Author Topic: Throwing away a sale....GRRRR!! (Read 863 times)

kombi1976 · « **on:** November 17, 2005, 08:25:58 PM »

Y'know, sometimes I am dumbfounded by the way gunshops operate.
Here in Oz we actually have to get a Permit To Acquire each time we buy a firearm.
It costs $30, there's a 28 day cooling off period........to stop all us law abiding shooters from going on a killing spree. :?
Considering you have to have a licence before you can even GET a PTA it's a ridiculous thing and it was made even more ludicrous the time I applied for one to get my 1910 Remington Mod 6 single shot in .22lr!! :roll:
Anyway, the permit lasts for 3 months and a friend's permit runs out end of November.
Since the "Long Tom" .303 Enfield my friend is inheriting is taking time to come through he's been forced to pick up something else in the meantime that's suitable for roos, goats, pigs and foxes, and maybe even deer.
As such, we decided to look for a sportered Mauser 96 in 6.5x55.
We looked around and, lo and behold, in the one of the shops in town turned up a 96 with a Ramline stock and 6x40 Nikko Sterling with bolt turned down, etc..
It was the right price and so we decided to give it a final look over before my mate put it on layby(lay-away).
I was concerned that the bolt was a little tight but we had the salesguy take it from the stock and loosen stuff off and it was much better, so convinced a good bedding would do it well, he decided to buy.
He asked the guy would it be fine to put the deposit on Amex.
The sales guy said it was fine to pay by Amex and my friend replied that he'd pay the rest of the layby by cash.
At this point the guy says "Oh, we don't layby guns."
I looked confused as did my mate and the sales guy continued.
"You can layby anything else but we don't layby firearms; it's the boss's special rule..................."
Now, I've gotta say right now that these guys are renowned for their mercenary approach and high prices but this tops all.
We tried to get our head around this and I passed from disbelief to anger.
We'd been in the shop for close on half an hour, had got the guy to strip the gun down, it was past closing time and my friend WANTED to put $100 on the gun. :evil:
This isn't taking into account the fact that guns must be the most expensive thing they sell and how in all blazes are they going to sellmany guns if they won't layby them!! :x
Anyhow, after a short, civil exchange detailing the fact it was impossible to find a way around it we said "Right, fine," and walked out.
And I'm not going back anytime soon. :evil:
I've even been tempted to go and buy it for him and let me pay him back(much to my wife's chagrin!)........except that it would put more money in their till!!! :x
Anyone else had this happen?
Should I buy it for him?

marylandeer · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2005, 01:59:39 AM »

I would shop around to all the other gun shops in the area first, if any. If you guys can't find something else he likes, then I would buy it for my friend. BUT as soon as the sale was final I would say "take a good long look at my face cause you ain't gonna see it again" or my friends.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2005, 02:52:01 AM »

I would not bother to buy the gun or go back to the gun shop. JMHO.

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:05:35 AM »

I think there are plenty of sporting goods stores that will not do lay aways. Although typically "gun shops" always will, at least in the area I live in. I guess I would have asked to talk to the "boss" and see what his reason is. Maybe he got tired of guys putting down a little bit of $$ and then coming back and changing their minds . . . so perhaps he lost a couple of potential sales this way and decided no more.

I would think he would be better off to say . . . "no refunds on lay aways and the gun must be payed off by such and such a time or it goes back on the shelf".

Long

victorcharlie · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2005, 01:19:07 PM »

There are to many people standing in line to take your money so there is no way I'd do business unless it was the way I wanted to do it......

I'd go back and ask to speak to the manager or owner and see if he want's to do business.........the way you want to do it..........If not, then blow him off and go find some one who really want's your dollars.........JMHO......let us know how it works out for you.........

Con · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2005, 04:10:59 PM »

kombi,
Dont bother dealing with them, that's the simple answer. If they wont take a deposit and hold a firearm, particularly with our Permit system, then they dont want YOUR business. My local dealer sells VX1 Leupold scopes at RRP when I can buy them $100 cheaper, they simply dont want MY business, thats fine by me and them as there are plenty of suckers about.
Cheers...
Con

sgtt · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:25:01 PM »

If you decide to help out your friend, I would loan him the money and let him make the purchase. What you suggested is a federal offense. Called a straw purchase, I believe.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:55:46 PM »

Quote from: sgtt

If you decide to help out your friend, I would loan him the money and let him make the purchase. What you suggested is a federal offense. Called a straw purchase, I believe.

Don't worry, I couldn't "buy" it anyway.
I don't have a permit at present so I would be loaning him the money.
Besides my wife made me promise I wouldn't buy another gun until we have room to store them.

Since we're house minding until May 2007 I can't get another gun until we move.........worse luck. :cry:
I'll have to make do with and upgrade the 7 I own at present. :roll:
Considering 2 of them don't even work, one could do with a peep sight and 2 would benefit from stock and/or barrel work I have plenty to do between now and then. :wink:
Plus, it'll make me save up for No.8. :mrgreen: