump in short period of time. Long as you are comfortable paying what you think is worth, it is not a problem.
My dealer didn't jack up transfer fees and I am happy what I am paying now. He knows most of his customers are repeat customers and long as you have them coming back you have them on a hook. Last transfer I did for a Les Baer cost me $60 and $2,500 for a LWRC he had hanging on the wall. Also I don't understand "sales tax" when you do a transfer you can't tax labor. Total rip-off if you are getting taxed for a transfer.

mward · Jun 22, 2013

They gotta pay for their safes somehow.

TyFromMD · Jun 22, 2013

mward said:
They gotta pay for their safes somehow.

This.

hogrider · Jun 22, 2013

BlackBart said:
They paid the bucks for the license, space and overhead.... no free rides. Find another FFL, bite the bullet or take up another hobby or stick to long guns. Guns, cars and women aren't cheap.

Like women and cars...it's cheaper to keep her

:lol:

Sirex · Jun 22, 2013

Beemerguy said:
Very true, but I see a difference between a product -- ammunition -- and a service such as a transfer. Ammunition costs have risen because supply has outstripped demand. Nothing has happened in the last seven months that I am aware of that would force a dealer to raise the fee for handling a transfer by $30.

The demand for ammo has gone past supply. Think about the MSP wait time for approvals. That's a dramatic increase in demand for a service, one in which a FFL requires more labor and time, more printing and fax supplies, more phone time,I mean their workload has increased a ton. I know I get bent outta shape at work when I have to do more work for the same amount of pay. They have increased hour, labor, supplies, etc..... I don't think my FFLs have increased their rates too horribly, and some not at all. You have a choice to call around and find out their transfer rates, and decide from their. Is it worth it to pay a cheap fee and have to wait months, or a higher fee to get your gun after 8 days? Decisions, decisions. Just sayin.

sgt23preston · Jun 22, 2013

Sgt Preston here...

We all have the option to shop around for the best price for any product or service we choose to buy...

If we are willing to drive 50+ miles perhaps we can get a better deal on a car, etc...

But in the end I choose to deal with people & companies that I know & like & where I feel comfortable...

There is always a balance between value & price...

However at the end of the day, I know to the penny what my dealer is going to charge me for a transfer BEFORE I agree to have anything sent to him...

So I have the final say on what I'm going to pay for a service...

You need to inquire about price before you make the deal, instead of complaining about it later...

Caveat Emptor = Let the Buyer Beware...

A1Uni · Jun 22, 2013

Just as a point of reference, I came in to the office at 0900 this morning to finish paperwork from Friday, only one day's worth.

We were busy at the counter and all I had time to do was fax off new 77s on Friday evening.

I worked from 0900 until 1530 today, my day off, with nothing but bathroom breaks just finishing transfer paperwork from the previous day, not a backlog.

When we did a few a week it was no big deal, but when huge chunks of working days get eaten up the opportunity costs associated with a service will rise.

6.5 hours I could have spent selling guns, but instead completed and shuffled paper.

I have never and will never apologize for my rates, and if the costs and time associated with that aspect of my operation rises, the cost will be passed on to the consumer.

By the way, ask your dealer how much the insurance rider for the many additional guns he is storing cost him.

You have to love the ones who think they are giving dealers " something for nothing" with regard to transfer fees.

rj1974 · Jun 22, 2013

A1Uniform said:
Just as a point of reference, I came in to the office at 0900 this morning to finish paperwork from Friday, only one day's worth.

We were busy at the counter and all I had time to do was fax off new 77s on Friday evening.

I worked from 0900 until 1530 today, my day off, with nothing but bathroom breaks just finishing transfer paperwork from the previous day, not a backlog.

When we did a few a week it was no big deal, but when huge chunks of working days get eaten up the opportunity costs associated with a service will rise.

6.5 hours I could have spent selling guns, but instead completed and shuffled paper.

I have never and will never apologize for my rates, and if the costs and time associated with that aspect of my operation rises, the cost will be passed on to the consumer.

By the way, ask your dealer how much the insurance rider for the many additional guns he is storing cost him.

You have to love the ones who think they are giving dealers " something for nothing" with regard to transfer fees.

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Boom Boom · Jun 22, 2013

A1Uniform, we all know you're just a greedy whiner ripping people off.

As bad as it is now, I feel for you come Oct 1st.

rj1974 · Jun 22, 2013

I feel bad for all of the dealers now and worse come Oct 1st but unfortunately with many of the members here it is all about me , myself and I .

Seems to be the same ones in every thread :sad20:

freddie · Jun 22, 2013

There are several FFLs in MD that only do transfers - way way lower than store front FFLs who continue to push what they have and discourage transfers through higher fees.

They can try and justify higher fees anyway they want but it is simple and not time consuming task to do - oh no it cuts down on their ******** time.

Don't like storefront fees - go to a transfer only FFL. Been there done that.

clandestine · Jun 22, 2013

freddie said:
There are several FFLs in MD that only do transfers - way way lower than store front FFLs who continue to push what they have and discourage transfers through higher fees.

They can try and justify higher fees anyway they want but it is simple and not time consuming task to do - oh no it cuts down on their ******** time.

Don't like storefront fees - go to a transfer only FFL. Been there done that.

I know. Capitalism sucks when its something you want to purchase.

Are dealers ripping us off on transfer fees?

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