Cabela's screwed up--should I worry?

[Montbars]

So I sent my bolt action 30-06 to a gunsmith for some work, and had it shipped back to Cabela's because I needed an intermediary with an FFL license. When I went to pick up the rifle (which I have owned for 5 years) they ran a background check and made me fill out a 4473 through their computer. They printed out everything, had me sign it, and everything checked out. I paid, they walked me to the door with the rifle, complimented me on it, and told me good luck with my hunting season.
4 hours later I get a call from the manager saying I missed a question on the form and needed to return immediately to answer it. I said absolutely not, its an hour drive, I don't have the time--you guys should have not given me the firearm if a question was missed. Now the manager is saying we are both in violation of a federal law. I called two police precincts and they believe that Cabela's is in the hot water, not me--should I be worried? Its not like I bought the rifle, I've owned it for years. He offered me 50 bucks on a gift card if I came back. What do you guys think?

 

[Walkalong]

As much as it's a PIA, I would go sign the form, use the gift certificate to buy something I needed, and let it go. The poor guy who messed up is stressing much worse than you are.

 

[jmr40]

Stuff happens. I once bought a gun and the dealer switched 2 numbers in the SN on the 4473. He noticed it a day or 2 later when he checked his inventory and the numbers didn't match. He called me and asked for the actual # on the firearm. He wasn't sure if he had messed up on his inventory, or the 4473. Luckily it was close enough to easily fix the problem.

I'd find a way to get back to Cabelas. It is their screw up, not yours. But if you look at the big picture things like this make it harder, and more expensive for all of us in the long run. I'd tell them I'd make it back at my convience, within a reasonable time. I might push for more than $50 in gift cards though.

 

[H.m.B]

Second the suggestion to go back and at least get a gift card for your inconvenience. I had an issue with Gander Mountain when they failed to record my drivers license number when I bought my SR1911. They called me and wanted me to come back. They settled for me giving them my number over the phone. They didn't offer me any gift card for my inconvenience!

 

[BoilerUP]

Why did it need to go through an FFL?

You own the rifle - its yours - why the need for a 4473 and transfer? You should have been able to ship to your home...

 

[BSA1]

Is a visit from the BATF worth being a hard head?

 

[Black Knight]

Depending on your vehicle that could be 1/4 to 1/2 tank of gas or more. Tell him if he ups it to $100 you'll see him tomorrow. Also the gunsmith should have had an FFL in order to do the work so he should have been able to ship it back directly to you. About 10 years ago I sent a Colt Python back to Colt for some work and they were able to ship it directly to my home.

 

[Jackal]

I would say include the $50 gift card along with the forms and mail them to me. Heck, Cabela's owes you the money just for having to go through their stupidly complex purchase process.

Go here, take a number n wait.
Go here, talk to him.
Go here n fill stuff out on a computer.
Go over here and have a guy hand you the form.
Go over here and wait to have another guy check the forms.
Pay
Wait for person to walk you to the door.

I hate buying from them, will only do it if I cannot find a rifle anywhere else.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

If you screwed up, would you want them to help you fix it?

I bet, Yes...

 

[Rustler]

Why should you have to inconvenience yourself - have them send someone to your house...

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The Cabela's employee (or employees) who made the mistake will be fired if it doesn't get corrected. They may get fired anyway. The big box FFLs don't play when it comes to that sort of thing. That's why it's such a pain to deal with the paperwork there - those guys put their jobs on the line every time they sign off on a transfer. I had a disagreement with them over a paperwork issue a while back, and while they were clearly incorrect, I finally decided it wasn't worth the heartburn for either of us and did it their way.

I don't know enough to say if you've done anything to put yourself in legal trouble, but I'd be inclined to help them out. Just seems the neighborly thing to do.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Think about where you work, and if you made a mistake.

What if the customer / co-worker refused to do something to help you out. Not a good place to be.

If the gas cost is a hardship, ask about a card or something, but by all means help get it resolved. You'll also get to stop wondering if youre in legal limbo too.... Win Win!

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Call Cabelas and have them bring the form out to you for revision when it is convenient for you to meet with them at your house.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

You sent your gun to a gunsmith. You don't need to fill out a 4473. You could have mailed your rifle yourself and received it back in the mail. It's still your gun and was not transferred to another party.

 

[DPris]

You are BOTH liable. It is every bit as much YOUR error as it is theirs, YOU filled out the paper.
ATF does audit those forms, and if they run across yours it won't be just Cabela's they'll be talking to.
Denis

 

[btg3]

They can deliver or Fedex the forms and include a return envelope.

