Flakey FFL

[Opoponax]

So I ordered a Ruger GP100 through the interwebs. The last time I bought a gun online I promised myself that I'd just endure and pay the extra $ locally next time. But I guess I kinda forgot about that when I discovered I'd save over $200 for this purchase.

Anyway, the gun arrived at this FFL's place on the 13th (per Fed Ex). I've called him several times and have heard nothing back. So I drove by there today.

It's a house.

WTF???

Is this normal? I've lived and purchased all of my firearms in SoCal and so have always gone through a business. Now though, I live on the Central Coast and suffice it to say that business is done quite differently here than in SoCal. I dig the slower pace, but this is nonsense.

Oh, I didn't go knock on this guy's door. The whole situation seems sketchy to me---I happen to know he has at least one gun and doesn't like returning phone calls. And another thing: his answering machine says, "I'm not home right now..." And yes, I checked the number and address several times.

Has anyone here ever run into something like this?

[mtenenhaus]

several of our excellent ffl's locally are home based

[jdmstuff]

One of my go to FFL's works from his home not too far from mine. I've never had a problem with that.

[dummykid]

work from home can keep overhead low

[Bushwack44]

FWIW, I had thought a law passed a couple years ago that FFLs have to conduct business from a commercial establishment (could no longer work from home).

[bmk20398]

yes several ffl are home based, taking appointment is bit annoying

[Dribear]

Hope it works out. I bought my sp2022 at Range Master's in SLO because it was close to work and easy.
My future business will be done at 'First Defense ' in Los Osos.
Not sure exactly where around here you are located, but I recommend these guys.

[mycrstuff]

FWIW, I had thought a law passed a couple years ago that FFLs have to conduct business from a commercial establishment (could no longer work from home).

That depends what city you are in.

[ProtectThe2nd]

Flaky gun owner

So I ordered a Ruger GP100 through the interwebs. The last time I bought a gun online I promised myself that I'd just endure and pay the extra $ locally next time. But I guess I kinda forgot about that when I discovered I'd save over $200 for this purchase.

Anyway, the gun arrived at this FFL's place on the 13th (per Fed Ex). I've called him several times and have heard nothing back. So I drove by there today.

It's a house.

WTF???

Is this normal? I've lived and purchased all of my firearms in SoCal and so have always gone through a business. Now though, I live on the Central Coast and suffice it to say that business is done quite differently here than in SoCal. I dig the slower pace, but this is nonsense.

Oh, I didn't go knock on this guy's door. The whole situation seems sketchy to me---I happen to know he has at least one gun and doesn't like returning phone calls. And another thing: his answering machine says, "I'm not home right now..." And yes, I checked the number and address several times.

Has anyone here ever run into something like this?

WTF back atcha...

So you buy and ship without even speaking to a FFL ahead of the purchase to make sure the impending transaction will meet your expectations as related to his fees etc.

You're a REAL card for coming on here and beotching like this...another liberal snowflake gun owner...

[Opoponax]

Hope it works out. I bought my sp2022 at Range Master's in SLO because it was close to work and easy.
My future business will be done at 'First Defense ' in Los Osos.
Not sure exactly where around here you are located, but I recommend these guys.

Thanks. I'll try there next time.

[Opoponax]

So you buy and ship without even speaking to a FFL ahead of the purchase to make sure the impending transaction will meet your expectations as related to his fees etc.

Yeah, genius, I've only done this about 8 or 9 times in the last year.

You're a REAL card for coming on here and beotching like this...another liberal snowflake gun owner...

So how many times a week do you wake up in the morning and go, "Oh man, I posted what last night?"

[Opoponax]

yes several ffl are home based, taking appointment is bit annoying

Thanks for the heads up. Like I said, I've only ever bought from or through commercial establishments, so this is new to me.

[jcwatchdog]

So I ordered a Ruger GP100 through the interwebs. The last time I bought a gun online I promised myself that I'd just endure and pay the extra $ locally next time. But I guess I kinda forgot about that when I discovered I'd save over $200 for this purchase.

Anyway, the gun arrived at this FFL's place on the 13th (per Fed Ex). I've called him several times and have heard nothing back. So I drove by there today.

It's a house.

WTF???

Is this normal? I've lived and purchased all of my firearms in SoCal and so have always gone through a business. Now though, I live on the Central Coast and suffice it to say that business is done quite differently here than in SoCal. I dig the slower pace, but this is nonsense.

Oh, I didn't go knock on this guy's door. The whole situation seems sketchy to me---I happen to know he has at least one gun and doesn't like returning phone calls. And another thing: his answering machine says, "I'm not home right now..." And yes, I checked the number and address several times.

Has anyone here ever run into something like this?

Even though most websites have FFLs on file, most websites state specifically to contact the receiving FFL first before placing the order to make sure the dealer is OK with receiving it. If you had called this guy and realized you couldn't get ahold of him, you probably would have tried another FFL and no harm done.

Also, some websites place an FFL on file if they've done business with that FFL directly. That doesn't mean that the FFL will accept shipments, it just means they have the FFL on file. A very well established FFL in my area is on file with pretty much every website I visit, however they don't accept shipments of any kind. They will order any legal gun you want for you at their store from their distributor, but that's the extent of them receiving shipments.

[SkyHawk]

WTF back atcha...

So you buy and ship without even speaking to a FFL ahead of the purchase to make sure the impending transaction will meet your expectations as related to his fees etc.

You're a REAL card for coming on here and beotching like this...another liberal snowflake gun owner...

I agree. This is insane. Who just has a gun shipped to a FFL in the blind?

Yeah, genius, I've only done this about 8 or 9 times in the last year.

So how many times a week do you wake up in the morning and go, "Oh man, I posted what last night?"

You're "that guy". That guy we hear about when visiting our favorite FFLs. That guy who screws it up for everyone else. It is a wonder that you get through each day without serious injury.

[Chapped Hide]

I'm with the guys above. Who has a gun shipped to an FFL they've never spoken to before and know nothing about. Lesson learned hopefully.