Sketchy FFL, am I wrong for cancelling the transfer?

[ken158]

I bought a gun online and had it shipped to an FFL. I contacted the FFL by email and they said that they were still accepting transfers. The day before it arrived, I asked about when I could start the DROS. They said that it should be ready by the day after it arrives, and that I will receive a call when it's ready. I didn't receive any calls so I emailed them 3 days after it arrived, and they told me that I could send them the receipt to expedite the process (the language used here made it seem like this was optional and not a requirement). I sent it and they acknowledged that they received it, and told me again that they'd call when it's ready. After 6 days of the firearm being at the store with no phone calls, I contacted the original distributor and asked what I should do.

The distributor contacts the FFL and tells me that it's suddenly ready to DROS on the same day, all they needed was the receipt. I thought that this was odd because I already sent them a receipt. I decided to cancel because this FFL was acting sketchy, and I no longer trust them to handle the 4473 and DROS. The distributor told me that I'd have to pay for the restocking fee and shipping fee, which sucks but I feel is necessary.

I told the FFL that I will cancel, and they gave me an emotional response asking why I'm cancelling. They apparently called me the day after it arrived and left a message asking for the receipt, but my phone doesn't have any record of this call and there are no new messages on it.

To be honest I'm not even sure if FFL's need the receipt to start the DROS. If the FFL refuses to ship the firearm back to the distributor, what would happen?

[9mmContagion]

He wanted receipt to charge you tax I’m guessing. Remember that FFLs are federally regulated. Not like some ghetto thrift store they open and close the next day.

[BajaJames83]

Well I don't see what you were worried about they are probably busy and wanted the receipt to charge the tax which they are required to do.

[ronlglock]

Cut the FFL some slack. This is a very bad time for everyone and I can tell you that every so often we get shipments in without anything except the source FFL.

So yeah, we ask for the buyer's receipt. Both to ensure they are getting the right firearm and to confirm whether or not we need to charge tax on the sale.

[ken158]

Cut the FFL some slack. This is a very bad time for everyone and I can tell you that every so often we get shipments in without anything except the source FFL.

So yeah, we ask for the buyer's receipt. Both to ensure they are getting the right firearm and to confirm whether or not we need to charge tax on the sale.

I see, in that case asking for the receipt makes sense. I'm definitely still concerned about the other things though. I'm willing to accept that my phone just didn't accept their calls for whatever reason. But if the receipt was the one thing they needed before starting the DROS, they already had it when I sent it to them several days ago. What they told the distributor and what they told me is completely different.

And now I'm being told that there was actually no delay at all and it was ready the whole time pending my receipt, even though I was told after sending it that they'd call when it was ready. Now I'm not saying the guy intentionally lied, but I received contradictory information, whether it was intentional or not.

Is this a cause for concern or am I overreacting?

[vino68]

I understand your reasoning, the FFL does not have their chite together, which is annoying. Under normal circumstances I would have checked in person with the FFL and seen how they run things, before doing business with them. But you are fortunate to find an FFL who will accept a transfer. Many are not these days. Beggars cannot be choosers.

[ronlglock]

[SkyHawk]

Right now things are bonkers at FFLs, everything is turned upside down. I would cut them some slack. I would also be grateful to have even found a FFL to handle a transfer right now.

[acespawnshop]

Receipt topic has been addressed and that’s correct. OP you have NO idea how often we don’t get the correct information we need to complete transfers. It’s very possible they called and left a VM to whatever number they were provided. It happens to us all the time. I get a gun call the dude. Leave a message no responses then 2 weeks later dude shows up pissy about their gun and how we never contacted them. When we pull the paperwork we say. Here is this your number? And usually get something like oh yeah I changed my phone number 2 years ago. Oops. Or yeah but I don’t check that message or whatever. As started. No the FFL wasn’t sketchy.

[9mmContagion]

I recently did a PPT at a Kitchen Table FFL. Dude did our transfer in his underwear. AWKWARD!!

[NoHeavyHitter]

Is this a cause for concern or am I overreacting?

Honestly, you are the kind of customer who would best be served by going to the gun store and picking something out to buy from the show case. Once you've gained some experience, then you can try stepping up the "special order via FFL" game.

When you deal with an independent FFL, you have to remember that it is THEIR business and they are going to be running things the way it works best for them (even though it might not best the best way in your view). If that's the case, then you should look into getting up and running with your own FFL if you think that you have some kind of advantage to offer customers.

[The War Wagon]

You found an OPEN FFL?!?!

[norcal77]

Patience is a virtue, cut em some slack. You could always dispute charge but that’s burnin bridges.

[pythonfan]

I recently did a PPT at a Kitchen Table FFL. Dude did our transfer in his underwear. AWKWARD!!

Now that's hilarious.

[DT556]

The FFL did nothing wrong