Noob question but I can't seem to figure this out myself. I'm comparing an online gun purchase to an in-store purchase to understand the "upcharge" for online. Shipping is an obvious difference. Is an FFL transfer fee charged for in-store gun purchases or only for online purchases shipped to my preferred FFL? Thanks.

For MOST stores, there is no FFL charge. I cannot speak to every FFL and/or LGS out there, but I have not found one that charged a transfer fee for in-store purchases.

Lgaam wrote: ↑Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:48 am For MOST stores, there is no FFL charge. I cannot speak to every FFL and/or LGS out there, but I have not found one that charged a transfer fee for in-store purchases.

+1

Welcome aboard the forum.

I buy a lot of my guns online and have a local FFL that does the transfers out of his house. Since I have my concealed carry license, he only charges me $15 but $25 for a normal transfer. You can save quite a bit of money ordering online. Typically, the online retailer will provide a list of FFL's in your area as part of the checkout process.

I'm cheap. That is what lead me to the Canik product line in the first place. If I'm buying new I do the comparison shopping like you noted:

Firearm cost
shipping
tax
CC fee
FFL transfer fee

If that summed together is still less than the local price I usually buy online. The exception is if I'm buying used. That is always face-to-face so I can make sure the firearm is OK.

JG

Also find out if the online store is charging sales tax... Used to be you didn't have to pay online sales tax if purchasing out of state, unfortunately that has changed... My FFL charges $25.00 for a transfer, if the sales tax on a local sale was more than that I would buy online. Now its' starting to be the same price buying local... Well.. Unless the online store has a good sale going on....

I don't do this every time, but I have been such a good customer to the LGS, I find a good price online, I bring it to him and see how close he can come. Sometimes he offers me a similar deal from current stock, or sometimes he simply orders for me and I pay a low FFL fee...I am happy to pay slightly more than online to keep him in business and me happy.

Badgerboy wrote: ↑Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:24 am I don't do this every time, but I have been such a good customer to the LGS, I find a good price online, I bring it to him and see how close he can come. Sometimes he offers me a similar deal from current stock, or sometimes he simply orders for me and I pay a low FFL fee...I am happy to pay slightly more than online to keep him in business and me happy.

This. All of this.

And don't forget the power of cash. "Is this the cash price?" will usually get 3-5% knocked off, or rounded down to the nearest $25 for the out-the-door price (+$5 for the Florida NICS check). I also make it a point to shop there first for parts/mags/etc, if I can, even if he has to order if I'm looking for something specific.

My ffl is a local hardware store that charges me $10 transfer fee. He's a great guy & we've become good friends. I like free shipping & no tax but no tax is getting hard to find. Ebay charges tax on everything even if the seller doesn't, wonder where that $ goes?