FFL Charging Illegal amounts for PPT

[EBWhite]

I am doing a private party transfer right now and the seller wants it done at a certain pawn shop in Riverside. He told me they wanted 65 for a PPT of two long guns. I figured they were mistaken and thought it was a FFL transfer. I called myself since that is way more than the legal limit and the place said, 45 for one and 20 for each extra on a private party transfer. I said wait a minute and read them the PC directly from the DOJ site that says:
"For private party transfers involving one or more long guns, or a private party transfer involving one handgun, the total allowable fees, including the DROS, safety, and dealer transfer fees, are not to exceed $35.00. The dealer may charge an additional dealer-service fee of $10.00 per each additional firearm transferred." (PC section 12072(d))

That is the law. I read the law to them and they said pretty much sorry that is what we charge. After I showed them they are in violation of the law ,they do not care.

I am also considering contacting the DOJ on monday to report them for violating the law (PC section 12072(d)) that protects us gun buyers from dealers overcharging us on PPT's.

What do you guys think I should do?

EBWhite

[CALI-gula]

They are scamming you. Simply find another FFL. It's a pawnshop, so not their main line.

However I would be hesitant to call DOJ on them - DOJ took this very seriously and gave B&B in North Hollywood a REAL hard time over charging more than the allowed $10 due to "storage and handling" - DOJ actually raided the store and requested ALL PPT documented paperwork. This is not a rumor - it ended up as a story in Los Angeles Times and Daily News. Keep in mind that in CA, just about ANY FFL is now a valuable resource since so many have closed in CA over the last 5 years.

It could also be that your are talking to one of the salespeople only and not someone more informed? Most all FFL's know by now they can not charge more than the $10 over the DROS for their fee on PPT's, so maybe you got the store hack.

For FFL's that do my PPT's I am ALWAYS sure to make it worth their while by buying ammo, supplies, or often another gun from their store at the same time. It's taking up their time from other potential more profitable sales, and the paperwork is hëll. In fact, I try to purposefully arrange any PPT sales I might make at about the same time I am looking at a new purchase myself - then I buy from the dealer doing the PPT for me.

.

[6172crew]

And now B&B is gone, why would you call the DOJ? Just find another FFL.
No wonder FFLs are scarce in California, the buyers are calling the cops on them.

[bu-bye]

Drop the dime on them!

I'd rat them out in a second.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Wait a second, if a FFL is willing to break the law on something that is blatantly clear, then scew em. He isn't doing anyone a favor trying to charge someone more for a PPT when he should clearly know better. People that stupid are bound to eventually get us in trouble anyway. Or better yet, do you want to have a FFL screwing everything up and eventually the customers get a call from the DOJ saying their paperwork wasn't done right and they have to turn in their guns and do it again? I would call them and tell them, "If you do not recognize that you are violating the law and you continue to want to charge me past the legal limit on a PPT, I will be reporting you to the DOJ immediately." Just make sure it is a PPT. You did take your gun in there with another citizen right? You weren't having someone send it to you right? I re-read it and sure enough, you sound like you know what you are doing.

Give the business one more chance, then tell them you are contacting the DOJ and that they better be ready to get out of the gun business causes by terminal stupidity.

[UberPhLuBB]

$45 for the first transfer and $20 for the second... I know who that is, and I'm disappointed.

He's charging you the TRANSFER fee, as in, from another FFL. You need to explain the difference between PPT and non-PPT, they are exactly the same procedure but PPT's cannot exceed $35.

I can't believe he's doing this... I wonder how long this has been going on at this certain pawn shop? I've sent several people there to get lowers, it's shameful that he would charge transfer fees for a PPT. Due to the lower craze, he has made A-L-O-T of money in transfers over the past 2 months too, he must have gotten greedy and turned evil.

[EBWhite]

Hey guys- Yes, i normally would find another dealer. We are talking about Bright Spot in Riverside. They are doing a lot of lower transfers. I spoke with 2 people other there and they confirmed the same thing.

I would find another dealer but the seller will only transfer with them becuase he originally got the guns there. I have tried to change his mind, the deal is good but they are the only option he wants to go with.

