Local shop hose me

[Engineer1911]

At this time on GB, there are ~85 S&W 686 listed for bid. Probably 30 are no lock models. Go take a look and stop crying about the telephone call you didn't make. Your LGS is in business to sell merchandise, not become a "lay-away warehouse".

First come, first served. Money talks.

 

[gdnagle]

If you were a good customer there you should have called and talked to him personally and told him your intentions by voice and not email. Like others have stated sometimes shops get too busy to read every email. Times like now everything is selling if you wanted it that bad and you deal there a lot maybe you should have called and given a CC number to hold for you I'm sure if you deal with him a lot he would have held it or else he just had the attitude that it's a sellers market now and you will be back. I f it bothers you so bad find another shop to deal with or just live with it. I had a local shop give me bad service after buying several firearms and lots of ammo from them before what's going on now and I just moved on, buy firearms someplace else and ammo at Wally World when I find it now, will not deal there again. He's still in business selling what he has and doesn't even miss me, he's happy I'm happy.
And yes as someone else stated, very few people talk about how good a busness is big or small, only how bad they are.

 

[AveragEd]

My son and I were in our local gun shop yesterday. It's a one-man show that has been there for 46 years and now is only open from 6:00 to 8:00 evenings and 10:00 to noon on Saturdays but has a very nice inventory because the owner has spent those years building relationships with distributors all over the country.

The door opened and a man stuck his head in, didn't as much as walk inside or say "Hi" but asked, "Got any small pistol primers?" The owner looked at him and said he didn't. When the door closed without the guy as much as thanking him, I gestured toward the cases of CCI, Federal, Remington and Winchester small pistol and small pistol magnum primers stacked on the floor. The owner said he didn't need any new customers like that and if he sold him any primers, there would be less for customers like me. I have been going there since 1974 and appreciated that consideration.

A month ago, a shooter at a local club told me he needed Varget powder and every shop, including that one, told him they wouldn't receive any until August. A week or so later, I was loitering in the shop, shooting the bull with the owner and voiced my disappointment with the availability of Varget, as I had just discovered that my Remington Model 700VLS in 6mmREM shoots one-hole groups at 3,710fps with that powder and Berger's new 69-grain varmint bullet but I didn't have enough to load more than a few shells. The owner motioned with his head for me to follow him to a storage area where he dug around and handed me a jug of Varget. When I told him what the shooter at the club told me, he said, "I didn't lie to him - I don't expect to get any more until late summer."

Don't alienate yourself from that dealer. Some day, you might be considered a valued customer by him as I am by mine.

Ed

 

[slfree]

How do you figure? You don't get it do you? His email was purposely ignored because you don't ask someone to hold a gun for you!! Why should he? Do you call Walmart and ask them to hold something for you? I don't think so!!

Selfishness abounds here big time. If the OP was such a good customer then why has he never shared any good experiences with us about this gun shop?

The first thing you learn in business is there is no such thing as customer loyalty. And you make rules to protect your business which apply to everybody!

And this is why I have no loyalty to businesses. This is why I will shop and fondle their inventory and let it sit on the shelf. Then order from a place like Buds and use a tabletop FFL for the paperwork. Business often care not for their customers, and I have no doubt that they can feel it when in that store. Its a new retail world and you are NOT the only place I can get what I choose to spend MY money on.
I do not owe any local business anything. What's forgotten today
is that shop owners have to earn our dollars. When I encounter the "take it or leave it" attitude I usually leave it. If age has taught me anything its that I don't have to buy anything from you.
I have a passion for photography. Ask me about Cameta Camera in New York. I'm in Podunk Texas. My last 2 cameras came from them. Over 50k positive feedbacks on ebay, yet 24 hours will not pass before any question I ask is answered. They have for years treated me better than the locals in Houston, while saving me $300+ per body. They are my first stop. Seldom my only stop. I still visit the locals. Dropped $350 for a $100(retail) light meter I needed that evening to the locals. Don't you know I left a happy customer after that fleecing, and they were very nice. Do you think I would ever just go in there now, and buy something? Do you think I gush to my friends about how nice those people are? And they were nice. Just drop your pants customer, bend over, and we will get you on your way.

