Agggghhhh! another day late...

[wristtwister]

Like anything to do with business, I always feel like I was a day late and a dollar short when it comes to filling out my gun collection. The gun store (that I was already mad at for lousy customer service) had a "baby Browning" .380 in immaculate shape that's been sitting there for several weeks.

I decided to buy it, and after shooting this morning, I drove over to the gun store to pick it up. Again, everybody was busy with a customer, so I had to "get in line". While I was telling "my" customer service rep to go get the gun that I wanted to buy it, the shop owner walked up with it in his hand and sold it to the guy standing beside me.

I can't blame this on their customer service, but it's frustrating to try to put together a good gun collection when stuff keeps getting sold right out from under you. I'm not a rich guy, so I have to check finances before I throw out 5 or 6 hundred dollars at a gun, so when I see something I want, it might take a few days to talk myself into it... but it sure is irritating to watch somebody else walk out with "your" gun.

I guess one of the reasons I like the gun shows is that you go with the mindset that you "grab it or lose it" because it's a seller's market there and the buyers are all over the place. I was trying to decide between that gun and a new XDM... so I guess I'll have a new Springfield in my house... unless they sold it while I was at the other gun shop...:banghead:

WT

 

[DZL HOG]

I hear ya. It does suck being only minutes away from the purchase.

Im pretty much the same way on making a purchase. I will usually go and look for a couple hours, worry the hell out of the clerks, then leave without buying anything, or just ammo. Thats what I did when I was looking at a PM9. Couldnt quite make myself get off that kinda money at first. After a week or so of thinking about it, I ended up buying it anyway.
Same thing last weekend. I have been "wanting" a M&P9mm as a backup to my XD9. The store hadnt had any MP9s in stock. Last time they had two fullsize and 2 compacts. Then the clerk handed me a CZ 75SP-01 Tactical to check out. I didnt know much about CZs at the time,other than they are good guns. So I didnt buy either. Next time I go, the CZ will come home with me if it hasnt been sold. If it has I guess Ill get an M&P.
Or maybe a Browning Buckmark, which is half the price of both the other choices, and cheaper ammo.
Considering fuel prices and the closest gun store from me is an hour+ away, itd be cheaper if Id just go on and buy the thing the first time. But Im stubborn(aka tightwad) like that.

 

[Lonestar49]

Anytime you get the urge..

...

From now on, phone the store, just before you head out and see if they have (type gun) you want or saw and tell salesperson to grab it, you're on the way down.. it's sold. That is how I got my SA EMP 9mm. It was the only one in the store and they could not get any more for almost 2 months after that day.. And many went without giving or getting the Christmas present they wanted to give or get..

Out of sight, out of mind.. lol And you can always change your mind once yo have it in hand there and there's something about it you don't like..

No harm, no foul..


Ls

 

[PhysicsGuy]

Theres nothing wrong with being a "tight" buyer, even if you have the money. Its wise to think over buying decisions, and time to do research. If you give it time, you will end up with a gun that you absolutely adore. Sorry to hear about the bad luck though.

 

[dreamer56]

I'm a shopper - and it takes me time to decide so I know what it is like to lose out on some deals - I figure they just weren't meant to be -

Sometimes it even feels bad to get the gun - went into my local shop last year to make a decision on a GP100 I had looked at the day before - while I am looking at it once again three young guys come in and window shop the Ruger area - I tell the clerk "I'll take it" and they all groan - my rep says, they had been in a couple times before trying to decide about that same revolver and had come back to buy -

geez - I felt like I should have let them have it -

Now I call in advance - the shops know me so they will put it back for me for a few hours - calling is a good idea -

 

[Quoheleth]

From now on, phone the store, just before you head out and see if they have (type gun) you want or saw and tell salesperson to grab it, you're on the way down.. it's sold.

Yeah, but that doesn't always guarantee things. I was at a LGS last fall and saw a used Ruger SP101 in the case. Walked away to think about it. Called back that afternoon, said I wanted it but couldn't get there 'til tomorrow. Would he hold it for me? "You betcha - let me get your info and I'll start the paperwork for you so when you get here it'll go that much faster."

Next morning I called to give my guy an ETA. He says..."We've got a problem." Apparantly shortly after I called (and my guy pulled the gun), someone else came into the store and asked about the used Ruger. Salesman #2 checks the computer. Hmmmm...still in inventory, but not on the shelf...be right back, sir...Here it is...was in the back...someone must not have put it away...

And "my" gun walked out of the store with another buyer.

Tried to file an amber alert with the police, but they wern't interested.

Then again, in May I was at another shop and found a LNIB Spriger GI that had been purchased in April, never fired, and traded back to the shop for something else. I snatched it up for under 4-bills, as another customer was just asking one of the other sales associates, "Whatcha got in used 1911s?" Win some, loose some.

Q