3 day inspection/transfer

[Aaron Beck]

I found out the hard way that the common interpretation is mostly the former. Sign and you own it. Now my assumption as a layman was I had three days to inspect the gun without shooting it and the ffl was a govt tax/formality which was more part of the shipping process prior to the inspection period. I was wrong and ended up with no recourse but to keep said gun. Lesson learned.
In an ideal world you would be buying a classy gun from a classy gentleman and as a gentleman of class oneself you would honestly appraise the gun in your own premises, while honoring the wishes of the seller (dont shoot, dont disassemble). If the details dont add up, then you would pack and return the gun properly and pay the freight, insurance, ffl charges etc apologize for the trouble and get some of your money back. As detailed in the FAQ section of this website, there is no way to fully evaluate a used gun in the time you might have at the store and definitely not unless you are pretty experienced and have possibly made a few mistakes in the past. You might get this kind of service from a local gun store where you were known or from a friend but friendships have foundered on less. Ive come to see the ffl form as the logical point of transfer but likely wont be buying sight unseen again.

[Cold Spring]

Many opinions here are heavily slanted in the buyer's favor. And specially so to the casual buyer who wants to be into vintage guns but won't invest in a bore mike, chamber and choke gauges, etc to take to the FFL's shop for an inspection during the 3 day period period that starts when received by the licensee. So you're on a business trip and can't make it then? Do your homework and ask the seller to ship so it arrives when you're back in town. This isn't satellite orbit level planning.

You want 3 days after filling out a 4473 to show the gun to your buds at the club for their learned opinions? Be sure to get the seller's agreement on that before you bid or buy.

Not much has been said here as regards hassle to the seller when he spends time to pack, drives to the shipping drop-off place, sweats out damage or loss while in shipment and having to deal with an insurance claim while the buyer gets his almost immediate refund from the seller; then if the buyer returns the gun for some casual or bs reason it puts a stigma on that gun and makes it harder to sell when re-advertised because the pool of us who are interested in this vintage stuff is limited and most will remember seeing the gun while previously advertised and "sold" ..... must be something wrong with it.

All of this is why I much prefer to legally sell vintage guns while at SxS events where the buyer can inspect to his/her heart's content and even shoot a few shots to test functioning. Legal transfer to your 03 or 01 FFL or using Form 4473, and you own it.

[winplumber]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

What I’ve said I stand by . You as a seller do not know what type people you are dealing with thru internet sales . It’s better to air on the side of caution . If I’m selling to someone that I know and “trust” I’d allow them to shoot the gun , but not some yahoo I have no history with . As a seller I’ll not take that much risk with the usual internet crowd . How many times has Morphy or Poulin or Rock Island allowed a person to take a gun apart before they won the auction or after they recieved the gun and then allow a return .How many times have the same auction houses allowed possible bidders to take a gun out and shoot it to see if they liked it before they bid or after they recieved and then the buyer wants to return it . Everybody’s got their own agenda but as far as I’m concerned 3 days starting the day your FFL recieved the gun , if you do the paperwork and take it home or shoot it at the dealers we’re done . Sounds like a good many of you want the seller to take all the risk .

Well I have slept on this I think now what I will do is when the gun gets to my FFL go the day he gets it and dont sign a FFL and dont shoot it or take it apart unless its a SXS because it had better been shipped taken down and dont take home and study the gun as mush as I can and come back the next two days and do the same and make up my mind on the Third day . I would be within your terms . Just wondering if you test drive a car before you buy it, Some of you guys here spend more on a gun then I have on a car LOL. I guess a mans word doesnt mean sh..! anymore BUT MINE DOES ! I have bought several guns from members here with no issues and had shooting rights and whatever I needed . My ffl dealer has a (5) FIVE return on used guns and you can shoot them too !

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Steve Huffman

Well I have slept on this I think now what I will do is when the gun gets to my FFL go the day he gets it and dont sign a FFL and dont shoot it or take it apart unless its a SXS because it had better been shipped taken down and dont take home and study the gun as mush as I can and come back the next two days and do the same and make up my mind on the Third day . I would be within your terms . Just wondering if you test drive a car before you buy it, Some of you guys here spend more on a gun then I have on a car LOL. I guess a mans word doesnt mean sh..! anymore BUT MINE DOES ! I have bought several guns from members here with no issues and had shooting rights and whatever I needed . My ffl dealer has a (5) FIVE return on used guns and you can shoot them too !

That's signing a 4473, not a FFL. Also, the licensee must log the gun into his bound book on the day received. It's not like the gun sits there in limbo until the buyer shows up to accept or reject it. And if rejected the return shipping can get complicated. Often it's not as simple as just repacking, log out and send out the door.

Some acutely reserved buyers will also want to bring their atomic microscope to the FFL’s shop to check out the wood and metal, along with a DNA test kit to detect traces and confirm the gun actually went to DuBray, etc. as shown in the letter. Be sure to tell the DNA testing company you need results within the 3 day period if that was part of the deal.

[Allen Peterson]

I am not a dealer I have a C&R FFL> In The In the past 20 or so years I have bought and sold around 50 shotguns. I carefully describe the gun and welcome anyone to come and shoot the gun. I prefer selling face to face unless I know you.
I will not ship a gun for a 3 say inspection. To many chances of the gun being damaged even though I do an extremely good job of packing. I have never cheated anyone and never will. But if you want one of my guns. Please come and handle it shoot it measure it but once the money changes hands its your gun. If you need 3 days to make up your mind. You don't need the gun.

[Steve Hodges]

I agree with Brian on this. If a gun is legally transferred to the buyer then it has to be legally transferred back to the seller. In my case, my local FFL charges $100 to do a transaction. A bit steep, maybe, but he has the license and maintains the records. I do not blame him for that.

[Dean Romig]

WOW $100.... That's a bit much. The guy I use, Glenn's Ammo & Reloading, owns a gun and reloading shop and his price is $35 but he charges me $25.






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[Steve Hodges]

Dean it is what it is. You either agree to pay it or not. I do not harbor any negative feelings toward him. He has a family to feed too.

[Dean Romig]

As does Glenn...




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[John Allen]

It is a matter of communication between both parties. The seller needs to describe the gun to the best of his ability and detail his understanding of what the 3 day inspection means. The buyer needs detail what he will be inspecting and how much time he needs. Most sellers will agree to an extra day or two if needed if you just ask up front. I am seeing more and more ads that say "as is no return". I think that is because some buyers have abused the inspection period. Both parties must explain what they expect out of the deal before any money changes hands.