The Roster Tax

[abinsinia]

I was curious what the price difference was between the California rostered guns, and the same gun in the free states. I only did Springfield XD gen1 and Kimber models.

Model Name                                        Cal. Price     F/S Price      Diff           
Springfield Armory XD9101                         404.10         371.42         32.68          
Springfield Armory XD9102                         386.60         299.99         86.61          
Springfield Armory XD9161                         N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9162                         N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9201                         N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9301                         419.59         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9302                         412.90         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9401                         440.10         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9402 Tactical                447.99         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9611                         406.19         325.99         80.20          
Springfield Armory XD9621                         467.10         395.00         72.10          
Springfield Armory XD9645                         452.99         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9801                         408.00         350.00         58.00          
Springfield Armory XD9802                         389.69         408.00         -18.31         
Springfield Armory XD9802FDEFOCA                  N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9802YFOCA                    N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9811                         N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9812                         N/A            N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9821                         447.99         N/A             
Springfield Armory XD9822                         422.68         N/A             

                                                  Average Difference : $58.88 

Kimber Comp. Stnls II                             N/A            N/A             
Kimber Compact CDP II                             1139.99        899.98         240.01         
Kimber Custom CDP II                              N/A            899.59          
Kimber Custom II                                  719.99         650.00         0.00           
Kimber Custom II (NRA Freedom Warrior)            N/A            N/A             
Kimber Custom Target II                           N/A            725.00          
Kimber Custom TLE II                              N/A            929.00          
Kimber Custom TLE/RL II                           N/A            N/A             
Kimber Eclipse Custom II 10mm                     N/A            N/A             
Kimber Eclipse Custom II .45 ACP                  N/A            N/A             
Kimber Eclipse Pro II                             N/A            1169.00         
Kimber Eclipse Pro Target II                      1099.00        1099.00        0.00           
Kimber Eclipse Target II                          1169.99        1229.00        0.00           
Kimber Eclipse Ultra II                           1199.99        1049.99        150.00         
Kimber Gold Combat Stnls II                       1609.00        1609.00        0.00           
Kimber Gold Match II                              1299.99        999.99         0.00           
Kimber K6S (Brushed Steel)                        N/A            N/A             
Kimber K6S (Deluxe Carry Revolver)                N/A            380.00          
Kimber K6S (Laser Grip) (Brushed Steel)           1049.99        799.99         0.00           
Kimber K6S (Satin)                                N/A            N/A             
Kimber K6S DASA 2                                 N/A            714.99          
Kimber K6S DASA 3                                 N/A            749.00          
Kimber K6S DC (NS)                                N/A            899.99          
Kimber K6S Stainless                              N/A            N/A             
Kimber K6S Stainless 2                            N/A            649.99          
Kimber K6S Stainless 3                            N/A            N/A             
Kimber Pro Carry HD II .45 ACP                    N/A            869.99          
Kimber Pro Carry HDII Super 38                    N/A            N/A             
Kimber Pro Carry II                               762.99         775.00         0.00           
Kimber Pro CDP II                                 N/A            1079.99         
Kimber Pro Tactical II                            1095.00        1095.00        0.00           
Kimber Raptor II                                  N/A            1092.00         
Kimber Rimfire Super                              N/A            N/A             
Kimber Rimfire Target II Black                    N/A            N/A             
Kimber Rimfire Target Silver                      N/A            N/A             
Kimber Stainless Gold Match II                    1399.99        1379.99        20.00          
Kimber Stainless II                               879.99         834.00         45.99          
Kimber Stainless Raptor II                        N/A            947.99          
Kimber Stainless Target 10mm II                   N/A            N/A             
Kimber Stainless Target 9mm II                    N/A            1039.99         
Kimber Stainless TLE II                           N/A            1019.00         
Kimber Stainless TLE/RL II                        N/A            N/A             
Kimber Stnls Pro Carry II                         999.99         844.44         155.55         
Kimber Stnls Target II                            N/A            799.00          
Kimber Stnls Ultra Carry II                       N/A            699.00          
Kimber Stnls Ultra Carry II Freedom Defender      N/A            N/A             
Kimber Super Match II                             N/A            N/A             
Kimber Tactical Custom II                         N/A            900.00          
Kimber Ult Carry II                               763.00         775.00         -12.00         
Kimber Ultra CDP II                               N/A            769.48          
Kimber Ultra Covert II                            N/A            1459.00         
Kimber Ultra Raptor II                            N/A            N/A             
Kimber Warrior II                                 N/A            N/A             

                                                  Average Difference : $66.61

So you have Springfield XD's there's 13 California model available as of right now. 7 models which are on the roster but can't be purchased.

