Will your gun shop do layaway?

Joewisc

Joewisc

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I drove 200 miles today roundtrip to a gun shop because I learned they had a $600 Smith revolver I was looking for. Sure enough, when I got there, it was just what I wanted. I offered to pay half down and the balance in no more than four weeks but the clerk said the owner doesn't allow layaway any more. He said he'd give me 2 weeks max to complete the purchase, but I need another 2 weeks to come up with the rest of the money. He declined to give me an extension. The gun's been sitting in his case for many months, by the way.

When I assured him that I wasn't about to forfeit $300 with the half down and walk away from the deal, he said there were no exceptions. He said too many people stiffed him by not coming back.

My local gun/pawn ship allows up to 6 months to buy stuff on layaway. What's the policy at your stores? Will they work with you on purchase if you can't come up with the full amount right away?
 
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If it's been there for months, it will probably be there one more month. Save your money. Walking in with cash in hand you might get it for $575.
 
No kidding, I'd take 50% over and over as long as people want to do it.....

Every gun shop I know of around here has layaway, most at 10% of the price.
 
My favorite dealer works with me a lot! Sometimes he just puts one back for me no money up front. Just pay when I get the money. (Time within reason!) Pays to do a lot of business with them! You have to get a good reputation going for you.
 
I like layaway, always have. Most of the terms I see are 20% down, 90 days to complete payment.
 
My shop does lay-a-way and requires 20% down. That being said though, unless you had the cash, I would have called first. By the sound of the OP, you didn't even confirm it was there until you arrived. If I'm going to drive 200mi to look at anything, I'm going at minimum confirm it is at least there first then, if not enough cash, confirm their policies.
 
mod34 said:
My shop does lay-a-way and requires 20% down. That being said though, unless you had the cash, I would have called first. By the sound of the OP, you didn't even confirm it was there until you arrived. If I'm going to drive 200mi to look at anything, I'm going at minimum confirm it is at least there first then, if not enough cash, confirm their policies.
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I did call and said I might have something to trade. He said, "come on down and let's talk."
 
All of them here in Jax, FL seem to have some kind of lay away and most of them will even go longer than 60 or 90 days as long as you are coming in and making steady payments. There is a credit company that keeps trying to get in with them that offers 0% APR and all this good sounding talk but I'm sure they get you somehow if you stop making the payments. I was there when they had a sales rep trying to pimp their deal and the gun store owner all but chased that guy out on a rail. He doesn't think they are up to any good and I tend to believe him. Besides, he will let you make payments for as long as you need anyways so what's the point???
 
Unfortunately, my local shop does have layaway. 90 days and 20% down. He lets me keep it longer if needed. When I use the layaway, I don't dicker on price.


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Retired LTC said:
How do people "stiff' him by never coming back?? If they make a down payment, and never come back, does he not keep the money?? Just wondering!!
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Of course, you and I are thinking logically. But when I made the same point, he was adamant. Although I really want the gun, I was turned off by such an attitude. Why would anyway put money down on something, only to lose it?
 
Mine allows layaway for up to 60 days, more if your a regular. I've currently got a Ruger 10/22 Talo on layawy. In the past I've used layaway to pick up a Kimber Grand Raptor and a Colt 6920 Talo. I've also done it on other guns at another shop I frequent. In my opinion that's a big selling point for this shop to me. If not for the layaway I would have had to given the purchases a harder look and in the end they may not have gotten the sale. Its just good business sense, sucks that shop doesn't see it that way.
 
I have established a great relationship with a local pawn shop owner. So much so that we have become good friends. But I don't abuse our friendship either. He will also hold a gun for me that he knows I'm looking for.

He knew I was looking for a model 41 forever. Took me 4 months to pay it off and he didn't care one bit! :eek:

And believe it or not, there are people that put money down and never come back.:rolleyes: Their loss.

The only guns that he does not allow layaway is consignment guns. Too much headache.

