Oh the dangers of shopping online vs. in person

[Dr.Rob]

So I've been looking for a Ruger MkIII Hunter for my dad for Xmas... and I shop and shop, finally find the best price in the state, finagle the funds and double check GunBroker again and call the store to make sure it's in.

Cut to next day, and a 60 mile drive (yeah I knowa long drive to save a few bucks, but there was a Crackerbarrel nearby) I get there and it's gone. granted I wanted to see the store, and while the staff was frazzled ala 'Its Christmastime in Gunny land and Business is Banging.' they found time after a few minutes to sort it all out.

They have my pistol on order, I bought a few boxes of 8mm for my 98K, and a couple of .223 Norinco mags ($19 dollars? heck yeah! Sorry, out of Bulgie waffle mags, try next week.) And am now waiting by the phone for a call to go pick up the Ruger.

I've already got custom grips and a holster on order from Ruger for an all-steel Mk3 or I'd have bought the 22/45 Hunter in the display case.

LESSONS LEARNED:

1. Call, make sure the exact item is in.

2. Ask to put it on hold if possible. Stupid me, I didn't ask. (A CC 'deposit' can be arranged I'm sure.)

3. I saw no shortage of ammo of any kind at this store... great googedly moogedly they were well stocked--like Bart Gummer stocked!

4. Almost every store with an ad on Gunbrokers SAYS: in store buyers get first dibs. The store was busy, and they didn't get a chance to get the website updated--I really see no fault on their part for this, it was less than 24 hrs between seeing it online and going to buy it.

Anyway, the store will remain nameless, I'm still doing business with them, and it's been a positive experience.

Just stuff to keep in mind if you are shopping for hardware this season.

 

[gezzer]

The Rule in sales is "First Money Wins" Sorry if I held every gun a phonecaller wants me to without it being paid it would never get sold. Next time give him your CC payment then on the phone.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Legally, you can't 'sell' a gun over the phone (Well the transaction wouldn't be final at any rate.) And I was planning on paying cash, and skipping the whole internet thing.

My point was I wasn't 'shopping,' I went there to buy it. I could have made myself clearer.

Then again, having seen the level of activity at the store in person, I can see how a phone call and a promise doesn't count the same as cash.

 

[22-rimfire]

It's that 60 mile drive that irks a person. I feel for you.

 

[strat81]

When I was in retail, no matter what the item or how many I had, I would always be willing to put a "courtesy hold" on an item. If I had tons of them, "Come in next week, fine." If it was the last one and a hot item, "I can hold it for 2 hours, after that it's back on the floor." Now, if a different customer came in and inquired about the last item which was on "courtesy hold" I'd explain the situation and offer to take their name and number and call them if the deal fell through. People either gave me their number or bought something else. Not once did a customer flip out or get angry. Most ended buying something from me anyway... the ones that didn't were usually wives/girlfriends that were told "Buy this and nothing else!"

Treat people like human beings and things go well. Customers and retailers are all human beings.

 

[hockeybum]

long drive + no gun. :banghead: lol

 

[SoCalShooter]

YOu are seriously a good son man that is an awesome gift for christmas. Thanks for the insight I have been a bit wary myself to purchase guns online.

 

[panzermk2]

Bert would be proud

 

[P12]

I live in Lubbock, TX. Found the best deal on a Kimber Pro Carry in Clute, TX.

That's about 11.5 hours away. I'm driving to Friendswood, TX for Xmas. That will put me about 45 min away from my soon to be new Kimber.

I gave the dude a cc number to hold it till I get there. Will pay mostly cash and the balance will be on the cc.

By the way AJC Sports Shop seems to have good prices on Kimbers. $680.00 for the all black evil one.