I'm starting to get worried here, and I am unsure how to proceed if things continue heading south.

 

I had ordered a gun from Buds Gun Shop (terrible people to deal with, btw), and arranged to have it sent to a local FFL near me because he was cheap at $22.50 + NICS. He had explained to me that it had to get there by Monday, June 11th because he was going to go for surgery and recover in Virginia with family.

 

I order the last week in May, and Buds decides to take almost a week to ship. Whatever. I get a call Tuesday, June 5th (I believe, but I could be wrong) from the FFL saying it needs to get there BEFORE Saturday the 9th or else he can't pick it up. Nice to change dates on me, so I call Buds to see if it can be shipped to Hackettstown but it "cannot be changed once it is in the Shipping department". Great customer service.

 

My gun arrives Friday the 8th and I get a call from my FFL saying he recieved the gun, it looks nice, but he doesn't feel like transferring it to me today since he is on pain meds and I can get it in two weeks.

 

The 21st has passed, two weeks since he left has passed, and I can't reach the guy. All I have is a phone number which I call occassionally and left a message or two.

 

What should I do? I plan on waiting until Thursday the 28th (a week after he told me I can buy it), or maybe even a bit later, then I would like to take further action if I haven't heard anything. What action, I dont know. Calling the police probably won't help, calling Buds is useless since they have my money and dont care anymore. Thoughts?

Not intending to add insult to injury, but this is why I always recommend ordering from a reputable FFL, and avoiding Buds.

 

At a minimum, give him another week or so.

I've heard good things from Buds. By shipping department, they most likely meant 'it shipped'. You should also understand why changing the FFL/etc is a hassle and trouble, and why they would typically give you the run-around. None-The-Less, if it hadn't shipped, and you made a little noise, I bet they would work with you.

 

Obviously, 100% of your issue is with the FFL. Why would Buds help (and what could they do)? They sent it to your FFL as instructed, he signed it into his books. Is he local? Maybe not to you, but to a forum member? Perhaps you could have one of us visit, or a previous customer. His recovery may not be going well, so I would be a little bit tolerant, and learn this as a lesson to not try and rush a document and chain of custody sensitive matter (should have picked another FFL).

There's a reason why some places are cheaper than others... good luck, hopefully you can resolve it quickly. Care to let us know who the ffl is? Sounds like one to avoid

I purchased a 1911 from Buds last month. It was a very smooth and FAST transaction. Fast shipping.

 

This is the FFL's flaw, not BUDS.

 

I order the last week in May, and Buds decides to take almost a week to ship.

 

Buds shipping policy is 3-7 business days after receipt of FFL info, so it certainly isnt a delay in shipping the product. Id say going the cheap route is what found you in this predicament. For an extra $10 you could have landed a number of reputable FFL's with normal business hours as well as storefronts depending on the FFL. I would continue to attempt to make contact every few days until you get a hold of him. Other than that you really dont have any leverage in forcing him to make the transfer asap. Ive had two transactions with buds this year and have nothing but good things to say.

Sounds like that dude jacked your gat, yo.

 

What exactly did you order? Maybe he thinks it's super nice and has just been fondling it for the past 2 weeks.

Buds takes too long to get it to their warehouse. After that, it ships fast. All my dealings with them have been smooth. My only real pet peeve is the restocking fee if you change your order.

My annoyance with Buds is their crappy attitude I received as a customer. Getting ahold of them is impossible if you work 9-5, since the refuse to answer any and all emails. Plus, taking five days to ship something already at their warehouse is just garbage. Their refusal to change the shipping address to one of their preferred FFL's was just laziness.

It seems a little obvious that the guy is recovering. His concern is him getting better ans we would all probably be doing the same. I'd cut the guy some slack personally.

My annoyance with Buds is their crappy attitude I received as a customer. Getting ahold of them is impossible if you work 9-5, since the refuse to answer any and all emails. Plus, taking five days to ship something already at their warehouse is just garbage. Their refusal to change the shipping address to one of their preferred FFL's was just laziness.

 

I don't think most of the guns are at their warehouse. I think they are are in contact with major distributors and get shipments, then ship to the customer. If the gun is actually in stock, I bet it ships pretty fast.

I had no problems from buds with the 3 separate orders from them within this month, talked to them on my first order and the last order, they were as nice people I could ask for.

 

I don't think buds at fault here. It's the FFL, I used the FFL here(Vince)and once he received the rifle a couple of Monday's ago, he said to pick it up anytime, so I picked it up the next day. Just cause its cheaper doesn't mean it's good. I know some FFL fees are just ridiculous, so the cheaper the better. But buds get a 5 star for me so far and I got my stuff within 4-5 business days so far.

 

Well as a matter of fact I'm getting something from buds this week and it has to go thru an FFL, this is the first time I will be using this FFL because he is a block away from me and for $20 plus nics. Let's see how this works out.

but he doesn't feel like transferring it to me today since he is on pain meds and I can get it in two weeks.

 

an FFL said "i dont feel like transferring the gun now.. I am on pain meds.. come back in two weeks.."

