Gun manufacturers putting a "hold" on sales?

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JeeperCreeper

JeeperCreeper

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Not so sound "the sky is falling"... But something odd happened today

So my wife and I agreed that since I bought her a ring a while ago, I still need my "engagement ring" purchase... When we first met, it was gonna be a Henry Golden Boy. But now, I think a good forever gun is a Beretta 92.

So anyways.... Cabela's/Bass Pro have a steal of a deal on Beretta 92X for $600. Yepppppp, I'm buying. Do the 4473, pass, get my gun, head to the register...

Nope.... Can't sell it.

For some reason, Beretta put a freeze on all handguns for the whole corporation. Not sure if the price is too good, but the gun counter manager hinted at a serial number issue so Beretta has to stop any guns from leaving the shelves.

Anyone ever hear anything like this before? Luckily they will hold it at my sale price, but now my new Beretta is in retail jail!!

Any gun store guys have a clue what the deal is??
 
Most gun shops buy firearms from distributors and not directly from the manufacturer. Once a firearm is purchased from the distributor or manufacturer for resale, it is no longer the property of the manufacturer. They have zero say in what happens to it from that point on.

However, sounds like Beretta issued a recall or hold of some sort after they discovered some sort of serious issue with a certain production run of 92's.
 
“Manufacturers” (plural) implies more than one; did you have similar experiences with other manufactures or are you extrapolating? In turn, an employee at BP/ Cabelas as a source; I would need a much larger population with better credentials to arrive at your title conclusion.
 
You been lied to.

Beretta doesn't own the Beretta on the shelf at Cabelas, and hasn't for some time. Cabelas might choose to comply with a nice note from Beretta asking them to pull inventory and offering a refund, but that's Cabelas call.

But now you have a chance to do a better job picking a retailer. Don't buy at Cabelas; find a gun shop, not the WalMart of camo underwear.
 
it’s all speculation unless you go to the store manager and get their story.

If the gun was priced too low, most stores like Cabelas would honor the mistake and simply correct the rest of inventory.

all this “they lied” is probably not the true answer. But the explanation you received seems weak. I’d go to CS and ask to speak to the store manager.
 
This sounds like horse hokey to me. Cabela's isn't selling them on consignment, they are a wholesale purchaser and then a retailer. If there was a safety recall I could maybe see them doing this, but a serial number flub? No.

Cabela's isn't exactly known for stellar service any more.
 
Presuming the part about a "serial number issue" is true then the answer seems plain enough.

Sounds like a record keeping problem somewhere along the line. The manufacturer, distributor, Cabela's warehouse, or that specific store, I have no idea. But, someone didn't keep their numbers straight about where one or more guns went. Hopefully not for criminal purposes.

Until they get that straight then the specific models in the affected serial number range will have to be withheld from sale until it is all sorted out.
 
OP here...

You guys are brutal haha. Now firstly, I normally don't choose big retail stores, but sometimes you gotta snag a sale.

But as far as "lying" or insidious behavior, I predict a blunder vs bad intentions.

The computer wasn't letting the gun scan, it was one from the back, not the display, so there were more options. The guy tried a bunch of different ways, wasn't working. Called the "lodge" manager or whatever... He couldn't get it, and then said "hold on I gotta check my email, I remember something about this" came back and said "we can't sell any Berettas right now, it's a company wide thing from Beretta. Probably something to do with serial numbers".

So my gun is listed with my name and price on it and they will call me.

If that doesn't happen, then maybe I can claim lies and deceit. For now, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that something corporate is off.

As far as distributor, I wouldn't be surprised if Cabela's or Bass Pro or Sportsman's or Gander can have an exclusive deal that can be partnered with the manufacturer from time to time.

But then again, there are a few big retailers selling 92X at $600 (euro optic)
 
guyfromohio said:
Or Cabelas realized a pricing error and lied to you.
Click to expand...

I bought a M9 from them a few years ago when they came out. they were listed on there website for 399.99. When i went to pick it up, they said they could not honer that price. I spoke to the manger and he honored that price. So that might not be the issue the OP had.
 
FlSwampRat said:
Get a raincheck if possible on the price.
Click to expand...

Yeah, right. Years ago, they had a really good deal on a SW AR in their mailed flyer. So I drive down to the store - about an hour away when the sale starts and they don't have anyway. I ask for a rain check and was told they don't do that but suggest another piece of crap. I ask if they have another at another store, they could send. No.
The clerk tells me there are only 4 in their system for entire USA.

