I'd like to share my second rotten experience in the span of 3 weeks - one with a local chain shop and this one - that have really soured me trying to buy locally...

 

I was at my range a couple weeks ago and saw a father and son shooting a firearm that I've been looking for. It's a modern firearm, very popular, and so it sells quickly. I actually own one, but will be giving a pair of special kids their first shooting lessons here in a couple weeks and really need two. The father gave me contact information for a NJ FFL where he bought it and said that the FFL had a few in stock and that the guy was the cat’s PJs. Never heard of the FFL before but was eager to meet him after the glowing recommendation and because he was only 45 minutes’ drive! So, I contacted the FFL and learned he just got in from SHOT, but he confirmed he had some coming in that week and he’d be in touch. I also let him also know if he by chance was getting another model from the same manufacturer, I’d take both! Not hearing from him by end of the week, I gave him a call and left a message but no call returned. It was later in the day on Friday, so figured I missed him. Sent him an email, and he previously answered email very quickly, but not this time. Called again Monday and also emailed again since I wasn’t sure if my emails were getting out due to internet issues. No return communication. Called again Wednesday, and still no return. Tried yesterday and actually reached him, and he told me he had what I was looking for but needed to work up a price and would call me back in a half-hour. No return call, but my cell had died about an hour after conversation. So, I sent him an email asking to let me know one way or the other because I did find the firearm out at an FFL in Western PA with two left , but really preferred to support him as a local guy that also got a glowing recommendation. No reply or call back this morning, so called him mid-afternoon and my call was sent to voicemail and I asked the same – let me know either way.

 

I thought maybe he’s just a really busy guy, and being an FFL is his part-time gig. However, it sat really odd with me that he wouldn’t want to jump on selling new inventory to a local guy who wants to buy from him, and will take not just one, but possibly two firearms right now… So, I had a little time and decided to use Google foo and discovered he has a website. On his website he has a link to Gunbroker auctions so I check them out, and that’s what really spurned me to write this… He has BOTH firearms I was looking to buy from him up for auction, and both were put up for auction AFTER he and I talked! I don't get it... Hopefully I will be able to get one of the last from the PA FFL ordered tomorrow morning for my kids, but all this will cost me use of a handgun permit regardless. I saved it especially so I could get both firearms from him, and it's expiring Monday. I could have rescued a Smith out of my regular FFL's safe had I known I'd get blown off, but now it'll expire come Monday (was already an extension) and my regular FFL is out of town working his full-time profession till the 8th.

 

Sorry for the long rant, but needed to vent the frustration...

That's pretty douche. Who was this guy?

wow...sounds almost exactly like the run around i was given by a home based ffl after spending a considerable anount of money with.(thousands)...same things...stalling and excuses...then i see him selling the items he was stalling me over on gb.....and its not as if he was giving me any super special pricing on the items...it was full on retail.....he just had them in stock..and this started prior to sandy hook so its not like i went into the shop yesterday ...lesson learned..and im done with them ....

Sooooooo... who was it.

Yeah, I imagine his thinking was this. "Well NJCK will pay me $X for these guns, however, I could probably sell them for $1.5X, or even $2X. If I don't sell them for that high price, I'll sell them to the local guy."

 

Yeah, I mean the situation has really made some people crazy. I was shocked I was able to buy shotshells for $8 the other day.

 

Haha, maybe if someone helps me, I'll get my ffl, I won't do that stuff to you guys XD

Yeah, I imagine his thinking was this. "Well NJCK will pay me $X for these guns, however, I could probably sell them for $1.5X, or even $2X. If I don't sell them for that high price, I'll sell them to the local guy."

 

Yeah, I mean the situation has really made some people crazy. I was shocked I was able to buy shotshells for $8 the other day.

 

Haha, maybe if someone helps me, I'll get my ffl, I won't do that stuff to you guys XD

 

How many we talkin'?

How many we talkin'?

 

25 Federal game load. Got it for home defense, didn't want to break the bank, since I don't have that much money. But then again, I realized my HD shotgun won't do much good without any shells.

 

Got them at Bob's Little Sport Shop.

In a world where we stand on our honor, our word -- this is just unacceptable -- I hope it's not "my guy". If it is, he'll never see a penny more from me

 

I do wish you would post who he is -- If what you say is true he definitely wins the asshat award

Climate?

 

Slimey gun dealers go back way before Margret Thatcher invented Climate Change.

25 Federal game load. Got it for home defense, didn't want to break the bank, since I don't have that much money. But then again, I realized my HD shotgun won't do much good without any shells.

 

Got them at Bob's Little Sport Shop.

 

Last I checked, a box or two of buckshot hasn't really gone up in price (not sure if they have any locally though). About $5 (per five).

In a world where we stand on our honor, our word -- this is just unacceptable -- I hope it's not "my guy". If it is, he'll never see a penny more from me

 

I do wish you would post who he is -- If what you say is true he definitely wins the asshat award

 

Actually, you probably should so that no one else has to deal with such an experience.

