Shipping firearms – some advice & a FedEx sales pitch

[TexasMac]

I’m on my “high horse” again about shipping firearms and thought I’d post some comments here.  I realize that many of you seldom have the need to ship a firearm.  But if you do I highly recommend FedEx.  I have shipped many higher-priced firearms across the country using FedEx Ground, and the cost has been around $25 to $35, including insurance.  I like FedEx's easily to use on-line service whereby I can print shipping labels and charge shipping to my credit card.  Hence no standing in line at the FedEx counter.  Just run in and toss the package on the counter, no question asked.  And, if desired, you can request an automatic acknowledgement of shipping to the receiver.  Of course, on-line tracking and shipping acknowledgement is available.  I also find my local FedEx office is much more customer friendly than UPS.

By now most of you know that UPS’ policy is to only ship handguns via Next Day Air, an option that typically costs about four times what it costs to ship via ground.  So most folks use other carriers.  But many still use UPS for long guns.  I’ve had three rifles damaged in transit with UPS.  All three were packaged very well.  One sender (owner of a large gun shop) said, “this was the last straw”, they would no longer use UPS.  I’ve noted similar sentiment from other dealers.  It sure makes one wonder if there are individuals within UPS with an agenda.  Plus, it’s been my experience that UPS customer service leaves a lot to be desired.

I’ve experienced other problems with UPS and have used FedEx to ship all my firearms for some time and have had excellent service.  US Postal Service (USPS) will ship firearms and has a good reputation for minimal damage, but the drawback is the costly insurance fees and sometimes dealing with ignorant staffers.  A $1500 firearm costing approx. $25 to ship FedEx (fully insured) will cost close to twice that insured through the USPS.  So I’m promoting FedEx in hopes that us firearms owners use them enough to insure they don’t change their policies, as did UPS.  I understand that DHL, the latest carrier to compete with UPS and FedEx, does not ship firearms.  So with UPS’ restrictions and internal problems; the USPS high fees and sometimes very unfriendly and ignorant staffers, I feel we need to do everything possible to insure FedEx realizes that the shooting community is a valuable customer.

And some final words of advice, regardless of the carrier you use, do not put anything in the address or write anything on the box that suggests the content of the package is a firearm.  Most shippers assume that a long skinny box likely contains a rifle.  The contents of a box holding a pistol is less obvious, but play it safe and don’t confirm the contents by sending it to Bob’s Gun Shop or Jim’s Firearms Inc.  Consider using BGS or JFI respectively.  It’s the actual address that matters, not the name of the business.  And don’t forget to fully insure that package.

Wayne

[Graybeard]

In response to questions asked about what happened to the posts that had been made to this thread neither Matt nor I have a clue.

Question to Moderator: Did you delete or move any?

[quickdtoo]

I don't recollect seeing any replies here, but my recollector ain't always spot on!!! TexasMac posted the same topic in the Single Shot Rifle forum which does have replies to it, maybe that's what's causing the confusion???

Tim

[STJ]

Fedex requires you to ship handguns next day priority...But I still like them better than UPS

FYI to ship a handgun next day priority, insured for $1900, cost a tad under $60...

[Graybeard]

I don't recollect seeing any replies here, but my recollector ain't always spot on!!! TexasMac posted the same topic in the Single Shot Rifle forum which does have replies to it, maybe that's what's causing the confusion???

Tim

Yup I'll bet that's the cause of the confusion. I didn't realize it was posted in two places.

[TexasMac]

Well guys, it seems like I’m gonna hafta eat some of my words and lower my recommendation of FedEx a little.  Just shipped another Browning BPCR to a fellow in NY.  Used FedEx Ground and you guessed it, the stock was badly cracked at the wrist during transit.  So the score so far for me is 2 for 2 for UPS, 2 for 20 for FedEx, and 0 for 1 for USPS.  We’ll see how well the FedEx claim process works this time.

Wayne

[TexasMac]

Since I started this thread, and based on the feedback and comments, I used USPS Priority Registered mail for the 1st time to shipped a $2200 Winchester BPCR Creedmoor to a guy in Wyoming.  As noted here, or possibly on one of the other forums where I also started a similar thread, Registered Mail requires a special "wet & stick" reinforced tan tape over all the open box seams.  The tape was provided by the Postal Clerk, along with a wet sponge.

