Any one buy from Sportsmans guide....

[cwlongshot]

I have a question about one of there policies about knives....

I live in Connecticut. Apparently, they interpolate CT laws in such a way that they restrict SOME knives from sale to residents.  I say some because if you read the restrictions, some are restricted and others, seemingly identical, are not. Also, I have many orders and completed transactions for knives and NEVER a single one ever mentioned any legality issues. Not private sales, i am speaking about Cabela's, AG Russell, LL Bean, Midway, Natchez as well as Mid-south shooters supply. NONE of these companies had any issues with CT law and shipped the items I ordered with out incident. Yes, I really have recently purchased from all of these!!!

Now, I have worked in the gun industry for better than twenty years. I have sold countless thousands of knives and feel I know the related laws. I absolutely could be wrong....that's kinda the reason for this post.
 
Here is what I know:
Its illegal here to have on ones person, auto opening, stiletto, double edged, blades longer the 4", as well as a couple more that done really relate. There are also many allowances, the biggest is that its LEAGL to own, buy and sell, NOT legal to carry. (Most situations, again there are allowances)

 I was attempting to purchase a Puma Hunters Pal II with stag handles. I read the warnings in there ad and online. CT was NOT listed so I placed my order. A short time later, I got an Email that said the order was denied and my credit card was never charged. OK, I don't like it, but I can purchase elsewhere... SO, I was checking some things on EBay and decided to search for this knife there.... I found one!!  I clicked the "buy it now and proceeded to check out and noticed I was purchasing from Sportsman's guide AGAIN!!  So I AGAIN, went to the ad and THOUROUGHLY checked and CT was not listed although some other states and the commonwealth of Mass was listed. I finished the check out and transferred the funds.  You guessed it, DENIED AGAIN!!!  ARRG!!!     I sent a note back complaining and listing the points I have mentioned here... I have yet to get a response.

 SO, I continue my search on line... seems this IS available from other sources, BUT at nearly TWICE the price!!!  Are these seconds? Why are the $50 when the next lowest price I find is $90 and most are over $100???

 Thanks for allowing me to vent....

 Any one have any comments or opinions ?

 CW

[cwlongshot]

MINOR UPDATE:

The complaint apparently has been herd, (at least by EBay) as I have had at least three replies/responses with EBay. The last said they have what they need and will look into this matter thoroughly.

 WELL, today, I got a note from SG thru EBay, asking for payment on the knife. 

Now I am wondering if its just an automated request, because the item is listed as having me won it and NOT paid for. I did pay mind you. I paid, as soon as I clicked "buy it now" as I usually do. But the funds where refunded shortly there after by SG.  I made a note in the PMT box. Saying that I did in fact pay for this once and had the funds refunded already. I also mentioned that I DO still want this item and will gladly pay again, if they will sell/ship to me.

I'm sure I will hear more aft tomorrow...reg business hours and such... I'll post up results if any ones interested...

 NO ONE has a comment??

 CW

[GRIMJIM]

I got the run around buying ammo from them. In Illinois you have to have a foid to purchase ammo so I had to fax a copy of it and my drivers' license to them. After all the they said they could not ship it to me because I live in Cook county and the great republic of Chicago is in Cook county and you cannot mail order ammo in Chicago. So I sent them my work address, they would not ship to there because it did not match my drivers' license. Now I have ordered thousands of rounds at a time from ammo man and they left the box on my doorstep without even a signature. Well to make a long story even longer they finally shipped the ammo to my house but after all the time I spent on it I probably could have found it around me somewhere. It's truly a shame that lawyers are running the world today.

[Joel]

I order from them once in a while, but only outdoor clothing or hiking/backpacking stuff.  I have noticed all the restrictions though on knives/ammo.  As far as the quality of their stuff; they usually state whether it's seconds, overruns, discontinued items etc.  I"m neither disappointed or thrilled at what I get from them...it's pretty much what they say it is...or has been for me, anyway.

[cwlongshot]

Well, I got a Email from them today. Just as I suspected, it was an automated payment request.

This is the same wording I read in my first refusal/refund letter... must be a pat answer as its from two different people...

 Your absolutely right GRIMJIM ... You hit it SPOT ON!!  Seems like, everytime you turn around, something ruined by Liberals and/or Lawers!!!


 Here is a copy #1:

Dear CW,
 
Thank you for the E-mail.
 
Due to the various state, county and municipal laws that exist, we are not always able to comply with each individual guideline. Not all of the restrictions are based on laws on the books, but could be a company decision based on certain concerns, I apologize that Connecticut was not listed. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
 
 
If you have any other questions please contact us.
 

Enjoy the Outdoors,

 

Rick Larson

Customer Service

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is #2:

Dear CW,
Thank you for the e-mail.
 
Unfortunately, the item is restricted to your location and we can't ship it. We have refunded your pay pal account in full.
We have placed certain restrictions, on certain items listed in our catalog and our web site.
Due to the various state, county and municipal laws that exist, we are not always able to comply with each individual guideline. Not all of the restrictions are based on laws on the books, but could be a company decision based on certain concerns. Things such as whether the state law suits pending involving gun owners, recent court decisions that may effect businesses like ours. Finally it may be that the states laws are so vague that they could be interpreted unfavorably in the event a court action was ever involved.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
 
 


Enjoy the Outdoors!

Katie

Customer Service

 Looks like I ain't getting anything from SG any time soon!!!

CW


 

[bluebayou]

Midway down the page for $79.95

http://www.discountcutlery.net/index.html?target=dept_21392.html&lang=en-us

Sportsman's Guide is either shady or incompetent.  Either way, they don't get my money.

[cwlongshot]

Midway down the page for $79.95

http://www.discountcutlery.net/index.html?target=dept_21392.html&lang=en-us

Sportsman's Guide is either shady or incompetent.  Either way, they don't get my money.

 THNAKS BLUE!!!

 I actually found it on EBay for $49.00 and even better....It arrived today!!!

Took my pop fishing today..we CLEANED UP on small-mouth bass!!! Combined we caught 83 from 2-13 inches. YES we actually kept count, I got 42 and he 41 + the trout. (BTW, we threw everything back.) We also caught 4 nice 13+" trout!! Arrived home to find the knife between my front doors!!!

 CW

[Graybeard]

These days Sportsman's Guide as well as Cheaper than Dirt are both owned by Midway USA and the Potterfield family. That shoud explain it all to you.

[FourBee]

I ordered some ammo from SG once.  Was told I'd have to sign for it when it arrived.   UPS just handed it over and left.
Graybeard that's interesting about Midway USA.

[bluebayou]

That is interesting.  I didn't realize that.  That does explain Midway's lack of customer service and instock problems too.