doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cost of shipping guns

I just shipped a gun from MN to TX. USPS Priority Mail was $50, but I had it in a big 2 barrel case and then stuffed into a cardboard box that was 37" X 10" X 10". It's the toughest case for shipping I have that doesn't weigh a ton. I insured it for $4500, which is what it's worth, for another $60. It's hard to find 30" 20 bore Fox guns, so replacing it would be difficult and expensive and I consider the insurance necessary for me. I don't want to lose this.

I just researched shipping long guns. At the post office and UPS you don't have to tell them it's a gun. At Fed Ex you are supposed to inform them it's a gun. I don't know what would happen if you used Fed Ex, didn't tell them it was a gun and then had a claim. All shippers recommend that there should be nothing on the outside to indicate that there is a firearm inside. I've shipped with everyone at one time or another and the only problem I had was one Fed Ex store that insisted I ship a long gun overnight. It would have been way over $200, so I drove to a different Fed Ex office and had no problem. If you ship with your business account it's a lot cheaper than the price the general public pays.
I never like having to pack and ship a gun, but for some gunsmithing I have to ship if I want top quality craftsmen to work on my guns.
Regards,
Jeff

Holy smokes!!! I would set that insured figure at priceless, JNW. That wood, looks like a curl in there, is it maple? Combined with that sleek Fox action and you have a perfect blend. I bet it was tough to let that gun out of your sight.

While I don't buy nor ship near that many guns, I get peace of mind with insurance. There are various factors that place the risk of loss during shipment either on the buyer or shipper. Absent an agreement as to who bears the loss, it depends upon state law's interpretation of the Uniform Commercial Code. If I were a volume seller of guns, I would have the buyer bear costs of shipping and insurance. This would be upfront and a part of the sales agreement and would cover to and from should the buyer return the gun. In other words, pass the costs on to the buyer. Yes, there are horror stories with getting FedEx and UPS to pay claims. You may call it "fear", but I call it "experience." I have had checks, documents, lost in the mail and near misses on FedEx and UPS. UPS and FedEx planes crash. I had to nix a firearms transaction when the Ithaca M37 arrived at my LGS with a broken stock, the gun having been sent fully assembled. I have had expensive radio equipment lost in shipment only to be found days before the insurance paid out. I also have health insurance, fire insurance, automobile liability and life insurance. It doesn't upset me that I haven't had to make a large claim on any of them, especially the life insurance. Gil

You are talking mostly about claims for "damage", not flat out "never found". I package well to avoid the damage, which in most cases damage is due to poor packing, not being driven over by a UPS truck or the very, very rare airplane crash. You are really talking an extreme exception, not the rule. Maybe everyone should stay inside, because people have been hit by meteors. I do charge my customers for shipping and use the money left over to cover auction fees and delivery to shipping stations. Like I said, if you only ship a gun once in a while, do what you like, but not me. I will continue to follow my procedure as it sure has it's dividends.

rapidfire

You are living a charmed life, to have shipped 750 guns with never a need for a claim. Evidently, Murphy's Law doesn't apply to you, like it does to me.

As for me, I'd rather pay a few dollars extra, a few times a year, than lose an expensive gun without any means for reimbursement.

SRH

Nothing wrong with what you are doing. It's along the lines of purchasing extended warranties on vehicles or buying identity protection. Someone has to help out in making companies a hefty profit.

rapidfire

Treblig,
It's actually Turkish. Unusual to get this kind of figure, but there it is. It's actually better looking in person.
Jeff

JNW: That is really an amazing gun! I'll bet it was not easy to find that one!

This board has a lot of guys that have restocked their Fox shotguns in some stunning wood. Someone should start a picture thread on them.

My gun, sent priority mail, was actually delivered and signed for in about 24 hours. Well worth the money in my book.
The Fox collectors website has lots of pics of nice guns, both original and redone.
Jeff