Gun Broker Problems

[eddiememphis]

My first purchase on the site. I put in a silly low bid on a Charter Arms Southpaw and won. It took ten days for the seller to ship- they claimed they were closed for inventory. Only with multiple emails was I able to get the status then a tracking number.

I chose a local FFL. The shop was very close by. I called the owner and he walked me through the procedure. The gun was attempted to be delivered on August 30th. Tracking said it was being "held at post office at customers request".

I have called and emailed the owner several times with zero response. His storefront is always closed. He claims the shortages have forced him to cut back his hours.

I don't know how to proceed.

And yes, I know I should have had one of the guys here handle the deal but obviously I didn't know this was going to happen.

I can't complain to the seller. They were slow but they filled their side of the deal. I doubt the post office has any idea of how to handle anything, let alone a problem like this.

Any ideas of how to proceed?

[MrPrena]

I believe your ffl needs to pick up the firearm.

I use FFL which operate from home. Once they were not there, and UPS had to put it on UPS store since it is insured and need signature.
The FFL did not like it, but had to be done.

[colorider]

I'm no expert but If I remember correctly USPS is not the way to ship a gun and a gun can't be "held at the post office" for you to pick up.

[Brass]

FFLs can use the post office to ship handguns. It is not only that package which is being held. The FFL you're using had the post office stop delivering all of his mail. Sounds like you got stuck with this lazy asshole who doesn't even want to show up for work.

Your only option is to try to convince him to go pick up his mail. If he doesn't claim the package then after a certain period of time the post office will return it to sender. Until then, there's absolutely nothing you or the sender can do about it.

[Bailey Guns]

I'm no expert but If I remember correctly USPS is not the way to ship a gun and a gun can't be "held at the post office" for you to pick up.

FYI... Anyone can mail a rifle or shotgun. Only an FFL can mail a handgun.

[Bailey Guns]

I'd call/email/text him every day and tell him you're waiting for him to get your gun. Squeaky wheel and all that...

Is it possible he's away on vacation or something and having his mail held until he returns?

[colorider]

FYI... Anyone can mail a rifle or shotgun. Only an FFL can mail a handgun.

Thanks for clearing that up. I didn’t read far enough into the usps rules that’s it’s
Ok to ship a pistol usps to an ffl.

[Brass]

No. Only an FFL can ship handguns through USPS.

[FoxtArt]

FYI... Anyone can mail a rifle or shotgun. Only an FFL can mail a handgun.

+1 to Brass. Regular joes can ship a handgun but it has to be by overnight air (fedex or UPS). Technically, that isn't "mailing", it is shipping, so I guess everyone is right.

Side note: It's usually cheaper just to use a FFL so they can ship via USPS instead of paying overnight air out of pocket. Even for warranty work.

[sportbikeco]

What law says an individual must ship overnight (using a non-usps method)?

[Great-Kazoo]

What law says an individual must ship overnight (using a non-usps method)?


NO law, some folks and ffl's prefer it. IIRC hand guns are either overnight, or 2 day.

[Bailey Guns]

What law says an individual must ship overnight (using a non-usps method)?

No law, but it is in their customer agreements or whatever they call it. So if you ship a handgun via other than one of the approved methods and file a claim you're probably screwed.

[To Bear Arms]

Bailey is correct. No law, but if you don't follow the "shippers rules" you will have no chance in winning if the package comes up missing.

[def90]

What law says an individual must ship overnight (using a non-usps method)?

There is no law.. however it is what some carriers require that you do, UPS specifically requires that handguns shipped through them needs to be shipped via one of their next day services.

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

FedEx does not seem to have a next day shipping requirement:

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

[eddiememphis]

Something worked. Got an email saying he had his mail on hold but will get it today. I checked tracking and it shows delivered today at 11:21.

Still waiting for his call.

This has soured me on the gun broker thing. I guess I'll keep putting lowball bids on junk I would never consider otherwise, but next time, I'll use someone else to receive it.

Provided he actually calls me on this one...

[funkymonkey1111]

Something worked. Got an email saying he had his mail on hold but will get it today. I checked tracking and it shows delivered today at 11:21.

Still waiting for his call.

This has soured me on the gun broker thing. I guess I'll keep putting lowball bids on junk I would never consider otherwise, but next time, I'll use someone else to receive it.

Provided he actually calls me on this one...

Use Cabela's instead of Cletus. Open all the time for receiving and transferring--$30 per firearm.

[eddiememphis]

Still hasn't called or responded to emails.

Getting fed up with this clown. Horrible way to run a business.

[MrPrena]

I believe in business redeeming themselves.
This is a borderline of mentioning business name on a public forum.

[eddiememphis]

I believe in business redeeming themselves.
This is a borderline of mentioning business name on a public forum.

As do I.

He called. Smooth transaction.

As far as borderline, I never said the business name, hinted at it or even said what city it was in.

[MrPrena]

Glad that it works out!

sorry I meant as this kind of service is borderline for customers to mention about the specific business name in public.