Gun store review: Jackson County Armory (Southern Oregon)

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mrcpu

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Don't know how useful it is, but for my fellow Southern Oregonians, it may help...


I was driving down 99 in Central Point by the NAPA store, and noticed this huge banner on a building that said "GUNS". So I stopped in to take a look.

Small gun store, moderate collection of several Glocks, Browning, Sig, a few Taurus, a few XD, 1 MP, several various springfield/RIA/Colt 1911's. I'm not into rifles much, but the back wall had probably 40-50 different choices. Although he hadn't heard of the Springfield EMP, which was surprising, but he had some Kimber carry stuff coming in, and it's not reasonable for everybody to know every gun I assume...

Looking around the other aisles showed a reasonable collection of grips and sights and cleaning kits, and cases and other paraphenalia. Prices seemed on the high end, but I'm a cheap SOB on some stuff, so perhaps they were right in line.

I talked to the owner, nice guy for a few minutes about various guns, noticed that he had very little 9mm choices in his display case, and I was looking for an XD in 9, we talked about the never ending saga of my RIA, (he had one in the case), and I asked him about FFL transfers, and here's where my mind got blown away...

If it's orderable from him, he won't do an transfer. Only if it's a collectors item. WTH? I could understand it if it was 3 deep at the counter with customers, but uh, well, it's a startup, the place was empty, wouldn't you want the PR and the return customer and the good word of mouth? Or if prices were rock bottom, but I'm already getting raped with gun/ammo prices, I don't want to get pillaged too...

Anyway, I told him I'm not likely to buy new from a place that I can't also buy used, as that's a relationship that's a bit too one-sided for me and thanked him for his time...

I'm tempted to just get my FFL myself, and offer it as a service for people. THe other store in town, Good Guy Guns wants 45 bucks for an FFL, which is ridulous, but not unheard of. But they have a busier store, so I can see why they wouldn't want too many xfer's, and price accordingly.
 
45 bucks??:what: I'm in Roseburg and the local shop charges me $10 per transfer if I do all the work.If they have to order it,it's $20 over cost...Keep looking,you might start hanging out at the Josephine County Range in Merlin,it's an awesome range,and I'm sure you'll meet some people there that can get you cheaper transfers reasonably local to you...
 
Of course the real stores are operated by people who are attempting to make a living and are not as many suppose, millionaires giving away guns out of the goodness of their hearts.

Just because they keep inventory in stock, so you can go handle all you want and order from someone else, should not influence your decision.

Many want to quibble about what a gun store should be allowed to make on a gun, and most of those have never worked a retail day in their life.
 
Of course the real stores are operated by people who are attempting to make a living
Click to expand...

And that's not going to happen if they choose to crap on their customers. ;)
 
Being busy has nothing to do with it....

First, you aren't an established customer. If you were, he would probably do it. Most gun stores charge a high fee to discourage the practice - not because they are busy. Things change when you are a known and proven supporter of the business.

The problem is that you get people who only want to transfer in firearms from CDNN and other discount internet sellers. By agreeing to transfer those firearms, he is basically enabling the competition. In addition, those people do not come back for future business (unless to do another transfer). If it is a new firearm, 9 times out of 10, the person wanting the transfer is only concerned about getting something as cheap as they can and could care less about the local business. They just want to "use" the FFL and do it for the cost of the state fee in the process. You or I might not like the policy or the high fee but I think it is understandable.

kirkcdl looks like he is a "known" customer and has taken care of the biz and in return they take care of him. One of my local shops told me the charge was $50, after a few firearm purchases, that fee went down to $15. Generally, if you want a good deal on a transfer, go to a local pawn shop. Those guys usually charge around $25 (which includes the $10 state fee). They aren't in the firearm business per say and are more than willing to take your business.

As for your own FFL, you can forget about it unless you plan to operate a brick and mortar operation. Then you will have to deal with all the guys who don't want to purchase any of your inventory but only "use" your FFL:D .
 
There's a few guys with garage FFL's. Why do you say you need a brick and mortar gunshop? I got my gun transferred for $5 from a guy who holds an FFL just for doing transfers. He told me he got his FFL just being sick of ludicrous transfer rates from shops, and so he charges a low price for fellow gunners. I'd go ahead and look into it if I were you. There's some additional state fee in your area? You could charge that + 10 bucks a pop, and take all the cash those gunshops are too high up to look at as a side to your reguar job.
 
In Oregon, certain counties, require additional requirements concerning the licensing/operation of an 01 FFL. As always, do your own due dilligence.
 
For anyone in this area (Eugene) and interested, a pawnshop called A-American Buyers will do transfers for $10 (or at least they did 9 months ago when they did 6 handguns for me for $10 apiece)
 
Stealhead hit this right on the money. Harry (the owner) told me up front that this is why he has his policy.

The other part you didn't know or mention is that he is a start up in the valley but has been a dealer in Nevada for years and knows the ropes.

If you give him a chance and become a regular customer, I can guarantee you will get the bennies of being one. I know I am.
 
