are FFL transfers/online really cheaper?

[trew10]

i was looking for a 9mm recently, my friend bought a used glock on line at gunbroker.com and i also found cheaperthendirt.com. so i was looking for my 9mm on these online stores and they were cheaper but not by much. when you add shipping usually $25-$35 and FFL transfer fees usually $70-$90 the gun comes out to about the same if i just bought here in california. for my 9mm ruger it would have actually been more to buy online after all the fees so i just bought at turners in corona. so am i missing something why all the fuss about online purchases?

[TheBest]

Here's an example.

I was looking for a Browning Buckmark.

Stores near me wanted $400 + 8% tax & DROS (1 mag) = $457 + $25 x 2 (for mags) = $507
Online Gunbroker $329 (free ship, 3 mags) + fee ($30) + tax & DROS = $410

Online was cheaper by almost $100.

[trew10]

Here's an example.

I was looking for a Browning Buckmark.

Stores near me wanted $400 + 8% tax & DROS (1 mag) = $457 + $25 x 2 (for mags) = $507
Online Gunbroker $329 (free ship, 3 mags) + fee ($30) + tax & DROS = $410

Online was cheaper by almost $100.

my friend bought a used glock on gunbroker he paid just as much as if it was new, he also bought a mossberg 12gauge for retail also used. and in my case i bought my gun for $380 after all fees from turners, and online it was $450 almost $70 more. i guess i have to look around for cheaper FFL dealer.

[sfhondapilot]

It really depends on the weapon. For a common model it is probably a wash. A model with lower production levels may indeed be cheaper to acquire online.

[testarija@yahoo.com]

I 2nd that. It all depends on what your buying. As with most smart buyers, you have to do the math then compare. More often than not, online will win. Happy shopping.

[munkeeboi]

most people preferred before preferred online because of the presumed tax savings at the time of purchase. Now that FFL's are being required to collect sales tax on transfers, online deals may not make so much sense with the FFL transfer fee.

[paul0660]

Smart shopping isn't like falling backwards into milk chocolate. Some times one is better, sometimes the other.

[adrenalinejunkie]

It depends on the FFL's fee mostly and as stated, the type of gun you're buying. I ended up breaking even on my AR from what I would've paid for the same rifle in store (Del Ton), but every rifle I saw in local stores was of another brand and priced at least $100 over what I paid (I paid under $700 with all fees for the base rifle).

For the FNP .40 I just bought I saved probably close to $70 from what I would have paid in store