Martin B Retting

[enegue]

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.

Sounds about right. Doesn't make much business sense- I would have bought all my next guns there, but now it just left a bad taste.

[VoxVeritasVita]

Hmmmm.......I don't know about this one. I live primarily in Santa Barbara until of recent in DTLA part-time. I have purchased many firearms from Riflegear past few years and they actually held a very hard to get rifle for a couple days(without payment or deposit as I usually pay cash) recognizing my repeat business and the distance to get down there. I still can't believe they did that and forever have earned my loyalty. In that instance, I think it was above and beyond. It seems like most LGS's that have been around awhile and have a captive audience, along with long term employees, the service is poor and the staff is usually somewhat bitter or salty from all the years of dealing with jack-offs and know it all entitled type clients. I think Retting falls into this category. I have been in and out of that store for years and never ever buying a single item and although they have been short and to the point, it's what I expected feeling they recognized me not being a regular buyer and just a window shopper. However, they had a SA TRP Full Rail for sale at MSRP of $1,650 when they were unavailable anywhere and those that did have them wanted well over $2,500.. Of course I bought it and the service I received was nothing short of professional and excellent. In your case, no matter how long you have been a client, I agree with others that it is unfair to expect a LGS to absorb any fees that would normally be charged. If you felt mistreated, that's another matter for you to rationalize.

[GM4spd]

MBR has always been hit or miss,I try to avoid unless doing a PPT where
the location may be convenient. As far as the OP situation of sending
something back that wasn't purchased from them,I can understand
their position. Pete

[bodger]

I've been doing business with Retting since 1979. It's always been hit or miss as far as service. Some guys there have been friendly and helpful, others not. Even when it was obvious I was a buyer and not a PITA looky-loo.

I've spent thousands in that store over the years, but I never cultivated a relationship with any particular person there, mainly because it didn't seem to be a priority for them to get to know a customer. In and out. Here's my money, give me the gun.

The only two gun stores I've been in that were consistently friendly and gave great service were Aegis Enterprises in Burbank, and Fort Courage in Simi. So I try to give them as much business as I can. Unfortunately, neither of those places has the inventory that Retting has.

[ICONIC]

Retting has a monopoly on gun business for the westside, unless you want to travel to cerritos or Torrance

[81turbota]

I personally enjoy MBR. Yes, they can be somewhat abrasive at times but they have LOTS of business. There is a huge selection to browse through while waiting on service.

I go in there thinking it might be a while, and plan accordingly. They are very C&R/COE friendly, and even friendlier when you open your wallet. Quite a few rare pieces in my collection have come from MBR. They will continue to get my business

[cineski]

I bought many guns from Retting when I lived in CA. Literally 2 guys I would talk to in there. If they weren't avail, I'd walk out. The guy with the silver curly hair has the biggest, most thorny and abrasive stick up his arse than just about anyone I've ever encountered. What a freaking dick he is. I actually feel bad for him, he hates his life as evident by how he treats others.

[I Swan]

I thought everyone's favorite was the guy with the sweet ponytail? There was some young CGNer that started some thread a long time ago about how he got hired there and he decided it was his life's calling or something and gave up on college I wonder if he still works there?

[I Swan]

Retting has a monopoly on gun business for the westside, unless you want to travel to cerritos or Torrance

People are territorial but it is not like the gun shops in Burbank area are horribly far and there is a lot of them. If you like paying top dollar and getting F'd with than MRB may be right for you. Place is hit or miss I was fine 2 visits ago for the most part. On my last visit I got a bit of the abrasive attitude.

[cineski]

There was a guy there named Ramsy or something like that who was top notch to deal with. I Swan, I remember a younger guy there. Was great to work with.

[bodger]

There was an older guy there for a good while, I think his name was Steve. Excellent to deal with, very patient. And had great stories of the guns his dad had many years ago, one of which was a German MG-42.

I did the DROS on half a dozen guns with that guy. Top notch.

[prob]

Why would you have a shop send in your rifle for repairs? It's perfectly legal for you to do it yourself. Pack it up, send it off via USPS, and you're good to go.

Couldn't be simpler. And I'm not sure, but since it's a repair, I think that whatever company you send it to can send it right back to you. Or at least that's the way it used to be.

[rand17]

Your not wrong MBR are a bunch of jerks! I won't do business with them either...There like dealing with liberals!...

[SonofWWIIDI]

Sounds about right. Doesn't make much business sense- I would have bought all my next guns there, but now it just left a bad taste.

I agree, and you've told an additional 20+ people on this forum alone, if you post on other forums too, that could be quite a few people who might not take their business there.

[wpage]

Dont go postal man...