2aHawaii
General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: bigmendo1 on May 29, 2021, 12:40:57 PM
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What’s the general feeling from my 2A brethren when it comes to buying out of state to save on a purchase?
Do we simply accept paying 30-40% more knowing that we’re supporting a local business?
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What’s the general feeling from my 2A brethren when it comes to buying out of state to save on a purchase?
Do we simply accept paying 30-40% more knowing that we’re supporting a local business?
It's your money. Spend it however you feel suits you.
A wise consumer today does research. You need to factor in the delta (difference) between buying locally vs. online to include:
- FFL fees
- Shipping Costs
- Who pays for return shipping if there's a problem
- Restocking fees
- Sales/Excise tax
- 10rd Magazine limits -- might cause you to forfeit the included mags with no compensation to get the gun you want
If, after all that is taken into account, you think there is a 30%-40% price difference between local and online cost, then it's a no-brainer. Buy online.
Timing is always a factor. Check for sales regularly, especially around holidays. Go to the stores and see what's being offered at discounts. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find what you wanted at the lowest price available just by walking in the door.
Once you've determined that the online price is more attractive, I'd then recommend you let the LGS with the same model firearm know BEFORE you commit to the purchase. They may offer enough of a discount that it changes your mind . Saving a couple of bucks isn't always worth going out of state.
Many variables to consider than simply price, especially in these crazy times. Some guns are just out of stock and impossible to find. Is that going to be a more critical factor for you than price? Depends on how much you want it now.
I've purchased handguns online that were on sale, and my LGS owner said my cost was well below his cost. So, he had no ill feelings about me deciding to get it there. I still paid him the FFL fee and bought ammo from him to feed the new member of my gun family.
Key advice is do your research and take every cost into account before determining which source is less expensive -- and by how much. Beyond that, it's up to how bad you want it. Work with the LGS and at least give them the opportunity to give you a better price. Too many people think the price in the display case is set in stone. In reality, if they want your business, they will at least consider matching the other dealer's price.
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It's your money. Spend it however you feel suits you.
A wise consumer today does research. You need to factor in the delta (difference) between buying locally vs. online to include:
- FFL fees
- Shipping Costs
- Who pays for return shipping if there's a problem
- Restocking fees
- Sales/Excise tax
- 10rd Magazine limits -- might cause you to forfeit the included mags with no compensation to get the gun you want
If, after all that is taken into account, you think there is a 30%-40% price difference between local and online cost, then it's a no-brainer. Buy online.
Timing is always a factor. Check for sales regularly, especially around holidays. Go to the stores and see what's being offered at discounts. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find what you wanted at the lowest price available just by walking in the door.
Once you've determined that the online price is more attractive, I'd then recommend you let the LGS with the same model firearm know BEFORE you commit to the purchase. They may offer enough of a discount that it changes your mind . Saving a couple of bucks isn't always worth going out of state.
Many variables to consider than simply price, especially in these crazy times. Some guns are just out of stock and impossible to find. Is that going to be a more critical factor for you than price? Depends on how much you want it now.
I've purchased handguns online that were on sale, and my LGS owner said my cost was well below his cost. So, he had no ill feelings about me deciding to get it there. I still paid him the FFL fee and bought ammo from him to feed the new member of my gun family.
Key advice is do your research and take every cost into account before determining which source is less expensive -- and by how much. Beyond that, it's up to how bad you want it. Work with the LGS and at least give them the opportunity to give you a better price. Too many people think the price in the display case is set in stone. In reality, if they want your business, they will at least consider matching the other dealer's price.
Well put. Those were my thoughts exactly. Appreciate the breakdown.
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Just don’t send your FFL transfer to Xring, they charged me almost $400 to do a transfer
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Just don’t send your FFL transfer to Xring, they charged me almost $400 to do a transfer
What the actual fuck :wacko: :wtf:
I just can't understand how they are still in business.
