For what is approaching 40 years of buying probably way over 100 guns by mail, with few exceptions, I've had to pay shipping both ways, regardless of the reasons or issues. A whole lot of those were when shipping and insurance was $20-$25, no big deal. Now it runs twice that and more, so it hurts worse than it used to.

I learned way back to ask if the seller would sell AND ship the gun for X dollars, so you at least felt like he was paying for one way.
JR

Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.