What's up with FFL transfer fees?

[Powerkraut]

Let me preface this with a few things, I understand the $25 DROS, I understand "market" price, and I understand discouraging online purchases.

That being said, I make a special effort to purchase from my lcal brick and mortar whenever possible, I don't buy ammo online unless my LGS can't get me cases. I buy cleaning supplies from my LGS instead of walmart, and I'll never ask for an online price match, or even a Big 5 price match. I understand and appreciate having a local gun store with knowledgable staff. However, back in TX the most I ever paid for a transfer was $15, when I went to buy a pistol online that I couldn't find in any gun store in the Bay I found that the going rate for a handgun transfer here was $75-$100. Needless to say this is a little bit of sticker shock.

My point is, $25 DROS, I get that, but if your shop doesn't have what I'm looking for and is unable or unwilling to order it $75 on top of DROS seems like a pretty steep price considering every other state in the union I've been in seems to be able to do it for $10-$15. Is really $75 of your time, or do you charge it because you can?

Maybe I'm just too new here and not really "in the know", please enlighten me so that I can feel better about paying $75 to buy a $200 gun. Or better yet, point me to someone in the Bay Area who'll do it for a (what seems to me) more reasonable price.

[Apec]

Transfers are sucking even more with tax on top. In my opinion it's not worth doing a transfer on any gun below 500$ (unless you got it at a steal), depending on what your base fee is.

Now if you lived close to Riverside, Firepower Depot does transfers for 35$ (DROS included) + tax. Good luck on your transfer hunt.

[Powerkraut]

Hell, that sounds more like it.

[NSR500]

California ≠ Texas

There are few pressures in Texas against a gun business other that competitors. I don't blame FFLs in California for charging more if it'll help keep shops open and pay their people a decent wage.

[Powerkraut]

I certianly don't mind either, which is why I generally buy brick and mortar. I guess it just feels like being fleeced after they can't/won't order what you want.

[mcmikeblues7]

Are you saying you are in the bay area? Marin Arms in the North bay charges $40, i believe.

[mcmikeblues7]

Are you saying you are in the bay area? Marin Arms in the North bay charges $40, i believe.

[CS Sports]

$75 on top of DROS seems like a pretty steep price considering every other state in the union I've been in seems to be able to do it for $10-$15. Is really $75 of your time, or do you charge it because you can?

San Jose average retail lease rate - $26.00
Dallas TX average retail lease rate = $12.50

And Dallas is pretty high compared to most of the country, exclusive of the coasts.

[Horton Fenty]

....please enlighten me so that I can feel better about paying $75 to buy a $200 gun.

I wish I could. There are people that do not charge for transfers.

[Smoke&Rattler]

You go out of state and you see DROS + $5 or even $10. I have even see DROS + $0 if you buy something (no min). So, it's just the CA FFL "making friends".

Look around I still see CA FFL charging $25 DROS + $15 for out of state transfers. We have the power to show we don't want to pay those fees by black listing them.

[dachan]

You go out of state and you see DROS + $5 or even $10. I have even see DROS + $0 if you buy something (no min).

What are you talking about? Isn't DROS only a CA thing? Most states just go through NICS which has no charge.

[ZombieGunner]

Maybe smoke&rattle and powerkraut should go through the effort of getting an 01 or 07, getting a local business lic., getting a second hand dealer license (with a $20k bond), keeping up with new laws, operating a business, finding someone to ship via CA's wacky laws (shipment authorization, roster, receiving, logging), paying a lease and then storing the sales information for decades for dros plus $10....?

On top of all that, paying all the fees annually to maintain them... and then reading keyboard commando comments on calguns... $75 including the dros seems reasonable especially in CA. If you can do better, then do it.

[ShootinXs]

Maybe smoke&rattle and powerkraut should go through the effort of getting an 01 or 07, getting a local business lic., getting a second hand dealer license (with a $20k bond), keeping up with new laws, operating a business, finding someone to ship via CA's wacky laws (shipment authorization, roster, receiving, logging), paying a lease and then storing the sales information for decades for dros plus $10....?

On top of all that, paying all the fees annually to maintain them... and then reading keyboard commando comments on calguns... $75 including the dros seems reasonable especially in CA. If you can do better, then do it.

I dont think you could have said it better Zombie gunner , this is a business not a hobby and many of these guys have no clue what it takes just to get started .

How many of you guys take your gals out for a nice dinner and then try and beat the waiter up because the plate of lobster she ordered was what you considered out of line ? You dont , why ? lets see Ummm......cause the price is what it is and you know she will enjoy it . Not to mention whats probably coming your way after

If you want deals support your FFL ,buy what you can afford and build a relationship thats valued on both sides and see what happens.


Complaining about small fees will get no sympathy here, as Zombie says man up and give it a shot , get your 01 or 07 and after you see how we are nickeled and dimed and not to mention the buttload of paperwork that comes with it you may see this in a different light .

Remember this is California , it aint cheap to live or do business here .

[audiophil2]

Maybe smoke&rattle and powerkraut should go through the effort of getting an 01 or 07, getting a local business lic., getting a second hand dealer license (with a $20k bond), keeping up with new laws, operating a business, finding someone to ship via CA's wacky laws (shipment authorization, roster, receiving, logging), paying a lease and then storing the sales information for decades for dros plus $10....?

On top of all that, paying all the fees annually to maintain them... and then reading keyboard commando comments on calguns... $75 including the dros seems reasonable especially in CA. If you can do better, then do it.

Most of what you wrote applies to non-CA FFLs as well. The only difference is the CA DROS for the most part.

Non CA dealers charge $0-40 with $15-25 the most typical price. Why CA dealers think $75-150 is justified because of CA laws is hogwash. They charge that because there is little competition so a customer cannot easily shop for a better price. I'm in the western part of Phoenix valley. I have about 5 dealers within 5 miles of my house. In Phoenix there is an FFL on almost every other block. That is why they charge much less for guns as well as the transfer fees.

[ZombieGunner]

Non CA dealers charge $0-40 with $15-25 the most typical price. Why CA dealers think $75-150 is justified because of CA laws is hogwash. They charge that because there is little competition so a customer cannot easily shop for a better price.

This is sounding a lot like one major democratic elected official's point of view.... equality, HOPE and fairness for everyone!!! Oh wait... we live in a capitalist society and supply and demand rule.

See above post about the ease of obtaining an 01, 07, CFD etc...