Put yourself in the FFL's shoes. (which I have done recently: shameless self promotion www.fbmginc.com ) That gun represents a whole bunch of time=work=money. It would be stealing, pure and simple.
gun shop dilema
- Thread starter walking arsenal
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rock jock
Member
Let me put it this way: I would not want to be associated with, either personally, or on this forum, with anyone that would pick "B".
A man very important to me (my pop) one told me, your honor is precious, once you give it away it is difficult or impossible to get it back. As difficult as it is sometimes I always try to do the right thing. It has made my life much easier... most of the time.
On a much smaller scale and non firearm related situation I have had this happen to me before and to be honest I would tell someone. Incidents like this could cost someone their job and I would feel like a ass if I cheated them. Bottom line is I would want someone to tell me if I were the clerk or store owner so to speak. I think people who wouldnt tell the store are just scum bags.
This actually happened to me with a CMP Garand once.
I was awoken one Friday morning by Fed Ex delivering a CMP rifle box to my door. My name and address was on the package, so I signed for it. I opened it and it was a Select Grade Garand with my name all over the paperwork. The thing is, I knew that I had at least a year to go on the waiting list and I hadn't given the CMP my CC info for payment for this particularrifle yet, although they had it on file from previous purchases. I thought maybe my wife had paid for it as a suprise, but when she came home from work she knew nothing about it.
We called the CC company and there was no charge on the card. I decided I'd call the CMP on Monday to see what was up. I enjoyed handling the "free" rifle over the weekend, but refrained from taking it to the range. I thought that would just be a bit much. Sure enough, Monday morning the CMP called me first. They'd sent the rifle to the wrong person. They pulled up my account and address when it really was supposed to go to a different Robert Reed. They said I could keep it and jump ahead in the waiting list if I arranged payment, but I had to send it back since I frankly couldn't afford it right then. I eventually got MY rifle about a year later.
It was fun to think about getting a "free" Garand over the weekend, but I knew I couldn't do that.
I was awoken one Friday morning by Fed Ex delivering a CMP rifle box to my door. My name and address was on the package, so I signed for it. I opened it and it was a Select Grade Garand with my name all over the paperwork. The thing is, I knew that I had at least a year to go on the waiting list and I hadn't given the CMP my CC info for payment for this particularrifle yet, although they had it on file from previous purchases. I thought maybe my wife had paid for it as a suprise, but when she came home from work she knew nothing about it.
We called the CC company and there was no charge on the card. I decided I'd call the CMP on Monday to see what was up. I enjoyed handling the "free" rifle over the weekend, but refrained from taking it to the range. I thought that would just be a bit much. Sure enough, Monday morning the CMP called me first. They'd sent the rifle to the wrong person. They pulled up my account and address when it really was supposed to go to a different Robert Reed. They said I could keep it and jump ahead in the waiting list if I arranged payment, but I had to send it back since I frankly couldn't afford it right then. I eventually got MY rifle about a year later.
It was fun to think about getting a "free" Garand over the weekend, but I knew I couldn't do that.
dasmi
Member
So, who picked choice number two, and why?
Valkman
Member
I only deal with shops where I like the people, and I expect to pay for a gun when I buy it so I'd tell them. I've had them overcharge me and refund the money with no problems so it works both ways.
I don't understand why some are qualifying their answers with "if it's my regular guy" or "if I like the dealer".....What, you want to be commended because you only steal from people who aren't your friends?
I once bought a piece of art at an outdoor fair that was about the price of a gun....complete strangers, the seller and I. He accidentally mixed my check in with the reciept and some other advertising paperwoork he packed in the bag he put my purchase in. So he has no idea who I am, where I live, no way to find me. I never even for a second thought about doing anything but tracking him down and getting the (his) money to him.
I once bought a piece of art at an outdoor fair that was about the price of a gun....complete strangers, the seller and I. He accidentally mixed my check in with the reciept and some other advertising paperwoork he packed in the bag he put my purchase in. So he has no idea who I am, where I live, no way to find me. I never even for a second thought about doing anything but tracking him down and getting the (his) money to him.
No_Brakes23
Member
As much as I would love a free gun, I would have to try to make it right.
My integrity is worth more than that.
Once I saw a guy at Home Depot correct a $500 error at the register. He was buying 4 $250 Items, and the clerk only charged him for 2.
My integrity is worth more than that.
Once I saw a guy at Home Depot correct a $500 error at the register. He was buying 4 $250 Items, and the clerk only charged him for 2.
If it was nickels and dimes I wouldn't get too excited.
Embarassing the clerk and all that.
But a big ticket item makes is a whole different thing.
I wouldn't do it, I am a honest person.
Trying to stick it to one of the few remaining FFLs in my area does not sound like a good long term plan.
Too few gun shops around here as it is.
K.
