Shipping Services

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Boatbuilder

Bearcat
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
55
Location
Colorado
Has anyone used a service like Shipmygun.com or similar? Last time I sent a handgun, FedEx wanted well over $100 to ship it. I'm getting ready to sell a couple of my 327s and need a more economical option. Any feedback on shipping services is welcome.
 

IraIII

Bearcat
Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
74
Location
Western New York
I like to ship from my local ffl he can ship USPS priority mail. He gets a fee for boxing etc, the gun goes on his books, and if it is lost in transit he deals with shipper and batfe. I find cost to be less for ffl fee and shipping than sending it myself.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
9,933
Location
missouri
IF (big if right now) you can find a cooperative FFL who doesn't gouge you, that would be the best option. I handled quite a number of firearms shipments when I held an FFL and didn't charge much for the service especially if it was a known customer.
 

JCW64

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
467
Location
Louisiana
FedEx recently changed their policy on shipping firearms overnight. Now firearms can go express or ground. You may want to try and get a price from them again.

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/how-to-ship-firearms.html
 
Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
9,675
Location
Dallas, TX
In that link, where does it say the gun can be shipped ground? Their directions make it look easy enough, but i can't see where it says express or ground.

On the other hand, I recently shipped a gun back to Ruger for repair, Ruger told me to box it up and I did not have to tell FedEx it was a gun. Yes, I had Ruger repeat that to me to make sure I understood them fully. They said as long as it's being shipped to an FFL you don't need to declare the contents.

It shipped express for $36, ground would have been only $16.
 

JCW64

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
467
Location
Louisiana
Well, 2 months ago it did not state it had to be overnight but now I see where it says overnight again. I opened up an account with them 2 months ago as an FFL dealer and specifically told them what I was shipping. I can now ship 2-3 day express for about the same price as USPS Priority mail with discounts on my account. FedEx does state you must declare the firearm but not mark the package as such. As Mobuck stated if you can find a local FFL to ship reasonably for you that will be the cleanest route for the seller.
 

jdowney

Bearcat
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
50
Location
Rural New Mexico
I haven't sold a handgun in years, but I do recall that many ffl's won't receive from a non-ffl in any case. Even if you find some service or just bite the bullet and pay fedex's horrendous fee, make sure to check with the receiving ffl before shipping.

Back when I sold a few of my dad's pistols on gunbroker in 2008, I had very good results with my local ffl. Found the guy through gunbroker's listing service and had made a few purchases through him before I decided to sell the pistols. He wouldn't charge regular customers for outgoing shipment (beyond the actual shipping cost of course), but then he was a really good guy to deal with. I've dealt with several easy going ffl's working out of their homes, its worth looking for them as opposed to store front guys. Around here they usually charge $30 or so, store fronts charge more like $50.
 
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
4,414
Location
Lemont, PA, USA 16851
With UPS and FedEx, it really depends on how much business you do with them. The more you do the better rates you can ask for and get. Also, they will bend their rules for the high volume shippers. I regularly get FedEx Ground and standard UPS shipments (non overnight) of handguns from the big boy internet gun sellers.

Don't forget, a non FFL can ship a long arm via the USPS, perfectly legal and even shipping Priority Mail with insurance can save money over FedEx and UPS. I have been shipping firearms through USPS for over 20 years and have not ever had one go missing or stolen.

When I ship for a customer, I charge actual shipping/insurance plus $15 for packing and taking it to the PO (I don't get door to door mail delivery where I live but I'm only a mile from the PO). I do the packing because I want it packed a certain way and I get too many shipments that ARE NOT packed good enough and I don't want someone to say it was my fault that a gun got damaged in shipment.
 

hittman

Moderator
Staff member
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Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
16,915
Location
Illinois
I have not used that or any similar shipping service.

Luckily we still have a couple of "mom and pop" FFL shops that will ship for a $25.00 fee plus actual postage.

I'd search for one like that and wish you luck.
 

SWR

Single-Sixer
Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
210
Location
Florida
Boxhead ******** What are you referring to please ?? The original post about www.shipmygun.com or something else
 

Teddydogno1

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
220
This is a very timely question! I just did a sample shipment with shipmygun.com and it looks like it can save my buyer a few bucks vs. having my dealer mail it USPS (about $60 for that with the transfer fee).

Rob
 

VictorLouis

Single-Sixer
Joined
Feb 10, 2000
Messages
109
Location
Phoenix Az
Yes, you have to go to a FedEx HUB, or corporate store of some sort.
In-state deliveries get there the following day at no extra charge, and out of state I use Ground. Very, very reasonable now.

The contracted carriers, like Mail Boxes USA and Kinko's, are still operating under old rules and have a surcharge for their profit margin.
 

RUT

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 22, 2008
Messages
286
Location
New Hampshire, USA
>>I like to ship from my local ffl he can ship USPS priority mail<<

And here you have it. Cheaper to ship and no problems on the receiving end. Many FFLs will only accept shipments from other FFLs.
 

Teddydogno1

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 10, 2013
Messages
220
Dropped off a revolver at my local dealer for mailing on Friday. They didn't bother to ACTUALLY mail it until Tuesday (even though they said it would go out on Friday). Thanks for making me look bad to my buyer, guys. After taking the gun in, it just wasn't a priority for them to get it OUT. And this is a dealer I LIKE.

rob
 
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
1,024
Location
Vinita, OK
Even if you find a dealer to use USPS... it can still be pretty darn expensive. My dealer even sends me a copy of the receipt so I can see he isn't gouging me. I think he only charges $25 for himself. I mailed a $2500 revolver to a member using him. When you want to insure something of that value, the price really goes up. I think my final cost for the dealer and shipping plus insurance was $80-$85.

People want to buy Gun XXX from you and you give them your best price... looks like everybody is happy... then you throw in a $60+ shipping fee and then a transfer fee on their end... it looks less and less like a good deal. I sold two handguns last year but it really is hard to make both ends of the transaction happy with the final cost.
 
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