I argue that it is a bait and switch. I correspond to them through email and tell them that. No, it's just policy. They are sorry the mailer came out and was printed before they found out they could only get 4 (yeah, right). I said but it is still on line - you could change that now. Oops. You would think they would honor the deal but no, told me to get lost. I did notice that later they changed their online ads to say you should call the store before going to one for a deal.
 
Well, I have no idea what the real story is, but if they were telling you it was a serial number problem and you have that serial number, then call Beretta and ask them.

Dunross said:
Sounds like a record keeping problem somewhere along the line. The manufacturer, distributor, Cabela's warehouse, or that specific store, I have no idea. But, someone didn't keep their numbers straight about where one or more guns went. Hopefully not for criminal purposes.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I had that happen once. I was buying a pistol and was still fondling it while the guy behind the counter was filling out the paperwork. I noticed that the SN he put on the form from the box didn't match the pistol. The SN from the box was in their inventory, but the SN from the pistol was not. I had to wait until they got a matching set from a distributor.
 
GEM said:
Yeah, right. Years ago, they had a really good deal on a SW AR in their mailed flyer. So I drive down to the store - about an hour away when the sale starts and they don't have anyway. I ask for a rain check and was told they don't do that but suggest another piece of crap. I ask if they have another at another store, they could send. No.
The clerk tells me there are only 4 in their system for entire USA.

I argue that it is a bait and switch. I correspond to them through email and tell them that. No, it's just policy. They are sorry the mailer came out and was printed before they found out they could only get 4 (yeah, right). I said but it is still on line - you could change that now. Oops. You would think they would honor the deal but no, told me to get lost. I did notice that later they changed their online ads to say you should call the store before going to one for a deal.
Click to expand...

That is pretty common for retailers to do this--it is also illegal and you can file a complaint with the FTC. They either have to specifically note in the ad that it is a first come first serve item with limited quantities or grant a raincheck on that price for that item or substitute a similar item.
 
I have my gun reserved in the back with the price written on it. I have the sales people's names. I have screen shots of the sales on my phone.

I should be good.

I haven't paid for it, so anything can happen.

If they fall back and don't sell it, then I'll go online for a few bucks more
 
boom boom said:
That is pretty common for retailers to do this--it is also illegal and you can file a complaint with the FTC. They either have to specifically note in the ad that it is a first come first serve item with limited quantities or grant a raincheck on that price for that item or substitute a similar item.
Click to expand...

JeeperCreeper said:
I have my gun reserved in the back with the price written on it. I have the sales people's names. I have screen shots of the sales on my phone.

I should be good.

I haven't paid for it, so anything can happen.

If they fall back and don't sell it, then I'll go online for a few bucks more
Click to expand...

some stores have no morals nor ethnics. (not only so much the store, but an employee or two) they DO HAVE customers or friends on a waiting list for purchases (many times some cash under the table to secure a purchase, sometimes known as a bribe) .

a deposit is refundable. so if any store sells out from under you, move on, facebook and yelp them, and never return. also contact the store's headquarters.
 
I'm pretty savvy...

So I'm not really worried about it if they pull something shady, I lost nothing.

I'm just curious if gun store guys ever heard of something like this before where a company has put a hold on an item for an unknown reason.
 
Social media is ok but to actually stop the practice at that store, I would actually advise contacting the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). State AG (attorney general) offices in many states also handle consumer protection laws at the state level. This stuff does get investigated and can get the company fined or even required to do compliance measures. I used to work a large retailer that you have all heard of and the company I worked for was under a compliance order. As a dept. manager, I always upped the order quantities that the buyers would arrange because I knew when an ad price was below normal. We also kept and honored rainchecks.

The Feds work best for large retailers and states vary in their protection but bait and switch ads are generally illegal without notice of limited quantities, no rainchecks, etc. in the ad.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/advertising-faqs-guide-small-business

Consumer complaints, https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1 (use other as category)
Also this link explains how to file complaints and has links for State AG's and consumer protection agencies at the state level.
https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints
 
There is some useful information in this thread, but I don't think you should need to hit the panic button at this point. Get all the info--date of email, serial numbers affected, ask if the gun is logged in on their records, and get confirmation from supervisor or store manager.

It is possible that the dealer violated the Minimum Advertised Price agreement, which could put future supply in jeopardy, but I would bet that others have been sold and stopping this sale would make little difference. Beretta is good at getting top dollar for their product by controlling prices with an iron fist.
 
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