What are your best or worst gunstore stories?

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Gander mtn. 3 years ago. I bought a Savage 220, 20 gauge slug gun from my local gun shop. I didn't have a need for the old shotgun (1986 Ithaca mod.37 ) It had fancy wood, engraved reciever, and the engraving was gold filled, It had the slug barrel, bird barrel, sling, and a Leupold m-8, 2 power scope mounted scout style. I brought it to Gander because they were advertising the best prices to buy fire arms. They offered me $100.00 for the set-up. I told them were to put it. I went home and took off the scope and sold it on e-bay for $155.00. I brought the shotgun, less scope to another sporting goods store who gave me $250.00 for just the gun, and both barrels, I for one am glad they closed, They were more expensive than any where else, and never had anything you wanted.
 
Speedo66 said:
A woman walks into a LGS while I'm there. Her husband had just recently passed away, and she wanted to sell his decently scoped Ruger 10/22, with a nice case. The owner tells her he feels bad for her and offers her something like $29 for everything, which she takes.

Left me with a bad feeling for the shop and myself for not saying anything at the time.

Gander Mt. had a great sale price on 12g ammo. Wasn't till after I got home I realized they had sold me a crate of 20 round boxes, not 25, with no mention.
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I've seen so many stories of widows selling dead husband's guns at such low prices because they don't know what the value of them are that I think every husband needs to make a list of what they have that's gun related and what their values are used. After death, selling locally may not be the way to go depending on what offers locals are offering, so setting up a gunbroker account and showing the wife how to sell stuff there and other gun related gear on Ebay may be a good idea for everyone to think about.

Great, now this has me thinking of what I should do in case I die unexpectedly soon. I don't want to see my stuff getting sold for $100 a piece, they're worth more than that.
 
At one of our LGS' a couple of thugs walked in looking to buy a gun. When the employee told them about the 72 hour wait period (in Illinois), one of the thugs told the other that they need the gun for tonight. It was obvious they were planning to do something bad. The employee, to his credit told them he wouldn't sell them a gun period and asked them to leave.
 
As far as good ones go, I called one of our LGS' looking to purchase a CZ SP01. They didn't have one in stock, nor did any of their suppliers. They told me to hold on, did a quick internet search and found one for me at a competing gun shop. Sending a customer to a competitor isn't something you see often.

The owner of another LGS is also a gun smith. I was new to Glocks at the time and wanted a trigger changed. He told me to look around for a few minutes, took the gun in back, swapped the trigger and wouldn't accept any money from me.

We're lucky to have some great LGS' here, and I make sure they get my business.
 
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I was walking out of the gun store to get my scope and try and find some lens covers that fit . On the way to my truck an older banker looking man who was carrying a Marlin 39 asked me if they bought used firearms and told him yes . I then told him that if they didn't give him what he want for his 39 I would give him $300 dollars for it , that was all I had on me . He went on to tell me that was his dads rifle who had died .

I went back in to find my lens covers and after a few minutes he came up to me and told me that he sold it to them . I asked him how much they gave him and he said $200 dollars . I guess he must have been scared of me . The rifle looked like it just came out of the box , I was sick for awhile .

I then asked the gun store how much they wanted for it and they told me $450 , I passed on it .
 
My assessment of gun shops is rarely based on experiences of selling used merchandise to them. Of course, I never like it when shops give a widow 1/4 or 1/5 of what they'll sell the item for, but gun enthusiasts who try to sell their guns to a gun store aren't thinking clearly. Customers who see gun stores or pawn shops as a good way to liquidate their firearms are either impulsive or a little less than intelligent. Any business has to make a profit, and anytime a business buys something for resale, there's no guarantee it will sell. That's why their wholesale price is noticeably less than the retail price. Because I understand this simple concept, I almost never try to sell guns to a retail establishment.

If I do want to sell a gun, I have a local place that will sell it on consignment for a 10% commission. That's a great rate, and the FFL paperwork gets filled out on any buyer. I get that rate probably because I do a lot of business with the guy. I consider this place the best local gun store, but a lot of customers wouldn't like it because of it's "hole in the wall" character. They would feel more comfortable in a mall or big box type of store, and that's cool - you have to do business where you feel comfortable
 
red rick said:
I was walking out of the gun store to get my scope and try and find some lens covers that fit . On the way to my truck an older banker looking man who was carrying a Marlin 39 asked me if they bought used firearms and told him yes . I then told him that if they didn't give him what he want for his 39 I would give him $300 dollars for it , that was all I had on me . He went on to tell me that was his dads rifle who had died .