An hour drive for $50 isn't going to happen.

 

[alias]

A few years ago I bought two of the last 5 JM stamped Marlin .45 Colts a retail chain had in stock. Both on the same 4473, and everything looked good when I picked them up. A couple days later I get a call from the manager, he did something wrong and could I come back in and sign something. 45 miles each way, but I drive that far for work anyway, so I just stayed in town a couple extra hours (I work nights, so I had to wait for them to open) the next day they were open and cleared up the problem. If it was me I'd want someone to help me out. Not expect them to, but I'd sure want them to. It was worth the shot at good karma down the road for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Montbars]

Here is more info:

I did not fill out a form, I filled it out on their computer. You click a box and then it takes you to the next screen, so I'm sure I didn't miss a question. The problem is not that I'm not going because I'm inconvenienced, I'm leaving for a wedding in the morning and there was absolutely no chance I could get back to Cabelas today. I told this to the clerk and said I will come by tuesday, which is the very soonest I can make it.
From what I've heard from all of you it sounds important--but I still don't get why I can't do this somewhere else instead of driving 1 hour each way to Cabela's--why can't they fax me the form? Also, do you guys really think the guy helping me will get fired? He was a nice guy and if there was anything I could say to stop that from happening I would. If you have any suggestions on how to save a man's job let me know.

 

[BoilerUP]

Call Cabelas and talk to the general manager:

"This was my rifle that I already owned, shipped back from a gunsmith that performed work on it, so in fact no transfer actually took place."

Easy peazy.

 

[Outlaw Man]

What are you guys thinking of driving to Cabela's in? A deuce and a half? $50 for an hour trip each way means if you got even 11 MPG, you're coming out ahead. It's an honest mistake, it seems, and they're treating you pretty fair to try to correct it.

I totally understand if you're going out of town and can't make it. If they're OK with you coming back later, and still give you the card, I'd do it. It's hard to make lasting relationships in a big box store, but this would be a good chance.

 

[medalguy]

Meh. You're not in any legal difficulty but do the right thing. Go back to the store, fix the mistake, and use the gift card to buy something for yourself. Heck, maybe they have some small pistol primers. It's worth a chance.

 

[Sam1911]

I told this to the clerk and said I will come by tuesday, which is the very soonest I can make it.

That seems very reasonable of you and I'm sure that will be perfectly acceptable.

From what I've heard from all of you it sounds important--but I still don't get why I can't do this somewhere else instead of driving 1 hour each way to Cabela's--why can't they fax me the form?

An FFL cannot do offical business just anywhere. A licensed gun dealer has to do sales & other transfers at his/her place of business or at a gun show. I've no idea if that extends all the way to correcting paperwork errors, but they may certainly feel that it does and I wouldn't have grounds to argue with them.

Also, do you guys really think the guy helping me will get fired? He was a nice guy and if there was anything I could say to stop that from happening I would. If you have any suggestions on how to save a man's job let me know.

I don't think he'll get fired. Do what you can to help them out and all will be fine, I'm sure. A gift card is a nice touch. Heck, that's almost a box of primers and a can of powder! ('Round here anyway.) So sure, I'd be going.

 

[Agsalaska]

He could absolutely be fired for it.

With all respect, I read threads like this and I wonder what perspective some of you have. Cabelas is an ally. They made a mistake that has them in a bad position with a group that is, shall we say, not an ally. Even though it was not your mistake you have the ability to help them out of the mess they created. Yet you are, for some reason, questioning whether or not you should do that for someone is on the side of the second amendment. Forgive me for reading your OP and questioning your allegiance. But with the opportunity to help an ally being questioned, whos side are you on?

If you read that and get pissed at me, ask yourself why you are questioning whether or not you should help them with the mess they got themselves in.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

You know that paragraph above where you sign. When you sign you attest that your answers are true and THE FORM IS COMPLETE. You didn't answer a question and now your butt is in the sling. You best get yourself to Cabelas and answer that question if you wish to stay out of jail.

 

[Agsalaska]

You know that paragraph above where you sign. When you sign you attest that your answers are true and THE FORM IS COMPLETE. You didn't answer a question and now your butt is in the sling. You best get yourself to Cabelas and answer that question if you wish to stay out of jail.

This is absolutely possible. I have seen the ATF go after people. It doesnt matter if they should or should not be able too. The question that must be answered is 'do you have the resources to ask that question.' Or you just go take care of it.

But even if you were in the clear, why would you hang Cabelas, an ally, out to dry when you have the opportunity to help them? Because it wasnt your fault? Really?