Has anyone had to wait for an FFL transfer?

[DoxaPar]

Fisherman's Corner has a sign on the back wall explaining that their receiving a firearm does not necessarily mean it is ready to pick up, it may take a few days for it to get processed. I have not had a gun shipped to them but when I was there last week it sounded like the owner or one of the owners may be on vacation.

While all of this may be true I'd certainly have a problem dealing with ANY business that didn't offer some type of explanation when informing me of a delay. From the OP's description it sounds like it was nothing more than "we'll get to it when we get to it; don't call us again". My guess is that they were ticked you called them before they called you and are just sitting on it now (or forgot about it). While that may or not be true there are plenty of FFLs out there that I'm sure would be happy to take your $20-25 for 10 minutes of work.

[smurfman]

If it is the case that the FFL holder isn't there you'd think they would have just told him that.

One would think that but then one would also think that a store would not charge more than MSRP for a used product, that employees would know the products they are selling, and that customer service would always be cheery, smiling, and able to solve whatever problem came their way. Reading the sign behind the counter would give one the impression that firearms transfers may not be as fast as one would hope. I wouldn't expect the person behind the counter to tell me that piece of info any more than I would expect the guy behind the counter at Gouger to sensibly explain how they priced a Savage made SMLE No 4 Mk 1 at $1400.

Some things are up to the user to determine or learn on their own. that is the reason I suggested finding out which shop my buddy used for his transfer, it probably isn't much, if any, further from the OP and it sounds like they are much quicker on turning over goods than Fisherman's Corner. I don't have any personal experience with transfers through either place (I don't even know where there is a pawn shop in Duluth) but I would probably not use Fisherman's Corner for such transactions based first off the wording of their sign and from what I heard here. I have bought several guns off their shelves without an issue, they have been much quicker on that than Gander, Cabela's, or any of the box stores I've bought from.

[smurfman]

Fisherman's Corner has a sign on the back wall explaining that their receiving a firearm does not necessarily mean it is ready to pick up, it may take a few days for it to get processed. I have not had a gun shipped to them but when I was there last week it sounded like the owner or one of the owners may be on vacation.

While all of this may be true I'd certainly have a problem dealing with ANY business that didn't offer some type of explanation when informing me of a delay. From the OP's description it sounds like it was nothing more than "we'll get to it when we get to it; don't call us again". My guess is that they were ticked you called them before they called you and are just sitting on it now (or forgot about it). While that may or not be true there are plenty of FFLs out there that I'm sure would be happy to take your $20-25 for 10 minutes of work.

I would too, which is why I mentioned looking for that pawn shop my buddy had dealings with if one is transferring a handgun or other firearm which one cannot purchase out of state. There may be other FFLs in the Duluth area but I do not know of them so cannot suggest any. For a standard long gun I would try Superior Shooter's Supply in Superior, WI as a Minnesotan can purchase long guns in WI, at least for now. As I mentioned previously, there is a sign behind the counter at Fisherman's Corner regarding transfer times and its wording and mere presence would have been a significant clue that they may have a different attitude toward transfers than some. Based on that, I would have had reservations using this place for a transfer from the very beginning. The clerks there are no different than those of Gander down the road though they may be a bit better than those of the clerks at the Gander Gun Worlds I've been to. At least the clerks at Fisherman's Corner say hello and ask if you need some help when you walk in.

Now that I think of it, one could try Puglisi's over in New Duluth. My limited dealings with them have not been overwhelmingly warm but at least they don't have a sign over the counter regarding their transfer process.

[user293]

I shipped out a pistol through them a well or two prior, and I was lookin around while he did the computer stuff for that, and I didn't see a sign about transfers. Probably just didn't catch it. But I also had them fax a copy of their ffl to the seller, and they didn't tell me anything about transfer time then either. I don't know what I gotta do if I wanna do business with another ffl.

[smurfman]

When dealing with an FFl, just ask how long after they receive a firearm for them to finish processing it so you can pick it up. If the time is unsatisfactory, then ask why it takes so long and if the response does not sound reasonable, look for another FFL until one can meet your desires.