I just got off the phone with the supervisor over at Bright spot and he confirmed that the DOJ said they can charge more than the 35 and places like turners are charging 100 bucks.

He said sorry but the price is 65 total to transfer 2 long guns.

This makes me very angry that they are breaking the law when im forced to follow the law and us a dealer like them to tranfer a gun

What is next and what is the best way to contact the DOJ to get some action?

We are all law abiding here and if we are forced to follow these PPT, the dealers must do their part and follow the law too. This is over 20 bucks but it is the principal.

EBWhite

[EBWhite]

Yes, i explained to him this is NOT a FFL transfer but a private party transfer of guns originally purchased at his shop.

He still said, "DOJ has audited us before and the 35 is charged plus an extra 10 for our labor, and DOJ said it was okay."

I was not getting anywhere and he said, "you wont find a better deal, im not trying to take anyone since places like turners are charging 100 bucks"


This is messed up. I want those 2 lowers, but im not paying that much for the transfers! Any advice guys?

[Charles B.]

Is this the certain Riverside FFL that is doing pretty much all lower receiver transfers for the entire So CaL? If so, those prices you got are their going rates for regular purchase transfers. I would imagine they have been getting tons of calls everyday since the lower frenzy started. Did you talk to the main guy that is handling all the FFL biz? If not, I would suggest you talk to him and make sure he knows you are inquiring about PPT transfers and not regular purchase transfers.

[JPglee1]

I say if you don't like it, don't shop there... but don't drop dime on him...

Sheesh, snitches/rats suck..you're not REQUIRED to go to that store, let him cut his own throat by not getting any sales.

thats just MHO.


J

[Henry47]

I say if you don't like it, don't shop there... but don't drop dime on him...

Sheesh, snitches/rats suck..you're not REQUIRED to go to that store, let him cut his own throat by not getting any sales.

thats just MHO.


J

I agree with this, no need to rat him out. Although Bright Spot charges a lot, they do have great customer service.

[chickenfried]

I think if one of us reading his story called the DOJ that would be snitching. However since the original poster would just be reporting the dealer trying to screw him over and not following the law. I'm not sure if that would qualify as being a rat/snitch.

[UberPhLuBB]

I agree with this, no need to rat him out. Although Bright Spot charges a lot, they do have great customer service.

It's not just a ripoff. If Best Buy is charging too much for a CD, I'll go to Tower. That's not the issue. The law says they can't charge more than $35 for a PPT, and BSP is breaking the law. If your brother just killed someone in cold blood, would you harbor him or call the police? Yeesh.

[metalhead357]

We need DECENT and law abiding GUN loving FFL'er in this state....NOT pinhead money grubbing players.

Drop the hammer on them! Screw 'em.... why not, I got screwed on a PPT until I found out the law and took the relevant section BACK to the store 1 day after the transfer~ they looked at it and laughed......and then I showed them a letter from my lawyer demanding re-payment. They stopped laughing and I walked away richer; they got educated, and I stopped dealing with them.

It aint funny...its money honey- hit 'em where it hurts: and dealing with the DOJ is gonna hurt.

Friggin idiotic money gouging (Censored) (Censored) (Censored)! WE HAVE to go to a FFL'r to comply with the law--- THEY need to do the same!!!!

Metalhead



(LOL! Now ask me how I REALLLY feel! LOL!)

[Mssr. Eleganté]

California law says the FFL can loose his license and be charged with a misdemeanor for acting improperly during a private party transfer.

To be fair, maybe the guy really is just ignorant of the law. DOJ may have given him bad information, like they are always doing. Try showing him the actual text of the law where it says his license can be revoked and he can be charged with a misdemeanor. That might have more of an effect than just showing him the FAQ answer on the DOJ web site. You could also tell him about the other gunshop mentioned above that got raided by DOJ for charging too much for PPT's.

At least make the seller pay all of the FFL's extra fees if he insists on doing the transfer illegally.

The relevant sections of the code are...
12071(b)(5)
12082(a)
12082(d)