[depicts]

So I've been looking at this Mod 63-3 all week. I've posted about it several times here in the revolver section. I decided I wanted it, but couldn't get to the gunshop this weekend so I called them and asked them to put it aside for me and I'd give them my Visa card number to hold it.

I went down today to pick it up with cash in hand, and the fist thing I notice is that it's in a brown Lady Smith box, not the Blue Plastic S&W box I had seen it displayed in. I distictly remembered S&W wrapping paper in the box, as well as cleaning tools sticking out of the foam liner.

When I commented that the gun looked a little "dirtier" than I remembered, it made me look closer, and I saw a gouge on the crown that I hadn't noticed, and polishing compound in one of the cylinder holes that wasn't there last week. The grip screw was a bit munged up, and overall the gun didn't look guite right.

When I first saw the gun it was marked $315, which I commented on here, several times. On the phone I tried to get the owner to go down from $315 to $300 and he said no. When I got there today, it was marked at $399.

I could have sworn I was buying a like new stainless 2" Mod 63-3 for $315. I could have sworn it was a blue Smith box with brown wrapping paper and a white cleaning swab was one of the tools, not just a brass brush.

Oh well, I guess I have that CRS disease..."can't remember shinola"!!!!!!!

I told the store owner I changed my mind. There were two other guns in the display case I might have bought today, both Ruger's, one at $150, and one at $229 with bull barrel, target grips, replacement trigger and red dot sight....but I don't think I'll be getting anthing there for awhile. I kinda lost the enthusiasm for acquiring more guns for some reason.

Well, I did buy a new 640-3, a Mod 19-4 and a Mod 34-1....guess I didn't need that 63-3 anyway....at least not for $399.

[Black Majik]

If it was me I'd walk away and not do business with them anymore. Shady business ethics. Congrats on your Smiths though. :)

[MatthewVanitas]

Well, a whole lot of factors were different than first thought, so you did the right thing. Were it all original and $315, darn good but not amazing deal. As was, not so great. Plus your 34 should cover that gap pretty well anyway.

You seem pretty well covered, gear-wise, for the time being. Go forth and shoot for a few months, lest you fixate on gear rather than what really counts: putting lead downrange.

I've had the same bargain-hunting problem, so have to keep telling myself: I have all the guns I need, nothing to do but burn up some more ammo.

-MV

[Standing Wolf]

Sounds like a good shop to avoid forever and tell all your friends about.

His attempted fraud just resulted in thousands of dollars' worth of negative advertising for his enterprise.

[absolute0]

Too bad about the shop being run by a snake.....just about ANY Ruger for 150 bucks is a BARGAIN!

[461]

Good to pass on it. Maybe the shopkeep will learn from it but doubtful. I'd put them on my "do not shop list". I usually leave a dealer on there for a year or two after I get ticked off at them but their rep is always shot with me to the point I only buy from them if it's a too good to pass up deal. With so few shops here in Sacramento any more I have to be careful with who I let tick me off as I might have to go into self imposed "No Shop" mode and I can't let that happen. Currently I have one shop that is on the list and two that have lost their credibility with me.

[1911 guy]

There are a dozen gun shops within a half hour drive of me, but I go to the same two all the time. One has a permenantly good selection of guns and gadgets, the other has a smaller selection but can and will order anything he can find a supplier for. Most of the others are mediocre at best.

[Geno]

There is a gun shop here in Michigan that used to do this. When I caught them and pulled it to their attention, it stopped, but probably ONLY regarding me--the alert. I'm sure they continue to play games with others. So, I shoot there but do NOT buy there! I saw them raise the price of a Colt over $200.00 after I called and asked if they had one, then denied the price. When I pulled out my Palm Pilot, confirmed the serial number and old price, they admitted someone must have made a mistake and put the wrong tag. Not!

Doc2005

[redneck2]

something to consider...

I worked in a gun shop. Now, I well understand there are less than ethical people in any business. I can tell you from experience that there are employees that aren't knowledgable about all products. I'm not a S&W revolver guy and couldn't tell you a 16 from a 26 from a 66

Maybe the guy just grabbed the wrong one when the store was full of people. Maybe (this is what I'd guess) the one you wanted was sold and he went to the case and "grabbed the one that was there"

You got your money back and the guy didn't give you any grief. No harm, no foul. Everybody's ready to cut this guy's head off for something as simple as an honest mistake. Wish I never made a mistake, but it happens

[22-rimfire]

I would be leary of doing any business with that store. I would also not be shy about telling my story over and over again to people who may be customers. The whole thing just points out the effectiveness of looking at a gun, getting a final price, and just buying it... 1,2,3.

[depicts]

Redneck, there was only one used 63-3 in stock according to the owner. He knew what it was and what he quoted me. I don't think it was a mistake, but maybe you're right. It's just that I've "never" made a mistake :neener: :evil: