Is this normal?

[jrsportssupply]

Who cares if they add almost 10% to your tranfser.

You can keep the $25, I would save more than $250+ on some of my gun purchases.

I don't understand how you would save any money at all. You are required to pay the use tax whether or not it is collected by the gun shop.

[jrsportssupply]

How do you know how much to charge? Who tells you how much was paid, or if it's new?

Those are great questions. If the customer cannot provide a bill of sale, we are allowed to use our discretion to determine a fair market value for the firearm being transferred. Where a bill of sale is not available, we will use our standard markup over wholesale to determine the sales price.

I haven't encountered a situation where there was any question as to whether or not the gun was used. It's usually pretty clear if the gun is new or used. But thanks, now I have to worry about that situation cropping up

[MP301]

It doesn't make a difference if your FFL charges you sales tax or you pay the sales tax directly to the state yourself. The bottom line is that you are legally required to pay the sales tax for any taxable item that you import into the state.

interesting...so all of the stuff we buy online, we are supposed to pay tax in...even though the online stores only charge you sales tax if you reside in the same state? Im not doubting you, but I would like to see this in a statute... A link will suffice.

[MP301]

Ok that makes sense. The guy at the shop told me why they charged tax, like i said, i never did this type of transfer before so its all new to me. I like this shop, they are honest, very helpful and knowledgeable, good prices, and awesome selection, and also a Calguns supporter, hell they knock $25 off their transfer fee if you are a CG member. I drive 45 minutes to do business with them, when i have 3 other gun shops within 5-20 minutes from my house.

If they knock $25 off your transfer fee, are they not already charging you $25 more then they should already? I pay $35 incl. DROS whether i buy out of state or ppt. NOT a good deal.

[MP301]

When I first opened the shop, I contacted the CA State Board of Equalization about this very issue, mainly because the former owners had been fined for not collecting sales tax on out-of-state purchases. I was given a written response from the BOE, that basically says I have to collect use tax on new firearms purchased from out of state. Any of you are welcome to view the BOE response to my question.
Gun shops that do not collect use tax on out-of-state purchases are accumulating a liability that they are unaware of. This issue has been debated at length on Calguns, but the bottom line is that we (gun dealers in CA) must collect use tax on out-of-state purchases. If we don't, we are liable not only for the back-taxes, but penalties & interest on those unpaid taxes.

I really hope that our customers understand the position we are in. We don't like charging this tax, but we really don't have a choice in the matter.

Thanks for listening.

Ok, I understand more now. Its another CA thing and its only on new guns? I see, said the blind man....

[tango5]

When I first opened the shop, I contacted the CA State Board of Equalization about this very issue, mainly because the former owners had been fined for not collecting sales tax on out-of-state purchases. I was given a written response from the BOE, that basically says I have to collect use tax on new firearms purchased from out of state. Any of you are welcome to view the BOE response to my question.
Gun shops that do not collect use tax on out-of-state purchases are accumulating a liability that they are unaware of. This issue has been debated at length on Calguns, but the bottom line is that we (gun dealers in CA) must collect use tax on out-of-state purchases. If we don't, we are liable not only for the back-taxes, but penalties & interest on those unpaid taxes.

I really hope that our customers understand the position we are in. We don't like charging this tax, but we really don't have a choice in the matter.

Thanks for listening.

Randy, dont get me wrong, im not contesting the tax, i was curious to know if it was normal. I have never done any online gun purchases before. One way or another im paying the tax. I forgot the name of the guy who helped me, he did say he used to work at the Lab, nice guy and very helpful. He explained to me the situation with the old owner and the fine he got nailed with for not charging tax, ouch!

[SCMA-1]

Those are great questions. If the customer cannot provide a bill of sale, we are allowed to use our discretion to determine a fair market value for the firearm being transferred. Where a bill of sale is not available, we will use our standard markup over wholesale to determine the sales price.

I haven't encountered a situation where there was any question as to whether or not the gun was used. It's usually pretty clear if the gun is new or used. But thanks, now I have to worry about that situation cropping up

Just to clarify, the "use" tax does not apply to "used guns", only new ones?

SCMA-1

[macadamizer]

interesting...so all of the stuff we buy online, we are supposed to pay tax in...even though the online stores only charge you sales tax if you reside in the same state? Im not doubting you, but I would like to see this in a statute... A link will suffice.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/usetaxreturn.htm

Not a statute, but a link to the BOE.

