Shipping Questions

[ponyboyc]

Hey doc, I was just wondering how the shipping back and forth works? Lets say I want Pkg 2 on my mini, do I need to ship from an FFL or just ship from my house? Once it is done, does it ship to my house or do I need to have it sent to a FFL? I know its not being transferred, I just wondered if there are regulations that covered this and how to prepare if need be. I pre-ordered the ATI Strikeforce stock back in Oct. 07 , supposed to be here in 3 weeks, so hopefully it is good quality for bedding. Also, what is the best way to ship the rifle? Fact. box? Metal gun case? Any tips or preference? USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex? Sorry so long, I searched "shipping" to help with my questions but didn't find anything. Thanks Curtis

[gundoc]

Here's some quick tips:

You can ship by UPS, FedEx or Postal Service. Ground shipping is cheapest. All guns must be packed in a box that is discreet, be insured for replacement value (current MSRP) and require an adult signature for delivery.Only the serial numbered part is a firearm, so trigger groups or AR uppers are not firearms. The UPS store is generally un-helpful, take the gun to the actual UPS terminal. USPS has a short form called "Declaration by shipper of Firearms" that needs to be filled out. My new website will have a copy of that for printing ahead of time.

Since you own the firearm you can send direct to me and I can send direct to you. I can not return firearms by mail unless you have an FFL.

Handguns go overnight. Except between FFL's. Between FFL's we can ship flat rate priority mail, so that's usually the cheapest way to go on handguns.

I use UPS for firearms and Priority Mail for small non serial numbered parts.

Keep the packaging as small and light as possible. Heavy or large gun cases add to the shipping costs. I know your guns are your babies, but they are quite tough and ship well. It's a good idea to also include your contact information inside the box so that IF something happens they can figure out what to do with it. Sometimes labels get ripped off or damaged.

If you are asked what's in the box, never claim it as anything besides a firearm. If the unthinkable happens do you want to prove it was a $800 cordless vacuum that got lost?

And lastly, Never Ever send ammunition. Live or fired, never do it without the proper license.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Doc

[McFly]

I am from West Virginia and i just went through the whole process of trying to ship my mini to the doc for some upgrades. I gotta tell ya, i felt like a columbine kid with a tattoo that read "BABY KILLER" on my forehead by the time i was through with the process.

First, i went to the "Mail-n-More" store which was fairly close to my house and they handle all Fed-Ex and UPS type shipments. They couldnt ship any kind of firearm at all and directed me to the UPS sub-outlet in town. When i went to the sub-outlet UPS store they told me they could only ship a firearm if it were either an air rifle or a muzzleloader. Air rifle???? They directed me to the main UPS hub which was in a different town about 45 mins away. They then informed me that this store was only open from 4PM-6:30PM. I asked if they were hiring. He said no.

While i was in town, i thought i might try to ship by USPS which was just down the street from the UPS sub-outlet. Upon arrival to the USPS i spoke very politely with the woman behind the counter and all was going well until i mentioned the word "Firearm". I thought at any moment i would be tazed or maced. I found this very odd considering the United States Postal Services reputation for.....well, going "POSTAL". And they looked at ME like i was nuts. This formerly nice woman informed me that the only way they would ship a firearm would be to obtain a FFL and ship the weapon to someone else with an FFL. I considered reassembling my weapon right there, but then i didnt want to dirty it again as i had just cleaned it for the Doc, so i gave the woman a stay of execution. By this time, my nerves were in the negatives and i still hadnt been able to ship my weapon to the Doc. I then decided to drive the 45mins to the main UPS hub and give that a go.

