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General ? Why do people refuse to ship firearms?
- Thread starter testdepth
- Start date
I'll be honest..it's trust issues. Not so much the people here (although I have no idea who you are, nor do you know who I am), but I worked at ups..I've seen boxes bust open and imagine that..a pistol box. I've seen people ship ammo improperly, it got busted open and 7.62x39 went rolling all over the place, about 500+ rounds of it. Buddy of mine had an upper shipped to him (thru a company, not individual) and it got there and the front sight block was sticking out of the box. I've seen how packages get treated in that place, and it really puts me off of shipping anything, let alone firearms
When paid for with a USPS Money order, I will ship directly to someone's door anywhere in Georgia.
And, no, you don't mark the outside of the box. That just screams "Steal me!"
And, no, you don't mark the outside of the box. That just screams "Steal me!"
Used to be:
UPS put young people to work packing trucks. The procedure was to throw the boxes as hard as possible, as fast as possible, with no regard for damage to contents. The job was so rough, most people couldn't hack it for long.
Back in the 70's, I shipped a package through the USPS. It arrived crushed with tire marks across it.
I always ship priority mail, so I can print the label at home and just drop the package off at the Post Office.
I shipped to a C&R FFL holder once, never again. Too much c**p at the Post Office. I'm about 7 miles from the UPS hub and I don't like going there either.
UPS put young people to work packing trucks. The procedure was to throw the boxes as hard as possible, as fast as possible, with no regard for damage to contents. The job was so rough, most people couldn't hack it for long.
Back in the 70's, I shipped a package through the USPS. It arrived crushed with tire marks across it.
I always ship priority mail, so I can print the label at home and just drop the package off at the Post Office.
I shipped to a C&R FFL holder once, never again. Too much c**p at the Post Office. I'm about 7 miles from the UPS hub and I don't like going there either.
Its a pain is what it comes down to, I won't do it for the simple reason that last time I tried to be amicable and ship something the guy got pushy, wanted it shipped for nothing(I would have lost money on it at the point) then once I went and picked up the box to put it in he flaked out stating that he could get it cheaper, as in $17 for something that MSRP is $90, some place else and that if I didn't come down he wouldn't buy it, never did find that deal in the web site he said he was going to buy it from. Anyway, long story short, I don't ship period, I don't care what you rating it, how many times you have done it before, or whatever. I would rather lose a few deals then blow an artery. dealing with all of the BS. And that's just for accessories, for guns I will not, categorically, buy a gun, especially a used gun without putting hands on, I don't expect most knowledgeable gun guys are much different. Just because you said you haven't shot it much doesn't mean anything, I haven't shot my Beretta 92 much, only about 1,000 rounds, which is nothing compared to my Glock or 1911, but would you consider that not much? I need to put hands on it before I buy.
As far as it being a matter of trust, I am paranoid as hell and don't trust a whole lot of people to begin, call it a occupational hazard, but I don't.
As far as it being a matter of trust, I am paranoid as hell and don't trust a whole lot of people to begin, call it a occupational hazard, but I don't.
I work for the Post Office. I have mailed dozens of guns all around the country. Does no one here buy or sell any guns on any of the online auctions? You get your money first then you ship the gun. It is true that you are not supposed to mail handguns but you can mail rifles. You DO NOT write on the package what it is and the window clerk does not have the right to ask you what it is. It is kind of like the Military used to be, don't ask, don't tell. They will ask you if it is dangerous, perishable, and something else (don't remember the 3rd thing). They do not ask you if it is a gun!!!!!
For those who will ship, to mail a long gun, get yourself some of the "mailing tubes" from the PO, they are actually triangle shaped and will hold many different types of rifles. You can get on the USPS web site and have them mail you the tubes at no cost. Less than a month ago, I mailed an M1 garand in them. The "tube" is shorter than the rifle, usually, so you use 2 of them. Slip one end of the tube over the the end of another one, with the rifle in it, tape the sucker up and take it to the PO and mail it. If you don't want to go to the PO, pay for your postage online (it cheaper anyway and you get free delivery confirmation) and arrange for your mail carrier to pick it up!! The tubes are only Priority/Express according to the way you fold it. If you want to send it 3rd class, get yourself some paper grocery sacks and tape them around the "tube" enough so that you cannot see the priority/express through the paper.
For those who will ship, to mail a long gun, get yourself some of the "mailing tubes" from the PO, they are actually triangle shaped and will hold many different types of rifles. You can get on the USPS web site and have them mail you the tubes at no cost. Less than a month ago, I mailed an M1 garand in them. The "tube" is shorter than the rifle, usually, so you use 2 of them. Slip one end of the tube over the the end of another one, with the rifle in it, tape the sucker up and take it to the PO and mail it. If you don't want to go to the PO, pay for your postage online (it cheaper anyway and you get free delivery confirmation) and arrange for your mail carrier to pick it up!! The tubes are only Priority/Express according to the way you fold it. If you want to send it 3rd class, get yourself some paper grocery sacks and tape them around the "tube" enough so that you cannot see the priority/express through the paper.
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Going Postal,
That's some good information there and thank you.
I take lots of photos of the gun I am selling and answer any and all questions the buyer has before shipping. They send the money and I ship the gun.
That's some good information there and thank you.
I take lots of photos of the gun I am selling and answer any and all questions the buyer has before shipping. They send the money and I ship the gun.
^^^ Agreed, and have NEVER had a Problem.
People are over-cautious. Same reason people don't sell handguns to persons 18-20 privately. I guess many are afraid that obeying the law is not enough? I don't typically do anything in regards to firearms sales that is not required by law. I use my best judgment, but I'm my thinking is that anybody wanting a firearm who is legal to own one and who I have no cause to believe means anyone harm might as well buy mine, and I don't mind shipping it so long as I don't eat the freight cost.
S&H is also a major PITA in some areas, and that is reason to avoid sending a weapon off.
