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I like my FFL, and although I'm far from a regular he has done me right so far, he's close by and he seems like a nice chap. However he has just raised his rates to $30 per gun and looking around I've found others who only charge $10/$15. Now $15 is not a lot of cash for me, but given that there is no connection between us other than he processes my guns it’s not like I have any sort of real loyalty to him and so I wonder whether I'd be in the minority to keep using him with this new fee hike. He is able to source, but so far I've found better prices online and as he doesn't sell for a living or have a shop or anything he has no qualms about where the gun from (private seller, gun wholesaler &c). As 'he knows me' he knows that I don't have a NICS problem and so the transfer for him involves picking up the mail, making a call and then filling out a form. Soon enough (hopefully ) my CHL will be here and so he'll need to do even less. So do you usually shop around and find someone with a low price when you are looking to buy or do you have a regular guy that you're happy to use even if you could spend a few bucks less elsewhere? Is the extra $15 per transaction going to have been a good investment when the chips are down I wonder, or as just another customer might I just as well put that towards a case of the amber stuff and vote with my feet. Your thoughts would be appreciated, thanks folks

I think $10 to $15 is reasonable for 5 to 10 minutes of work.

Unless your guy provides extra services you want then I would go with the cheapest FFL who was convenient. Extra services could be finding good deals for you or having convenient hours anything else that's worth money to you.

Do a search in the FFL Holder section under Market on the board here. See if anyone is close to your location. A number of them have posted that they offer discounts to CHL holders.

$10 seems to be the norm for CHL holders, $20-$30 for non-CHL.
I don't think your guy is out of line. Ask him what he will charge you when you have your CHL.
If it's $10, stick with him.

Well I'm seeing him tomorrow and so I'll ask. It stands to reason that it should be less though, so hopefully that will be an easy conversation. Thanks for the headsup

30 bucks sounds high. Maybe not for a one time deal involving nothing but the paperwork and background check, but it sounds like you do alot of business with him. Although this by no means should obligate him to charge you less, I think it would be in his best interest if I were a frequent customer of his. All you can do is ask, and if he sticks to his price, go to someone cheaper. There are FFLs listed here on the Forum who would be glad to have your business.

That does seem high for our area but low for some other states. I have sold a few rifles on gun broker and have had buyers in other states telling me of paying 40 bucks for transfers. One guy in PA told me he got hit for a 50 dollar fee. I think it was PA. Anyway...I sure hope Texas isn't headed in that direction.
One thought always comes to mind when paying a guy 10 bucks for doing a transfer is that it seemed cheesy to give a guy 10 bucks for being available so i cold come buy and take his time filling out the forms and what not. Heck...the guys that mow my yard make more than that. I used to go ahead and give him 20 bucks just because it made me fill a little less guilty.

That's a good point. OTOH, I figure that if that's what they want to charge, they must figure it's worth it or they would not do it.
I rarely take more than 10 minutes, work around their schedule. That's $60/hour, which is not bad for part-time work.
In fact that's good enough I'm considering getting an FFL before the door closes.

Rex B wrote:That's a good point. OTOH, I figure that if that's what they want to charge, they must figure it's worth it or they would not do it.
I rarely take more than 10 minutes, work around their schedule. That's $60/hour, which is not bad for part-time work.
In fact that's good enough I'm considering getting an FFL before the door closes.

I have wondered if it was because they needed to do a certain amount of transfers to show they were in the business and not just using the license for personal purchases, ten bucks being more of a token fee so they can say they are getting paid.

The 60/hour figure really doesn't work out that way in my world. I own a service company. We charge 69 bucks for a diagnostic charge. Sometimes my guys are only there 15 minutes when we figure out what is wrong. That does not mean we are making 276 bucks an hour. I hear what you are saying, but personally, I wouldn't get up and answer my front door for 10 bucks . Ten bucks is barely lunch at Hooters these days.... .

The few guys I have dealt with have been people-friendly and most were retired or otherwise had time on their hands.
I suspect part of the payback is social. CHL holders tend to be real decent folks, interesting to talk to.

Well I've just been to collect my new arrival and got a delay, but I did ask and apparently the charge is the same regardless of your status and so I will consider looking around. Whilst I can and do agree that for me personally I wouldn't trouble myself for a $10 tip, as has been stated there isn't that much involved in the process and assuming you're not dealing in the transfer of 1s&2s it would appear to be a nice and easy way to supplement ones income (not to mention the fact that you are able to buy with impunity). Anyway I doubt I'll be buying anything else for a while, so I'll just make the call next time I'm shopping. Could have done without the delay though, fingers crossed I'll still be able to take her out on Sunday....(although knowing that it has arrived makes the wait a little easier)

When I consider the posts you have made concerning your FFL, I would NOT go elsewhere. This guy has taken very good care of you. I feel that should get your loyalty. I have had the recent pleasure of being on the selling side of the counter. Let me say I think the FFL earns their fee.

10-4 Compvest. See you Sunday........(with my new one )..........

Look forward to seeing you and your new baby.