Fort Courage is awesome

[Air]

Tim is a great guy, and I feel he runs his shop in a most professional and friendly manner. I've always got fast, friendly help, and a straight, no b.s. answer to any questions I've had when dealing with him. Recently, I had a gun show up, unannounced due to a mix up at the senders end, and it was handled smoothly, and in a way I think we'd all appreciate..I drive by a couple other ffl's to use his services, and I think it's well worth it.

I agree with the OP 100%..Ft Courage is an awesome place!

I love the sign on the wall that says "We don't know everything"

[aplinker]

Tim is awesome. I so wish he were closer.

DEFINITELY one of the good guys. Extremely nice and pleasant to work with. Will work with you on anything you want/need.

+1

[FortCourageArmory]

Extortion might be too harsh a word, but it was definitely heavy-handed persuasion with a badge.

[tombinghamthegreat]

I have been in the store a few times and i like the store. It appears to be one of few gun stores in ventura county and it is nice to see the store actually caring about the customers unlike other stores. If i get some money for xmas i might stop by, might be interested in a cheap semi auto .22 rifle....

[cudakidd]

Cudakid (assuming he was the buyer) bid on a shotgun on Auction Arms (a Browning Citori 4 barrel set). The gun had a reserve price of $6,000. His bid was $3,200. The auction closed without the reserve being met. CK contacted the seller and indicated he wanted the shotgun. Seller brings the gun into the shop and tells us to expect a cashier's check for $6000 (the original reserve price). CK comes in and registers the gun and leaves me a check for $3,200. Seller comes in and says that wasn't the deal and calls CK for an explaination. In the course of that conversation CK says that if there is no deal, he wants to be compensated for his time and travel expense or he would make serious trouble for the buyer (CK being a Treasury Dept. LEO). Seller says no deal so I cancel the DROS per the seller's insructions. I subsequently learned that CK extorted $225 from the seller for his time and gas money.

Was there miscommunication between buyer and seller? Probably. If there wasn't, then the deal would have gone through. Had they met face to face, there wouldn't have been an issue of cancelling a DROS. None would have been started. But until the buyer and seller reach mutual agreement on price, the seller is in charge of the show. If he says no deal, it's no deal.

This wasn't a case of seller's remorse from my perspective. It was a buyer thinking they were going to get a $6,000 shotgun set for $3,200 and when they didn't, they used their official position to leverage $$ from a young seller. Not acceptable in anyone's book. CK can act like the injured party, but when he uses his official position for personal gain, courtesy becomes irrelavant.

And that's the rest of the story.

Wrong. And again without ever making any effort to verify my side. That's the problem!~

It was a best offer auction that had an additional buy it now feature. Just like a ebay style auction. There was NO reserve. I based my bid on the Current Blue Book of gun values current edition. See page 410 at 98% which lists value as $3350. And condition was actually more like 95%.

A set for sale at the same time in better condition sold for $3800 and can be viewed.

Why don't you ask the seller to post the original auction to prove my point as to auction terms?

The seller had the auction close in September and then would not respond to my repeated requests for info and contact. Then day/weeks later stated due to family issues could not sell at that time and would contact me!

Almost two months later he emailed me!

I have saved the entire chain of emails from the initial chain with my repeated detailed questions as to terms of sale, contact info, requests to clarify transfer,etc, to the sellers apology, acknowledgement of HIS error and offer to make it right for my time and trouble.

I can post it all here if you like!

I take it very VERY seriously when someone not only impugns my character without hearing my side but then also states I used my professional position unduly. Would you care to make that statement AFTER I provide the proof?

Again I think my point on your evenhanded business ethics is well made...

[hawk1]

I thought we heard your side as you were the one who raised the issue and posted about it first.

[rayra]

considering the backhanded invidious way cudakidd inserted his matter into this topic, I already don't trust what he says.
And his sour grapes over a missed deal aren't EVER going to improve in flavor.


eta - Tim was a gracious and informative host while four of us cooled our heels in his shop the weekend of the Costa Mesa gunshow, while waiting for the hour to strike on the mandated waiting period so one of our party could pick up his GSG. Our conversation that afternoon convinced me to do business with him in the future and I mean to.