Embarassing the clerk and all that.
But a big ticket item makes is a whole different thing.
I wouldn't do it, I am a honest person.
Trying to stick it to one of the few remaining FFLs in my area does not sound like a good long term plan.
Too few gun shops around here as it is.
K.
I will tell you a quick story...
Years ago when I had an FFL I purchased two handguns from another FFL at the show. Hustle and bussel of the show I not knowing shorted him a 100 bill.
Well he called me about the mistake, I counted my cash, and low and below he was correct. I drove back and paid him without hesitation.
Fast forward six years down the road, since then I moved away from the area and came back. I meet some great new shooting buddies. One says I look familiar, low and below it was that guy. Years after the incident he remembered my honesty.
So I say tell them about the mistake. You never know when you may run into those folks again.
But that is not the only reason
Years ago when I had an FFL I purchased two handguns from another FFL at the show. Hustle and bussel of the show I not knowing shorted him a 100 bill.
Well he called me about the mistake, I counted my cash, and low and below he was correct. I drove back and paid him without hesitation.
Fast forward six years down the road, since then I moved away from the area and came back. I meet some great new shooting buddies. One says I look familiar, low and below it was that guy. Years after the incident he remembered my honesty.
So I say tell them about the mistake. You never know when you may run into those folks again.
But that is not the only reason
I would tell them of the mistake they made and have it corrected because that would be the right thing to do. No I do not always do right or good, but I certainly try to get it right and; the choice in this situation would be an obvious one for me. In the past, I have returned, many times, to the bank teller, or store clerk, an amount over what I was due (sometimes a five, sometimes as much as $20). I ahve also returned sizeable amounts of cash. At my job I have found over $30,000 (over several discoveries) and always turned in the cash. No one would have missed it had I taken it, not anyone on my job anyhow. if someone had missed it that person was a drug smuggler or moeny launderer. Still I knew what to do and I did the right and good thing.
On my honeymoon, my wife and I left a hotel we had reserved because it wound up being a dive instead of the fantastic resort it had been advertised as. We had to pay in advance, so when we left demanded a refund, they refused. I called up the credit card company and I got my refund. Then I got a second refund, and it was a sizeable amount of money. I called the hotel and they had to be convinced such was the case. They treated me and my wife like dirt, then treated me like dirt again when I explained they had given 2 refunds, then did not thank me for notifying them and allowing them to correct it.
Notifying them, it is just the right thing to do. Of course, if I was down and out I might steal. That would be something done purposefully in order to make it (maybe not good or right but done to survive). This gun deal would be another situation altogether. It would have been an honest mistake someone made while you had been trying to make make an honest purchase. The good thing would be to alert them to the mistake and make sure they got paid, no doubt about it.
Best regards,
Glenn B
On my honeymoon, my wife and I left a hotel we had reserved because it wound up being a dive instead of the fantastic resort it had been advertised as. We had to pay in advance, so when we left demanded a refund, they refused. I called up the credit card company and I got my refund. Then I got a second refund, and it was a sizeable amount of money. I called the hotel and they had to be convinced such was the case. They treated me and my wife like dirt, then treated me like dirt again when I explained they had given 2 refunds, then did not thank me for notifying them and allowing them to correct it.
Notifying them, it is just the right thing to do. Of course, if I was down and out I might steal. That would be something done purposefully in order to make it (maybe not good or right but done to survive). This gun deal would be another situation altogether. It would have been an honest mistake someone made while you had been trying to make make an honest purchase. The good thing would be to alert them to the mistake and make sure they got paid, no doubt about it.
Best regards,
Glenn B
walking arsenal
Member
Thanks hellbore
You must have missed the hypothetical part
the reason i posted this is because i was trying to settle an argument that someone would actually try to return that kind of money. i said they would other guy said they wouldnt. then i said "i bet i know about a hundred other people that agree with me" and he said "oh yeah, prove it" famous last words.
I'm printing this thread out to show him.
You must have missed the hypothetical part
the reason i posted this is because i was trying to settle an argument that someone would actually try to return that kind of money. i said they would other guy said they wouldnt. then i said "i bet i know about a hundred other people that agree with me" and he said "oh yeah, prove it" famous last words.
I'm printing this thread out to show him.
JohnBT
Member
As long as we're telling stories.
Over 50 years ago my uncle bought a Savage at Charlottesville Hardware (not to be confused with the Hardware Store Restaurant currently in the same building). It broke and he had the store send it to Savage.
Time passed.
Savage sent him a new one c/o the store.
Time passed.
My grandfather stopped by the store one day and the owner said "There's a package here for your boy." Savage had fixed his gun and returned it.
No, he didn't keep both of them.
John
Over 50 years ago my uncle bought a Savage at Charlottesville Hardware (not to be confused with the Hardware Store Restaurant currently in the same building). It broke and he had the store send it to Savage.
