Martin B Retting

[enegue]

Been going to this shop since '93 when I was a teenager with my pops. Since then, many firearms were purchased from there between myself and my dad, the last one was a Henry level action I bought a month ago. I also buy ammo and accessories there periodically fully knowing that it's about 20-30% more than online but I'm happy to support my local gun shop.

Walked in there today to buy a S&W 442 .38 special but before I pulled out my credit card, I asked if they can help me send in a rifle for warranty service. This particular rifle, I didn't buy from this shop because it was PPT. They said no. I said "ok, I can ship it on my own, no problem. If they replace it with a new one, can you help me with that?" The owner told me that it's very rare to replace it but if they did then the shop would treat it like an out-of-state transfer and charge me $100-something for the paperwork.

I tried to reason with the owner by saying that I come here to buy goods that I can find else where for cheaper because I want to support my local shop, and all I expect is a little help when very rarely something is needed (like warranty service). He wasn't interested in helping me saying that if I bought it from their shop, then he would do it, but because this specific long-gun wasn't bought from their shop, he won't touch it because it's not worth it. I've been going there periodically for 20+ years - I was surprised and walked out without buying the S&W revolver I was about to order.

Coincidentally today, I also sent a $500 donation to the NRA for a life membership so I'm in that kinda "we should all support each other" mindset. I was really put-off by the owner's response.

Am I wrong? Is this kinda reaction normal and I shouldn't expect anyone to help with warranty for free or a reduced fee in a rare event that a manufacturer replaces a firearm during warranty service?

I don't think I will spend any more money there, although I would not discourage others to stop shopping there just because there aren't many gun shops around and it doesn't help to hurt the existing ones.

[Fjold]

Short sighted people. All he's interested in is making a profit today and doesn't care about his customers.

[baih777]

Your expecting too much. Most stores.will have nothing to do with sending a firearm in for repair unless it was purchased from them within so many days. If a mfg sends you a new replacement with new serial number, its up to you to find FFL (store) to handle the transfer. All fees are your responsibility unless the mfg makes other arrangements.

[CSACANNONEER]

If it needs to be replaced, it is not something the local shop should be expected to foot the bill for. You should try to get compensation from the manufacturer. If you bought a used car and the manufacture had to replace it, would you expect the local dealer who is transferring the new one to you to do it for a reduced charge? Of course not, while you might not pay for it, the manufacturer will probably compensate the local dealership.

[enegue]

Maybe I am expecting too much. I don't know.

Paying $100 for an out of state transfer fee (just for some paperwork) for a $500 rifle ticked me off because I know that the manufacturer would never pay that and it would fall on me. But...if it happened with a gun I purchased it from the shop then they wouldn't charge me. I don't think of it as them footing the bill because it's just paperwork and I spend a good chunk of money there - they could help me if they wanted to, but they just don't want to. Did I mention that I spoke to the owner and calmly explained that I've been going there for 20+ yrs? I wouldn't expect any help from Turners, but a family run local shop - I guess I had higher expectations.

[enegue]

Your expecting too much. Most stores.will have nothing to do with sending a firearm in for repair unless it was purchased from them within so many days.

I was thinking about that too, but came to the conclusion/assumption that if I spent 20+yrs at shops like Addax Tactical, Guns Direct, EBR Works, or Baboosh (assuming they were around for that long), they would help me out in the rare event a manufacturer replaced the gun by not charging me a full $100 fee as if I was buying a gun from out of state. I've bought guns at all those places too (except Baboosh, but he sounds like a helpful guy). I could be wrong, but that was my reasoning for not being too happy with Martin B Retting because I did feel like other shops would help a guy out. I am looking for a G26 too so maybe I'll ask Addax if they can help me out before buying and see if their reaction is any different.

[baih777]

I have been buying for 40 years and I don't expect kind of service. that's the way it has always been. but then again, I always get my discount when I buy.

[casepressure]

Retting is always a slightly abrasive place in my experience. One of the only gun shops anywhere even near the westside , and they know it.

[cannon]

Retting is always a slightly abrasive place in my experience. One of the only gun shops anywhere even near the westside , and they know it.

The word "Slightly" is an understatement.

[RR.44]

I've done a few PPTs there but I won't do any other kind of business with them, they are rude and not deserving of my hard earned cash.

[Capybara]

Too bad, they get some truly beautiful C&Rs through there, lots of fellow Calgunners have posted their finds from there. I wouldn't buy a new gun from them but I would buy a rare or special C&R, I buy those from almost anyone.

[09cs]

Retting is always a slightly abrasive place in my experience. One of the only gun shops anywhere even near the westside , and they know it.

This exactly... I try to avoid going there if I can, but they got a good selection of used, and C&R

[TeddyBallgame]

Short sighted people. All he's interested in is making a profit today and doesn't care about his customers.

i don't know, it's probably just me, but, i've never really developed what you would call a "relationship" with any of the LGS's that i've patronized...maybe it's because i generally search out what im looking for and go in already knowing exactly what i want

it usually comes down to "if i want it, and you got it, you got my business"

im not much of a window shopper, i won't even go to a gun store unless they have something i've already decided to purchase

[Tovarish]

Pay for it or find a shop to do it for less, but I don't know of any shop that would do that for free if you didn't buy it from them.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Unless the shop has a long time crew, and/or you go in there every few weeks, you'll have a tough time getting employees to remember you. If they don't remember you, you're just another new customer. If you're a new customer and you want something out of the ordinary or something that might be a PITA (in their minds) and less profitable then buying stuff off the shelf, good luck.

Customer service is not what it used to be.