Local shop hose me

[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.