Rfd prices

[sportsbob]

Once upon a time I bought a shotgun from a dealer which was 140 miles away, I sent my ticket to him he filled it in and then sent it ticket back to me via regular postie and the gun via parcelforce. The local gun shop made nothing out of it now the local gun shop can make something out of it , does the local rfd really get miffed when he gets money for old rope?. If the rfd charged £25 he has earnt good money for the small amount of paperwork and the email to the local police. Why do I say this you may ask well I have been in retail for almost 30 years and to earn a profit you have to invest in stock, here there is no investment and less paperwork than ordering stock.

[Scully]

The guys have a living to make we must remember. It must annoy when a customer uses you for bits and yet wants to take an hour in you shop talking. Then low and behold he buys a gun cheap on line etc and wants you to take delivery and sort the paperwork etc

Try that at your local car showroom!

Again, I just don't get this line of reasoning at all. Why do people regard RFD's as anything different to any other retailer? I just don't get it.

Yes, it probably is annoying, but the RFD can always say no. People browse through shops nearly every minute of every day, for them to then buy something else from another shop is just part of the job.

I have lost count of the number of times I have spent unpaid time working out prices for people just for them to decide they don't want the work doing or then get someone else to do it cheaper. Annoying yes, but it goes with the job.

[welshwarrior]

Again, I just don't get this line of reasoning at all. Why do people regard RFD's as anything different to any other retailer? I just don't get it.

Yes, it probably is annoying, but the RFD can always say no. People browse through shops nearly every minute of every day, for them to then buy something else from another shop is just part of the job.

I have lost count of the number of times I have spent unpaid time working out prices for people just for them to decide they don't want the work doing or then get someone else to do it cheaper. Annoying yes, but it goes with the job.

I think the point he was making its the fact the RFD often has to hand over the cheap shop goods to you after you spent an hour with him asking his advice.

Sounds like your a builder of some sort how you like pricing the job offering advice and specs then see someone else build it of your info only to be asked to come in and hand the keys over for an hours unpaid of course.

[kent]

Again, I just don't get this line of reasoning at all. Why do people regard RFD's as anything different to any other retailer? I just don't get it.

Yes, it probably is annoying, but the RFD can always say no. People browse through shops nearly every minute of every day, for them to then buy something else from another shop is just part of the job.

I have lost count of the number of times I have spent unpaid time working out prices for people just for them to decide they don't want the work doing or then get someone else to do it cheaper. Annoying yes, but it goes with the job.

Those who know my past will find that a classic

[Scully]

I think the point he was making its the fact the RFD often has to hand over the cheap shop goods to you after you spent an hour with him asking his advice.

Sounds like your a builder of some sort how you like pricing the job offering advice and specs then see someone else build it of your info only to be asked to come in and hand the keys over for an hours unpaid of course.

Point taken , but again, the RFD doesn't have to hand over the cheap shop goods. He can just politely say no. I have that option also, but sometimes you just have to grin and bear it because it goes with the job I'm afraid. You don't know they aren't gong to employ you, until they don't. All part of the job.

In the past I have spent hours pricing work just to find out some time later I was being used as a pricing mechanism for an insurance claim. Not a lot I can do about it other than next time those same people ask me for advice, say no, and tell them why. It's a wonderful feeling.

My point was why do shooters regard RFD's as different than any other retailer? Like I said, people browse shops all the time, ask advice, keep the proprietor hanging about, and then leave without making a purchase. If that person then returns and asks for the retailer to accept delivery of an item they've bought elsewhere, then that retailer has two options.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Scully

[Duckandswing]

Its simple really. Factor in the rfd costs to that of the gun. They charge what they charge, and have every right to do so. Don't like it, then don't pay it. Shop elsewhere.

 

Gun shops are few and far between. I think they need our support.

[ChrisAsh]

Naturaly there is always the option to drive to where the gun is and pick it up, and that way you can also try for gun fit and weight etc

[welshwarrior]

 

My point was why do shooters regard RFD's as different than any other retailer?.

