Bay Area Gun Vault charges 50 dollars for a PPT what's up with that.

[Ladyfox]

Not everyone has the flexibility that you aparantly have in terms of being able to go to the gun shop whenever you want to. If your work hours only allow for you to go there on weekends, then you'd DROS on one weekend and then you are looking at 13 days minimum before you can pick it up.

edit: and elSquid brought up a good point. The buyer in a PPT is dependant on the seller's schedule, so depending on which day the deal goes down, the buyer may not be able to pick it up in 10-days, when normally the buyer may normally purchase firearms on days that do let him pick up in 10-days.

Going to try and cover both yours and elSquid's at the same time so hope you do not mind. ^_^

True, not everyone has that amount of flexability but then I have to ask why not build that into your planning? If you can only go on a weekend why not choose someone who can fit into your schedule rather than going to someone who has limitations as to when to do your pickup or in this case the fees involved?

And that's where I'm trying to figure out the "rawr, rawr, screw those BAGV $%#@ people because they can not fit into my schedule..." is coming from. If they do not work for you, and there is someone else who does, why dump on them for how they do business especially since from what I understand they are following the letter of the law. Granted, I can understand if it's on a general principal thing but this just sounds like much more than that or I may just be reading too much into it.

As far as the PPT scheduling thing goes, again, why go with someone that obviously is not going to meet your needs and then make it out like it's the store's fault that they can not accomodate your schedule? If these guys were the only game in town then, hey, I'd be on the bandwagon with you calling for the torches and pitchforks.

But as has been shown time and time again people just call for blood on a shop, for whatever slight they feel (this is excepting those that do not follow the law), and usually say something to the effect of "I'll go somewhere else" and consider it job done. And that's what I'm trying to get at here is that this seems more like trying to browbeat a business into doing what they want rather than working with them to see if some arrangement could be come up with. And if no arrangement can be come to then you just simply find a place that does meet your needs and move on.

And no, I do not work at BAGV (but I sure wish I did rather than where I do now), but I am trying to understand why everyone is more prone to dump on a shop with no effort made to try and work with the people there to solve the problem or just simply move on and go to a place that meets their needs?

[dfens]

When doing a PPT and the seller can only do the sale on a certain day and time you are at their mercy. If not they can or may sale it to someone who can. What if it's a great deal or a rare gun you really want. So at BAGV you may get hosed on the storage fees, where if you went somewhere else they are more lenient and won't charge you.

So guess what I'll make dam sure it's at another shop, it might be a measly 15 bucks but just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I mean really if you need to milk a customer for every last dime, good capitalism at work but don't get all pissy when your outed and exposed for your greedy tactics. Word of mouth is a big factor in business. This can either hurt or not affect them at all.

All I hear is oh give them a break it's so hard to run a business in CA. So dam what everyone else is having a hard time no matter what kind of shop they have and they don't charge bs fess. At my job if it's out of warranty within a few days or a week I'll do it anyway to keep a customer. Now the other day it was over 4 months past so on that incident I couldn't accommodate.

If you can't get by without nickel and diming then guess what if you go under that's life.

Now I've shopped their and bought a few minor items and supplies. But as for guns forget it, they're over 70-100 more than any other shop down the road I don't care how nice and friendly they are I don't need someone to hold my hand on a purchase. I know what I want and if it's at the price I want or what it should cost if not I'll buy elsewhere.

Even tried to buy some defensive ammo and with all the run around I just gave up. Told just call and we can get it, then was told I have to show up in person ok get their now they want a deposit. So how much? I'll let you know once I get a price when I order it. Hell no, give me a price now then I'll decide if I still want it.

Used isn't that much better I once saw a consignment gun going for well over what a new one almost costed. Yeah it was a little hard to track one down but it wasn't that rare.

Long story short if your schedule isn't flexible or plain and simple don't do a PPT at BAGV. It's not the greatest store for me or even the closest so unless they have the one super rare gun I'm looking for on consignment then I won't step foot in their again due to their high prices.

[Darklyte27]

I think they are still misunderstanding that they cant charge more than 35$ for a ppt?

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=2854702&postcount=11

[HUTCH 7.62]

Compared to who?

Last I checked here is how things broke down:

1. Kerleys - Barely OLL friendly, at least 10% higher than BAGV, weak customer service, and poor selection.

2. Reed's - Not OLL friendly, at least $25 higher than BAGV, decent prices on ammo, weak customer service, poor selection.

