Buds Gun Shop really "Chaps" me, When is buying something really not?

[Rule3]

I have purchased a few firearms from them only because my LGS could not find one. Their prices are pretty good .

I guess now that they are so big and famous they can do what they want. They also have their own penny stock bidding site and auction

To take advantage of their "low" price you need to pay cash or MO. If you pay by check there is a week or more delay for the check to clear. That's fine as credit cards cost them money.

So I go to buy a used gun and click pay by check or MO. I was going to send a MO.

Seems their policy now is if you choose this option, they will not guarantee it's yours and anyone can buy it out from under you if they pay by credit card or one of their new VIP members (which costs $25 a year)

Kinda defeats the cash payment savings

So I send them a e mail to question this and get a automated response(you can not actually talk with anyone) So while waiting, of course the gun is SOLD.

There is a option of electronically entering your checking account routing number and check #, but I did not feel like doing this (suppose it's no different then sending a check other than it's going across the internet)

So BUDS can kiss my Chaps.

 

[StatesRightist]

What's worse is trying to trade a gun to them, waiting on the trade guy to get back to you. 50% of the time the gun's gone by the time Gomer gets back to you, if his lazy butt gets back to you at all.

Not a BUDS fan either......

 

[Maximumbob54]

Questionable service isn't just the big boys either. One of my LGS's won't tell you a price over the phone. You have to come in person. I had visited over weekend and saw they had something I changed my mind and wanted but couldn't remember the exact price to withdraw cash. I called to ask if they still had it and what was the asking price. They said they had it but wouldn't tell me the price. Half way there, I turned around. I guess business is at an all time high so they could care less about the customer right now.

 

[Moonman]

Bud's is starting to get into TOO MANY SIDELINES.

 

[Rule3]

I just got a reply back:

"Unfortunately the only way we have to reserve a gun is to receive payment first. We do have echeck available which will give you the cash price and reserve your gun for you. Echeck takes about 6 business days to clear once it clears your order will be shipped in 3-7 business days. If you want to pay with money order it will be processed as soon as we receive it via mail and your gun will be reserved for you."

Well BUDS, I was not "reserving" it I was trying to buy the damn thing.

What IF I did not have a checking account???

So in the 5 days it takes for you to get my MO and process it, anyone else can cut in line and purchase it via credit card, Buds account credit or e check???

I'm done.

 

[Fishslayer]

Saw a video of some guy going tropo over Bud's sending him the wrong M629. Ummm.... the language isn't really suitable for S&W Forums. It would be funny if you didn't remember that this jackwagon owns firearms...

 

[jimmyj]

Dumb Question: Do Buds accept "PayPal"?

 

[Moonman]

I don't think so Jimmyj, but Paypal has fees like a credit card so Buds would not give you the listed price. You would pay it plus 3% if they did.

 

[novalty]

Dumb Question: Do Buds accept "PayPal"?

PayPal is anti-gun. No gun purchases or sales through PayPal.

 

[35Rem]

Paypal is anti-gun and will close an account if you use it for purchasing guns. Their policy.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Saw a video of some guy going tropo over Bud's sending him the wrong M629. Ummm.... the language isn't really suitable for S&W Forums. It would be funny if you didn't remember that this jackwagon owns firearms...

And he would be why I check any guns before I sign for them. They may have done wrong by sending the wrong gun, but he did himself wrong by signing for it without even looking at it.

 

[straightshooter1]

I think Moonman may have hit on the answer-Bud's is getting into too many different things and not doing very many of them very well.

Now, not long ago, they were one of, if not THE, go-to place for used guns, especially police-type trade-in revolvers.

Now, however, even if you pay instantly, they wait several days before shipping. With new guns, we likely know the reason why-they ain't got it in stock and have to find/get it. If that's not the reason, see below.

But, with used guns, there's no reason for a delay of a week after the item that is in stock is paid for. No reason, no reason and did I mention there's no reason for a delay of several days in shipping after payment is completely made.

We are talking about shipping dates here, not receiving dates. So, after paying, 5-7 days go by before someone actually boxes, wraps and addresses the item and gets it mailed, UPS'd or....

So, I'd only do a Bud's deal if it was a used gun that I just really, really HAD to have and couldn't find elsewhere.

I hope they revert back to the way they operated 5 or so years ago.

Bob

 

[Armyphotog]

Don't do business with them! I don't jump through hoops for anybody.

 

[sophie]

I don't do business with them either after checking reviews and feedback from online purchasers and local people also. Kinda turned me off when I read some of them.

______
James

 

[Florida Guy]

I called to ask if they still had it and what was the asking price. They said they had it but wouldn't tell me the price. Half way there, I turned around. I guess business is at an all time high so they could care less about the customer right now.

What a bunch of morons.
Gun shops have their own mentality that the customer comes second. I wouldn't have turned around half-way there.....
I wouldn't have gone in the first place.

And I'd never go back to their shop.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I also will not deal with them. By comparison, I've bought 2(used) guns from Robertsons Trading Post this year. Both orders were shipped that same day and arrived at my dealers 48 hours later. Buds has no excuse for such poor service. The only way they'll improve is a lack of business.

 

[Mr Pokeyman]

Don't do business with them! I don't jump through hoops for anybody.

You are right. When I applied for the LEO discount they made me fax my creds multiple times because they kept losing it. When I went to make a purchase several months later they made me go thru it all over again? When I finally gave them my order, I paid with my credit card. After everything was done, I was told I was not given the discount since I had paid with plastic. This was after they had run it thru the system and had my money. I won't buy from them again. If they had explained this to me up front I could have used my debit card. What a bunch of clowns!

 

[35Rem]

A debit card is the same as a credit card to them. They clearly list what payment types receive a discount.

Some people get upset because they don't understand online/phone purchases. Buds is in business to sell stuff, not hold it. Inventory is not in their hands, most of the time. They forward the order to THEIR distributor, who sends to your FFL. There is process time with this type of purchase.

Are they the "best"? Maybe not, but they sure do sell a LOT of guns.

 

[McBear]

I buy from Bud's. I have been since 1993 in their first shop. Nothing but good service from very good people [and remember, I'm the "liberal guy", usually in Key West Camo].

Their shop now is a few thousand square feet, all guns and accessories and a bunch of folks there to help. Also a store full of customers every time I am there. And the range is usually full or close to it.

With all that I never take over 20-30 minutes for a purchase, from the first "May I help you?" to "Thanks for coming in.". Longest time was when the 92 compact that I wanted had apparently grown legs over the weekend and they did a full store search for it. Never found it.

I would recommend calling their local number, getting to know one of their staff...that might make the system work better. That is how I deal with NYC photography stores like B&H. I'm nice to them, they look out for me.

 

[StatesRightist]

I buy from Bud's. I have been since 1993 in their first shop. Nothing but good service from very good people [and remember, I'm the "liberal guy", usually in Key West Camo].

Their shop now is a few thousand square feet, all guns and accessories and a bunch of folks there to help. Also a store full of customers every time I am there. And the range is usually full or close to it.

With all that I never take over 20-30 minutes for a purchase, from the first "May I help you?" to "Thanks for coming in.". Longest time was when the 92 compact that I wanted had apparently grown legs over the weekend and they did a full store search for it. Never found it.

I would recommend calling their local number, getting to know one of their staff...that might make the system work better. That is how I deal with NYC photography stores like B&H. I'm nice to them, they look out for me.

They have an internet department and the in store people are instructed NOT to get involved in internet/phone sales, I tried. They may be great in person, but most of do not live in KY and don't get the benefit of in store personnel.