Using a FFL

[aslowdodge]

Say you are buying a new gun from out of state for $500. Using a FFL in Ca who charges $75 plus $25 fros, is that it? Is the end price $600 plus your shipping to the FFL?

I have heard that the FFL will also ad ca state sales tax onto the deal so the total is now $575 plus tax plus dros and shipping.

On the other hand I have heard other FFL's out of their home don't charge tax.

So what is the deal here?

[ar15barrels]

USE tax is due on ANY sale wether it's within the state or from outside the state.
The state has told FFL's that they have to collect use tax on out-of-state transfers.
Some FFL's comply, others leave the responsibility to the buyer.
So, even if your FFL does NOT collect the tax, you still owe it.

[darkest2000]

$75 plus $25 DROS is a rip off.

[ar15barrels]

$75 plus $25 DROS is a rip off.

are you feeling lucky?

You have 777 posts!

[saber]

Here is how it works.

1.) When you order from out of state, you pay the person who is selling the rifle. The price usually includes price, shipping, etc. If it is a $500 rifle, you might end up paying $525 with shipping.

2.) The receiving FFL then charges to receive it. As an example, one of the FFL's near me charges $95 for the first firearm and $25 for the others, just to receive it.

3.) You then pay the receiving FFL the DROS fee as well. Some charge tax on the item too.

Depending on the shipping cost and the transfer fee, it is sometimes isn't worth it to get a rifle from out of state if it is commonly available. I have generally found that ordering out of state is only worth it for something I can't get locally or some of the high value rifles, like when I ordered my M1A.

[aslowdodge]

I have found that after the FFL fee and shipping the price often is pretty close to what I pay for at a local dealer. If tax is added it changes the scene quite a bit.
For example Peach State had a great deal on the Saiga for $319 plus about $20 shipping. After FFL and dros it came out to $439 plus tax if the FFL collects it.
I got a saiga locally for $424 inc dros. The only savings would be if the FFL didn't collect tax which would result in a total savings of about $25 or so. But if both are charging tax as they are supposed to, it's actually $15 cheaper to buy locally and support my community.