RIPOFF: S. Florida shooting ranges now allow you to shoot ONLY ammo you bought there!

[peacefuljeffrey]

I wanted to express my disgust at what I encountered today.

I went to a well-known South Florida gun shop/shooting this afternoon. Earlier in the week, I had gone and bought some reasonably priced target ammunition at Walmart, because although I may not shoot three times a month, I know what gun shop ammo prices are like and don't wanna pay a crazy markup like that. (Part of why I don't shoot very often is that it's more than I can really afford.)

Well, as I walked up to the storefront I noticed a sign that said something to the effect that county-wide, all Palm Beach County ranges will now require that you purchase all ammunition and targets you use from that shop/range!

I had already spent about sixty bucks on the stuff I brought. I had printed targets up at work. So now I had to spend around $12 for a box of .40s, when I'd purchased equivalent ammo at Walmart for about $10. I'm pissed off. This is a shameless money grab, and the guy behind the counter defended it to the hilt, offering b.s. smokescreen excuses like, "Well, can you shoot your ammo at Walmart?" And all kinds of crap about, "We're in business to sell ammo, so we do."

Well, the gun shops are losing the High Ground on this one. We gunners hear excuses from anti-gunners that say, "As long as we leave you with single-shot long guns, we haven't really 'banned guns.' " Well, the gun shops are now saying basically the same thing. You can still shoot, it just has to be ammo that WE priced. And we're making a pretty penny off it, too.

And what about reloaders?! :banghead: Are they just out of luck?

Well, I'll be firing off a disappointed (verging on angry) letter to the owner of the shop. I'll also be calling around to see whether other shop/ranges in the area are truly pulling the same. I hope that the outdoor range near Sebastian isn't doing this. Otherwise, what will I do with the $60 worth of ammo I couldn't use today?

Have any of you run into this kind of b.s. as well? Is it common?

Oh, and this particular range is now soooo freakin' CHEAP that they DON'T EVEN RUN THE FRIGGIN' AIR CONDITIONER IN THE RANGE ANYMORE!! (They used to: they did the last time I was there.) It's SUMMER in SOUTH FLORIDA!!!! That alone makes this a range to avoid.

Money is making gunners treat other gunners like people. You just don't do this kind of thing to other gun-people in the name of profit. That range just lost my business, for good. They wanted more money out of me, and now they'll get NONE AT ALL! How do ya like them apples?!

Blue skies,
-Jeffrey

 

[HighVelocity]

The guy didn't explain WHY this rule went into effect? What's the reasoning behind it?

 

[psyopspec]

What's the reasoning behind it?

I was wondering that too. If it is profit-driven, would you rather have a range that made you buy their ammo or no range at all because they went under financially? Certainly it's a gun range, but it's also a business. Also, for others to avoid what you went through, you'd need to name the shop.

 

[WT]

If you are unhappy with the shop take your business someplace else. No big deal.

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

He DID explain. He made very clear that this was about making more money on selling ammo. It's not a new "law" (I asked if it was a law or a policy); he said that it was because they don't make enough money when people buy their ammo cheap at Walmart and then come in to shoot for $10.

The pricks don't even turn on the AIR CONDITIONING in the range now. That's how tightassed they are.

I said something to the effect of, "I expect a lot of people will decide to shoot less or not at all, now," and the counter-guy shot back with, "Well, no, we've been busier in the last six months (policy went into effect Jan. 1) than ever before," or some such b.s.


-Jeffrey

 

[HighVelocity]

we've been busier in the last six months (policy went into effect Jan. 1) than ever before

Was the range busy when you were there?

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

If you are unhappy with the shop take your business someplace else. No big deal.

How did I know that you, of all people here (except maybe Joab) would come back with a response like that?

They made clear that all county ranges would now be running under this policy.

it's greedy. Gun people should not be out to fleece other gun people.

-Jeffrey

 

[Black Majik]

Jeffrey...

I actually remember reading somewhere on here about ranges in Florida (I believe palm beach area) now only store bought ammo to be shot at the ranges. This applies to all ranges I believe in that vicinity.