Kimber has 14 California model available right now, and 39 California models which are on roster but can't be purchased in state.

For XD's nearly half are not available for purchase, unless maybe you happen to find a used one. Kimber has only %20 of rostered guns can be purchased. Many of the Kimbers you can find free state version, but not California version.

I compared the average price for the two. XD's it's $58.88 and Kimber is $66.61 ..

So the California roster tax is around $60. At least for these models.

[M1NM]

Is it really a roster tax or the simple fact that limited number of dealers allows them to charge a higher price. Also there is more paperwork in CA so that adds to the labor of making a sale. City fees may also be higher.

[abinsinia]

Is it really a roster tax or the simple fact that limited number of dealers allows them to charge a higher price. Also there is more paperwork in CA so that adds to the labor of making a sale. City fees may also be higher.

Yeah , it's possible. It could also be the reduced magazines cost more. I called it a "tax" , but it's really just the increased cost of California firearms.

[P5Ret]

Probably has more to do with higher business costs in Ca than anything else. I've seen it on many products, selling for less in Or, Wa, or Nv. Sometimes at the same chain stores.

[Milsurp1]

Run that analysis on models in demand, e.g. Sig P210, Glock 43, 40, gen 5s, and Sig P365. Difference will be far higher.

[abinsinia]

Probably has more to do with higher business costs in Ca than anything else. I've seen it on many products, selling for less in Or, Wa, or Nv. Sometimes at the same chain stores.

These are all online prices, so it includes out of state companies. It wasn't exhaustive tho.

[golfish]

Guns bought from Buds or the like pretty much have the same prices ... but then we're paying silly transfer fees. I don't know if the transfer fees are paid at other FFLs in other states. I would think so.

[Tarmy]

Just the price of doing business in this state...plus, there is demand vs. supply here.

I like your thought OP...figured it would be more here...sorta like gas, groceries, utilities and everything else...

[Dan_Eastvale]

FFL transfer fees in Utah if purchased from out of state .... $15 period.. No other fees. Cash and carry. If purchased in Utah... No fees other than state tax. The DROS and higher FFL fees in The base on roster price wouldn't be different..

[Wordupmybrotha]

Try Glocks. Off roster Gen is ~$400 higher than roster Gen, which is 80% markup.

[plumbum]

What do you mean, “on roster but can’t be purchased”?
You know any Springfield dealer can contact the manufacturer for specific models - like the 45ACP compact tactical isn’t on their website but they are available.

[smle-man]

$25 special order charge at my FFL, no other charges but state sales tax. The dealer gave me a copy of their FFL to order firearms on line and ship them to their store. As long as it isn't NFA they are fine.

[nitroxdiver]

I don't know if the transfer fees are paid at other FFLs in other states. I would think so.

[edgerly779]

No such thing as roster tax.

[ugimports]

...

So the California roster tax is around $60. At least for these models.

I'm not sure what you mean, the "cost" from the distributor for a CA vs non-CA model of most firearms is the same. There are exceptions to that of course.

For example using XD9101 as an example:
Free State Model: $X
CA Model: $X

exactly the same. What you pay at retail of course is going to be higher..just like gas is higher, real estate is typically more, etc... It's the cost of California.

Those in free states sell stuff cheaper for a few reasons:
1) there could literally be a gun store on every corner
2) there could be the plethora of home based FFLs
3) their transfer fees as outlined in this thread are typically <$30

They work on volume and the firearm it self is lower margin..they want you to buy other stuff while you're there. As others have mentioned as well since the cost of doing business in those states is substantially lower (permits, fees, etc..) it would make sense the end result at retail is lower.