Don't want to be regarded differently but if shooter don't support local RFDs they will go bust then where will you all get your cheap Internet guns sent to???

[Duckandswing]

Don't want to be regarded differently but if shooter don't support local RFDs they will go bust then where will you all get your cheap Internet guns sent to???

A very salient point.

[Scully]

And unlike a newsagent, camera retailer, clothing shop or nearly any other shop, the RFD has to hump through immense legal hoops at every stage risking massive legal costs for an honest mistake in a dying industry where every item with a decent margin can be sold remotely and the best he might average on a secti0n 1/2/5 firearm or component is 10% before he even applies overheads.

With respect aren't RFD's aware of this prior to gong into business? Does the buyer have to pay a premium because of the RFD's chosen career?

 

 

Gun shops are few and far between. I think they need our support.

As do I, I love a good gun shop, but not at ANY price. Support works both ways.

 

Don't want to be regarded differently but if shooter don't support local RFDs they will go bust then where will you all get your cheap Internet guns sent to???

It's a good point and one I fully appreciate, but it's not that long ago we had a similar thread where some RFD's were charging 50 quid for RFD to RFD services, in which the OP asked if he was being ripped off. I have no idea of the true costs incurred but going off personal experience was of the opinion that the answer was yes, and in light of subsequent posts, including those in this thread where some have related that they can get the service for less than half of that figure, then my opinion hasn't changed.

I can perfectly agree that shooters need to support their local dealer, but if they see a particular model elsewhere, what is the alternative? They can drive to that dealer in person, at cost to themselves in time and fuel, or they could ask their local dealer if he would accept it for them, and pay him for the service. That way the buyer has saved money and the dealer has made some he wouldn't have otherwise. Whether that cost is acceptable to both parties is between them, but I just don't get the complaining of having to commit unpaid time spent with a potential customer; it's all part of providing a service. It goes with the job.

[Scully]

Scully, RFD's are going out of business, not into it these days

Sadly yes, but others are thriving.

[welshwarrior]

I give up every time there's a comment about RFD transfer Scully you take us of on this side track, it takes time that we RFDs could be doing other things, £25 doesn't cover the service but there.

 

OP commented that he'd been quoted on thing then charged another, whatever it's for it's wrong but let's head back to the path.

[Scully]

I give up every time there's a comment about RFD transfer Scully you take us of on this side track, it takes time that we RFDs could be doing other things, £25 doesn't cover the service but there.

 

OP commented that he'd been quoted on thing then charged another, whatever it's for it's wrong but let's head back to the path.

You should never give up...if we gave up we'd all be paying 50 quid or more, rather than 25 or less. If it takes time that you'd rather spend doing something else, or it isn't worth your time, then don't do it. It doesn't make much sense to do so then complain about it.

I really do understand the point you're making. You made the point that an RFD can spend unpaid time time with a customer who is asking advice, (post 28) I'm merely trying to make the point that it really does go with the job. Alternatively, stick a sign on the door stating: 'Unless you're going to buy something, or pay me between 25 to 50 quid an hour, don't ask for advice'. I know a couple of interior designers who charge more than this for advice, but they prefer the term 'consultancy'.

[welshwarrior]

Scully I starting to think all RFDs are gun shops to their not.

 

A little like Michelangelo being a painter and decorator as he painted the odd ceiling.

[Scully]

Sorry, I'm not sure I follow your first line. I don't wish to knock dealers, I just genuinely can't understand why some regard themselves as special cases. They're in retail.

As you brought Michelangelo into the post, I charge the same rate for emulsioned ceilings as I do for murals, simply because of the actual scale and the time involved, otherwise I'd just price myself out of a job. My framed artwork takes into account a galleries commission rate, which again is a fine line between making a sale and pricing myself out of one. 40% commission and sometimes more goes with the job. I need the gallery and the gallery needs me.