True, I'm not an established customer, but he's not an established retailer either. Been in business a couple weeks, it would seem that it would be important to get the word out. And you know what? THe internet isn't going away. If he won't transfer the FFL, he won't get my other business. And before you label me the cheapskate FFL user, All the guns in the house right now were bought from local mom and pop shops, and I paid full retail for them, and didn't try to wheel, deal, cajole, or rip-off. You be upfront with me, I'll be upfront with you. THe relationship is more important than the dollar amount. (To a point...)

And to be honest, I wouldn't have even minded paying a fee that I considered unreasonable. It was the fact that he wouldn't do it at all... If you make 50 bucks off an FFL transfer or 50 bucks off a gun sale, doesn't it put the same quantity of food on the table?

I don't work in direct retail myself, but my Grandpappy always used to say "Take a little from a lot, keeps everybody happy".

Of course, I think he was talking about stealing worms from his cronies bait buckets for fishing, so I could be mis-applying the adage...
 
The point was to try and educate you on his business reasons.

There is no need to defend yourself with your past purchases as no one was attaching a label of "cheap skate FFL user" on you. However, the store owner doesn't know that you aren't.

The "head's up" of a new gun store is great. However, I do feel your take on the "no transfer" policy is a little over the top, taken too personally, and failed to take into account both sides of the situation.

Bottom line, if he is making bad business decisions then the market will correct/punish him.
 
My first and only purchase from him is a NFA item that I'm still doing paperwork for. In the past 3 months I have had a transfer done for free because in his (owner's) words... "I don't charge good customers."

Considering that I have not bought anything from the guy directly, that's good business to me and he will be getting the rest of mine.

Sounds like you got off on the wrong foot with miscommunication or resent that he won't do what you want even though its been explained very nicely by Stealhead as to why he won't.

Can't fix mad, but I'm glad I saw this thread because I don't feel you are giving the guy a fare shack personally. YMDV

Nothing personal, just my experience does not match yours.
 
Speaking only for myself, I don't become a good customer (or any other kind of customer) when a business doesn't serve my needs. I see no reason to "earn my way" before a business will do what I need done.

My own way of thinking is that the business should earn its way with me. It doesn't bother me if the business owner doesn't agree. But he doesn't get my money, my recommendation, or--in the situation you describe--a return visit, ever. Nothing personal. Only business.
 
Rapidly becoming the focus of attention by many states revenue departments are the kitchen table FFLs. Most do not collect or remit sales tax, a felony in many states, thus meriting close scrutiny of their sales, and those who buy from them.

The revenue agents I have trained like internet discussions like this as some who post identify potential investigations for them.

Many who complain about store pricing have not actually been in any kind of retail business, and knowing someone who has does not count, so they really don't know what it takes to earn a living running a gun store.
 
Jackson County Armory

Hi...

Just picked up on this thread... When you checked them out they were pretty new. I live a few blocks from them and I know Harry pretty good by now. When I first met him, he said he wouldn't order weapons for anyone, but I went in with my Shotgun News and said I'd give you 10% if you get it for me. He was on the phone and ordered it! I got it in a couple of days. It was like 318 (AK-47) bucks and I gave him 32 to order it. So, it's not always what is said. He has also assisted me in the construction of an SBR based on an AR-15, with paperwork for the tax stamp. I now have a AR-15 with a 10.25" barrel and an original short stock that he has put on for free. He charged me 10 or 15 bucks to build my lower. I have done it a couple, but the frustration is not worth that, not to mention lost springs! I believe that he is a CLASS III dealer also. Overall he is very nice knows about AR's anyway and beats the others hands down. Please give him your business. When I asked the Good Guys about ordering a AR for me, they told me 100 bucks! I'm sure you know what I did...

By the way, I don't think most of the people that haven't been behind the counter, know what has to be logged, and recorded. Not to mention that if you do an FFL at home, you acknowledge that the Feds can walk right in at any time. Are you sure you want to give away your rights? You are also responsible for any taxes (that could be a felony) and registering for the computer checks. That by the way is 10 bucks a hit by itself, so what's your time + sweat + opening up you 'business' knowing the laws (and the ones that change every year) + possible arrest, worth to you? Just wondering...


I glanced back and saw where one guy was charged only 10 bucks a transfer for six firearms. Since he said he did it in one shot, I will assume that he knew that the computer check is 10 bucks for each run, but you can run a number of weapons, so he was charged about 50 bucks for 'nothing'...

Best of luck
Telsa
 
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I've been into Jackson County Armory several times. I took my CCW class there about 6 months ago and have been back to browse several times since.

Once, I walked in and asked about a specific gun. I told him what it was available for elsewhere and asked him to beat it. He, being Harry, told me he couldn't even come close because I was a new customer. I ended up leaving and haven't been back since. Instead I buy online and send them to a local KTFFL who'll transfer for $20. The savings has been remarkable.

I agree with Robert Hairless that the business needs to earn me as a customer. The guys at Jackson County Armory definitely knew their stuff, but in the end did not offer me anything I could not get elsewhere at a better price.
 
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