Shipping

[rosecitySig]

Can someone explain the difficulties in shipping a gun/rifle within the state of California. I'm interested in acquiring a firearm from a private party, however, I've noticed most sellers refuse to ship. Is this a cost consideration or is it a complex time consuming procedure? Thanks in advance to your reply

[scrubb]

With the exception of C&R, you have to ship FFL to FFL. It will be considered a "transfer" not a PPT though and the FFL's can rape you to their liking.

You guessed it, it is time-consuming and more headaches to deal with than a face to face PPT.

[dieselpower]

Yeah, Its a PITA. You have to take a HUGE risk while shipping.

If you declare the firearm, they could make you pay the highest shipping cost, which makes the sale undesirable to the buyer.

If you do declare the firearm to UPS, the risk of theft from the employees JUMPS up, and there is now a chance the firearm will never make it to the FFL...which means the seller is out the firearm and out the money since he has to return the cash and file a stolen report with the carrier and that means it could be months before selling even a dime.

If the seller chooses to mark the package improperly, "Toys", or "Machined Parts" and the package is lost, getting a refund is even harder now since you didnt follow their rules and declare what it really was...and their investigation WILL determine what was really being shipped to that FFL.

For the guys who think "Machined Parts" is a good choice...LOL Are you kidding me. You don't think the UPS guys know what "machined Parts" really means? They can read the internet wiki on how to ship firearms too. When they see the invoice says "machined parts" they know exactly what is in that box. All you have done is failed to declare you are shipping a firearm as per the carriers rules and opened yourself up to a loss.

[rosecitySig]

But aren't prices stated beforehand (shipping/FFL Fees) or are there "hidden" charges which mysteriously appear after the deal is made. The reason for my going further in depth with this topic is that I see a firearm which I like (not easy to get @ your LGS or surrounding area) but driving approx 500 miles 1 way twice for the buyer (PPT then 10 days pick up) doesn't seem feasible.

[rosecitySig]

@ Dieselpower. Thanks. I submitted my reply (asking scrubb) before your response appeared.

[dieselpower]

@ Dieselpower. Thanks. I submitted my reply (asking scrubb) before your response appeared.

I understand...

Coming from a guy who has shipped firearms before, its a risk. Its not something a one or two time seller is comfortable doing and is why many avoid it. If the firearm is worth it too you, then make the drive.

As a buyer I would rather make the drive then risk sending $XXX to a person and then weeks later find out the package has come up missing... then the risk of the seller telling you, "sorry man I paid bills with the money...I'll try and pay you a few bucks a month until I pay you back...." <--- This happened to me. There was nothing I could do. Small claims MUST BE filed in the county the other person is living in...not yours. The cost of suing him for the $500 was more then just agreeing to have him send me $50 a month for 10 months...which took 15 months BTW....

[Lone_Gunman]

I've shipped a couple, and am going to ship another on Monday. It's really not that hard. You don't have to ship FFL to FFL, although some FFLs won't accept shipments from private parties there is no legal requirement that it goes FFL to FFL, it just has to be received by an FFL. I, a non FFL, have shipped directly to an FFL every time I've shipped a gun.

I have a UPS account so I pack the gun up, print and pay for the shipping label at home on my computer, and drop it off at the UPS hub. I always ship it adult signature required, and insured for the selling price plus shipping costs.

I just take the box, already taped up and labeled, into the UPS hub, have them scan it in, and get a receipt. They don't ask any questions other than "would you like a receipt?" It's really not that hard. I don't ship in a box that says anything about firearms, I actually usually use boxes from U-Haul, they're nice and nondescript.


Edit: I've only shipped long guns, never a pistol.

[rosecitySig]

Thank You for your reply lone_gunman