London costs can be 50% commission plus VAT, plus the cost of sending work which includes my time to pack it (free) then the cost of the courier and insurance. Some wont accept courier service not because of the time taken to unpack at the other end but because of the amount of packaging accumulated. In these cases there is travel costs to consider also, often written off other than claiming back against tax, and then if the piece doesn't sell there's the trip back to pick it up when the exhibition ends. I'm not complaining, it goes with the job.

[kent]

The payment should be better made by the distant seller direct to the local rfd

This way everyone gets chance to say no thanks from the get go

[sabel25]

I've been reading these reviews with great interest Yes some of you have had a raw deal

Just a few month back i was renewing my shotgun cirtificate but at the same time applied for my firearms ( cheaper to do both at the same time )

The local police firearms division wre great They sent me the renewal notice early explaining to apply before the prices go up which i did

They came out inspected and all was ok.A few days later i rang them to put on another rifle The lass said thats fine and it was being processed as we spoke

I saw a rifle i was after in an rfd down country and enquired about it They said that i had to send my cirtificate to them for them to fill in then send it back then they send the gun to my local rfd for me to collect at a cost of £25.00 I said that i thought you had to do this face to face and that my cirtificate had not arrived yet They said that there police had been in and that is what they had to do

I then rang my local rfd who i know and repeated what had happened He'd never heard of such a load o***** He took the details and made a deal with the rfd in question and rang me back to say he would buy it have it sent to him and store it till the cirtificate came and all paperwork all for £10.00 less than the original price tag My ticket came and i picked the gun up at the same time i asked him about a .17 hmr He had one on the rack which looked new but he knew the gun had done nothing with scope and mod £400.00 on the ticket But said he would do a deal on £350 So i ended up with 2 rifles plus ammo that he also discounted

Later on i did the same with a .223 i saw advertised He got it all in cheaper than the rfd dealers price tag

So again found a .22lr He did the deal but there was little room for negociation but all in delivered was sill cheaper

Get to know your local rfd well and buy a bit gear from him and let him purchase your guns He'll get his bit You will save your bit He will sell you the ammo and sundries and you will get some discount He even fit two scopes for me which i had supplied free of charge

So to save on the rfd over charges and delivery give it a go

[BrowningB525]

And unlike a newsagent, camera retailer, clothing shop or nearly any other shop, the RFD has to hump through immense legal hoops at every stage risking massive legal costs for an honest mistake in a dying industry where every item with a decent margin can be sold remotely and the best he might average on a secti0n 1/2/5 firearm or component is 10% before he even applies overheads.

 

Accepting RFD transfers goes against what your saying. Accepting an RFD transfer is money for not even having to hold your own stock. An RFD pricing them selves out of accepting RFD transfers to me is either lazy or stupid. As this is retail, the RFD well be at work regardless, so there isn't even an additional time cost. I bet it is more hassle to make £25 profit on cartridges than it is to accept an RFD transfer.

 

Edit:

 

to clarify, I reckon that £25 is a fair price for most RFD to receive a gun. Well it's a price that I'd be happy to pay.

Edited September 2, 2015 by BrowningB525

[sabel25]

Living out in the country here i am pretty lucky to have two rfd's within 4 or 5 mile apart that are not that far from me who are great for differing things depending on what i am after

I have had guns sent to one of them in the past and it did'nt bother me paying £25.00 considering that was dlivered and all paperwork done

It would've cost me a hell of a lot more in fuel to go and collect it myself from the seller'

Yes there are views either way but as the saying goes Use it or Lose it

We need rfd's as well as they need us Where on the internet can you legally buy rifles and shotguns and ammo

You can walk in pick the guns up and even try before you buy, then some walk out without buying anything

I have seen the paperwork involved with rifles and moderators and ammo It's not a five minute job

[Davyo]

I've been reading these reviews with great interest Yes some of you have had a raw deal

Just a few month back i was renewing my shotgun cirtificate but at the same time applied for my firearms ( cheaper to do both at the same time )