Time passed.
Savage sent him a new one c/o the store.
Time passed.
My grandfather stopped by the store one day and the owner said "There's a package here for your boy." Savage had fixed his gun and returned it.
No, he didn't keep both of them.
John
My upbringing, respect of the law, and instilled honesty would prevent me from screwing them out of the value of the purchase, even if I felt that they had screwed me on the original deal.
'Pay for what you buy and pay for it in full." a quote from my now long deceased father that I remember still.
'Pay for what you buy and pay for it in full." a quote from my now long deceased father that I remember still.
Redlg155
Member
When it comes to payment for items, "Free" is usally only temporary. I've had checks show up six months later for purchases.
It almost always catches up to you. The best thing would be to be up front and make sure funds are taken out for the item. That way you can feel good about yourself and you won't have a nasty surprise six months later.
Good Shooting
Red
It almost always catches up to you. The best thing would be to be up front and make sure funds are taken out for the item. That way you can feel good about yourself and you won't have a nasty surprise six months later.
Good Shooting
Red
Bear Gulch
Member
My self respect is worth more than the price of a gun.
Sindawe
Member
Call 'em and tell 'em about the error. Its the only honorable thing to do.
================
Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well
================
Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well
Phil Ca
Member
about 1970 or 71 my wife and I bought her mother a small Sony TV. Something came up and we decided against that particular item. I returned the TV to the store and thought it was a done deal. Nope. The store delivered another exact same model and it was at the door to our apartment when we got home. The next time I went to downtown SF I took it along and delivered it to the store (Emporium-Capwells) and when the guy at the return counter listened to my story he got this incredulous look on his face and asked me why I bothered to return it. I told him that it was the property of the store and not mine to keep. He told me that most people would have kept it since it was like "found" property with no receiving document. I tole him that would not be right but he still looked at me like i was crazy for returning it.
Nowadays the clerks in many of the places we do business do not know how to make change properly ad if you try to help them by giving exact coin change they are unable to deal with it. (Price: $12.77 cents and you give them the .77 cents and 15 dollars) They are totally unable to cope.
One time I visited my hometown in Oregon. I needed something and went to the Wall-Mart nearby. When the teen-aged clerk counted out my change it was like I was back in the 50's when people still knew how to do that. I complemented her and asked her where she learned that. She said her grandparents had a restaurant and taught her how to properly make change.
By the way i do not see the original title of this thread as a "Moral" dilemna. It is just plainly a matter of right versus wrong and how a person is brought up.
Nowadays the clerks in many of the places we do business do not know how to make change properly ad if you try to help them by giving exact coin change they are unable to deal with it. (Price: $12.77 cents and you give them the .77 cents and 15 dollars) They are totally unable to cope.
One time I visited my hometown in Oregon. I needed something and went to the Wall-Mart nearby. When the teen-aged clerk counted out my change it was like I was back in the 50's when people still knew how to do that. I complemented her and asked her where she learned that. She said her grandparents had a restaurant and taught her how to properly make change.
By the way i do not see the original title of this thread as a "Moral" dilemna. It is just plainly a matter of right versus wrong and how a person is brought up.
gbran
Member
Paid twice
I sold a S&W 4040PD on consignment at a local shop. It moved pretty quick, but the shop took quite a while to pay me. In Jan 2005 they called me to pick up my check for $425. Last week they called me again and said my cheack was ready.
I told them they already paid me. They thanked me profusely for being honest.
I sold a S&W 4040PD on consignment at a local shop. It moved pretty quick, but the shop took quite a while to pay me. In Jan 2005 they called me to pick up my check for $425. Last week they called me again and said my cheack was ready.
I told them they already paid me. They thanked me profusely for being honest.
Phantom Warrior
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Ok, move one vote from the "don't say anything" to the "give it back" column. All the people going "don't be a bum and keep it" confused me into voting for the wrong choice. Plus it's late.
I would give it back. Honesty is the way to go.
I would give it back. Honesty is the way to go.
walking arsenal
Member
For the sake of the argument i'd sure like to know why the 9 folks who said keep it said so. im really curious to your side of the argument.
Would you want someone doing that to you? No? Hmmm, flip the coin! :banghead:threeseven
Member
Last week I went into the gun store to make a payment on my lay-away Remington and pick up some ammo. The guy behind the counter wrote the payment down in the lay-away book, closed it and put it back on the shelf before ringing up the ammo I was also purchasing. When he swiped my card and got me to enter my pin I saw that there was only $50 being charged to my card, not $150.
I pointed this out to him and he corrected it. It never even entered my mind to try to take advantage of the situation.
I pointed this out to him and he corrected it. It never even entered my mind to try to take advantage of the situation.
Phantom Warrior's vote changed as requested.
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