[FortCourageArmory]

Wrong. And again without ever making any effort to verify my side. That's the problem!~

It was a best offer auction that had an additional buy it now feature. Just like a ebay style auction. There was NO reserve. I based my bid on the Current Blue Book of gun values current edition. See page 410 at 98% which lists value as $3350. And condition was actually more like 95%.

A set for sale at the same time in better condition sold for $3800 and can be viewed.

Why don't you ask the seller to post the original auction to prove my point as to auction terms?

The seller had the auction close in September and then would not respond to my repeated requests for info and contact. Then day/weeks later stated due to family issues could not sell at that time and would contact me!

Almost two months later he emailed me!

I have saved the entire chain of emails from the initial chain with my repeated detailed questions as to terms of sale, contact info, requests to clarify transfer,etc, to the sellers apology, acknowledgement of HIS error and offer to make it right for my time and trouble.

I can post it all here if you like!

I take it very VERY seriously when someone not only impugns my character without hearing my side but then also states I used my professional position unduly. Would you care to make that statement AFTER I provide the proof?

Again I think my point on your evenhanded business ethics is well made...

Your bone of contention with me is that I cancelled your DROS without calling you first. News flash, Dick Tracy. Until you and the seller come to a mutually agreeable price, the SELLER runs the show. Not the buyer. The seller says deal off, cancel the DROS and return his gun, I am LEGALLY required to do just that. Anything else and I'd be held liable for theft of a firearm. Any decent LEO should be aware of that.

And as for impunging reputations, you did that to yourself when you used that "I'm a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and I'd hate to get the kid in trouble" line on ME when we had a phone conversation the same day I cancelled your DROS. You can deny saying it, but we both know you did. And....the seller has already told me you used the same line on him. Probably when you were pressuring him for $$ for "your time". Oh, I also found out that you work a 4-day work week. So just why you had to take a vacation day to come out to finish the deal raises a host of interesting questions.

Man, all this energy expended over a deal gone bad.....

[CSACANNONEER]

"I'm a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and I'd hate to get the kid in trouble" line on ME when we had a phone conversation the same day I cancelled your DROS.

Man, all this energy expended over a deal gone bad.....

Sounds like someone wants to be involved in a 1983 action.

My dad was a Federal LEO for over 30 years and would be appaulled to hear another Federal LEO saying this. Why anyone would tarnish their reputation over an insignificant material possession is beyond me.

At least this thread clearly shows who has a good reputation and will work within the laws even when being verbally strong armed to break the law by a rouge LEO. I wonder what cudakid's supervisors would think of his actions?

[cudakidd]

Again wrong. I never made that statement. I actually ended the discussions with the seller on a cordial note. I have no contention with him, he is a nice guy and he made the offer to compensate me for my time and trouble. I have left him out of this because he seemed sincere in his apology, his desire to make it right and my statement to him when we last talked I would consider the matter settled.

I have an issue with your misstatements. Does anyone think I would jeopardize my employment over $75.00? That was the amount in discussion between the initial offer from the seller and what I was out of pocket!

I saved the DROS cancellation form sent me. It was made before any phone calls were made to me. The emails even shows that was done first.

I have an issue with a FFL dealer cancelling a sale without the courtesy of a phone call to the buyer first. I have an issue with a FFL dealer releasing personal information from the DROS form to the seller (My home address) again without a courtesy phone call first.

My position was, I got a phone call after the cancellation. The seller now has possession of the firearm AND my cashiers check! What recourse did I have if he chose not to return it? How would someone here feel? After a two hour drive one way and a day off work?

We can agree to disagree and the tone of your responses can serve as a heads up to those that may choose to use you for a PPT...

[FortCourageArmory]

Again wrong. I never made that statement.

On this point you are a liar. I say that with conviction because we both know you did, your denials notwithstanding.

As for your personal info, how did you expect to get your check returned Next Day? I gave the seller your address and retained the shotgun as collateral until the envelope with your check showed "delivered". The seller gave me the tracking number on the Next Day envelope. You can continue to play the injured party, but it's painfully obvious that you are not.

We can agree to disagree and the tone of your responses can serve as a heads up to those that may choose to use you for a PPT...