The local police firearms division wre great They sent me the renewal notice early explaining to apply before the prices go up which i did

They came out inspected and all was ok.A few days later i rang them to put on another rifle The lass said thats fine and it was being processed as we spoke

I saw a rifle i was after in an rfd down country and enquired about it They said that i had to send my cirtificate to them for them to fill in then send it back then they send the gun to my local rfd for me to collect at a cost of £25.00 I said that i thought you had to do this face to face and that my cirtificate had not arrived yet They said that there police had been in and that is what they had to do

I then rang my local rfd who i know and repeated what had happened He'd never heard of such a load o***** He took the details and made a deal with the rfd in question and rang me back to say he would buy it have it sent to him and store it till the cirtificate came and all paperwork all for £10.00 less than the original price tag My ticket came and i picked the gun up at the same time i asked him about a .17 hmr He had one on the rack which looked new but he knew the gun had done nothing with scope and mod £400.00 on the ticket But said he would do a deal on £350 So i ended up with 2 rifles plus ammo that he also discounted

Later on i did the same with a .223 i saw advertised He got it all in cheaper than the rfd dealers price tag

So again found a .22lr He did the deal but there was little room for negociation but all in delivered was sill cheaper

Get to know your local rfd well and buy a bit gear from him and let him purchase your guns He'll get his bit You will save your bit He will sell you the ammo and sundries and you will get some discount He even fit two scopes for me which i had supplied free of charge

So to save on the rfd over charges and delivery give it a go

 

The 1st time a bought a gun from down south(about 6 yrs ago) they asked me to send my licence and the gun was listed then sent back to me recorded.Paid them £25 that end, gun was rhen rec at my RDF, i took my cert in with the gun listed, gun handed over no cost( all the did was unpack it no paperwork)

[Davyo]

I've been reading these reviews with great interest Yes some of you have had a raw deal

Just a few month back i was renewing my shotgun cirtificate but at the same time applied for my firearms ( cheaper to do both at the same time )

The local police firearms division wre great They sent me the renewal notice early explaining to apply before the prices go up which i did

They came out inspected and all was ok.A few days later i rang them to put on another rifle The lass said thats fine and it was being processed as we spoke

I saw a rifle i was after in an rfd down country and enquired about it They said that i had to send my cirtificate to them for them to fill in then send it back then they send the gun to my local rfd for me to collect at a cost of £25.00 I said that i thought you had to do this face to face and that my cirtificate had not arrived yet They said that there police had been in and that is what they had to do

I then rang my local rfd who i know and repeated what had happened He'd never heard of such a load o***** He took the details and made a deal with the rfd in question and rang me back to say he would buy it have it sent to him and store it till the cirtificate came and all paperwork all for £10.00 less than the original price tag My ticket came and i picked the gun up at the same time i asked him about a .17 hmr He had one on the rack which looked new but he knew the gun had done nothing with scope and mod £400.00 on the ticket But said he would do a deal on £350 So i ended up with 2 rifles plus ammo that he also discounted

Later on i did the same with a .223 i saw advertised He got it all in cheaper than the rfd dealers price tag

So again found a .22lr He did the deal but there was little room for negociation but all in delivered was sill cheaper

Get to know your local rfd well and buy a bit gear from him and let him purchase your guns He'll get his bit You will save your bit He will sell you the ammo and sundries and you will get some discount He even fit two scopes for me which i had supplied free of charge

So to save on the rfd over charges and delivery give it a go

The 1st time a bought a gun from down south(about 6 yrs ago) they asked me to send my licence and the gun was listed then sent back to me recorded.Paid them £25 that end, gun was then rec at my RDF, i took my cert in with the gun listed, gun handed over no cost( all they did was unpack it no paperwork as all done at the other end).Now that we dont need to send licence of to sending RDF is clear we are getting charged at both ends.One ends charges due to sending and cost involved, this charges for the paperwork.