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Wonder if any of the FFLs working out of their house are open again...transfers at shops kill any savings you get from ordering online
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Wonder if any of the FFLs working out of their house are open again...transfers at shops kill any savings you get from ordering online
There are still a few (or at least last time I checked) that offer reasonable FFL fees. By that I mean in the $20-30 range. Some less if you shop with them often.
I'll pursue, or at least I used to, via FFL for things generally couldn't find through LGS. I would say I have a number of acquisitions through both LGS and FFL.
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There are still a few (or at least last time I checked) that offer reasonable FFL fees. By that I mean in the $20-30 range. Some less if you shop with them often.
I'll pursue, or at least I used to, via FFL for things generally couldn't find through LGS. I would say I have a number of acquisitions through both LGS and FFL.
Yeah, I had a few transfers through one that charged $21, but he stopped due to covid when I checked early this year. Went through 808 Gun club for a transfer in Feb...$75 :(
I'll have to check FFLs next go around...any recommendations?
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Yeah, I had a few transfers through one that charged $21, but he stopped due to covid when I checked early this year. Went through 808 Gun club for a transfer in Feb...$75 :(
I'll have to check FFLs next go around...any recommendations?
OGC. If you're LE or Military Active Duty, they charge $25/firearm. Regular price: $40/firearm.
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OGC. If you're LE or Military Active Duty, they charge $25/firearm. Regular price: $40/firearm.
I'm not military, but I still go through OGC. I prefer to go through a LGS bc they have regular operating hours, so I know they will be there when have to pick up the gun or do the paperwork. check with them bc their store price could be cheaper than online.
I've gone through FFL from the home a few times but you are at the mercy of their personal schedule. 1 time i wanted to pick up the gun and FFL guy was at a breakfast for about 3-4 hours, another time he was in vegas. at least the LGS has regular hours
I don't mind paying an extra $20 for convenience
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OGC. If you're LE or Military Active Duty, they charge $25/firearm. Regular price: $40/firearm.
I'm not military, but I still go through OGC. I prefer to go through a LGS bc they have regular operating hours, so I know they will be there when have to pick up the gun or do the paperwork. check with them bc their store price could be cheaper than online.
I've gone through FFL from the home a few times but you are at the mercy of their personal schedule. 1 time i wanted to pick up the gun and FFL guy was at a breakfast for about 3-4 hours, another time he was in vegas. at least the LGS has regular hours
I don't mind paying an extra $20 for convenience
Thanks, next time maybe I'll send it to OGC, closer to town and like stang said, regular hours.
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Thanks, next time maybe I'll send it to OGC, closer to town and like stang said, regular hours.
FYI. Most popular sellers online already have the FFL license for most Hawaii FFL holders in their records. If you start to purchase online, the check-out process may present a list to select your FFL from. If the FFL you want to use is in the list, just pick it. Nothing more to do.
If your FFL isn't in the list, you can forward a digital copy of the FFL's license to the seller.
OGC makes that easy. Just go to their website and act like you want to "buy" a firearm transfer by placing it in your cart. The cost when you check-out is $0 -- you pay when you pick up the gun. But the checkout process will notify OGC you are having a gun shipped to them, and it sends a copy of the FFL license to your email. Forward that to the seller, and you should be set as far as starting the transfer and having it shipped.
https://ogctactical.3dcartstores.com/FFL-Transfer-Request_c_62.html
The "Buy" button to request FFL transfers is at the bottom of that page.
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FYI. Most popular sellers online already have the FFL license for most Hawaii FFL holders in their records. If you start to purchase online, the check-out process may present a list to select your FFL from. If the FFL you want to use is in the list, just pick it. Nothing more to do.
If your FFL isn't in the list, you can forward a digital copy of the FFL's license to the seller.