 

[AveragEd]

Some people just don't understand how much it costs to do business face-to-face and never will because they value price more than service. I was an auto dealership service manager for 38 years and used to laugh to myself at the customers who bought their new car or truck from a local dealer who sold just above invoice but because of that, couldn't afford to stock parts, employ skilled technicians or give loaner cars for the days it usually took for them to finish a repair. When their customers came crawling in my door pleading with me to help them, I always did but let them know that our customers' vehicles were our priority. Most never bought a second vehicle from that other dealer, who abandoned his low-cost marketing strategy after a few years of learning it was costing him customers.

We have a discount gun shop about 40 miles away that many area shooters patronize. I often ask them if saving, say, eight bucks on a $100 jug of powder is worth the vehicle fuel and wear and tear plus their travel time and point out that when they discover while loading shells one evening that they need something, the local gun shop is where they are going to go.

If we don't patronize the local shops for the things we want, they wont be around to help us with the things we need.

Ed

 

[KEN L]

Lesson learned. I, like several others here, believe you, the OP, screwed up on this one. Unless you had an e-mail confirmation they WOULD hold it, you have no real complaint. A phone call is always better, get the name of the person you are talking to. A personal visit to the the shop is always best, especially if you have that good of a relationship with them. I also believe from your past history with the store you have no intention of not doing business there anymore. I would have a face to face, non confrontational conversation with the owner/manager to determine what went wrong and figure out how to avoid same in the future. Sounds like an internal breakdown in communications to me. I know it's frustrating when you go back to a shop only to find out your prize has gone to someone else, but over the years I have learned there is a reason this happens. I wasn't meant to have it because something else better is coming along. And you know what? It always does! Chin up, you can't buy them all and there are plenty more out there to be had!

 

[jack the toad]

At this time on GB, there are ~85 S&W 686 listed for bid. Probably 30 are no lock models. Go take a look and stop crying about the telephone call you didn't make. Your LGS is in business to sell merchandise, not become a "lay-away warehouse".

First come, first served. Money talks.

+1. I agree.
To the OP, sorry to hear about your misfortune of missed opportunity to purchase a gun you obviously wanted, but who's to say that the purchaser didn't receive a similar email and happened to arrive before you?

 

[Doug M.]

If you didn't get a confirmation email in a time period you consider reasonable, then you should have called. I use email at work because it serves a lot of important purposes, but when seconds count, I have to use the phone instead or in addition. Our IT folks have a different view of acceptable system reliability than I do, and there are times that I cannot do what I need to - drives me buggy. (And email has been my primary method of communication for most of 3 decades, starting with the internal system of notes on a computer network at the U of Illinois - so I have no patience with not being able to get through.)

 

[mc5aw]

FACTS as presented:

Customer XYZ has a good relationship with LGS, doing repeat business on a regular basis.

Customer XYZ gets an inventory email from LGS, and identifies a revolver he would like to purchase.

Customer XYZ confirms via email the Non IL status of the revolver, and emails a request to LGS to hold revolver.

Customer XYZ receives no email confirmation about requested hold.

Customer XYZ visits LGS soon after and finds the revolver being sold to someone else.

Customer XYZ feels that LGS "hosed" him by not giving him preferential treatment.

Customer XYZ needs to relax, and not take it personally. A C-A-S-H buyer beat him to the revolver. It happens to all of us. Life goes on.

 

[Kanewpadle]

FACTS as presented:

Customer XYZ has a good relationship with LGS, doing repeat business on a regular basis.

Customer XYZ gets an inventory email from LGS, and identifies a revolver he would like to purchase.

Customer XYZ confirms via email the Non IL status of the revolver, and emails a request to LGS to hold revolver.

Customer XYZ receives no email confirmation about requested hold.

