Anyone ever purchased from Bud's Gun Shop?

[kazaam]

How was your experience? I want to buy from there but they have shockingly horrible reviews on resellerratings.com.

Also, has anyone ever used their 0% financing credit card option? If so, how did you like it? Seems like a nice way to pay off a purchase over a period of time.

Thanks!

 

[Inebriated]

I've bought two firearms from Bud's, no issues. They ship out the order quick, and the shipping is free (UPS Ground), and even with the 3% credit card fee, their prices rival anywhere local by a pretty wide margin.

I actually bought a Savage 111 .30-06 on Tuesday, and it shipped Wednesday. Should be here Monday. Same story for my Arsenal.

I have heard the horror stories, but until I have an issue, I'll continue to shop at Bud's when local places don't carry what I need.

 

[TennJed]

I have bought 6 guns from them in the last 12 or so months. Great experiences. All have been shipped very fast.

 

[Jed Carter]

I live near their retail outlet, have the oportunity to view some of their used pistols personally. They all seem to have a 90-100% condition on their websight, some are a little rough to be even 90% IMO. They do their best to describe any wear, I would use caution when purchasing a used firearm from anyone online. Bud's is a good retailer, trustworthy at the least, just glad I can walk in, point and grunt at a pistol in their case.

 

[beatledog7]

I've ordered from Bud's a couple of times, and have been pleased overall with the service provided and the items received. The guns I bought were NIB.

You can find bad reviews of anything and anybody if you search a while. I'd be more likely to post a review if I got horrible service or had somebody go the extra mile than if I got what I consider to be normal ok service, and I suspect that's the usual case with most folks.

 

[tiro6]

ive ordered from buds a couple times as well, and they were quick to ship and the guns were in great condition (i bought new btw). had no problems with them.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

For every person that raises a stink about service, there's 5 that were happy with it and just didn't say anything. Bud's probably wouldn't be as big of a retailer as they are if their service was completely terrible like some people want you to think. But inspect anything you order from them before filling out the paperwork at your local FFL.

 

[MrDig]

Only one experience with them and overall it was positive. It did take them a little while to ship after the funds we verified not not so long as I would complain. I'm told that I seriously under rate finish wear as in downgrade it to much, so I won't dispute the finish rating they use.

 

[bluecollar]

I have ordered at least two dozen guns from them in the last couple of years. I even ordered used from them and the gun I got was actually in better shape than they described. Absolutely no issues with any order. All orders were handled effeciently and professionally. You can order with complete confidence. Methinks those bad reviews were submitted by those who have some sort of axe to grind for whatever reason.

 

[joecil]

I have purchase 6 guns through them over the last couple of years but only one on their web site as they are 10 minutes from my door. I've never had a problem but have read of others having them though I sometimes wonder based on the two complaints I seen posted on the web lately.

 

[marb4]

I've ordered from them once and did not have a good experience but I'm not going to bash them or tell you not to order from them. My order that was supposed to be "in stock" wasn't and their communication with me was poor. Plus my credit card number was compromised but to Bud's credit they did notify me of that promptly. I'd give them 2 out of 5 stars.

 

[Captcurt]

No problems with service or products but they did have someone breach their online security last year. I got a call from CapitalOne questioning a couple of purchases that I didn't make. They cancelled my card and sent a new one the next week. (Hats off to ya CO). Bud's announced later that there site had been hacked. No problems since then.

 

[mgmorden]

I have. No issues whatsoever from me. Only minor quip would be that they add a surcharge for credit cards. That's against CC merchant agreements but many smaller businesses fly under the radar with it. Surprised a place that big hasn't at least gotten a slap on the wrist over it.

As far as the shipping, item, etc though it was all top notch.

 

[TennJed]

I have purchase 6 guns through them over the last couple of years but only one on their web site as they are 10 minutes from my door. I've never had a problem but have read of others having them though I sometimes wonder based on the two complaints I seen posted on the web lately.

The way I see it it that you are hesitate now because of 2 complaints you have seen recently. Complaints stick in our head easier than positive remarks. At the time I posted this it was roughly 12 positive experiences in the tread and 1 negative. most of the satisfied customers in this thread have purchased multiple items also.

When we leave this thread it will be easier to remember the details of the poster that had a bad experience than the dozens of positive transactions.

Overall they seem to have many more happy customers than unhappy

It is easier

 

[SouthernBoy]

I purchased a handgun from them early this year and it arrived in very short time at my locally chosen gun shop. No problems and all was well.

 

[DAdams]

I have purchased a half dozen new handguns and rifles from them over a four year period. Never used their credit. I typically send them a money order to save the 3%, depending on how much I am spending.

My counsel. FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS EXACTLY. The only problem I ever had was ordering the wrong item number (my fault) and it cost me about $75 to get it right due to their cancellation policy and I caught it in under 24 hours.

Their email communications is great. If you use the phone, not so much, IMO.

 

[Teachu2]

In the last 18 months, I have purchased several new guns from Bud's online. Each has shipped within the window of time they showed when I ordered (which is a bit longer than some other vendors) and their online communications have been excellent.