[rmasold]

great info all

[jrsportssupply]

Just to clarify, the "use" tax does not apply to "used guns", only new ones?

SCMA-1

Yep, the document the BOE gave us says the use tax only applies to new merchandise, not used.

[jrsportssupply]

Randy, dont get me wrong, im not contesting the tax, i was curious to know if it was normal. I have never done any online gun purchases before. One way or another im paying the tax. I forgot the name of the guy who helped me, he did say he used to work at the Lab, nice guy and very helpful. He explained to me the situation with the old owner and the fine he got nailed with for not charging tax, ouch!

No offense taken!

[TKM]

Sounds like having someone "use" the gun a little could save a lot.

That being said.

Finding a local shop that makes a point of staying on top of every law and each little detail that could possibly come back and bite you in the butt is great. They are watching out for you as well as themselves and, eventually, all of us. Thank them and give them business when you can.

Remember when Wally-world sold guns? How about all of those shops that are gone now because of paperwork irregularities.

[Fjold]

interesting...so all of the stuff we buy online, we are supposed to pay tax in...even though the online stores only charge you sales tax if you reside in the same state? Im not doubting you, but I would like to see this in a statute... A link will suffice.

http://www.boe.ca.gov/ads/news06.htm

[norcal77]

Gladly, J&R Sports in Livermore. I live in Pleasant Hill, Diablo Gun Works is litteraly 4 miutes from my home, then there is Canyon in Martinez, and Antioch Armory in Antioch. These 3 shops i will never do business with again.

I lived in Antioch for 20 years, Antioch Armory was the shop i did all my business with, and i mean ALL. Back when a guy named Ron owned the place, he was a top notch guy, retired Police Officer, and treated every customer like a king. Then he retired the shop and sold it to another guy who is out to get you for everything he can. Over charges for things, then complains about the DOJ and how hard it is to own a gun shop and how his prices are high and that he has a family to feed etc.... I dont care about his personal problems, but if he keeps his prices high, he wont be in business for much longer.

Then there is Diablo, small selection, but the overweight guy, i cant remember which one is Ken or Bill, but the guy who wheezes when he breaths. He tried to sell me a 1911, used, for the same price as it was brand new and said i couldn't find that pistol anywhere. Low and behold, J&R had the same one for about $40 cheaper, and brand new in their glass case. When a shop tries to lie and take advantage of their customers is the day i no longer or will not do business with them.

Canyon is over priced as well and likes to haggle prices. I'm not buying a car, i don't need a salesman telling me what i need and don need and try to over charge me. And that's if they even pay attention to you when you walk through the door. One time i was standing there waiting to be helped, thinking that the 2 guys conversation was business related and thought one of them was a customer. I waited for a good 10 minutes until one of them looked at me and asked if i needed help. I said yes, the other guy he was talking too walked back behind the counter. if i would have known that they both were employees, i would have interrupted them. But neither of them even acknowledged me while i was standing there. Last time i step foot in that place.

Back on topic, a few months ago i was looking for a home defense shotgun. Had some free time and heard a few good things about J&R in Livermore. Took the drive out there, had a good price on a Mossy 500 Special Purpose 12ga, exactly what i was looking for. Randy the owner helped me, made me feel welcomed, educated me on the 500, and has a good sense of humor. I bought that shotgun from him that day.

Last week i was in a bind, my Remington 700 SPS Tactical was to arrive at their shop on Tuesday, i had a family emergency that required us to leave for Oregon that afternoon. I called J&R before they even opened, a lady answers and i explain my situation. I wanted to know when they received their shipments, so i can head there to get the paperwork started for my 10 day wait. She said, when their UPS Next Day driver shows up, she will have him to call the regular UPS driver and see if he can run that particular shipment, (my rifle), to them earlier than the normal delivery to accommodate my urgency. I didn't want to wait 7 days until i got back, then wait another 10 days to pick it up. That right there, what she did showed me the awesome customer service, even though i didn't buy the rifle from them. They got a customer for life. Thanks J&R Guns!

Thanks..I'll have to check them out. The guy at Diablo you are referring to is Ken..he is not very friendly. Bill on the other hand..great guy..he is the only reason I will go back to that shop..if I don't see him there, I leave.