OGC makes that easy. Just go to their website and act like you want to "buy" a firearm transfer by placing it in your cart. The cost when you check-out is $0 -- you pay when you pick up the gun. But the checkout process will notify OGC you are having a gun shipped to them, and it sends a copy of the FFL license to your email. Forward that to the seller, and you should be set as far as starting the transfer and having it shipped.
https://ogctactical.3dcartstores.com/FFL-Transfer-Request_c_62.html
The "Buy" button to request FFL transfers is at the bottom of that page.
Thank you kindly.
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Can’t go wrong with either OGC and BNR!
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Just don’t send your FFL transfer to Xring, they charged me almost $400 to do a transfer
Wow! I hope there were at least 10 firearms in that transaction, or somewhat special transfers. Never thought it was that outrageous at xring. I know the owner professionally.
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Wow! I hope there were at least 10 firearms in that transaction, or somewhat special transfers. Never thought it was that outrageous at xring. I know the owner professionally.
Just a guess, but I imagine the transfer required the membership/subscription fees on top of the FFL fees. Last I checked, they were charging $50 for the first firearm, and $25 for each additional firearm from the same seller & in same transaction. That's for Internet_seller-to-Hawaii_Private_Buyer and FFL-to-FFL transfers.
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Yeah, I had a few transfers through one that charged $21, but he stopped due to covid when I checked early this year. Went through 808 Gun club for a transfer in Feb...$75 :(
I'll have to check FFLs next go around...any recommendations?
Brent Hamasaki. The cheapest ffl I know of and he's great also 👍
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Brent Hamasaki. The cheapest ffl I know of and he's great also 👍
:shaka:
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Wow! I hope there were at least 10 firearms in that transaction, or somewhat special transfers. Never thought it was that outrageous at xring. I know the owner professionally.
nope, just one. was the middle of the night and a rifle i always wanted popped up in stock on palmetto state armory, so i bought it quick and sent it to xring because palmetto had them as a preferred FFL and ive done transfers with them before. when it got there they called me and said they dont do FFL transfers anymore. so i found someone else to send it to and told them to send it, they said 350 for the fee +shipping. or i can pick it up from them for 350. so i went there, paid, it was around 375ish and told them they will never see my face again.
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nope, just one. was the middle of the night and a rifle i always wanted popped up in stock on palmetto state armory, so i bought it quick and sent it to xring because palmetto had them as a preferred FFL and ive done transfers with them before. when it got there they called me and said they dont do FFL transfers anymore. so i found someone else to send it to and told them to send it, they said 350 for the fee +shipping. or i can pick it up from them for 350. so i went there, paid, it was around 375ish and told them they will never see my face again.
I'd be curious when this happened. They absolutely do transfers now, and the have AFAIK since 2013 at least. When I was shopping around for an FFL near me, I drove there and talked to them about prices. I wound up using OGC, even though X-Ring is much closer to my home.
https://www.xringsecurity.com/ccms/index.cfm/services/
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I'd be curious when this happened. They absolutely do transfers now, and the have AFAIK since 2013 at least. When I was shopping around for an FFL near me, I drove there and talked to them about prices. I wound up using OGC, even though X-Ring is much closer to my home.
https://www.xringsecurity.com/ccms/index.cfm/services/
March of this year.. believe me, I looked on their website and saw the same thing when I was going thru this.. I wanted them to send it somewhere else but they said no matter what it was going to cost at least 350 because they had to do the paperwork to receive it. The guy I talked to on the phone was rude and all he said was “well someone has to pay for it”
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March of this year.. believe me, I looked on their website and saw the same thing when I was going thru this.. I wanted them to send it somewhere else but they said no matter what it was going to cost at least 350 because they had to do the paperwork to receive it. The guy I talked to on the phone was rude and all he said was “well someone has to pay for it”
Their business model appears to be nothing more than "If you don't like it, f*ck you!"