The biggest advantage: The USPS says "Items you send with Registered Mail are placed under tight security from the point of mailing to the point of delivery, and insured up to $25,000 against loss or damage. And you can verify the date and time of delivery and the delivery attempts online. "

Another advantage:  Priority Registered Mail with insurance is significantly cheaper than just Priority Mail with insurance.  Since Registered Mail means the item is under "tight security" the insurance fees are much less.  The total fee for Priority Registered Mail from Texas to Wyoming, with $2200 insurance and signature confirmation was $34 versus $46 for regular Priority mail with $2200 insurance.  FedEx would have charged $24, but I’ll gladly pay the additional $10 to insure undamaged delivery.

So thanks guys, for all your inputs.  I certainly learned something from this and similar threads and will only be shipping fully assembled “long guns” using the USPS.  No more FedEx and absolutely no UPS.  I still plan on using FedEx for items that present no stock damage such as when shipping rifles without a stock or with the stock packaged separately.

Wayne

[George Denys]

We have used the USPS exclusivly for the last year and a half. Score....70 undamaged 0 damaged. One pistol lost for a day but found within 1 hour of reporting it was not delivered...and then delivered that day. They really pay attention when you walk in and say a Handgun that you mailed with them was not delivered and is lost. They were on the phone like RIGHT NOW. Great service here.

[TexasMac]

Update on my recent FedEx rifle damage claim:

Although I now almost exclusively us the US Postal Service’s Registered Mail to ship rifles, a recent FedEx damage claim was still pending.  My prior and only previous experience with FedEx’s damage claim process was quite positive.  I was on the receiving end of a damaged Browning BPCR (stock was cracked during shipment).  The claim process was relatively quick and FedEx agreed they caused the damage.

In the most recent case I was the sender of a Browning BPCR, which was damaged by FedEx (stock also badly cracked) in transit.  After discussing the situation with the buyer, I initiated a claim and requested that FedEx pick up the rifle, inspect the damage, and ship it back to me.  I then sent the rifle to Browning for a written repair estimate.  After several weeks Browning responded with a repair estimate of over $500 to replace the stock.  After receiving the repair estimate I submitted, via certified mail, the required FedEx claim documents along with a cover letter and Browning’s estimate.  Three days after FedEx received the documents the claim was approved and check for the repairs and the original shipping amount is in the mail.  The whole process took 6 weeks, but for most of the time (over 4 weeks) I was waiting for an estimate from Browning.

Most of you have heard horror stories about UPS’ and FedEx’s failure to pay off on damage claims.  Concerning UPS, my two similar experiences have been very negative.  Their claim process sucks.  One was denied and the other was only paid after the dealer that sent the rifle threatened to stop using UPS.  FedEx has been a different story, at least concerning the claim process.  But my positive response from FedEx may be influenced by the fact that I have a small-business account with them and have shipped numerous firearms using FedEx.  An individual filing a claim with little or no history with FedEx may have a different experience.

By the way, as a side note, shortly after I was notified that the rifle was received damaged by the buyer’s dealer, I gave the buyer an option to keep the rifle and I would send him a refund for the cost of repairs and shipping to Browning, or have FedEx return the rifle to me and I would immediately refunded the full cost of the rifle plus shipping.  I was not surprised that he chose the latter.  In doing so I was prepared to eat the repair costs should FedEx decide not to pay off on the claim.  I believe this is only fair to the buyer, but does not seem to be a common practice in Internet gun selling & buying business.

And another note, for the repair estimate, and thinking that Browning did not need the internal receiver parts to replace the stock, I shipped only the stripped receiver with barrel and forearm.  Browning sent back an estimate but refused to replace the stock until I sent them all the internal action parts.  It turns out that Browning’s repair procedure includes test firing all firearms for liability reasons after any repair, no matter how minor.  So, after priority mailing the action parts, I’m now patiently waiting for the repaired rifle, which will most likely be delayed due to the many firearms being sent in for repairs in preparation for the upcoming hunting season.

Wayne