Flakey FFL

[Jeepergeo]

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

Why on earth with your vast experience would you be 1) having this problem to begin with and 2) coming to the Interweb again to get advice regarding said problem?

I suspect the FFL is on extended vacation, maybe even hunting in Africa, and the neighbor kid watching the FFL's house while he is gone signed the delivery receipt, figured out what it is, and is now out personnally breaking in your "new" gun.

[Lead Waster]

I've used several home based FFLs, typically good experiences.

I wouldn't worry too much about "sketchy" since they DO hold an FFL which I think is fairly accountable. (if he steals your gun, just call the cops)

Also ... you know where he lives ...

[GlockN'Roll]

My first online purchase was from Buds and the FFL was home-based too. I immediately established communication through email.

Some online retailers have "preferred FFL's" which don't require buyers to contact the FFL prior to placing the order.

I make it a point though to at least google the FFL for additional info like where they're located, customer feedback, etc.

For my most recent online purchase, I chose one such preferred FFL and while the order's being processed, I found an excuse to visit the FFL (an actual store) and bought some ammo while introducing myself.

More than one of Bud's preferred FFL's are not necessarily current with Bud's.

My daughter recently bought a gun from Bud's, luckily we contacted her range (a Bud's preferred FFL) first,

as they hadn't dealt with Bud's in sometime and wanted to make sure everything was current before she placed her order.

[Lead Waster]

The first home based FFL I used, I called first. The lady that answered said "Just have them contact us and we'll call you when it's here", she didn't even ask my name or anything.

Obviously the SENDING FFL calls the RECEIVING FFL to make sure things are kosher first.

I call first, but seems like some FFLs are so busy that they don't want you to call. They'll call you when a gun comes in for you. They WILL have your name and number. Plus if it's their business, then they expect guns to show up.

[Powder_Keg]

I agree with others, should have called the receiving FFL beforehand to inquire about the fees and to make sure he is still in business. To just blindly select a FFL from a pull down menu or from a google search was a mistake IMO.

I've purchased online when their was enough $$ to be saved, never had an issue, but I also always made arrangements with my local FFL beforehand too.

Hope you sort out your issue. Keep us posted.

[Garand Hunter]

I used to have what I called a Hip Pocket FFL, did home based orders and sales
for people I knew or worked with. Never had a issue. Gave up my license in 1994, what with the COE Tax license etc. No regrets.

Psalm 1

[boopiejones]

My favorite FFL recently retired. But he was home based. His preferred way of doing business was:

Ship him the gun
Track it yourself
Show up at his house when tracking shows it has arrived

That being said, all ffls are different. I've had others that want you to show up before you place the order, fill out paperwork and pay them their fees, and then Show up again after they call you to tell you the gun has arrived. Then show up a third time to pick it up 10 days later.

Bottom line is every FFL is different so always CALL FIRST before using a new FFL!!!

[SkyHawk]

Absolutely nothing wrong with home based or by appointment FFLs. Thank goodness we have them.

The problem is not knowing who you are shipping a gun in to before you ship it, and checking with them - especially if you have never used them before.

Even if a home based FFL is listed as a transfer FFL on a bunch of websites, the very nature of home based FFLs means you don't know if they are on vacation, dealing with a family emergency, etc. And even with brick and mortar stores, sometimes SHHH happens: they forget to renew a COE, or pay the DES bill, or any number of things in this state that can leave them temporarily INOP.

Even with my favorite FFL, I always check - every single time - to be sure any inbound transfer is OK with him, before I have anything shipped.

[elSquid]

Get your C&R and have the manufacturers ship straight to your house!

Where can I place my order for a newly-made-but-C&R Eddystone 1917?



-- Michael

[9mmContagion]

Get your C&R and have the manufacturers ship straight to your house!

False information, unless it's a C&R firearm...

[BABUSA]

So you don't do your due diligence...then you post up about a flaky FFL



My go to FFL is home based...he's a retired cop/armorer.

[robert101]

I don't agree with one aspect of the bashing here. Yes the OP should have contacted the FFL and come to an agreement prior to shipping. BUT, the licensed FFL should respond to the OP's calls and let him know the disposition of the potential business transaction. It is purely a matter of decency.

If the FFL doesn't call you back within a week. Post his or her name here for all of us to see. What, is the guy going to keep the gun? Is he going to sell it for a profit (which is steeling)? I don't get why the FFL wouldn't address the matter as a business transaction regardless of the situation. Period. To many flakes in this world. Be a good person.

[dfletcher]

I don't agree with one aspect of the bashing here. Yes the OP should have contacted the FFL and come to an agreement prior to shipping. BUT, the licensed FFL should respond to the OP's calls and let him know the disposition of the potential business transaction. It is purely a matter of decency.

If the FFL doesn't call you back within a week. Post his or her name here for all of us to see. What, is the guy going to keep the gun? Is he going to sell it for a profit (which is steeling)? I don't get why the FFL wouldn't address the matter as a business transaction regardless of the situation. Period. To many flakes in this world. Be a good person.

I might agree if the buyer had contacted the FFL before shipping the gun, got his OK for delivery and set up a meet date. If the buyer did all this unannounced & on his own, that's a different story. I have one or two small store FFLs that help me out alot, I'd never consider using their FFL/address without contacting them ahead of time and getting a specific OK on what's coming.

Look at it this way - is there anyone here who would hand a total stranger a self-addressed, stamped box and say "fill it with whatever you want & ship it to me"? Add that it involves guns and the government, someone's livelihood too.

I wonder if there's going to be a follow up thread that the "flakey FFL won't release my AR 15 pistol ...."

[Carcassonne]

... So I drove by there today.

It's a house.

WTF???

https://www.instantstreetview.com/

saves you the drive

[808@515]

I don't agree with one aspect of the bashing here. Yes the OP should have contacted the FFL and come to an agreement prior to shipping. BUT, the licensed FFL should respond to the OP's calls and let him know the disposition of the potential business transaction. It is purely a matter of decency.

If the FFL doesn't call you back within a week. Post his or her name here for all of us to see. What, is the guy going to keep the gun? Is he going to sell it for a profit (which is steeling)? I don't get why the FFL wouldn't address the matter as a business transaction regardless of the situation. Period. To many flakes in this world. Be a good person.

Let's say the FFL is on vacation away from home, has no idea that a customer that he doesn't know about has shipped a gun there. How would the FFL even know to respond? Is this indecent of the FFL?

I've done business with Home FFL's in the past. I've always inquired/notified the FFL that I was purchasing and having it transferred. The FFL then notified me upon arrival, we made appointment to dros. Easy Peasy.