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=40880.0
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March of this year.. believe me, I looked on their website and saw the same thing when I was going thru this.. I wanted them to send it somewhere else but they said no matter what it was going to cost at least 350 because they had to do the paperwork to receive it. The guy I talked to on the phone was rude and all he said was “well someone has to pay for it”
Sounds like this is something you can post as a complaint on their BBB profile. If they didn’t accept FFL transfers at that time they could have easily rejected the package and informed you that. You’d then contact the carrier to change shipping address and pay $25-$50. Will leave you a couple hundred $ for accessories or ammunition.
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OGC. If you're LE or Military Active Duty, they charge $25/firearm. Regular price: $40/firearm.
In cash (recently). I deal with OGC Tactical on a regular basis, purchasing two guns from them directly, a Fabtek target stand, and doing an ammo pickup. Their in-store deal on a Sig Sauer P365XF with RDS beat anything I could find online. The intangible and tangible benefits of dealing with a local gun dealer cannot be overestimated. I find the advice to be well worth it, especially if you know little about a certain brand. They have been doing a lot of business lately, and I am certain this is coming from word-of-mouth. Oahu is a small island, and word gets around.
There are other dealers in the Honolulu area, and visiting them in person is recommended to determine what they have in their inventory and order pipeline. Get on waiting lists, and be surprised/elated when you get a call that an item is now in stock. Keep your powder dry so you can jump on a weapon. There was a Howa 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle that was received by SEC a month or so ago. Beautiful workmanship. Did not have the discretionary cash at the time to snap it up.
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In cash (recently). I deal with OGC Tactical on a regular basis, purchasing two guns from them directly, a Fabtek target stand, and doing an ammo pickup. Their in-store deal on a Sig Sauer P365XF with RDS beat anything I could find online. The intangible and tangible benefits of dealing with a local gun dealer cannot be overestimated. I find the advice to be well worth it, especially if you know little about a certain brand. They have been doing a lot of business lately, and I am certain this is coming from word-of-mouth. Oahu is a small island, and word gets around.
There are other dealers in the Honolulu area, and visiting them in person is recommended to determine what they have in their inventory and order pipeline. Get on waiting lists, and be surprised/elated when you get a call that an item is now in stock. Keep your powder dry so you can jump on a weapon. There was a Howa 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle that was received by SEC a month or so ago. Beautiful workmanship. Did not have the discretionary cash at the time to snap it up.
I have dealt with OGC while I lived on island. Carter is a straight up guy. He gave me a good deal on a couple of firearms he special ordered for me. I also did a mass powder purchase with him as well. Never a problem.
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I have dealt with OGC while I lived on island. Carter is a straight up guy. He gave me a good deal on a couple of firearms he special ordered for me. I also did a mass powder purchase with him as well. Never a problem.
Every problem I ever encountered, which were minor, were always made right, including discounted or waived FFL fees.
OGC has always been my favorite LGS. On average, they always had the best bulk ammo prices, and their sales on firearms beat most LGS prices. Plus, the Military and LE FFL rate of $25/gun was more than competitive.
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Recently I have used Danger Close Tactical, and purchased a firearm from Firearmsinternational.biz. Marco, from Firearmsinternational, will do free FFL transfers for existing customers. Both DCT and Firearms told me to check with them prior to the online purchase. The manufacturers are giving dealer discounts so they may be able to get you a better price and not charge the FFL transfer fee. Marco matched the lowest price I could find on one of my most recent purchases. Both business have been outstanding to work with. I would recommend either one .
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Twice now DCT (David) has beat quotes ive seen on Gun Broker. Remember you have to factor in Shipping (if not free), FFL Fee and possible magazine fixing cost. Most LGS have this included in their price to you. Nothing beat's local sales/service. Islands are too small. Aloha!
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Glad to hear DCT is still doing good business, dealt with Dwayne for many years and he was always a straight up and nice guy with me. Is the store still in the same location and do they still carry the Mrs. homemade cookies?
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Dwayne sold business to David Kikukawa and yes still operates at SAME location. I too originally deal with Dwayne. Anyway David metioned expansion in 2022. Aloha!