Can I send straight to an FFL dealer in NC or would I have to have an FFL here ship to the FFL there??

Also, the guy wants me to ship to his FFL, and then once the FFL receives it to release the funds to me...
Is this normal??
I told him I didn't feel comfortable shipping before having the money.

Thanks

You do not need to have an FFL here send the pistol, but of course an FFL there must receive it. You cannot use the US Postal Service for it, and only FedEx and UPS will ship firearms. Therefore, you can take your pistol to FedEx or UPS.

"(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier?
A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]"

There is a lot of confusion about this topic. A good discussion is here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=345235

As for shipping first and then receiving payment, I wouldn't do it in a million years.

I wouldn't ship anything without first receiving payment.

Yeah, I told him I wasn't comfortable with that he he backed out.

You should ask him to let you know when he finds someone who's willing to send off a firearm before receiving payment.

Probably be a long wait...

Yeah no kidding. He tried to say that he would give the funds to the ffl and he would hold them like a middle man until he gets the gun and then give me the money.
Like I am gonna send my gun to hiss ffl who is probably his friend....right!

If he's not willing to send the money first, I'd back away. You always pay first. It's the way of the west.