I wanted to see if this sounds normal or if the LGS ripped me off.

I dont want to drop names but I ordered a gun through my LGS, something probably not available except online.  Normally I just buy online and pay the transfer fee but I wanted to support the shop this time so I paid about $150 more and had them order it for me.  I finally went to pickup my gun a few weeks later and after filling out paperwork he said "alright we are all set, that will be $42".  Happily gave him my credit card without complaining but then he said "cash only" - damn near lost my cool at that point.  I asked why I was being charged a transfer fee since I bought the gun directly from them and he explained I didn't buy it from him I special ordered it.  I had to walk down the road to an ATM which was quick but I left work to do this and would have brought cash if I had been expecting the charge.

I would have been fine if they charged me the transfer fee upfront.  I was willing to pay more to buy from them, but it was the last second surprise that irritated me.  Does it sound like these guys pulled a fast one on me or does this sound normal for a special order through a local shop?

"cash only" sounds sus...

I wanted to see if this sounds normal or if the LGS ripped me off.

I dont want to drop names but I ordered a gun through my LGS, something probably not available except online.  Normally I just buy online and pay the transfer fee but I wanted to support the shop this time so I paid about $150 more and had them order it for me.  I finally went to pickup my gun a few weeks later and after filling out paperwork he said "alright we are all set, that will be $42".  Happily gave him my credit card without complaining but then he said "cash only" - damn near lost my cool at that point.  I asked why I was being charged a transfer fee since I bought the gun directly from them and he explained I didn't buy it from him I special ordered it.  I had to walk down the road to an ATM which was quick but I left work to do this and would have brought cash if I had been expecting the charge.

I would have been fine if they charged me the transfer fee upfront.  I was willing to pay more to buy from them, but it was the last second surprise that irritated me.  Does it sound like these guys pulled a fast one on me or does this sound normal for a special order through a local shop?

Did you go to OGC???

I always go there for all my FFL orders, it's always cash only.

Any business that deals 100% on cash only wouldn't raise an eyebrow on me.

A business that does cash only for certain transactions 100% does.

Any business that deals 100% on cash only wouldn't raise an eyebrow on me.

A business that does cash only for certain transactions 100% does.

 Just to clarify the cash only part isn't what bothers me it's the last minute surprise..  Normally when I go to a shop and buy a gun the price is the price and transfer fees are included. 

Did you go to OGC???

I always go there for all my FFL orders, it's always cash only.

 Like I said I'm not dropping any names I think it's standard for shops to charge cash for transfers.    My issue is that I bought this gun from the LGS, I didn't order this gun online and transfer to them.  I went in handed them my credit card and I sort of expected all fees to be included when I made the purchase.  I coulda saved $200 by ordering online, but I wanted to support them - the last minute transfer charge felt like a stab in the back, but I have never special ordered from a shop before so I wanted to see if this sounded normal to pay a transfer fee in this situation.

Does sound suspicious.  I assume you paid upfront for the gun when you ordered it.  There should've been notice of the fee, verbally, on the receipt or forms, or signage.  I wonder if they only take cash so you can't complain and do a chargeback with the credit card afterwards.

Unless the intial payment was at cost for the store, and they earn their profit from the transfer fee.

Does sound suspicious.  I assume you paid upfront for the gun when you ordered it.  There should've been notice of the fee, verbally, on the receipt or forms, or signage.  I wonder if they only take cash so you can't complain and do a chargeback with the credit card afterwards.

Unless the intial payment was at cost for the store, and they earn their profit from the transfer fee.

Hey Mr. Not - nice revolver!  Looks like a 629 Mountain Gun in 44 - awesome revolver.  I just bought the Performance Center 629 for concealed carry - couldn't resist.

I think Mr. zippz is right when he says: " wonder if they only take cash so you can't complain and do a chargeback with the credit card afterwards."

I have never had to pay cash here for FFL transfer fee to a local gun shop, and there is zero reason I can think of for a shop to require cash - other than what Mr. zippz speculates ...

... but you got an awesome 44!

Does sound suspicious.  I assume you paid upfront for the gun when you ordered it.  There should've been notice of the fee, verbally, on the receipt or forms, or signage.  I wonder if they only take cash so you can't complain and do a chargeback with the credit card afterwards.

Unless the intial payment was at cost for the store, and they earn their profit from the transfer fee.

Yep I paid in full upfront, about $150 more than most online sellers so that covered shipping and they should have a decent margin in there too.   I guess I won't feel guilty anymore sending all my transfers there

Yep I paid in full upfront, about $150 more than most online sellers so that covered shipping and they should have a decent margin in there too.   I guess I won't feel guilty anymore sending all my transfers there

Well, it certainly wasn't Firearms International, that's for sure.

I'm naming names, and theirs is a good one - I'd recommend them for anything you need, plus they're active for 2A at the legislature, etc. - unfortunately (ironically, since it's their industry) the same can't seem to be said for many of the rest ...

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As an aside - I tried to buy a Benelli M4 through a local shop - just like you, to buy local.  Called them, set an appointment to meet the manager to put down the money (we're talking about 2 grand here).  Went there at the appointed time, but someone was using their computer for the order for someone else, so Ok I can wait.  The computer is now open, but instead of taking me next, the manager goes and greets two young people at the door - they say they want a hat or something, and he goes off to chat them up.

No other sales people (there's like three) acknowledge me - he's yucking it up while they try on baseball caps.

I'm just standing there wanting to give them $2000 - but I don't exist.

So I walk out.

Later the manager calls me - tries to reschedule.

I explain a little bit about professionalism, courtesy, and how you lose a $2000 sale by being a jackass, etc.

That was the first and last time I tried the buy local thing.

They shall remain nameless on Young street.

My first shotgun was a special order from Young Guns. I paid in advance, they ordered it and I applied for my Long Gun permit while waiting. They called me when it arrived, and I showed up with my ID and permit.  I signed the 4473 and took my new firearm to HPD and registered it.  No transfer fee -- just the price plus excise tax.

If an FFL receives a gun from the factory and places in the store as stock, there's no extra transfer involved. Transfer fees typically are charged for online and out-of-state purchases which the customer pays, not for local sales. Special orders are considered the same as a local sale from stock as far as I know.  If the LGS purchased the gun from another retailer, that might be the difference that caused this whole situation.

If you could have done the same ordering yourself much cheaper, I would think a refund is in order.  They should have let you know what it was going to cost out the door.

Nearly every LGS I've dealt with offers a discount for cash in lieu of a 3% fee for credit (debit counts as cash).  Sometimes they have a special shipment like ammo where they waive the credit card fees.  Requiring cash signals to me they are trying to prevent charge backs.  Of course, they might also be experiencing cash flow problems -- cash is immediate, but credit takes time to process and can be disputed.

Well, it certainly wasn't Firearms International, that's for sure.

I'm naming names, and theirs is a good one - I'd recommend them for anything you need, plus they're active for 2A at the legislature, etc. - unfortunately (ironically, since it's their industry) the same can't seem to be said for many of the rest ...

During my gun rights activism tenure, I visited nearly all the gun shops in Hawaii multiple times trying to get them more involved.  You'd think they'd all be happy to jump on board since it's their livelihood, but very few do.  There are stores that are very supportive, through activism or volunteering in other ways, Young Guns, DCT, Firearms Intl, JGB Arms, MAGS, KGS.  Most are at least attentive and give some support like spreading the word or pass out flyers.  And there's a surprising number that don't care or are abusive.

Now that I'm not the primary on gun rights activism anymore, I've been contemplating doing a series and outing them, but I want to have hope that they'll change.