 

and you are mad with Buds?

how are you not completely flipping the fugg out..

 

 

 

EDIT I totally missed the part where he told you he would be recovering.. lol

Most places wont allow you to change an order once the order hit's the shipping department. It really isn't anything new. And if buds get the firearm out in a week, then they have done what they said they will do, cant really complain when they give you the lead time. Not a good situation to be in, but sounds like you should wait it out, the guy is kinda a dick for taking the order and giving you his word when he could not fulfill it due to what ever reason.

Have a corona while you wait...

I'd cut this FFL some slack. This whole entire issue is no surprise. The FFL told you what was up time-wise. He even called you twice about his upcoming surgery, which in my mind is SUPERIOR customer service. The date could have changed from this guy's Doctor--completely out of his control!

 

I'd go low-tech and send a nice note in the mail, like a get-well card, and explain who you are and which gun this is. You'll probably be the first in line to get a call to pick-up when he's up to company....

 

Just my 2 cents' worth......

I'd cut this FFL some slack. This whole entire issue is no surprise. The FFL told you what was up time-wise. He even called you twice about his upcoming surgery, which in my mind is SUPERIOR customer service. The date could have changed from this guy's Doctor--completely out of his control!

 

I'd go low-tech and send a nice note in the mail, like a get-well card, and explain who you are and which gun this is. You'll probably be the first in line to get a call to pick-up when he's up to company....

 

Just my 2 cents' worth......

 

 

^^^^^ What he said!

I've purchased a number of times from Buds and never had any problem whatsoever. They always shipped exactly what I ordered, within the times advertised, and ordering was a synch on their website -- I've never had a need to speak with anyone there (it is hard to get through). I've also saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars. The problem is finding a reliable, convenient and reasonably priced FFL in this state. I much prefer that process to the high prices, surly attitude and crappy customer service I've found at virtually all of the gun shops in my area.

Bud's has always been good to me. Sure you have to wait for them to ship and stuff, but they are clear with their policies.

 

Personally, I would not have dealt with a FFL that was going in for major surgery and will be out of state around the timeframe my gun was to be arriving. Since you did, now all you can do is wait until he gets back. After that your only recourse would be to take him to court. Its not like he stole the gun from you, you had it shipped to him.. so cops won't be able to help.

I too have purchased 2 guns from Buds without issue. They had everything in stock, their prices were competitive,took my payment efficiently,shipped well within the time quoted,allowed me to track the shipment and offered me an opportunity to voice any complaints I experienced with them.

Quite frankly...what else do you require from a online retailer?

You have an issue with your FFL and understandably upset...We get it but it's not Bud's fault that your chosen FFL fell ill enough to require surgery and a ample recuperation.

Sounds llke it was a rush job gone bad. One word RELAX! In sure it will work itself out shortly. Rarely do things go off without some kind of problem these days and you knew going into it ur guy was in bad shape. Would have helped if you gave him a shot at matching buds price. I did that with Ira at Legend and he BEAT their price and made me a happy repeat customer.

I did that with Ira at Legend and he BEAT their price and made me a happy repeat customer.

 

Thats how I work with Ira. The only time I go through anyone else is if Ira can't get the gun I'm after... either if his suppliers can't get it or are out of stock.

I'd cut this FFL some slack. This whole entire issue is no surprise. The FFL told you what was up time-wise. He even called you twice about his upcoming surgery, which in my mind is SUPERIOR customer service. The date could have changed from this guy's Doctor--completely out of his control!

 

I'd go low-tech and send a nice note in the mail, like a get-well card, and explain who you are and which gun this is. You'll probably be the first in line to get a call to pick-up when he's up to company....

 

Just my 2 cents' worth......

 

Or he reads this forum and u are fugged

For Buds:

I dislike their customer service department. They refuse to answer emails for some reason, which baffles me. Since most of the time I am not available during their business hours (9-5, monday thru friday), I had to have my dad call to ask questions for me. Even then they couldn't answer since "it was in the warehouse" and "they were going to call me back". As far as I know, their call center could be on Mars.

 

For the FFL:

I'm a man of my word. If I give someone my word, I hold myself to it or notify them if I can't. I understand the guy is recovering from same-day surgery, but a phone call never hurt anyone. If he can screw around and admire my gun the day he gets out of surgery, he can call me two weeks after to let me know he has decided to go to Maui or wherever. Yes, I am a little bitter, but all I would like is a phone call or text saying "Sorry I am still not home, I may be away a week or more I will let you know".

 

FWIW, he said he "would be recovering in Virginia" with his kids, so he isn't home. I would like to politely go to his house after thursday (which would be one week late, per his instructions) and ask why he is ignoring my calls and voicemail, but I really cannot do that.

FYI Buds doesn't handle any of their guns. They contract out to FFLs and have the guns drop-shipped.

Dave is the voice of reason once again.

 

You picked the wrong FFL this time. He warned you of his upcoming surgery, should have picked somene else. My regular FFL has a whacky schedule but I know what it is and have backups to him when I can't use him. As long as the entire transfer process is less than $50 it is fine with me. Convience and service is much more important to me.