Notifying FFLs of a Transfer

[Knight]

Is it considered proper etiquette to call and notify an FFL that you will be having something shipped to them that will be transferred to you? As an example, say you're ordering an AR lower from LAN World and you're going to do the transfer at Bill's Guns. Should you call ol' Bill and tell him what you're doing?

The past 2 times I've done transfers I have called ahead, but that was mainly to make sure that they were OK with OLL transfers.

Hopefully my question is clear . . .

[CSACANNONEER]

Notify them? It would be polite to ask them for permission to use their FFL. If you were not my friend and just "notified" me (I'm not an FFL BTW), I would either double all costs or "notify" you that I refuse to do bussiness with you. You are not entitled to be someone's customer. You need to ASK PERMISSION before you make a deal that involves someone else's bussiness and license!

[Knight]

Notify them? It would be polite to ask them for permission to use their FFL. If you were not my friend and just "notified" me (I'm not an FFL BTW), I would either double all costs or "notify" you that I refuse to do bussiness with you. You are not entitled to be someone's customer. You need to ASK PERMISSION before you make a deal that involves someone else's bussiness and license!

This is going to be my garbage can thread all over again . . .

I don't know why I thought this, but I was worried that I'd piss the guy off calling him over and over again asking if I could do the same transfer from the same company. As crazy as that sounds, I wanted to make sure I wasn't making any mistakes. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers

[Vinz]

Its common courtesy to ask them first. But in the same breath it is the FFL's business so its in their best interest to try to take care of its customers. Atleast the ones I have delt with.

no feathers ruffled, good question stern answer

Vinz

[CSACANNONEER]

So, your transfer FFL lives in the cottage and dumps his garbage in your cans? Wow, it's a small world! Really, get to know your transfer dealer and ask him how he wants you to procede. Since he needs to fax his info to the sended prior to the sender shipping it, he will know about it before it gets to the shop. But, I think it's best to ask instead of assuming that it's OK.

[wilit]

This is going to be my garbage can thread all over again . . .

I don't know why I thought this, but I was worried that I'd piss the guy off calling him over and over again asking if I could do the same transfer from the same company. As crazy as that sounds, I wanted to make sure I wasn't making any mistakes. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers

It never hurts to ask. Policies may change and you don't want to get caught in a transition period. Besides, if they get mad because you ask too many times to use them to transfer, maybe they don't really want your business.

[redcliff]

I always ask first and you should too

[FortCourageArmory]

Speaking as a transfer FFL, asking if it's OK is a good thing. I rarely say no (because I'm a money-grubbing capitalist swine), but I like to know what's coming into the shop.

[FEDUPWBS]

+1 I agree with Ft. Courage.

[tenpercentfirearms]

If you are my normal customer and you are transfering items I don't have in stock from companies I normally deal with, it would be no big deal at all.

If they are items I have in stock and you are paying more for them, I will be peeved, but hey, you are the idiot who didn't check first.

If they are items I have in stock and you are supporting undercutters out of state who like to give things away for free, I won't be happy at all and eventually I will get my money back by gouging you somewhere else.

Just ask your FFL about it. Say exactly what you said to us and ask him what he wants you to do.

I would give you this exact speech above.

[freakshow10mm]

Speaking as a transfer FFL, asking if it's OK is a good thing. I rarely say no (because I'm a money-grubbing capitalist swine), but I like to know what's coming into the shop.

And to whom it's getting transferred. Nothing more I hate in this business than "orphan guns" showing up at my shop with no clue as to whom it should be transferred. I just have to sit and wait til someone calls or emails me asking if such and such came in.

[Knight]

And to whom it's getting transferred. Nothing more I hate in this business than "orphan guns" showing up at my shop with no clue as to whom it should be transferred. I just have to sit and wait til someone calls or emails me asking if such and such came in.

That's definitely good to know. I wasn't sure if the company that ships the gun includes the name of the purchaser or not. If they generally don't, then it makes for an even stronger case to call ahead.

[zeus45c]

When I have a rifle transferred I usually put the name of the FFL first with a secondary note about who the item is for on the shipping label.

i.e.

FFL Holder / for John Doe
Address, etc

[AJAX22]

Ask,

Your FFL may have other issues that he's dealing with (audit, large shipment, family issues etc.) and he may be unavailable.

Its also just the polite thing to do.

[Rudolf the Red]

As a kitchen table dealer, yeah, I'd like to know what is coming to my home.