I went back in to find my lens covers and after a few minutes he came up to me and told me that he sold it to them . I asked him how much they gave him and he said $200 dollars . I guess he must have been scared of me . The rifle looked like it just came out of the box , I was sick for awhile .

I then asked the gun store how much they wanted for it and they told me $450 , I passed on it .
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thats a heck of a markup :fire: that store owner seem kinda creepy to me
 
red rick said:
I was walking out of the gun store to get my scope and try and find some lens covers that fit . On the way to my truck an older banker looking man who was carrying a Marlin 39 asked me if they bought used firearms and told him yes . I then told him that if they didn't give him what he want for his 39 I would give him $300 dollars for it , that was all I had on me . He went on to tell me that was his dads rifle who had died .

I went back in to find my lens covers and after a few minutes he came up to me and told me that he sold it to them . I asked him how much they gave him and he said $200 dollars . I guess he must have been scared of me . The rifle looked like it just came out of the box , I was sick for awhile .

I then asked the gun store how much they wanted for it and they told me $450 , I passed on it .
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I've had those experiences, too, but for a lot of people the extra $100 that you offered him might mean less than getting the FFL paperwork done and getting the gun sold to someone who had the background check. I don't necessarily see it that way personally but many people do. In other words, you probably didn't scare the guy.
 
saiga308 said:
how do these owners sleep at nighto_O they must be like robots with little empathy:uhoh:
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They sleep at night knowing that their business will still be in business next year. NOT talking about the people who give widows 1/5 of what they'll sell the gun for...I don't like those people, either.There are people who are unscrupulous and will falsely claim that they can only sell a gun worth $600 for $300, so they can only give $150 for it. They are liars. But that doesn't make the whole concept of wholesale vs. retail (a pretty basic concept in a free market capitalist society) wrong. Anyone who thinks that small retailers should get by on a 10 to 25 percent markup have little to no retail experience. Unless you're a large corporation with mass exposure and huge economies of scale, that model doesn't work. Grocery stores can make it on much less of a margin because they are selling a very essential commodity...something people can't live without. People can live without guns. Luxury items have a higher markup than essentials. About 50% markup is sort of standard. 100% is what most small retailers dream of, but it's usually less than that.

When you start seeing gun store owners coming to work in their Porches and Rolls Royces, and living in mansions, you can start worrying about them making too much money. Pawnshops are kind of different...they have many different angles to approach profit. I have a bit less empathy for them, and there are some wealthy pawn shop owners in our area or town, but that doesn't necessarily make them immoral. It's when these people lie or break the law that they become immoral.
 
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Folks, you also find furniture, jewelry, etc. also have high markups and high depreciation for used stuff. Even that Goodwill store, gets stuff donated and then doesn't sell it for free, etc. Know what Red Cross charges the hospital which charges the patient and insurance on blood they got by donation? Know what google makes selling your info to others? Pawnshops are a different market as noted and have different models. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch--that is why competition is good to keep someone from getting rich through a monopoly and as Jim NE said, LGS owners are not driving Porsches typically.

When my father ran a small retail store, he had to charge different margins on items depending on how well they moved and took the risk that some things would sell slowly if at all. He made a very small profit relative to total sales dollars. Overall, about 5 percent of gross sales was profit and his time was counted for free about 50-60 hours per week. Per hour, some years, the hired help made more than he did. He made just enough when he sold the store, that he could pay off the building. That building's rent has helped pay for my mom's retirement.

I personally would not try to own a gunstore given the liability, risk of theft (quite a few armed robberies of gun stores), cyclical business (panics and then droughts), and low margins on new guns and ammunition due to big box and internet sources. Used guns are some of the few things that can make the owner enough to cover the rent and light bill. The fancier the store and the better the location, the more rent costs. I don't begrudge them their margins--if you don't like the price--then don't buy. Each small business man has to figure out how the pay the help, keep the lights on, keep the government wolf away from the door--local, state, federal, and somehow make enough over time to be able to retire.

I've been out of retail now for over twenty five years as well as avoided being involved in any small business. Don't miss that world.

Just think, gunstore owners, if they had a forum, what would they be saying about THEIR customers--would you be in one of their stories.
 
TTv2 said:
The worst though, and it sucks to say that it was last year, was that same LGS with the nice lady... she sold the biz to somebody else. He's a younger guy following his passion and I respect that a lot, but getting transfers done through him the past few times has been really bad, his top employee (who use to work for the nice lady) had to fix it through various means. First time guy lost my paperwork, so when I went to go pick up my gun, I couldn't because there was no 4473 to finalize the transfer. That was a waste of time and money, so his employee gave me $60 worth of ammo. I got my gun the next day when they found the 4473 stuck in between a stack of other 4473's.