3. Target Masters - OLL friendly (seems to change per person), 2+ hour PPT's, inconsistent customer service, poor selection

4. Sportsman Supply - Not OLL friendly, comparable prices to BAGV, decent prices on ammo, decent customer service, major amount of FUD from employees, decent selection of handguns but poor on rifles

Now this is just the few places that I've been to that are within the same travel area as BAGV. Granted, I've not been to San Jose Gun Exchange but considering some of the stories I've heard about the customer service there I'd rather not deal with it just to get a better price.

If I was willing to drive an hour or more then I would be faced with these choices:

1. J&R Sports - OLL friendly, Good prices, good customer service, decent selection

2. Irvington Arms - OLL friendly, Decent prices, poor customer service (unless you are a regular), poor selection

So where are these mythical places for which you speak that have better prices, the same level of customer service, and do not require an hour or more to the North, East, or South Bay? If you can name one not listed here please do let me know so that I can check them out for myself.

Not a regular at Irvington but always got good service.

[cousinkix1953]

Since our anti-gun politicians enacted all of these silly laws; then maybe it's time to close some of these loopholes. It looks like a big mess to me. Not everybody is near one of those honest gun shops either...

[Ladyfox]

Not a regular at Irvington but always got good service.

That's really wierd, and I'm not doubting you here, but really if service level is that inconsistent I have to wonder what else is going on? I've been there twice myself and both times got different reactions.

First time around I walked in and not one soul said a word to me even when I was looking at the stuff in the cases and on the racks. Even stood there for a few minutes thinking maybe someone would come over but nada. Heck, I got a better reaction from the dog that was laying on the floor than the staff. -_-

Second time I was there while I did get help that time around, was even ready to buy, but the answers were very short and got quickly dumped for another customer whom they either knew or were more interested in. At that point I took my money elsewhere and made a further trip up to J&R where the difference was so striking I've pretty much put them on the "no buy" list.

I'll do a PPT there if asked but spending actual money I'll pass on regardless of what they have or their prices. No amount of cost savings, or selection, is worth being treated like a number.

[pingpong]

I didn't have any problems at IA the two times I went there even though I look nothing like your typical gun buyer. Prices are a bit better than at TargetMasters I might add...

I've done most of my transfers at Rob Blank's in Milpitas. Great guy, a fair $35, and he can get you in and out in under 15 minutes.

By far the worst in how long it takes is TargetMasters; it took well over an hour the last time I went there for a PPT. But at least they don't charge extra...

[tango5]

Compared to who?

Last I checked here is how things broke down:

1. Kerleys - Barely OLL friendly, at least 10% higher than BAGV, weak customer service, and poor selection.

2. Reed's - Not OLL friendly, at least $25 higher than BAGV, decent prices on ammo, weak customer service, poor selection.

3. Target Masters - OLL friendly (seems to change per person), 2+ hour PPT's, inconsistent customer service, poor selection

4. Sportsman Supply - Not OLL friendly, comparable prices to BAGV, decent prices on ammo, decent customer service, major amount of FUD from employees, decent selection of handguns but poor on rifles

Now this is just the few places that I've been to that are within the same travel area as BAGV. Granted, I've not been to San Jose Gun Exchange but considering some of the stories I've heard about the customer service there I'd rather not deal with it just to get a better price.

If I was willing to drive an hour or more then I would be faced with these choices:

1. J&R Sports - OLL friendly, Good prices, good customer service, decent selection

2. Irvington Arms - OLL friendly, Decent prices, poor customer service (unless you are a regular), poor selection

So where are these mythical places for which you speak that have better prices, the same level of customer service, and do not require an hour or more to the North, East, or South Bay? If you can name one not listed here please do let me know so that I can check them out for myself.

I have dealt with a few other shops and J&R is my go to shop now. Antioch Armory was my shop for 20 years for gun stuff. Then they started to penny pinch left and right. Some of the guys there are top notch guys, like Brian. He is friendly, knows his stuff, and very helpful, unlike the owner Allen. Then i moved out of Antioch to Pleasant Hill, and started going to Diablo Gun Works, not much of an inventory or selection, very small shop/show room, smaller than my living room. Bill is cool, but Ken is a swindler if your wanting info on a gun you dont know much about. He will try and sell you something out of his own collection, used, for the price of almost a new one would cost, and make it sound like its a rare piece and you would be a fool not to buy it. He tried that game on me with a 1911.

