Question?

[MKlein]

Is there a reason Bass Pro would refuse to sell you in stock Goex FFG black powder? I was asked what it was to be used for, I replied "a small replica civil war black powder cannon"  They replied "it was illegal for them to sell it for that type of use"
Thats what I run into today at Jackson, MS.

[Doc Brown.]

 You must of had a trench coat on when you went in or something about you scared them. Maybe your on a terror watch list.

[Ex 49'er]

Maybe they wanted to hear that you were using it to shoot a civil war musket or some other type of BP rifle.

[Double D]

First I would ask to see and manager and politely ask him to show you the store policy and law that says they can't sell to you for that reason...don't argue or debate, don't throw out "the law says...". Just ask for written proof---one time,  If they can't produce the documentation, note the persons name and leave.  Send a Letter--not email, to Bass pro Corporate  and ask for documentation.


Bass Pro Shops, Inc Corporate Office & Headquarters
2500 E. Kearney Springfield MO 65898


The letter to corporate should say something to the effect;

Bass Pro Shops, Inc Corporate Office & Headquarters
2500 E. Kearney Springfield MO 65898


I was in the Jackson MS, Bass Pro store today and Mr. XXXXXXXXX the store manager, refused to sell me black powder for my small replica civil war black powder cannon, stating  "it was illegal for them to sell it for that type of use"

Could you please provide me with a copy of the law that  prohibits this type use. 

Warm regards,

sign your full name
Address
Phone number.

Don't add a bunch threats or nonsense,  just send these bare basic facts.  Any thing else and they will focus on you other comments and ignore your question.

It may be a while to get a response...my guess is if you include phone number, you are going to get a phone call from the store manager who says, "Oh, so sorry...."

Keep us advised

[cannonmn]

Skid, just trying to think of what may have frightened some store clerk or whatever, and nothing personal, but realizing that "people will be people" especially when uneducated/unsophisticated, etc., if you have a "foreign accent" or something, might have reminded them of the "Boston Bombers."  If not that, then who knows?
If you are more interested in just getting the powder than trying to "leave your mark" or "make a Federal case out of it" then you could have a friend go in and buy some "to shoot in my muzzle-loading rifle."  There is no law for blackpowder comparable to the "strawman purchase" prohibition on buying firearms, so by getting help you are not doing anything wrong, especially when there's no law being broken in the first place.  That's exactly what I would do anyway.  If they won't sell it to the friend either then they have simply decided not to sell it to anyone for a while, I guess.

[MKlein]

Doc, no trenchcoat, hat or glasses. Just shorts, t-shirt n tennish shoes.
 
DD, All I can can think it must be some store policy. It was real busy so the guy hurried off and I didn't get his name.
By the way I have bought it at Bass Pro stores before. It is behind the gun counter not on the shelf.
But I did send a letter, polite just asking what rule/law/ store policy this might be.
 
Here is what I wrote:
I was at one of your stores in another state and I asked the attendant at the gun counter if they had Goex FFG black powder. He said yes, I told him I wanted 2 cans, then he went to the back and came back to the counter and asked what I was going to use it for. I replied for small model civil war black powder cannons like 1/2 barrell. He refused to sell it to me because it was not legal for him to sell it for that. What rule is this? I was going to buy 2 cans I'm 45 and in military
 
Cannonmn "to shoot in my muzzle-loading rifle" yes if that is the magicwords/ secret password at the Bass Pro store, that is what I am trying to find out if there is ever a next time.
 
I just am dissapointed that I wasted 20 minutes on my time on my trip home from Texas.

[flagman1776]

While there are no laws against such use, to my knowledge, it's possible that the store has had a scare with home made cannons of dubious quality.  We've seen too many of them.  The thing is, off the cuff, I'd have probably said the same thing as you.  In the future, I'd be prepared with the magic "for my rifle" answer.  It might also be that trying to purchase 2 cans, was the trigger.  I'd be prepared to say it's a longer drive.   

[Zulu]

That is so strange since it is legal to have 50 lbs. a day shipped to your house.  UPS used to deliver it to me.
But only 50 lbs. per day.  If you need more, you have to wait until tomorrow.
Zulu

[jaxenro]

why did they ask? if it is a legal product to sell and you are legal to buy it why is it any of their business?
 
does a gas station ask you what your gonna use the gas you put in a can for before selling it to you? would bass pro ask you what you planned to shoot your 12 guage at before selling you shells?
 
seems like by asking and only selling for some intended uses and not others they are accepting liaility for that use which thy really dont want to

[MKlein]

Here is where we are at- Under Review
 
Reply #1
 
Mark,

Thank you for contacting basspro.com. Your business is truly appreciated. I would like to apologize for any confusion with our policy on black powder. I have not heard of any customer being denied for this reason. Which Bass Pro retail location did you visit? We are happy to send this inquiry to the store manager as well as our Retail Administration for further review. To do so, we will also need your full address and day time phone number. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We greatly value your business.

 
Reply #2
 
Mark,

Thank you for providing additional information. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to contact us. Your comments have been forwarded to our Retail Administration department for review. Note that the status of this email will be changed to “solved”; however, once it is received by the Retail Administration team they will continue working to resolve your issue. Please allow at least 72 hours for a reply.

[Doc Brown.]

That's a lot of crap to go through.  I was in Illinois a month ago for work and a gun shop wouldn't sell us bullets because we was from out of state. Just hand gun bullets were off limits. I don't know if that had anything to do with your problem. Was you out of state.
What's up with them windmills out there. Do people actually think them look nice.

[Iron Balls]

I'm surprised they had BP. No one seems to want to handle it in my area.

[flagman1776]

The LGSs here have dropped real black powder. 

[Cannon Cocker]

I'm surprised they had BP. No one seems to want to handle it in my area.

No problem here in the Chicago area.  Kmart, or Wallmart, right next to the pressure cookers.