Few weeks later I had to get another transfer and did it through them again saying, "Nah, it'll be smooth this time."

Nope.

I waited in line 30 minutes to fill out a 4473 (because the owner was the only guy working at that time) and coming back in the next week to pick up the gun, I waited in line another 30 minutes (because the owner, again, was the only one working) ONLY to be told that it was at the PO box in the post office across the street. Would have been nice to know that shipments thru USPS went to the PO and not them, but as you can tell, communication is lacking with the new owner. So, the next day I called and told the guy behind the counter that he needs to go to the PO before they close to get my gun and he tells me he can't because he's the only guy working the counter... on a Saturday morning.

Sorry, but I have NEVER heard of a gun store only scheduling one person to work the counter on the busiest gun sale day of the week. After that, I figured out that the owner was trying to cut costs by as few people working as possible and I don't like that, especially when I look around and I see H&R top breaks with a $300 price tag or AMT Automag's for $700.

Anyway, the counter guy found a few minutes to shimmy over to the PO and get it and I finally got my gun thanks to the English guy who miraculously showed up to make things right, just like he did the last time; he didn't ask for any money for the transfer fee :D

I'm gonna be buying some more guns this week and I pretty much have to send it to them otherwise the next closest FFL will charge me $50 for a transfer for each new gun I believe while my very difficult to deal with FFL only hits me up for $15 per transfer.

I hope things go alright because if they don't... all that's left on my list is new guns and $50 is a lot to swallow for a simple transfer.
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I went to that LGS to do a transfer today... turns out they had a fire last week and are closed down. Lot of damage to the roof.
 
Jim NE said:
When you start seeing gun store owners coming to work in their Porches and Rolls Royces, and living in mansions, you can start worrying about them making too much money. Pawnshops are kind of different...they have many different angles to approach profit. I have a bit less empathy for them, and there are some wealthy pawn shop owners in our area or town, but that doesn't necessarily make them immoral. It's when these people lie or break the law that they become immoral.
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:cuss:
i bet they bring a clunker to work to hide their huge profits
 
I own a power equipment store. We sell and service lawnmowers and other equipment. We also sell new and used. Here's the deal, A customer wants to trade in a 3 year old Sears tractor, He paid $1400.00 for it. He wants $800.00 on a trade because its only 3 years old. Used retail on a 3 year old $1400 tractor is about 5-700. I can only give him 250-300 for it on a trade. I have to go over it and repair any issues we find, We have to clean it, we have to service it ( oil, filters , sharpen etc.) then I have to resell it, warranty it, and deliver it for free. This is the reason you get squat on used anything. It's the nature of the business. You have to make 50% on used stuff to keep your doors open.
 
As for a good story... not actually a particular story... I discovered the wonders of Bud's and MiGunslingers about 2.5 years ago. In that time, I've purchased dozens of guns on-line and all have been delivered to an LGS named Gun Envy in Columbus. These guys are great. Never annoyed with simply doing a transfer....never "why didn't you buy from me?" Always smiling and ready to shoot the breeze. Furthermore, only $20 per transfer....unless, of course, you pick-up multiple guns at the same time. Then it's $20 for all of them. I've felt so bad that I've left pizza money for them on occasion. Here I am picking up several thousand dollars in guns and leave them only a twenty spot for their trouble. They are a preferred FFL at Bud's so you don't have to mess with FFL numbers or anything. They just call you when your gun is in.
 
About 30 years ago I was hanging around the gun shop one day when I was off and this guy about 18 comes in and wants to sell two 22 rifles and two 12 ga shotguns. The shotguns had consecutive serial numbers and appeared they were new. The owner quizzed him on why he wanted to sell them and he said he and his brother were given the guns for Christmas and they decided to sell all four and put the money on a car.

He asked him how he got to the store and he said he took a cab. I walked to the door and there was a cab waiting outside.

The owner offered him 10.00 more than I was going to off him and the deal was made and he made him sign a bill of sale selling the guns to him. He asked for a drivers license and guy said he didn't have one which is why he took the cab.

About three weeks later I am passing a detective friend and he motioned me over to talk and we got to talking and he said they had busted the gun store owner for receiving stolen goods and that he had some kind of goofy storey about kids selling guns to get money for a car which they did not believe.

I had already been called by the owner as he remembered I was there when the guy came in and I told him I would be glad to testify for him.

