Selling/Shipping A Rifle

[yukonal]

Guys, it's been years since I've bought or sold a rifle. I'm about to list 6 different rifles for sale.

Can you guys give me an updated list of things to do before, during, and after the sale to a buyer? The what, when, where, and how...would be greatly appreciated. Or, any tips to get me rolling.

Basically, I'm not up to date on the shipping end of the whole process. Thanks!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Get a copy of their ffl and include a bill of sale plus a copy of your drivers license in the box. Ship it to the ffl address c/o the buyer

 

[yukonal]

Can you give me a quick example of what the b o s would include?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Buyers name and address, sellers info, serial number and description and thats it

 

[yukonal]

Thank you, sir.

Is post office still hassle free, or ship UPS?

 

[LuvDog]

Long guns are ok USPS, but I prefer UPS. And to be perfectly honest, lately, I prefer to just drop off at my local FFL and have them ship. It costs about the same.

 

[FNSafari]

Thank you, sir.

Is post office still hassle free, or ship UPS?

It depends on the knowledge of the PO clerk. I sent a shotgun to a dealer for repair and my local PO gave me a hassle about not being able to ship. I told the clerk he was wrong and to consult his manager. He did and came back saying it was ok to ship as long as it was broken down. It was. But, even the manager was wrong a shotgun does not have to be "broken down" to ship.

Advice, don't address the package to so and so's "gun shop" or any other ID that tips someone off what's inside, you are inviting theft. Just say you are shipping curtain rods or something. Its absolutely legal to ship a long gun via PO to a licensed dealer for repair, so why risk uninformed personnel who don't know their a** from a hole in the ground when it comes to shipping long guns.

 

[Kurz]

Here is a good synopsis of some guidelines from FEDEX:

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/how-to-ship-firearms.html

UPS:

https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/firearms.page

Here is an alternative to UPS, FEDEX and USPS:

https://www.shipmygun.com/go/

 

[LoganDon]

Long guns are ok USPS, but I prefer UPS. And to be perfectly honest, lately, I prefer to just drop off at my local FFL and have them ship. It costs about the same.

DO NOT SHIP BY USPS. In Nov. I shipped a custom Sako to my gunsmith in ID. The heavy tube arrived fine but the strapping had been cut and the rifle was gone. The usps denied my insurance claim stating that they needed more information (which I had sent with the claim). These people stole a $2000 rifle and they are happy to let the thief go on stealing guns. Naturally I appealed, but as we are dealing with "postal workers" nothing will come of it.

 

[JFrank]

I recommend contacting the FFL yourself to ensure all concerns are addressed.

 

[yukonal]

All great advice, guys. Thanks!

 

[flintcreek6412]

most gun shops will have negotiated shipping rates far better than you will likely get. Mine will ship it to another FFL for $50-60 depending on distance and weight. Well worth it for them to box it(they have lots of extra gun boxes. I've also heard that some places require you as an individual to ship next day or 2 day vs normal rates. I can't confirm that though.

Payment seems to be the biggest issue lately with paypal and other not being allow to be used for the sale of firearms.

 

[yukonal]

For a stress free shipment, I really like that shipmygun deal.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

most gun shops will have negotiated shipping rates far better than you will likely get. Mine will ship it to another FFL for $50-60 depending on distance and weight. Well worth it for them to box it(they have lots of extra gun boxes. I've also heard that some places require you as an individual to ship next day or 2 day vs normal rates. I can't confirm that though.

Payment seems to be the biggest issue lately with paypal and other not being allow to be used for the sale of firearms.

Next day applies to handguns

 

[Ccrider]

As stated above: DO NOT SHIP USPS!!!! Odds are it will be stolen, damaged or shipped to Siberia in route to its destination.

Ship FedEx and insure the shipment. It’s worth the extra cost, if any.