Do a search around here, its been mentioned before I believe. You can get some useful information and tips on what to do.

Good luck, that sucks to hear.

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

Was the range busy when you were there?

Not particularly. A pair or two were finishing as we arrived. We walked in and there were two guys (one in desert camo). They left soon afterward. One older short guy was next to us. That's it. It was around 3 pm today (Friday). I don't know whether that should or should not be a busy time.

-Jeffrey

 

[Majic]

That is a rule in right many ranges around the country. Some is profit driven, safety related, and/or insurance related.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Some ranges specifically make you use their ammo or give you an ammo guideline (ie no reloading or steel cored stuff) because they don't want the chance of reloaded ammo exploding on their property or it mgiht damage their backstops.

However, that being said, the guy plainly admitted to you that they want money...which I don't have a problem with as everyone in business wants to make a buck. But, when your drive for making a buck drives off customers, then it becomes a problem

Strongest way to voice yourself? With your wallet. And tell them that you'll inform other people who also own wallets to not come their way anymore

I buy cheapo ammo and print my own targets too to save a buck. I'm glad we haven't had such policies set into motion...yet *knock on wood*

 

[Standing Wolf]

If all else fails, open a range of your own and run it right. You'll soon put the others out of business—unless, of course, people can't figure out the obvious.

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

Cesiumsponge,

Yeah, it's money-driven. And it drove me right away, now. The only reason we stayed was because there was a time limit involved -- we had to get to work after our range time. Not enough time to head to another range (and there was the strong possibility of finding the same situation at another range).

Oh, and the woman I was with, a relatively neophyte shooter, even spoke up and asked it we might shoot our ammo this time since we didn't know the policy had gone into effect. NOPE. (Thanks a lot!)

And part of the guy's rationale? He showed us a battered metal square, pocked with bullet dents. Said something about how people would use steel-cored ("armor piercing") rounds in the rifle section of the range, and it cost the owner $30,000 to fix up the range.

So... duhhh... what exactly does that have to do with the PISTOL side of the range? Am I gonna be firing (smuggling in) steel core pistol ammunition to ruin the backstop there? No? Then what is the relevance?!

It amounted to a lot of smokescreen/obfuscation, and essentially I find it disrespectful when a guy gives me an excuse for something that he knows I should be smart enough to see through, and doesn't care even if I do.

I'm going to be writing a letter to the owner telling him that I dislike the policy, and won't be back as a gun/ammo/knife/range customer.


-Jeffrey

 

[Majic]

So... duhhh... what exactly does that have to do with the PISTOL side of the range?

There are single shot pistols that shoot rifle rounds and they can be used on either range.

 

[Rosstradamus]

Some of you guys sure seem quick to make excuses for that range. Or else you come up with silly solutions like the man opening his own range. Yeah, right. Are you financing it? I didn't think so.

 

[Philip J. Hoffmann]

I'm actually surprised that so many people seem to imply that the range owner's rules are reasonable.

I suppose the range owner then showed Peaceful Jeffrey a clothes pin worn away by those rough Wal-Mart brand targets, and complained how the owner spent $3.33 cents (at Wal-Mart, coincidentally) to buy replacement clothes pins to hold up the targets.

It is true that the owner, of course, has the right to charge whatever he wants, and to promulgate whatever (foolish) rules he desires. I would've left, too, and I would never pay to shoot at a range where I was required to buy targets or ammo, either.

Who buys range ammo? Let's see, $10.00 for 100 rounds of 9mm Winchester White Box, or $17.00 for 50 rounds at the range?

Shoot straight,
PJH

 

[peacefuljeffrey]

Yeah, and the box of 500 .22lr that I got months ago at Walmart could not be used. I paid what, like $9 for that? Instead, I had to pay $5 for 100 rounds. That equates to 500 rounds for $25! Ridiculous!


Thank you to the guys who have responded that the range is greedy and out of line. That was my point. There are better ways to make your business profitable.
Taking advantage of good customers is not one of them.