I have never looked closely at how long the process takes, my experiences have all seemed to be reasonable enough that I never felt the need to look. I think the longest I went from purchase agreement to being notified to pick up the gun was from Friday to a week from the following Thursday. Granted, this was not sent next day air and maybe I'm too trusting but I figure the gun will show up when it does and a week and a half to two weeks for a call is not an unreasonable amount of time to me. The few handguns I've had shipped in were handled much quicker for the most part. The exception was the above mentioned gun which was going from one Cabela's to another. As it was being shipped between stores, there was no shipping or transfer fees for me so I was more than willing to let it take the time it needed.

[Squib Joe]

I think 24 hours is reasonable (and this is what we shoot for), maybe 48 hours during a really busy season. A week is pretty bad.

Keep in mind a couple of things:

Sometimes a gun isn't ready because the shipper didn't include the information needed to log in the gun. Or the name and phone of the buyer. Happens all the time.

Please, please, please. Don't start driving over because you got an email alert that the package was signed for. I've seen people show about six minutes after a gun was signed for and wonder why it isn't ready to go.

I would wait 24 hours and then CALL and ask about it. After a week I'd probably be calling my attorney.

[Glenn_S]

Another option if they continue to drag their feet would be to contact the seller and tell them that because you haven't received it, you will be reversing the charges. Once they call the FFL you will likely get the call. If you reverse the charges and then the selling FFL see's that it was signed for, then they will go after the receiving FFL.

[grousemaster]

Show up with a copy of the tracking number. Tell them that if they don't transfer it, you will need to report it stolen.

I transferred a pistol to an out of state customer, two weeks later the customer called me saying the gun shop had not received it. They claimed they didn't have it until I produced proof of signature/delivery....then all of a sudden it showed up. I was close to calling LE on that one....

[user293]

im a pretty patient guy you know until something gets out of hand. I may have heard something too about the manager on vacation, and I got the impression that he is the only person going through these incoming firearms, getting them ready. so ill wait a little longer. Monday through the day seems reasonable? if I don't get it then ill call and ask.

[Squib Joe]

Show up with a copy of the tracking number. Tell them that if they don't transfer it, you will need to report it stolen.

I think you're probably kidding, but if not you need to consider that the gun doesn't belong to you until it is transferred. Reporting it as stolen would be a crime.

[goalie]

Show up with a copy of the tracking number. Tell them that if they don't transfer it, you will need to report it stolen.

I think you're probably kidding, but if not you need to consider that the gun doesn't belong to you until it is transferred. Reporting it as stolen would be a crime.

Hence the smiley

[Mn01r6]

Show up with a copy of the tracking number. Tell them that if they don't transfer it, you will need to report it stolen.

I think you're probably kidding, but if not you need to consider that the gun doesn't belong to you until it is transferred. Reporting it as stolen would be a crime.

I fail to see how reporting the actual circumstances to the police would be a crime.

We can also debate whether he owns the property or not. He isn't allowed to take possession of it without transfer through and FFL, but he paid for it and he owns it. What happens if he fails the NICS check and can't legally be transferred the gun? Does it evaporate or does he get to name someone else to transfer it to?

[Squib Joe]

We can also debate whether he owns the property or not. He isn't allowed to take possession of it without transfer through and FFL, but he paid for it and he owns it.

Paying for something and owning it are two very different things, believe me. People that can't own firearms pay for them all the time - and when that happens they generally need to have them shipped back.

[grousemaster]

Show up with a copy of the tracking number. Tell them that if they don't transfer it, you will need to report it stolen.

I think you're probably kidding, but if not you need to consider that the gun doesn't belong to you until it is transferred. Reporting it as stolen would be a crime.

It's also a crime to let firearms sit without checking them in....they need to be logged in within 24 hours of receipt...

[Thunder71]

I pay my local FFL $20 and have it the day it's received, he's glad to see me and seems to always have a good story to share while we deal with the business end of things on the kitchen table.

I'd definitely find a new FFL.