So the detective and me talked some more and I told him if the pursued the case against the gun shop owner I was going to come in and "cut the bottom out of their boat". He said something to the effect that "You mean he was telling us the truth?" I told him he was and that I had personally gone to the door and confirmed guy had arrived in a cab. etc etc.

He went back to the Sheriff's Office and told them what I said and they dropped the charges against my friend who ran the gun shop without going to court.
 
Worst story: Walking into a gun show in Indiana, another customer shoulder checked me on his way out and called me a Chink.

Best story: When I first started reloading, a counter guy at Cabela's in Illinois saw me pondering over the powders and primers obviously not knowing what to buy. He took a good half hour to sit down with me and go through the Hodgdon manual to help me pick components for my first ever reloading run. I've only ever had good experiences at Cabela's.
 
About 30 years ago I went to "B&B Guns" in North Hollywood, CA and told the clerk I was interested in a 9mm pistol, what did he recommend?

He plopped a Walther P5 and a Browning Hi Power on the counter and patiently went through the benefits and drawbacks of each.

I bought the P5.

That is the way it is supposed to go.
 
Just had a total crap experience with my LGS. I bought a CZ 75 online, my first online buy. I call LGS to arrange the transfer, dude read me the riot act. "Well, why aren't you supporting a local business, instead of these internet vultures". "well, first, they had a great layaway program that you don't have, and second the last 5 guns I've bought came straight out of your case. That can change in the future, but I don't plan on it. Can we do the transfer?" ".....yeah, fine, where's it coming from?"

This particular LGS is frequently criticized for having jackasses on their staff. They've been doing a LOT better the last couple years, but apparently have a holdover, lol. *sigh*
 
Bad: Bought my first pistol ever at a gun store across the river in another state. Saw they had a particular pistol that I had researched and really wanted but couldn't find one locally to save my life. Didn't want to buy online since I was new to buying and didn't know how transfers worked. Well turned out I needed a transfer anyway, no problem if there was a problem these guys were local and easy to get a hold or right? Said they would drive it over to my range next time they were out that way. This was a Wed. Next Monday call them up to see if they had a chance to do the transfer, "We'll get to it by the end of the week." Call the next Friday, "Swamped today, do it over the weekend." The following Monday I call and they say some excuse, I wasn't really listening. Swing by on my way home from work and ask for my money back since the 20 minute drive was too difficult for them. Try to keep 20% as a holding fee since they "could have sold it to someone else." It wasn't like I put it on layaway and backed out, I paid in full but they wouldn't do their part and do the transfer in a week and a half.

A much shorter story went to a local store asking if they had a SIG P239 and was told adamantly I must be thinking of the P238 since SIG doesn't make a P239.

Good: Found a great local range/FFL that has a great rental package. $12 for pistol and $14 for long gun. Pay for one pistol or long gun and want to try another? All covered under the same fee. When I was researching for my first pistol there were days I would shoot 10 different handguns for $12 plus ammo. Help was great about answering questions and even let me shoot some of their personal carry guns if the range was slow enough. Done a couple transfers through them and always feel bad not supporting local. Owner came out and made a big deal how he thinks FFL transfers are one of the easiest way for him to make money and he'd rather see me out on the range with something I enjoy. Same guy also helped me locate parts for and fix up my step dad's H&R .22 revolver for no charge. Even done some after hours shooting with the owner and a few other regulars. Not really a story as much as a gem in the rough of A-hole store owners in my area.
 
guyfromohio said:
As for a good story... not actually a particular story... I discovered the wonders of Bud's and MiGunslingers about 2.5 years ago. In that time, I've purchased dozens of guns on-line and all have been delivered to an LGS named Gun Envy in Columbus. These guys are great. Never annoyed with simply doing a transfer....never "why didn't you buy from me?" Always smiling and ready to shoot the breeze. Furthermore, only $20 per transfer....unless, of course, you pick-up multiple guns at the same time. Then it's $20 for all of them. I've felt so bad that I've left pizza money for them on occasion. Here I am picking up several thousand dollars in guns and leave them only a twenty spot for their trouble. They are a preferred FFL at Bud's so you don't have to mess with FFL numbers or anything. They just call you when your gun is in.
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I wish I had this type of service available near me.
 
Bad: Daughter went alone to buy a carry gun, salesman talked her into a LC9 above MFR retail price. It went back. I paid a restocking fee, but it was worth the chance to royally dress down that jerk. Needless to say, no more guns purchased there.

Best: my current LGS always discounts and will special order a gun without buying so I can get my hands on it, if I'm seriously interested. So far, he's sold me every gun he brought in.
 
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