PPT Etiquette Question.

[meno377]

So, while I am not new to firearms at all, I am fairly new to buying from private sellers. I have bought a few guns privately so far without issue, and this question is purely for my own education as I am honestly not fully up to snuff on PPT etiquette.

My question is in regards to who's FFL preference gets priority. While reading through the classifieds here, I often see a seller seeming quite insistent that their FFL be the one used. Thinking about it, it seems to me that the buyer should be the one picking the FFL as it's their money being spent. I am wondering if there are any "unwritten rules" behind this and what any reasoning might be behind them.

Thoughts?

IMO the seller ultimately has the right to sell or refuse to sell to any potential buyer. So if that particular seller is adamant about the FFL, then you need to decide if it's really worth it to you. Some buyers believe they have a right to a certain price and when and where to meet. I think it's the opposite. Of course a buyer can refuse and the seller then can either wait for someone else or renegotiate.

[thomashoward]

compromise is boss here. Some people want you to travel long distance so they don't have to.
I'll do it just put $500. in PayPal for gas

[Chapped Hide]

Most people are willing to compromise.

I find that if you are willing to pay full price that you can get the seller to go your FFL with ease.

If you negotiate low on the price, you might find it harder for the seller to want to accommodate your FFL request.

Definitely! As a buyer, I've even offered a few dollars more to entice the seller to my FFL.

[edgerly779]

I just sent a pm to seller asking if ok to pay now and meet closer to me when convenient. I think that is a reasonable offer. Yes or no will suffice.

[geeknow]

All things are negotiable. Clear communication is key.

[edgerly779]

^^^^ What he said. Just ask politely. Be flexible and polite and deals will come your way it is gun karma.

[fishhoppa]

Most people are willing to compromise.

I find that if you are willing to pay full price that you can get the seller to go your FFL with ease.

If you negotiate low on the price, you might find it harder for the seller to want to accommodate your FFL request.

This ^^^.

whine about price and then whine about how far you had to drive = find the gun elsewhere...

Had that happen to me twice. Guy whined about how he had to drive all the way to SSF blah-blah-blah. This was the night before the meet.

[uhlan1]

Generally I find sellers are willing to compromise and are not unsympathetic to the buyers requirement of 2 trips and I always have to drive a ways. I recently bought a gun theough PPT and the seller wanted to meet at Targetmasters.
No way, brother. Issue of principle.
We settled on Reeds. Heck, if I agreed to Targetmasters, we'd probably still be there.

[uhlan1]

This ^^^.

whine about price and then whine about how far you had to drive = find the gun elsewhere...

Had that happen to me twice. Guy whined about how he had to drive all the way to SSF blah-blah-blah. This was the night before the meet.

That may be. Perhaps I've had no issues because I offer asking price. I despise bickering. Price listed is too high, I just move on.
I've also been around a few years, have a solid iTrader (and done a heck of a lot more than it states, provide phone and email from the get-go, don't come across as a potential flake, and because I don't have a hard schedule, can virtually alwways meet at the sellers choice of day and time.

Perhaps because of all this, I have found sellers to be pretty accommodating.

[I Swan]

Depends on seller, some are desperate. Also I refuse to do a PPT at Turners or Saddleback. I just sent a CGNer a deposit on an item I don't mind meeting him in his area but can't until Wednesday. Worked out good for both of us. I'd be hesitant to do that though on a high value item or on someone with low or no feedback.

[meno377]

Most sellers sets the ground rules from the get go when he/she creates the post. Only from there the buyer can negotiate a different FFL, time or place. It's usually on the seller.

[Joe Register]

huh

[meno377]

I usually try to meet midway or closer to buyer for the two trip reason. Unfortunately there have been several instances of me travelling 30 - 70 miles and the buyer no shows or forgets $100 or suddenly wants to haggle more. Those morons kind of ruin it for everyone else.

Several times I have offered extra gas money to a seller to come closer to me. Agree it can be frustrating some times.

I as a buyer would ask the seller to meet a little closer for the same reason as 1 trip for the seller. I would say 50% of the time it wasn't a problem.

[r1ghtw1ng]

As a buyer with limited time to drive, twice I've offered $20 on top of asking price to sellers to come to my FFL of choice. (30+ mi drive for them). Both times, they were happy to do it.

On the flip side, as a seller, I've never had to travel outside my range of preferred FFLs.

[MrSam]

Sellers choice, but BOTH have to agree. Ultimately the seller needs to realize that he/she is trying to make a sell...if you're buyer isn't going to meet you at your FFL and you're unwilling to compromise, you can kiss that sale goodbye. In my experience, both the seller and I agree to meet halfway.
I had one seller refuse to meet me halfway (in between OC and San Diego); he expected me to drive ~100 miles out to pay for the gun, and another ~100 miles to pick it up. I would have done it if the deal was good enough...but at a $50 discount, I had to pass.