Crappy Gun Stores

[dadoody]

I've noticed this everywhere EXCEPT for Ammo Bros in Cerritos.

Even if no sales are going on, I'll buy from them - just because of their customer service and politeness.


A lot of other places I go to, like Fowler's, I feel like the clerks treat me like I'm wasting their time.

[Moonclip]

I have noticed this also. Most gun stores have the most rude employees and owners of any buisness I have ever seen. My brother in Colorado said he had the same experiance there but atleast he doesn't have to hear "NO!!!! that would be an assault weapon" everytime he asks about a specific gun.

Many hobby type businesses, the owners/employees get into it for a love of the sport/hobby,ect,but in many cases do not necessarily know how to run a business or have very good people skills. Being social retards in many cases.

The low wages the help is paid in many cases at gunshops and shooting ranges does not help in the retention of decent workers either.

[Standard]

I'm loving this... I wish I could tell about ALL of the ALLEGED corruption that goes on there.



Standard... I tried to talk them into it for ya... no go.

I appreciate it CRT - do you work there?

[DB2]

Was in Ronning arms recently, I used to really like that place back when it was Gun Country in the early 90's.

It felt sketchy to say the least.

[bornproud]

Ronning arms sales GSG's More expensive than anyone else, They sale glock more expensive, crap everything there is more expensive. And, to add insult to injury they sell the gun lock they stolen out of the case you bought your handgun in and sell it back to you just to make an extra buck. The owner Rob, does not care about the customers one bit after they hand their money to him.

[tcop143]

Might I remind everyone that there are two sides to every story and that bornproud is an ex-employee. I haven't heard any details regarding his seperation from the business. Did he quit or was he fired?

Look on the bright side bornproud, having a little more free time on your hands might afford you the opportunity to take an English class.

[bornproud]

Might I remind everyone that there are two sides to every story and that bornproud is an ex-employee. I haven't heard any details regarding his seperation from the business. Did he quit or was he fired?

Look on the bright side bornproud, having a little more free time on your hands might afford you the opportunity to take an English class.

Regardless if I was fired or not, it does not change the fact that the store rips people off. I am writing in a forum mister god almighty! Its not like I am writing an end term paper.

[tenpercentfirearms]

tcop143 is a Ronning Arms/DOJ mole!

I am pretty sure if you ask anyone who has been our customer, we dont' do any of that. In fact, we haven't sold a gun lock in probably a year at least. The Taft PD gave us 400 of the freebies and we just throw a gun lock in with any purchase unless you are buying a long gun and have a gun safe.

Our prices are decent and we treat most customers like they are the best thing that ever happened to us.

Unfortunately we are in Taft so most of you don't get the experience unless you are up for a drive.

[tcop143]

bornproud: Simply put, whether you were fired or not could speak to your motivation for this thread. That being said, I am sure your intentions are as pure as the driven snow.

tenpercentfirearms: God bless you and thank you for your contribution to this thread.

[ohsmily]

Might I remind everyone that there are two sides to every story and that bornproud is an ex-employee. I haven't heard any details regarding his seperation from the business. Did he quit or was he fired?

Look on the bright side bornproud, having a little more free time on your hands might afford you the opportunity to take an English class.

+1

I just saw this thread and was reading through it planning on posting something similar. Especially the part about English. Talk about painful.

Anyway, this sounds like a bitter ex-employee rant who has an ax to grind. Pray tell, how did you part ways with Ronning?

Btw, if you were wondering which portions of your post were like nails on a chalkboard: "since" instead of "sense" (OUCH, I mean seriously, does that make 'since' to you?) and even worse, learn the difference between the words "sale" and "sell." Maybe you were fired for an error in some paperwork that you were responsible for???

[thefifthspeed]

I went to Ronning twice, quit trying after the second time. First time in I got quoted $200 over MSRP for an M1A Loaded. I think they were trying to get rid of me because they thought I wouldn't buy anything since I was like 20 at the time. Second time I was trying to hunt down a C96 Broomhandle and the salesmen told me they are illegal in CA. I told him he was wrong so he goes and confers with 2 other salesmen and they say that they cannot sell or transfer that pistol to me and it would be illegal to do so. In the Modesto area there aren't many shops but there are a couple options in the area that are much better.