I suspect most of the complaints are from either used gun sales or people who don't bother to read the policies.

I opened the Bud's credit card account online (it's through a major bank), and used it to purchase most of the guns. It is the fastest way to go - I tried sending USPS money orders and it slowed the process considerably. Now I charge it to the Bud's card and pay it off as soon as I receive the gun. That way I still get the "cash" price without the hassle of sending a check/MO and waiting longer.

 

[ljnowell]

Only minor quip would be that they add a surcharge for credit cards. That's against CC merchant agreements but many smaller businesses fly under the radar with it. Surprised a place that big hasn't at least gotten a slap on the wrist over it.

I thought they technically give a cash discount of 3% and the prices listed reflect the cash discount? While being the same thing, its technically different.

 

[joecil]

Originally posted by TennJed
The way I see it it that you are hesitate now because of 2 complaints you have seen recently. Complaints stick in our head easier than positive remarks. At the time I posted this it was roughly 12 positive experiences in the tread and 1 negative. most of the satisfied customers in this thread have purchased multiple items also.

When we leave this thread it will be easier to remember the details of the poster that had a bad experience than the dozens of positive transactions.

Overall they seem to have many more happy customers than unhappy

It is easier

I agree and what I found strange was the complaints neither of which was Bud's fault in my opinion. One was due to a guy buying a gun then not having his FFL send the information in a timely manner slowing the transaction for an extra week. The second was a guy buying a gun based on a stock photo and not asking before buying then accepting it at the FFL rather than sending it back then.

 

[floorit76]

I just bought a rifle from them last week. Things could have gone smoother, but everything was fine in the end. I tried to pay online, and after entering all my info, including CC number, the web page froze up. I didn't want to re-enter the info in fear of being double charged. I attempted to call them the next morning to straighten it out and found that getting a real person on the line was next to impossible. To have someone contact you, you must fill out a form including your number, home address, email, etc. And create an "account". I'm old fashioned, and didn't like that at all. Someone did contact me promptly, and finished the order without any problems. The gun came proptly, was priced well, and was perfect. However, I'm not certain that I will return. I prefer smaller, easier to contact dealers, even if I have to pay a bit more. I guess to sum all that up, I had a small problem, that was solved quickly, and received a resonably priced gun quickly. However, I wasn't satisfied with the contact situation. If the online payment had gone through, it would have been a flawless transaction, but it snowballed into something else.

 

[mgmorden]

I thought they technically give a cash discount of 3% and the prices listed reflect the cash discount? While being the same thing, its technically different.

From my understanding that's the common thing merchants try, but it doesn't satisfy the merchant agreement. Whatever the advertised number is is considered the price. If they wanted to give a cash discount they're allowed to, but they'd have to up their advertised prices by 3% and then lower them at checkout if the customer was paying by cash.

The also could legally get away with advertising BOTH prices (ie, show the price, then show "Price with cash discount"), but just advertising everything at a single price tier and claiming that all prices reflect a discount doesn't work.

 

[silicosys4]

I've purchased one item from them, and if things had been cut and dry I'm sure the transaction would have went well. However, my ffl told me after I'd paid that they would be gone for a month, and I called buds to have them change shipping info...after being told all was taken care of, the gun was still shipped to the wrong address and was sitting at the post office for a month waiting for my ffl to return. Could have happened to any company though, and I changed my original order, so there it is. The price was awesome and the gun was flawless.

 

[MIL-DOT]

My two experiences with them mirror most everyone elses: They're a straight-up operation, they have killer prices, I love the free shipping, but they are a PITA to get on the damned phone !!!

And, if you DO get them on the phone, they are so friggin' busy up there, that you can't really discuss anything with them like you can with a local shop.
Also, I'm surprised how often I read that they ship fast. In my experience, they take forever to get something boxed and in the mail. Once, I was so pissed,I was actually calling to cancel a late order, when they told me it was going out as we speak.

 

[golfer_ray]

I've purchased 3 pistols from them. I could not find lower prices anywhere, especially using the Bud's account. Gun #1 arrived in about a week. I purchased gun #2 on a Saturday, it shipped that next Monday, and I had it on Wednesday. I ordered gun #3 last Saturday & it's finally in the shipping department today, but hasn't shipped yet. They do tell you it takes 3-7 business days to ship, so they're still within that time frame. However, they didn't have any spare magazines in stock, & I found those at www.cheaperthandirt.com & bought those on Sunday. They arrived Tuesday, & so I've had 2 extra mags this week with no gun, which adds to my already impatient nature.

This is probably minor, but curious to me. So I open the Bud's charge account months ago to get the best price, going through the credit application process. I order this pistol last Saturday, but it doesn't clear financing until close of business Monday. Again, my impatient nature.

The two pistols I have received were ordered and recieved as new products, and I have no complaint with either.

 

[gbelleh]

I've bought 3 or 4 guns from them over the last few years. I've never had a problem. Items shipped on time, great prices, no problems.