Customer XYZ visits LGS soon after and finds the revolver being sold to someone else.

Customer XYZ feels that LGS "hosed" him by not giving him preferential treatment.

Customer XYZ needs to relax, and not take it personally. A C-A-S-H buyer beat him to the revolver. It happens to all of us. Life goes on.

Yes, how many times has it happened? You walk in just as someone has purchased the very gun you've been looking for?

Or you simply don't have the money?

Happens to me all the time!!

I have established very good relationships with three LGS. Been shopping with them for years and have worked for them too.

I quite often get preferential treatment but I don't ask nor expect it. If I tell them I'm on my way, they will hold a gun for me. They will take it and put it somewhere out of sight.

Respect, patience, and true loyalty goes a long way. But if you complain, repeatedly ask for discounts, or are just a general pain in the butt, you get ignored or treated likewise.

I like it when a guy walks in to a LGS and say's "just bought this gun at the gun show". "how much is it worth?"

Or, "just bought this gun at XYZ gun shop", "got a holster for it?"

People don't know when to shut up. These are usually the guys that when they drive up to the LGS, the staff says "oh great He's back!" Then they talk about him after he's gone!!

Don't be one of those guys!

 

[66 shooter]

Forget the emails back and forth, go do a face to face with the owner, much more effective....and be nice and respectful...what's done is done. Then make your decision based on all of the facts that you are told as to future business. If you have the face to face, I'll bet no matter what, the next one that comes in or he hears about..you will get the first call.

 

[ibthumper]

I would agree with 66 shooter. emails carry no weight. Face to Face is the way to go. As a side note, your story is just another fact as to why living in the state of Kalli just SUCKS.

 

[tgmr05]

A simple phone call right at opening, or simply showing up at opening, and you would have the 686.

The lgs would have happily held it, if you talked to them. No response to your email is an indication they did not get it. Unless you have asked them to hold something, or find something, in the past, and then not bought it.

Communication is key, and if you really want the next one, let them know, but then you better follow through, or let them know if you buy another....

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I have found the best way to buy a gun is to find one in the classified somewhere. You can't always do it, but if you can its the way to go. I never cared much for the LGS's and the OP just described a reason why. They are loyal to no one and do their best to rip you off. I rarely go in one. They think they know it all and most of the time they don't know squat. They walk around in the store with a Glock strapped to their side and think they know it all. I had one offer me, about two months ago, $150 for a Model 66 pre lock that was mint. He said the 66 was not a popular model. Idiot..........

 

[fdw]

Let it go, angry emails only increase the tension. Just don't buy from him anymore. If you have to say something, say it to his face....

 

[Frank V]

I think what I'd do is go to the shop, tell him you are sorry you missed that gun & you've been looking for one for awhile. I'd let him know you are ready to buy & ask him to let you know if he gets another one in. Some shops will hold things for good customers when they know they are interested.
Our LGS put a pound of powder back for me last shipment.

 

[JNewell]

FACTS as presented:

Customer XYZ has a good relationship with LGS, doing repeat business on a regular basis.

Customer XYZ gets an inventory email from LGS, and identifies a revolver he would like to purchase.

Customer XYZ confirms via email the Non IL status of the revolver, and emails a request to LGS to hold revolver.

Customer XYZ receives no email confirmation about requested hold.

Customer XYZ visits LGS soon after and finds the revolver being sold to someone else.

Customer XYZ feels that LGS "hosed" him by not giving him preferential treatment.

Customer XYZ needs to relax, and not take it personally. A C-A-S-H buyer beat him to the revolver. It happens to all of us. Life goes on.

Yeah, I was gonna nominate someone for a Darwin Award, but...

I bought an M1A a while back. I was in the shop and asked about the rifle. The owner says "well, it isn't sold, but someone is going back and forth with me on the extra mags, he wants to take $25 off the price of the M1A and the mags."

I said five little words to him:

"Give me a 4473 please."