[anothergunnut]

I don't generally go into Ronning Arms as they are not that close to me. For gun owners in the Modesto area, there are many choices. Sierra Arms (stocks OLL) on Carpenter, Alquist Arms in Turlock (great shop), Down Range in Ceres (great prices) and Barnwood Arms in Ripon.

[Standard]

I bought my first handgun from Down Range - Won't be going there again.
I go to Ronning as they have an indoor range, but their prices are high.
Sierra stopped dealing with OLLs recently, apparently.
I'll have to check out Alquist, never heard of it!

[fegves2id]

Since Ronning arms has the only range in Modesto (if not, enlighten me!), I have been shooting there since I was a child (Gun Country). Here is one example of Ronning Arms lack of service (I have others):

I purchased a tac-star side saddle for my HK Fabarm fp6 shotgun. The package for the saddle was marked with a sharpie "Fabarm Fp6". I shaved the shotgun pump handle so the saddle would fit. After installation (which was simple), it was clear that the retention bolt was not the correct size for the shotgun. It was slightly loose, enabling the action to be cycled without pressing the release lever. The stock retention bolt was obviously thicker than the Tac-Star Bolt.

I brought the saddle back, in it's original case (obviously from Ronning Arms). The employee remembered speaking with me and selling me the item, but said I needed the receipt for a refund or exchange. He said he did not believe I had installed it correctly. I told him what the problem was, but of course I would be willing to let Ronning arms make the item work. The employee told me he would call me when it was installed. I repeated the problem to him 3 times, because it seemed he was not listening to me and was determined I was ignorant.

I did not receive a call for 2 weeks or so. When I called them, he said my shotgun was ready to be picked up (must have forgotten to call me). I went into the store, where he handed my shotgun over with an arrogant grin on his face. I pumped the gun, and demonstrated that it was still not functioning correctly. He seemed upset with me for doing this. I calmly hid my frustration that he had not listened to my explaination of the problem, and thought he could just slap it on with his superior gunsmithing skills.

He said he would have the gunsmith take a look at it, and that he was sure it could be modified to work.


After calling and bugging them every week or so for a month, I finally was told to come get my shotgun with side saddle installed. When I arrived (second time), the same employee handed me the shotgun. I racked it, and showed him that it had the same issue. He once again told me he would have the gunsmith look at it again (or something like that). I left the store sure that they would make it right after putting me through this.

I called the store numerous times per month to check the status, and was promised a return call. I finally went into the store after FIVE MORE MONTHS!!!! I waited at the front counter for 30 minutes or so, as the same employee helped the only other customer in the store. Another customer walked in. The employee skipped my position, and helped the person who had obviously just walked into the store. In my view, he intentionally avoided me and prolongued my visit another 30 minutes (while I was in awe of his disrespect, and contemplating if I should express anger). A seperate polite employee arrived, and facilitated the BAD employee to help me. The same employee again denied my refund, and tried to give me everything back.

So recap: I bought an improperly marked side saddle (sanded my pump handle...), wasted 3 trips due to his unwillingness to listen to me the first and second time I explained the problem, and was without my home defense shotgun for nearly 6 months without status updates as were promised!!!!!! If that was not enough, on my final trip in, I was denied a refund again, ignored for nearly an HOUR for no reason. I saw that the employee did not respect me enough to listen to me as I spoke politely and softly. I eventually had to project my voice above his, fully explain the timeline of events, and demand cash as if I were talking to a criminal in custody. He was suprised/scared to see my stern side, and did as I said (I am so nice that when I get serious it is shocking....this comes in handy from time to time).

Add that experience to this: I have walked into Barnwood arms 3 or more times with the full intention of purchasing a $1000+ handgun and $1000+ Shotgun each day. I was ignored for some reason, with other customers being helped who had arrived much later than myself. I became upset, and left every time.

I have interacted with various polite employees at Ronning Arms, but the other experiences were so terrible, I will never go back (knock on wood).

Maybe it's gotten better in 1.5 years......I shop at Sierra Arms. They are actually nice, helpful and knowledgeable).

[MAC USMC]

For excellent, honest gun work go see PATRICK at California Police Equipment at El Cajon Blvd. & Marlborough. He is CERTIFIED! I heard him tell a LEO that his father's old revolver was not worth the cost of repairing to just keep it as a keepsake. Some gunsmiths would have "fixed" it just for the $$$$.
Turn-around time at this shop is usually DAYS not weeks, depending on parts availability.