Shipping information, prices and suggestions
PLEASE read the following info carefully!
After you read this page, please go to the "contact me" page and all the pertinent info is right there for reaching me or shipping me something. Thank you.
OK, so you've decided to send me a gun(s) for some work (very smart move!), How do you handle it? Here's my suggestions and tips. Whether it's a revolver or a rifle, pack it first in a padded, zippered pistol or rifle rug. Zippered, padded rugs are the BEST for shipping! If you don't have one, buy one, they're cheap and make a PERFECT shipping container! NOTE: please do not ship your firearms in the ORIGINAL box you bought them in! They are NOT sufficient or the best way! Anyway, then put the 'gun-in-rug' in as sturdy, and as SMALL of a box that you can find! FedEx (and UPS) use the "dimensional" system for figuring shipping. That is, they multiply the length x width x height, then divide the total by some magical number of 194. That equals the 'supposed' weight!! And of course that's how you calculate the charge. And they will use whichever is more, the real weight, or the dimensional weight (that figures!). That means that if you send a LIGHT package, in a BIG box, it will 'weigh' a whole lot, and cost a whole lot too! Remember, SMALL and LIGHT! The best method, is to use the boxes that FedEx (or UPS) gives for FREE! One to two handguns will fit in their "Medium" box, and two to three handguns will fit in their "Large" box. A short Saddle-ring Carbine should fit in their "Tube" box. And they're FREE!! If there are ANY voids in the box, fill it either with bubble pack, wadded up newspaper, or as a LAST RESORT, styrofoam 'popcorn'. Try to stay away from the "popcorn" stuff because it tends to get into the guns, and melts from oil or solvents! Yuck! Tape it up well after shaking it to make sure it doesn't rattle around, or isn't loosely packed inside! Of course, please make sure you put a letter in there reminding me in DETAIL of what you want done, things you want me to "check out", your name, address, phone number, a check, AND your E-mail address. I would prefer you E-mail me WHEN YOU SHIP. I will then save THAT E-mail and use it to contact you, and update you, and inform you of my shipping it back to you. Try it, it works great.
If dealing with UPS, their Next Day "SAVER" with "Adult Sig. Req'd." stickers are now required (their rule), at a minimum, and the "SAVER" part makes it cheaper. OR ship it FedEx. FedEx requires the equivalent shipping method, it's called "PRIORITY OVERNIGHT". My account is with FedEx now, but of course, either way works.
I work on your guns "first come-first served", so I suppose the quicker it gets here, the quicker you get it back. If it's not something I have to "check out" and quote you on, please include a personal check, cashier's check or money order for the agreed upon amount (sorry no C.C.'s).
RETURN SHIPPING PRICES (with gas over $3 a gallon these keep creeping up!)
* REMEMBER; keep your package as small AND light as possible!! *
Remember, it is legal (for now, barely, 'cause things are changing FAST!!) for you to ship a weapon to a licensed gunsmith (me) for repairs, no problem, no hassle, no nothing, just ship it. You do not need an F.F.L. yourself, or need to go through a FFL dealer to ship. That is what I pay my money to the Federal Government for, so you can do that! But on THAT note if you want to be able to KEEP doing that, you DAMN well better join the N.R.A. or Gunowners of America, or not only will you not be able to SHIP your guns, you won't HAVE any guns TO ship!!!!
Got it pard'?