Once i got to the main UPS hub, i explained to the woman what i wanted to do and she got an odd look on her face. She promptly disappeared into the back to speak with what i can only conclude was the actual Wizard of Oz as i never saw this person but they nevertheless caused me much grief. The UPS woman returned and told me that she couldnt ship the weapon to an actual person, but only a business. I told her i wanted to ship it to a business named "Great West Gunsmithing". Well, that threw her for a loop and she immediately shuffled off to speak with the Wizard again. When she returned, she informed me that was a no-go because how did she know that "Great West Gunsmithing" was an actual business with an FFL. I asked her to look up the website. They had no internet access in the building she said. OMG. The Geico cavemen have internet access and UPS apparently does not. I asked her how we could clarify the situation and she said they would need a copy of GWGs FFL. My wife got on the phone and called her "internet retarted" sister and had her look up the GWGs website so we could call the Doc and see if he could fax them a copy of his FFL. Being that her sister had a normal keyboard and not one with only 3 keys on it, this took a large amount of time. After about 15 mins of silence on the phone, my wifes sister with the frontal cortex damage told us the phone number for the Doc. I could swear i heard angels singing in the background at this point. I really hesitated to call the Doc, but if i didnt, i wouldnt be able to ship the weapon for another week because of this hubs 2hr workdays conflicting with my 10hr workdays. Thank God, the Doc answered the phone and did not curse at me even once. He said no problem and immediately faxed a copy of his FFL to the UPS office. Thats all it took. They then completely disassembled my sweet packing job to make sure i didnt have a rocket launcher or chopped up people in there. Once they found my Mini 14 in about 5 pieces inside the 2 boxes, they repacked it and slapped a sticker on the box. And thats my shipping story.

A small price to pay for my rifle to get worked on by the Master of Minis.

[Rjak]

I had a simular problem yesterday when I tryed to return 1400 rds of Wolf Ammo Via UPS. Wolf sent me 2 return labels plus the ormd stickers. I took the 2 30 lbs boxes to the local UPS store and they saw the stickers and said they wouldnt ship it that Id have to take it to the Main hub on the other side of town. Instead I called UPS Cust Svc and they said for 10.00 they would come pick it up or I could just hand it to the driver nexttime he was in my area. He drops me off drugs about 1-2 times a week. I didnt want to go either route and asked the CSR for the nearest place I could drop it off and she gave me the Addy for the store I had just left. I told her thay wouldnt take it . she said YES they will they have no choice they are bound ot by thier contract and then she gave me a PH# for corporate and said take the ammo back to that store and if they gave me any chit to call corporate and they wouldnt be a UPS store for much longer. So I loaded it up and took it back and told the person at the Store what I was told and they left and made a phone call LOL 2 mins Later they were calling me sir and sorry sir and we will gladly take your ammo SIR.. Guess Moral is when the locals give you chit call the Main office and see if they will help. I have to say UPS Cust Svc is one of the best I ran across AND !!!!!!!! THEY SPOKE ENGLISH "well they almost did, I detected a Texas Accent" ;-)

[sticks]

When I shipped my rifles, I simply went online to the UPS site, & made arrangements for them to pickup my package at my house. Didn't cost me anything extra, nor were there any problems.

[Johnwilliamson062]

thnx for posting that sticks. Going to save me a ton of hassle.

[justinlemieux]

figured Id chime in her. I have always been afraid to ship gun stuff anywhere, but I recemtly sent my rifle to gundoc and it was so easy that he'll have his hands full with my stuff for a while now!

[gunrun45]

When I shipped my rifles, I simply went online to the UPS site, & made arrangements for them to pickup my package at my house. Didn't cost me anything extra, nor were there any problems.

+1000
This is the best way to do it IMO.
I shipped off a shotgun yesterday to an FFL here in CA. THe retard at the shipping hub had just returned from his lunch (12noon to 3PM!!!). He saw the shipping label on the box and asked if it was a gun. I said yes and gave him the serial number and model. He almost lost it right there :lol: All of a suden he started shaking and stuttering. He started saying something about UPS policy didn't allow them to accept guns at all. I mentioned that this was news to me since UPS delivers most of the guns to the FFL's I do buisness with:D

He then said something about UPS REQUIRNG a copy of the receviers FFL on file with them prior to shipping. I asked him how they kept the copy of the FFL on file and he said stupidly, "well, we just check it and then throw it away". Retard.

He eventually accepts my package (without checking the contents mind you) because I "look like a nice guy". Yeah, so did Bundy buddy.

When I asked where I should go on their website to review the new policy regarding gun shipping he looked confused and said that it wasn't on their webpage... I guess we are suppoed to be telepathic now?

Next time I'm going with the tried and true online shipping center!