Then i went to J&R for the first time, saw the same 1911 for $20 more, but brand spankin new. Dealt with Randy, and had an awesome experience for the first time being there, and bought an HD shotgun. Been going back ever since for the prices, staff, knowledge, and appearance of their shop.

[POLICESTATE]

By far the worst in how long it takes is TargetMasters; it took well over an hour the last time I went there for a PPT. But at least they don't charge extra...

I guess your time is not that valuable but I can tell you for that additional DROS time it's worth the extra $15 to PPT somewhere else IF I can't pick it up on the designated day than standing around in TM listening to their FUD and watching the gangsta wanna-bes looking at guns. TM sucks.

As for BAGV storage fee: if the DOJ says they can charge a storage fee after the 10th day then they can charge the storage fee. If you think about the fact that they probably don't have loads of space to store a bunch of PPT guns in the first place since they have so much good inventory to begin with I don't think it is that unreasonable.

If you don't like it, go PPT somewhere else, it's just one little aspect about an otherwise good gun store that doesn't appeal to some people.

Now that I think about it, maybe everyone should PPT at Irvington Arms, yeah it's a good gun store and they don't charge a storage fee but I bet that would change REAL QUICK if they had 50 or more people decide to PPT there in one week.

[yoteassasin]

we will go ppt some where else, we will give some one else our business. if you get down to it a ppt is a chance to get some one in to your store (who wouldn't necessarily go there any ways) and check your shop out so its kinda like advertising but you get 10 bucks out of the deal. so long as you treat it like a curse it will be just that.so please keep charging over $35 for ppt i really want to see you run out of business!!!!

[Joe]

I drive right past all these other crappy gun shops in the bay area on my way to J&R. It is the only shop I've had many good experiences at.

[Inkman]

I drive right past all these other crappy gun shops in the bay area on my way to J&R. It is the only shop I've had many good experiences at.

Agreed. J&R is top notch.

[Alexjr1967]

I've been able to stomach the crappy attitudes that 3/5 guys that work at the BAGV cause they have had what I needed on hand ... at a price but thats fine... and they have always done my PPT's in record time well not really but 15-20 mins is good fast service ... But today i went in to try to do a ppt ... I was told NO ... that they were too busy and that i would tie them up for to much time ... and that i could try and come back tmrw morning at 9:30am but no guaranties

They did have a few customers in they shop ... looking around ... and 5 ppl on their behalf to help people out...

I didn't make a scene was polite when i asked and just got ...lectured man it was frustrating

[B.D.Dubloon]

I've only been there once, it was not great. The staff had typical gunstore employee attitudes and it pissed me off to see how much different they treated their regular customers/buddies than they did me. Granted I was only there for a ppt, but I am still due some respect.

From now on I just go to Roger's Relics, if that lady weren't already married I'd pop the question myself, age difference be damned! She is very nice and quick with ppts, and you feel very welcome there. Between them, Walmart and eBay I may not ever have to set foot inside a conventional gunstore again!

[retired]

That's really wierd, and I'm not doubting you here, but really if service level is that inconsistent I have to wonder what else is going on? I've been there twice myself and both times got different reactions.

First time around I walked in and not one soul said a word to me even when I was looking at the stuff in the cases and on the racks. Even stood there for a few minutes thinking maybe someone would come over but nada. Heck, I got a better reaction from the dog that was laying on the floor than the staff. -_-

Second time I was there while I did get help that time around, was even ready to buy, but the answers were very short and got quickly dumped for another customer whom they either knew or were more interested in. At that point I took my money elsewhere and made a further trip up to J&R where the difference was so striking I've pretty much put them on the "no buy" list.

I'll do a PPT there if asked but spending actual money I'll pass on regardless of what they have or their prices. No amount of cost savings, or selection, is worth being treated like a number.

Just a thought, but have you given any consideration to the fact you were treated this way because you are a female (I'm making an assumption by your name, that you are).

I read a thread sometime back where some of the female members here have received similar treatment; especially when with their husbands or boyfriends.

I'm not saying it is correct of course (it isn't), but that might be why and shame on them if so.