 

[hawk44]

I am lucky enough to live within an hour of Cabelas. Their location specific website showed a beautiful 629. When I got there and beat my way to the counter through all of the folks stocking up on AR's, they didn't have any 629's or 29's (2nd choice) That's cool, I expected it. The Revolver Gods must have wanted me to find the used 29 at the local shop days later, areal beaut that I'm extremely happy with. It all works out in the end...my ego is happy again. You'll find what you want eltoro.

 

[feralmerril]

I might have got mad if it was a heart or liver and they bypassed me.

 

[dfariswheel]

I've always followed a simple standard with mail and email.
Until you talk to a human, it never happened.

 

[TCABM]

Question for the OP: what is the shop in questions policy regarding this type of thing? Until you know that answer, there's no use in getting angry at anybody.

 

[Jack Flash]

I've always followed a simple standard with mail and email.
Until you talk to a human, it never happened.

And be strict about your definition of "human" -- I've seen a few gun store employees who don't qualify.

 

[rebel0994]

I call foul on the no customer loyalty issue, I was in my LGS the other day and saw an old Winchester at a great price, another regular customer was there too, I told the owner I wanted the Winchester without even looking at it, and then the other customer was interested too. The other customer knew I told him I wanted it 1ST so he offered me $50 to let him have it. I said no and proceeded to start to purchase it, when I discovered I didn't have my wallet. Many dealers would have sold that gun to the man with the money. My dealer put the gun in the back with my name on it, and told me to come back and get it when I was ready. I have been a good customer to that shop for several years, but now , I will be for life.

 

[Gunhacker]

I have been hunting for a 686 no lock for quite some time. My LGS sends an Email every Friday afternoon with new inventory etc. I emailed back within seconds asking if it was lock or no lock. He replied I was no lock. I replied within seconds if he would hold it until 11am Saturday. They open at 10. He did not reply. I got there at 10:15 this morning and somebody was doing paperwork on it. What the heck ? . Wasnt pleased. I spend a lot of money there on guns and accessories. Buyer was also taking the handgun test meaning he was a first time buyer. Oh well. Debating on whether to send him an angry email or not.

I get the same email from J&R... you being a resident of CA and the SF Bay Area (like me), you must have an idea of just how competitive of an environment exists here for non-rostered handguns that we have to contend with.

If I were in your shoes and got a reply to an email within seconds and then nothing after next one, I would at least have picked up the phone.

Sorry, I'm not trying to bust your chops, but most LGS people get that same kind of a request over and over again only to have it end up being a no show, after a while they just plain ignore, or even refuse to acknowledge "hold" requests.

J&R hasn't been shy about regularly mentioning in the weekly newsletter that "demand for pistols and ammunition continue at record levels" and "first come, first served" whenever hot items become available.

A no-lock S&W 686+ listed for $600... in CA and in the Bay Area?? Sorry Bro... but if I was I was as close as you are to J&R and able to do so, I would have been in the car hitting the gas pedal instead of the enter key.


But believe me... I do certainly understand your frustration, when something like that was just within your grasp. What are you looking for in a no lock 686, does it need to be a plus (7shot) version? If you want, PM me and I'll keep an eye out for you in my part of the woods for what you're looking for.

 

[DR505]

 

[R*E]

I walked into my LGS to see a 4" 13-2 that they advertised on gunbroker. Turns out someone called earlier that day and said he'd be right over. It was 2 hours before I got there. I was there with cash in hand. Anyone care to guess what the manager did?

 

[ElToro]

i talked to the owner after the fact and he knows me and i do spend a bit of money at his store. he said he didnt get the 2nd email from which is possible. he did say if i call they will hold a gun. i was only asking to have the gun held for an hour into the business day. i have been in shops where i have seen " Held for Joe schmo" on a gun for weeks. it doesnt take more than 10 minutes to decide if your buying or
not. anyway, i dont want to peeve them off. they are a good local independent shop and they are just blocks from my house and they have treated me well in the past. i will find my 686 eventually

 

[MMA10mm]

And this is why I have no loyalty to businesses. This is why I will shop and fondle their inventory and let it sit on the shelf. Then order from a place like Buds and use a tabletop FFL for the paperwork. Business often care not for their customers, and I have no doubt that they can feel it when in that store. Its a new retail world and you are NOT the only place I can get what I choose to spend MY money on.
I do not owe any local business anything. What's forgotten today is that shop owners have to earn our dollars. When I encounter the "take it or leave it" attitude I usually leave it. If age has taught me anything its that I don't have to buy anything from you.