Last I checked, a box or two of buckshot hasn't really gone up in price (not sure if they have any locally though). About $5 (per five).

 

Online they were fairly expensive. Then again, thinking about it... Everytime I bought shells before, it was for clay shooting, so I guess the target loads are cheaper than buckshot.

 

I'm really hoping all these bills get defeated, and that the prices really come down. The way stuff is now, I can't afford to shoot really. I guess I really ought to invest in some 8mm mauser dies for reloading...

 

But yeah, I was talking to one of the guys from Bob's the other day. Apparently these conditions aren't as good for gun stores as you'd think. Sales aren't as steady as they usually are, because while sales are up, they can't keep the ARs, SKSes, Mini-14s, and other sporting rifles in stock, and, as a result sales dry up until they get them back in stock.

 

I can only see this situation ending in two ways (assuming the panic ends.) Either the bottom will fall out of the market due to a glut, and prices will drop.

 

Or, the prices will never fall to pre-panic levels. I feel that some places may use the excuse of the panic for a while after supply has normalized to charge higher prices. I feel that it may be like gas however, and ammo will never fall back down to the previous price range.

who was it?????

While I understand the need to come on here and vent, this is a firearms community. As such, it would be beneficial to the community to know who this is you were attempting to deal with. You related your efforts to deal with him in good faith and, in turn, what the dealer did. Please out this person/dealer to save your fellow board members from the same fate. Thanks.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

This could have been any of the good FFL's that we know. After all they are in business to make a profit. People are paying STUPID prices on the internet. I've seen $500 hand guns selling for $750 and higher (sometimes much higher). A seller will make a bigger profit from a panicked buyer online then a reasoned buyer in person.

 

In the last 30 days I've purchased two handguns from an FFL that I have a long relationship. Granted, handguns aren't seeing the gouging that AR/AK rifles are getting, but I haven't paid a penny more for a handgun then I would have before the panic (if I was buying an AR or AK, I'm sure I'd pay some premium). That's the value of a long-term seller/buyer relationship (both have to value it). I fully realize that the FFL has left hundreds of dollars on the table by selling to me. So you can understand a small FFL that doesn't return a call from a guy he's never heard of...in this crazy climate.

 

Still, I'd like to know who it was. It would be good information for those that have to deal with him face-to-face.

he could have told you there on GB and go bid ! So I would post his name and email a link to him .

I will bet that he most likely prefers to deal with shipping guns to other FFLs vs. having to deal with all the BS paperwork for NJ sales. Since it is his part time gig he is most likely busy with his real job during normal hours and considers it inconvenient to have to alter his schedule to handle a face to face sale. That said he should just come out and tell you to find the gun somewhere else. You should also let everyone know who this is so we don't waste time finding out for ourselves.

You need to turn this to your advantage. If the guns don't sell on GB then you go to him and say now my bid to you is 50 bucks lower because you tried to screw me

Absolutely, this FFL can sell his inventory any which way he pleases. What has bothered me with this situation is showing initial interest to sell to me, which was affirmed again when I did catch him by phone, but then no follow through and then seeing the firearms I wanted to buy posted for auction. It would have one thing if he simply said he'll be putting them on Gunbroker - no problem I've had many FFLs says this in recent years on new and old firearms alike. It also would have been a different story if he would have said he didn't want to deal with in-state sales whether it be because of sales tax collection, NICS delays, or whatever, but he knew I was from NJ and local to him from our first interaction. If that was his issue, we could have solved that with a transfer to another FFL. Why string it along? Doesn't take much to give a quick call or reply to an email and say "sorry, I cannot help you with this."

Some gun shop owners become bitter after so many years of being treated like criminals by the various government agents, media, etc. As far as nj they are in a dying buisness, hunting and recreational shooting sites disappearing, doesnt make it right but explains that crabbie gunshop owner syndrome, and yes its very self destructive.

I know Scott personally. And having run into him before the craziness and hearing how busy he was then, I can imagine how busy he is now. This is not an offer of an excuse for him. But I can say that just about everyone in industry ive dealt with post Sandy Hook, has been stretched far past capacity. It took a partner vendor 3 times and 2 days to get my order correct WITH SKU NUMBERS provided! They are still good people working beyond capacity. And so I think it is safe to assume this is the case for Scott.

 

I have to admit though the one thing that gives me pause is the calls and emails. If I deem something a hot item I gotta have, I dont sit there emailing and calling, I get my butt down there with cash in hand, especially in this volitile market. When you had him on the phone did you make a deposit or offer one? That is the way to truly secure the item because I can tell you for every 10 people that say Ill take it, ill be right over, 1 MAY show up. But if you have at least a deposit, it is resonable to believe the sale is secured. This of course may work quite differently with dealers you have been a customer of for a long time. I have had dealers send out my items before recieveing ANY payment, but that relationship was established. If you have been on the hunt for anything recently, then you know how many dealers have simply stopped answering the phones altogether. That should be a pretty clear indication of the current state of affairs.