I'll leave it up to my customers to decide who's telling the truth. At least your true colors have been shown. Sorry I'm not rolling over like the 22-yr old you bullied, but that's the chance you take.

[Fate]

I have done several transfers with Tim at Fort Courage (picked up 2 firearms just yesterday too!) and am fully willing to put my own reputation on the line when I say he's one of the best FFLs to deal with in the LA area.

Two of the rifles I had transferred to him were major PITAs. One was a deal from Allied Armament that took them months to finally ship, the other was a rifle from Henderson Defense that had to be sent back due to damage in shipping. Both times, Tim went above and beyond to see that I was satisfied. I know a few FFLs that would have just refused the transfer for taking so long.

Tim is patient, cordial and attentive to detail, even during the post-election madness. He's also a man of his word and has always been a straight shooter. If he says cudakidd's deal went down like that, it did.

Actually I kinda hope the seller and Tim file a 1983 lawsuit on cudakidd. Bullies with badges are scum.

[goathead]

On this point you are a liar. I say that with conviction because we both know you did, your denials notwithstanding.

As for your personal info, how did you expect to get your check returned Next Day? I gave the seller your address and retained the shotgun as collateral until the envelope with your check showed "delivered". The seller gave me the tracking number on the Next Day envelope. You can continue to play the injured party, but it's painfully obvious that you are not.


I'll leave it up to my customers to decide who's telling the truth. At least your true colors have been shown. Sorry I'm not rolling over like the 22-yr old you bullied, but that's the chance you take.

dude i dont know any of you but the longer you keep this tread going its going to make fort courage like bad you shoud have keep it pos, like i did my best for you, sorry it didn't work out. you would have been the hero now you kinda looking bad too

[cudakidd]

On this point you are a liar. I say that with conviction because we both know you did, your denials notwithstanding.

As for your personal info, how did you expect to get your check returned Next Day? I gave the seller your address and retained the shotgun as collateral until the envelope with your check showed "delivered". The seller gave me the tracking number on the Next Day envelope. You can continue to play the injured party, but it's painfully obvious that you are not.


I'll leave it up to my customers to decide who's telling the truth. At least your true colors have been shown. Sorry I'm not rolling over like the 22-yr old you bullied, but that's the chance you take.

Actually, to give you credit I was unaware you went to the efforts you did, holding the firearm and tracking the return of the check. And for that I thank you. I felt out of the loop and with no input on this entire fiasco when I was merely getting after the fact updates...

But why wouldn't have just called me to let me know there was an issue? Look at my perspective. A FFL dealer I have no knowledge of, a seller who professes to do this for a living and all of a sudden everything goes south!

I left a check with you, you saw the amount. I called the seller from your store and left a message. If I remember correctly, You also called while I was there and left another message. And by the way, I had intially offered to meet him there face to face on HIS schedule.

Why did I take off work? There was a entire thread here on if you were even still in business! People were posting that they couldn't get in touch with you. Hardly reassuring for someone who didn't know it was a one man operation and you were out ill! So I emailed the sellor to make sure you were open, and arranged for a normal business day to make sure you were available....

I have not resorted to name calling or personal attacks. I have offered proof of the chain of events...we seem to have had a major miscommunication...

[goathead]

Actually, to give you credit I was unaware you went to the efforts you did, holding the firearm and tracking the return of the check. And for that I thank you. I felt out of the loop and with no input on this entire fiasco when I was merely getting after the fact updates...

But why wouldn't have just called me to let me know there was an issue? Look at my perspective. A FFL dealer I have no knowledge of, a seller who professes to do this for a living and all of a sudden everything goes south!

I left a check with you, you saw the amount. I called the seller from your store and left a message. If I remember correctly, You also called while I was there and left another message. And by the way, I had intially offered to meet him there face to face on HIS schedule.

Why did I take off work? There was a entire thread here on if you were even still in business! People were posting that they couldn't get in touch with you. Hardly reassuring for someone who didn't know it was a one man operation and you were out ill! So I emailed the sellor to make sure you were open, and arranged for a normal business day to make sure you were available....

I have not resorted to name calling or personal attacks. I have offered proof of the chain of events...we seem to have had a major miscommunication...

dude let it go now its done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!