Gun Dealers - Own Worst Enemy

[Phil3]

$500 is a good price on that action.....

But a $75 FFL fee!!!!! That's absolutely ridiculous!!! The only time I have to pay a transfer fee is when buying from a private party out of state. State resident to state resident can ship door to door. I never have to pay any FFL fees when ordering any firearm from any of my local dealers. They only charge for private transfers. And even then, there are a few places that only charge $25 to do that.

Last time I bought that same action, I paid a total of $520. That included shipping, FFL paperwork, etc. And my dealer still made enough money to be completely content with the transaction.

I think it's up to the consumers to "boycott" dealers with outrageous costs like you are talking about or they will never stop taking advantage of people. So I applaud you for your actions Phil3.

Thanks DMT. My situation is to buy a gun from one dealer (typically out of state) and have it shipped to my local FFL. What happens in that scenario is explained here by one dealer. The DROS fee is $25, the maximum I think allowed by CA law. The gunlock is typically $10. I believe if you produce evidence of having a gun safe, the lock requirement is waived, but that is not mentioned here. No FFL fee if I order the gun directly from the dealer AND take possession of it from the same dealer.

-------------------------------------

Non-Local firearm transaction. A customer buys a firearm from another dealer or private party, either in person or online. The firearm is shipped to us, and the buyer comes into our store to complete the transaction. The buyer is responsible for the DROS fee, a $75 processing fee, plus applicable sales tax. In addition, if the firearm does not include a CA Certified gun lock, the buyer must purchase one from us. If multiple rifles or shotguns are brought in from the same source, the $75 processing fee applies to the first firearm only, plus $10 for each additional firearm up to 5 total. Note that the processing fee for handguns is $75 per handgun because each handgun requires a separate DROS. You must fill out a Firearms Transfer Form and fax, email, or deliver a copy to us prior to the firearm(s) being received. You can find that form here.

 

[Phil3]

Phil3, find a wholesalear with the item you want in stock,. take it to your local dealer with the MSRP and ask for the manager. Tell him what you want and why, also where it is available wholsale and what retail is and your willing to pay that.
If the dealer can find it cheaper or fiqure out how else to make money off it great. If youi do a little leg work and go in to the store at non peak hours you will have better luck. also after being so unhappy in Ca, why are you still there? I left ten years ago and the only question i have is why did i wait so long?

Acme7, thanks for your reply. I don't think a wholesaler is willing to give me the weapon to take to a local dealer. Or perhaps I misunderstood your meaning. With the Howa action, I know who the importer is, and will contact them for help. I am fortunate that I have a friend of a friend that is an FFL and is doing some legwork for me. I do think your advice on visiting at non-peak hours is sound and will follow that on visits and phone calls.

Why am I still in CA? Without being too long-winded, it is primarily due to employment and family (daughter and wife's family). I suspect I may be asking myself the same question on why I waited so long as well, but I am working all angles to sustain the quality of life I want, but outside CA borders. Where are you?

Phil

 

[Eddie Harren]

Shortgrass, congratulations. You're the only one who got it!

Jonbearman, are you still in the gun business?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

These guys that think its cool for any business to gouge because of what ever reason don't get it. The last two local gun shops I have use consistently matched or BEAT any internet price I could find on guns. Ya they could beat Bud's gun shop pricing. I live in a small town, he is the only real gun shop for 70 miles. He could gouge because there is no one else here. But his prices are good on everything, and his used gun prices are so good I could make money on some of the stuff he has in there. I drive by his shop every day on the way to work. It is always packed, 3-4 trucks always out front. You usually have to wait in line to pay. He gets it, and he has earned my business.

 

[Lesloan]

I've bought quite a few guns on line, and the normal transfer fee in these parts (Arkansas) is about $25 plus sales tax. If you're looking for an FFL who won't gouge you on the transfer, you can find lists of them on GunBroker.com and budsgunshop.com. $75 seems exorbitant.

What is a "DROS" fee?

 

[Hopkins]

It should be kept in mind that any number of wholesalers ration hard to obtain firearms and tie in their allocation to a retailers other purchases. The wholesale cost/availability of every firearm isn't a given. The assumption that you know the true price of a given firearm for a retailer can lead to some erroneous conclusions about his mark ups.

 

[Acme7]

I meant a wholesaler with the action in stock and as Hopkins pointed out it may not be the exact price or the wholesaler he uses. Your highly regulated Ca. dealer will have to order it. If you present the idea of him ordering it and having the understood and acceptable profit margin= retail price. He will see you are not trying to undercut him, he needs to pay his bills to maintain his buisiness . Developing a good working relationship with said dealer also helps. Just like any business a little loyalty goes both ways.
As for leaving you need an exit strategy. It took ten years of careful prodding for the wife to finally suggest we should move and three weeks to find a pre-quallified spot and seal the deal. Do it right and the good in laws will start coming along. I moved to central Idaho. Nothing is perfect but it is a huge improvement.

