Weird or no PPT - Unhelpful shop rules

[Colt Collector]

I use to like OC Guns in Lake Forest but I'm not as happy with the new owner. If anyone has any suggestions for Orange County especially south OC I would like to try a new FFL.

 

[Dvrjon]

PPT’s take too long to do and don’t move inventory. The gun has to be stored for at least 10 days. It’s not worth the effort.

I’m not against FFLs trying to eke out a living in this cesspool of a state. At the same time…Tough. It’s in the statutes and the FFL community had ample opportunity to lobby against it when it was proposed. But they were silent.

In 2001, the AG issued an Information Bulletin (https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/infobuls/0101.pdf) reminding dealers that they were to conduct PPTs in the same manner as in-stock transactions:

Firearms dealers are required to conduct private party transfers pursuant to Penal Code section 12071(b)(5). Dealers may not limit the days or hours in which private party transfers are conducted.

The ugly truth is that FFLs didn’t oppose it because they believed it would improve foot traffic and “collateral” sales. But, they weren’t smart enough (or interested enough) to see the future onerous requirements the state would superimpose on them including the roster constraints, time-consuming paperwork, DOJ approvals and a fee for service which didn’t hold a cost-of-living upgrade. The State DROS fee and Safety Fee was $15 in 2001 (see link)…today, DROS costs $31.19 because DOJ lobbied for an added $5 enforcement fee and inflation. Clearly, DOJ understands how to generate revenue.

But the FFLs still have the opportunity to lobby for a cost-of-living increase for the $10 fee, and I have no doubt that the anti’s would support it to simply increase the cost of firearms to the public. But once that section of code is opened up, the parasites will move in to amend it and make sure PPTs become even more onerous. So, FFLs need to suck it up and service their PPT clients.

At any rate, FFLs agreed to be required to give PPTs equal service and support as they do for inventory sales. To abrogate that agreement now (or at any time) is, IMLHO, repugnant and disingenuous.

 

[wtf_calguns_migration]

I get that the PPT itself is a money loser. the key is the window-shopping that occurs while you are doing the PPT and the goodwill. probably 1/3 of the time Ive done a PPT ive ended up buying something from the shop as well

Ive bought items at a store I was doing a PPT.
A lot of stores don't/won't run a live inventory.
Oh lookie, theres a consignment that I want no one has any idea about.
I guess theyd rather pay or not pay counter people to waste time rushing around holding a phone.

If store staff want to whine and complain about how life is so tough for them, save it.

If there is any of the usual friction and BS then the place gets memeory holed and onto the next place.

 

[ikeo1]

Just did a PPT at Solar Tactical in Castro Valley this past Saturday - Buyer and I were fully aware of the "first hour only for PPT" rule; arrived early and was first in line before the shop opened. It went seamlessly and the staff was pleasant to deal with.

We should really have a sticky or guide on this site for all FFLs and their PPT policies/ratings. I used to have a long list of preferred FFLs, but since most of them have changed their stance/willingness to take PPTs, that list has since dwindled down to only a handful.

@ikeo1 - thoughts?

Gotta say, this really turned into a thing… it was really missing between both communities. Really cool to see it building up

 

[.dC0m]

Gotta say, this really turned into a thing… it was really missing between both communities. Really cool to see it building up

100% - I truly believe this will help grow this community in particular especially for those searching for FFLs / stuff off the classifieds to purchase. I'm excited to see the FFL list build up in a few months and see how far we can grow this thing!

 

[wtf_calguns_migration]

Gotta say, this really turned into a thing… it was really missing between both communities. Really cool to see it building up

Exactly, and unsurprising.

I could have written a case study on how a interest or organizational thesauri should be used to improve all parties of these types of transactions.

Basically how providers violate an index of knowledge (transfers and PPT specifics) that the customers are up to date and factually detect violations if not utter insults.

I am glad I'm not working on some of those external systems.

 

[wtf_calguns_migration]

100% - I truly believe this will help grow this community in particular especially for those searching for FFLs / stuff off the classifieds to purchase. I'm excited to see the FFL list build up in a few months and see how far we can grow this thing!

Yup, any step forward in the general direction away from the response of "F that store" is a good one.

Solutions, not more problems.

Somewhere in their is a step toward a satisfactory experience.

 

[cobian1984]

Thank you!! I'll take a look.

any gun shop in Burbank you personally would recommend?

GunsLA had me out in 8 minutes for a PPT

 

[Sierra117]

I recently had an excellent PPT experience with LA Firearm Supplies, also on Magnolia Blvd. Previously did PPTs at Guns Direct which is solid, but they seem to be pretty busy now. Was turned away from Guns Direct because they stop PPTs after a certain time in the afternoon, and went down the street to LA Firearm supplies and was taken care of.

I had a very similar experience and yeah LAFS are good dudes.

 

[damngato]

Another vote for GunsLA in the Burbank area. I've used them for a dozen or so transactions and all have been painless. Sadly their prices in-store are hard to digest so I haven't purchased new firearms from them but have no issue recommending them for PPTs

 

[damngato]

Had a guy drive up from San Diego to sell me a little S&W and wanted to meet in the Glendora area. Ended up going to Gunslingers after another shop wasn't open and they asked if we had an appointment. We said no but we were literally the only customers in the building. Said we needed an appointment and their safe was full anyway so they couldn't do it. Luckily the seller relented and we drove to 2A Zone and got it taken care of. Haven't been back to Gunslingers since

 

[joefrank64k]

Had a guy drive up from San Diego to sell me a little S&W and wanted to meet in the Glendora area. Ended up going to Gunslingers after another shop wasn't open and they asked if we had an appointment. We said no but we were literally the only customers in the building. Said we needed an appointment and their safe was full anyway so they couldn't do it. Luckily the seller relented and we drove to 2A Zone and got it taken care of. Haven't been back to Gunslingers since

That sounds like Gunslingers, haha!! I've been there exactly 1x and will never go back.

 

[Baldy333]

I see there are a ton of previous comments, so I'm a little reluctant to put my 2c in since I haven't read them all, but I've had five very positive PPT experiences, and I want to give a shout out to all the FFL's who hardly make a penny from our PPTs and yet graciously fill out all that state and federal paperwork for us.

In California, a Private Party Transfer (PPT) costs a total of $47.19 which includes the state's DROS fee ($37.19) and the PPT fee ($10.00) for the FFL holder.

 

[Baldy333]

One other quick mention is that one of the FFL's I used (Elite Armory in Castro Valley) doesn't do PPT's their first hour, and by the time the second hour started, there was a huge line of folks waiting to buy guns. The good thing was that all those folks in line saw me waiting and when the second hour started, I went to the head of the line.

Still, I have sympathy for FFLs who are compelled by law to process our PPTs for $10 while all those other folks are there to buy guns and help them pay the rent.