That's my place too. They've been in business since the 1970s. Place was started by a man who asked you not to dry fire the guns until you bought it, because it wasn't right for the eventual owner to have had 200 people dry-fire his "eventual" gun. That, and he wiped down the guns after each person handled them. That kind of respect for the eventual buyer impressed me and many others.

Fast forward 20 years and his sons, fresh out of college, moved into a bigger/flashier store and took the attitude of "we own a gunshop and you don't." Pretty much acted like royalty and that they didn't need to talk to you; you needed to talk to them, if you expected the privelege of buying a gun from them...

I've gone in there ALOT, but over the last 27 years have only bought a handful of guns from them. I've bought many, many guns elsewhere.

As far as the OP's situation, I would weigh my overall experience in the shop over the years before deciding what to do. I'd also keep in mind, in this market, one sour customer means little. I'd also consider what the others have said about calling rather than e-mailing and being there at 9:50am...

 

[JNewell]

And this is why I have no loyalty to businesses. This is why I will shop and fondle their inventory and let it sit on the shelf. Then order from a place like Buds and use a tabletop FFL for the paperwork. Business often care not for their customers, and I have no doubt that they can feel it when in that store. Its a new retail world and you are NOT the only place I can get what I choose to spend MY money on.
I do not owe any local business anything. What's forgotten today
is that shop owners have to earn our dollars. When I encounter the "take it or leave it" attitude I usually leave it. If age has taught me anything its that I don't have to buy anything from you.
I have a passion for photography. Ask me about Cameta Camera in New York. I'm in Podunk Texas. My last 2 cameras came from them. Over 50k positive feedbacks on ebay, yet 24 hours will not pass before any question I ask is answered. They have for years treated me better than the locals in Houston, while saving me $300+ per body. They are my first stop. Seldom my only stop. I still visit the locals. Dropped $350 for a $100(retail) light meter I needed that evening to the locals. Don't you know I left a happy customer after that fleecing, and they were very nice. Do you think I would ever just go in there now, and buy something? Do you think I gush to my friends about how nice those people are? And they were nice. Just drop your pants customer, bend over, and we will get you on your way.

That's my place too. They've been in business since the 1970s. Place was started by a man who asked you not to dry fire the guns until you bought it, because it wasn't right for the eventual owner to have had 200 people dry-fire his "eventual" gun. That, and he wiped down the guns after each person handled them. That kind of respect for the eventual buyer impressed me and many others.

Fast forward 20 years and his sons, fresh out of college, moved into a bigger/flashier store and took the attitude of "we own a gunshop and you don't." Pretty much acted like royalty and that they didn't need to talk to you; you needed to talk to them, if you expected the privelege of buying a gun from them...

I've gone in there ALOT, but over the last 27 years have only bought a handful of guns from them. I've bought many, many guns elsewhere.

As far as the OP's situation, I would weigh my overall experience in the shop over the years before deciding what to do. I'd also keep in mind, in this market, one sour customer means little. I'd also consider what the others have said about calling rather than e-mailing and being there at 9:50am...

Absolutely right, put the greedy, stupid local gun stores out of business, every single one of them. Gun buyers across the country should boycott their local stores and just buy from internet sellers and kitchen table FFLs. That would show those dealers.

 

[old bear]

I replied within seconds if he would hold it until 11am Saturday.

Did the store owner agree to hold it for you? If so you have a reason to be upset. If not well most sales are first come first served.

As for sending an E-mail. If you are that upset you, need to speak to the dealer in person.