I would look for a local gun shop that's willing to work with you. And be patient. The guns you are looking for will show up sooner or later.
 
All the shops I deal with have layaway. The rules are usually 10% down, monthly payments and pick-up within 90 days. My favorite LGS will hold guns for me without a down payment and stills gives me the good deal price!

Speaking of layaway and my favorite LGS, recently I witnessed this act of utter gall.

The owner calls Joe Customer and tells him his special order Ruger #1 Tropical is finally at the store. I'm there when JC shows up. He looks the gun over, says 'Wow, I can't believe this came in now. Uhhh, how much was this again?" Store owner reminds the guy that JC himself had picked the gun from a CDNN flier and with the dealer discount it would be $XXX plus tax and $5 instant check fee. JC says 'Uhh, can I lay it away?' Store owner (look on his face was somewhere between really mad and your aren't serious?) says $100 now you have exactly 60 days to pay it off and I'm charging you the CDNN catalog price plus $50.

Another customer, a regular, looks at me and says 'Man, I have three layaways here now, I can't believe.." I stopped him and said, rather loudly ' You didn't special order a gun with no money down and then expect Owner to hold the gun for you on layaway! I'd do the same thing he just did. He didn't change any of the rules on us" Joe Customer agreed to the up-charge and apologized to the owner for sticking him. He put $100 down. Guess what- that was three months ago and now the Ruger #1 Tropical is on the rack for sale..
 
Retired LTC said:
How do people "stiff' him by never coming back?? If they make a down payment, and never come back, does he not keep the money?? Just wondering!!
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+10! Guy keeps money down - CAN'T loose! My shop does layaway. Keeps $ down if you can't seal the deal. I do a fair amount of business there. His usual terms are 3 mo, but has offered me up to 6 on a higher end purchase.
 
JUST SAY LAYAWAY! :DHeck our local shop has guys with 5 or 6 guns at a time on layaway. The base policy is 20%down and the balance in 60 days but that is for non regulars. I usually have no money with me and they just put it aside for me I have been going there so long. It's a Pawn and Gun Shop. They live off of forfeits and guys that buy and sell their same gun over and over.:rolleyes:

So in the OP case, I can't see the logic behind that?? You pay him half down. If you do not come back he just made $300 for nothing. The gun has not been "sold" transferred so it goes right back on the shelf.:confused:
 
Rule3 said:
JUST SAY LAYAWAY! :DHeck our local shop has guys with 5 or 6 guns at a time on layaway. The base policy is 20%down and the balance in 60 days but that is for non regulars. I usually have no money with me and they just put it aside for me I have been going there so long. It's a Pawn and Gun Shop. They live off of forfeits and guys that buy and sell their same gun over and over.:rolleyes:

So in the OP case, I can't see the logic behind that?? You pay him half down. If you do not come back he just made $300 for nothing. The gun has not been "sold" transferred so it goes right back on the shelf.:confused:
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Unfortunately, most of the world is not logical.
 
My LGSs do layaway and I've bought many a higher priced gun that way, better than my wife seeing it on a credit card too.
One dealer puts guns up for me after a call to ask if I want it or maybe. Sometimes it takes a day or two to get there and he doesn't mind.
I have to agree with others and 50% down your gun shop had nothing to lose and lots to gain in the deal.
 
AirCommando said:
My favorite dealer works with me a lot! Sometimes he just puts one back for me no money up front. Just pay when I get the money. (Time within reason!) Pays to do a lot of business with them! You have to get a good reputation going for you.
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Same with my dealer. I've been known to just call on the phone and ask them to put it on hold for me until I can get by to put money down. No problem. I'm not sure how long they'll hold it with no money, but I've let them ride for about a week I know.

Their layawy is (on paper) 20% down, three months to pay. I've put down less, but I've never taken the full three months to pay one off. I have been told, that "We'll work with you." if you do have to go past the time limit though.
 
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