-Jeffrey

 

[Mannlicher]

Gee, its not fair how some guy runs his business. Oh my. lets all stamp our feet, whine, and ask for help........................ heh

 

[Glock19Fan]

Well, although I watch my money pretty well, I do feel that I should support my local gun store/and or shooting range. But, only if I am treated well, and the prices arent outrageous (personally I dont mind spending an extra $2 per box for ammo, especially if it means one less trip to Walmart).

Gun stores usually dont make much money selling guns, and with several people working there and bills to pay, both for the shop and at home, they are going to have to charge slightly more than WalMart or other large store, since the sales arent nearly as high.

But like I said, try another range, and if you dont like their attitudes and service, then go to another.

Or you can try the old "stuff ammo in your pockets" trick, like most people do at the movies. Most theaters wont allow food or drinks from outside, but do. Do you still go there?

Just my two cents.

 

[coylh]

I can understand being a tightwad if you're poor, and don't have enough money for the important stuff. But one of my goals in life is to make gun-related businesses fabulously rich.

 

[redneck2]

I used to work part-time at a gun shop that has a range. Running a range is a super PITA and a money losing business. Go ahead and see what it costs just for liability insurance for a shooting range. IIRC, it's somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000 per year.

Then there's the EPA. Lead in the air in ranges is one of their pet projects. That's probably why there's no A/C. You have to run a fan for constant fresh air, and all your conditioned air is outside in seconds.

Then you have to work for hours to fix the target hangers that get shot up.

Oh, and he's right about the backstop. You can't use just any old steel you find at the scrap yard. Ours was about 30k IIRC and it needs replaced every few years.

Oh, then you've got to pay someone (or do it yourself) to clean up the empties and all the crap people leave around. Also, every year you've got to clean all the lead that collects at the target end. Great fun. You've got to wear Tyvek coveralls taped up at the sleeves and a resperator. Dirty, dusty, filthy job.

So, go ahead and start your own range and make all that big money!!! What, no money of your own??? Then quit whining about the way it's run. He's not in business to support your hobby. He's in business to make a living.

I've got a GREAT idea for you to save money. Next time you go to a restaurant for breakfast, take your own ham and eggs to cook. Yeah...tell them you could buy them cheaper at the Wal-Mart grocery store. You only want to pay for the electricity it takes to cook them.

Like I told my kids...my roof, my rules. If I'm such a hard case, move out and you can run your house any way you want when you're paying the bills.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

$2 a box difference isn't that big of a deal to help out a dedicated gun store. Although I know where you are coming from, it is hard to make money in any business, and gun stores/ranges especially.

$17 vs $10 is, though.

If I remember correctly, our insurance for this year for $2million worth was $1200. Our range is a non-profit.

 

[TarpleyG]

Let's just say this whole debacle is near and dear to our hearts at my shooting club. Here is a link to a discussion we had when this whole thing first started. I encourage all you Palm Beachers to take the time and drive down to Broward and boycott the ranges in Palm Beach. Taking your money elsewhere will make them realize the error of their ways.

http://tssa.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1307

I encourage all you in the area to spend an extra 20 minutes driving down 95 to Pembroke Road and go West 1 block. Make a u-turn at the light and look for the GUN RANGE sign on your right. American Range and Gun. Rates are fair and you can shoot what you want. They treat us really well, even allowing us to pratice IDPA from the holster, etc.

http://www.americangunrange.com/

Greg

 

[CajunBass]

Gee. I don't see what's so outrageous about that. The range I've been using lately does the same thing. They don't charge for the range so you buy your ammo there. Another range I go to charges to use the range, but you can bring your own ammo. (Another one I don't go to often does both. Charges you to use the range, AND you have to get your ammo there.)

It works out about the same for the first two. Bring my own ammo and pay for the time. Or buy their ammo and get the time for free.

 

[TarpleyG]

Okay Cajun, your range made a compromise, these in PB don't and they all got together to make sure that anyone in PB had no place to shoot unless they bought ammo from them. It's their business so they can do as they please. I have bought over $1000 worth of stuff from the range I think jeffrey is talking about and I have made it clear that they will not get another penny from me while this policy is in place.

Greg