 

[Phil3]

I've bought quite a few guns on line, and the normal transfer fee in these parts (Arkansas) is about $25 plus sales tax. If you're looking for an FFL who won't gouge you on the transfer, you can find lists of them on GunBroker.com and budsgunshop.com. $75 seems exorbitant.

What is a "DROS" fee?

DROS = Dealer Record Of Sale.

What it actually is: A short read...

http://www.calgunlaws.com/what-is-the-definition-of-qdrosq-and-how-does-it-apply/

 

[Lesloan]

I've bought quite a few guns on line, and the normal transfer fee in these parts (Arkansas) is about $25 plus sales tax. If you're looking for an FFL who won't gouge you on the transfer, you can find lists of them on GunBroker.com and budsgunshop.com. $75 seems exorbitant.

What is a "DROS" fee?

DROS = Dealer Record Of Sale.

What it actually is: A short read...

http://www.calgunlaws.com/what-is-the-definition-of-qdrosq-and-how-does-it-apply/

Not necessary. I know what it is, just didn't recognize the acronym. But thanks, anyway.

 

[flatlander]

I've bought several Howa bbl'd actions for builds. Legacy Sports imports them, and AFAIK, JSC (Jerry's Sport Center) is the exclusive distributor - at least, that's what they claim in their catalog. There was a price increase last year, and they went up about $25 for a chromemoly with 308 boltface & 22" sporter bbl.

 

[Smalltruck]

I don't think that Jerrys is the only wholesaler that can get barreled actions. I have a 223 on order through Bill Hicks in Plymouth MN. They are now 2 weeks overdue but they claimed they could get it.

 

[Phil3]

My problem is that there is ONE Howa dealer in the entire San Francisco bay area (and they are 50+ miles outside the main part of the bay area), and they won't order the barreled action. The only other way is to find some dealer, like on Gunbroker, to buy the action from, and have it sent to my local FFL, and pay the $75 fee, $25 DROS fee, and tax. You would think that there would be at least one dealer for Howa in the main part of the bay area, but no. Howa has many dealer in the Los Angeles area.

Phil

 

[flatlander]

You might do about as well by looking for a used Weatherby Vanguard - same action, with a few cosmetic differences (like the gas shield). As long as you're going to pay through the nose to get a new bbl'd action, you might as well get a decent stock in the bargain. I'd think you'd have a better chance of finding one of these rifles in-state, which would get you past some of the expense of importing one into the Republik of Kalifornia.

 

[Phil3]

Good point on the Weatherby Vanguard. I did not know about any cosmetic differences. At $449 MSRP for a barreled Howa action, I don't feel I am paying through the nose, even if am buying a barrel I don't need. The remaining action is still cheap. Still, I will look for a used Weatherby. Good idea I had not thought of.

Phil

 

[flatlander]

One thing about the Howa bbl'd actions - I've never yet managed to remove one of the factory bbls without first chucking-up it up in the lathe and using a part-off tool to cut a groove in the shank of the bbl, right up against the receiver face. This relieves the tension, and I usually find the action is only hand-tight, and can easily be unscrewed off the bbl. I've heard that this isn't the case with their stainless actions; have read a couple of posts from guys who've been able to remove the SS bbls from SS actions with your typical bbl vise & action wrench.

They must have some of those 400lb sumo wrestlers tightening the bbls into the chromemoly actions.

 

[Phil3]

Yes, it is true. Howa blued actions w/barrels are never going to come unscrewed. I understand they blue the barrel and action together, with bluing compound getting into the threads, making the barrel really right. The parting tool approach is the solution. I don't mind as I won't be using the barrel anyway. A shame however to ruin a perfectly good barrel. I have a lathe at home and might try some amateur gunsmithing on it.

Phil

 

[Smalltruck]

Phil try Buds gun Shop out of KY. He has barreled actions in stock....and some complete rifles as well

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_280/HowaLegacy/

 

[newgun]

This sounds like what I went through when trying to get a savage custom shop gun ordered.Some of the bigger gun stores thought custom order o.k. sure bend over and we will do that for you. Others never even called back after saying they would. I finally got a very small shop in a small town to do it for $100. I was glade to pay it. the end price was so far below retail I was happy.
Trying to explain to some of those shops they would have to call and talk to someone (one person) at savage was just too much for some of them. I got the we don't do that. And telling them they might have to leave a mesage or try again later for get it.

Eric..

 

[NorCalMikie]

Phil:
Try Pacific Outfitters in Northern California. They can get Savage actions. One on Ukiah and Eureka. Not sure of the price but they're available. Might even handle the Howa?

 

[Phil3]

A friend of a friend, who is a FFL, is willing to order both the Savage and Howa actions for me. I will learn shortly availability. The price out the door is very fair. Hopefully, I can lay my hands on these soon. If it doesn't work out, I will be utilizing the other FFL ideas offered by others here. Thank you all for that.

Phil