Wild Sports - Sucks!!!!!

[586L-Frame]

I went there to purchase a pistol and they changed the interpretation
of what ID is valid or invalid based on their whim.
I've purchased 4 pistols in the past 3 months with no problems
with other Sacramento and Elk Grove FFL Dealers.

Wild Sports would not accept my CDL with the attached DMV DL43
Change of Address Card as a acceptable proof of residence,
even though I also supplied my current Utility Bills that also showed
my current address.

They said I had to show as a option a Hunting License or a
Fishing License, since they would not accept my DMV CDL/DL43
That other FFL dealers had accepted.
If I did not have one, they said I could purchase one from them
to meet their requirements before I could buy their handgun.

What a bunch of jerks! They just lost a regular weekly customer.
In the past I bought 2 357's a 9mm a shotgun and a Uzi Mdl B
from them. Their service was great in the 80's & 90's.
Now they just suck.

What type of experiences have the Forum members experienced with Wild Sports in Orangevale?

[sloguy]

duplicate thread

[xbananax]

I've had a bad experience with my local Wild Sports recently (Sacramento). I had to take the California HSC in order to register my most recent firearm, and since Wild Sports was the only place locally that sold handguns that I knew of, I attempted to take it there. It ended up being a major pain in the you know what.


(**Warning, Wall of Text Immanent**)


I called in and asked if they offered the HSC, and if I came in that day would I be able to take it. I was informed yes, and that the store closes at 6pm that evening.

So I entered the store at 4:50pm, giving myself a good solid hour before I was told they would be closing. But when I requested to the supervisor op take the test, he informed me that their store policy is to refuse testing an hour and a half prior to the store closing, which left me 20 minutes past their deadline. I politely tried to negotiate a quick test, but was turned away to come back at another day

This left me pretty upset as I had to leave work early that day in order to arrive at what I thought would be an appropriate time. But, I shrugged it off and blamed myself for not specifically asking when I phoned if they had any additional time constraints other than closing hours, and decided to try again on my next day off.

So a week later, I go into the store at 11am, giving myself ample time for the test and found the same supervisor I spoke to the week prior. I again requested to take the HSC test, and to my surprise (and disappointment) his immediate response went something like this:

"As you can see sir, we are somewhat busy this morning and we would appreciate it if you came back another day."

In response I said I could return shortly after lunch in a few hours once the rush died down, but the supervisor was quite persistent in having me come back on an entirely different day. As you can imagine, this really didn't sit well with me, especially since I've essentially wasted two days to take a supposed short 15 minute test.

I immediately switched into aggravated customer mode, and explained my frustration to the supervisor. He changed his tone slightly, and said I could take the test that day, but chances are I'd be waiting for up to 3 hours before someone would see me, due to the immense busyness of the store.

At this point I knew he was attempting to throttle me, so I said I wouldn't mind waiting with a smile on my face. I went over to the registers and paid my $25 and the cashier informed me to go to the back of the store and wait in line for my turn in the DROS room.

Now I was expecting a line of some form, as the supervisor very much emphasized I'd be waiting for a couple hours. But to my surprise, there wasn't a SINGLE PERSON IN LINE let alone any other customers in the area.

After a few minutes a different salesman came by and took me in the DROS room and issued me the test. I finished the test in under 10 minutes and didn't miss a single question (I thought the test was a joke really). As I headed out of the store, I made sure to stop by the supervisor and say "Thanks for sparing your time for me" and headed on out.

All in all this experience left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, and I will definitely not be doing business with them again.

[odesskiy]

LOL...even Turner's didn't give me any grief over that joke of a test...

[The SoCal Gunner]

When you went back the second time you should have went straight to the most expensive gun and said you'll take it. When the salesman asks for your HSC tell them how the jerk supervisor at the last store you were at was too busy to let you take the test and thats why you don't have one.

[Kelvrick]

They have good prices, so I come. Specially the 5.99 blazer brass 9mm.

They have very weird rules and it seems either hte main manager or owner is at fault. The others are just workers and during my conversations, just "do what they're told."

They seem to consider your car registration the magical paper though, so I haven't had any problems with them. I've only had bad service once, and it wasn't really that. The old guy helping me just had bad eyes and moved around slow. Otherwise, I've had guys pull out their 10/22's from the back and talk to me about the aftermarket when I was deciding between a ruger, remington or marlin .22

Their shotgun guys also were pretty happy to help me out and hand me whatever I wanted to look at.

Not much experience with their handgun service aside from pointing at the MP9 for 399 and saying I want it.

[PLINK]

Gary is the only one I will buy from. If he is not there or can't help me then I ain't buying. I had some minor issues (rudeness, laziness) with a few other people there.

Wild Sports is stricked on the paper work and can take some time to purchase a firearm from them. It's the store rules not the individual selling you the gun.

They do have some sweet prices if you can deal with some of the BS.

How many other stores have you seen M&P 9's, and 40's for $399 or the M&P 45 for $445?

Cordova Shooting Center offers good service and their prices are not bad either.

Rivercity Gun Exchange offers good service and their prices are reasonable. Lots of help there.

Won't buy from The Gun Room. Their paper work and buying process sucks. Prices are MSRP or higher.

[Wulf]

I had a buddy that went in there one day to buy 3 high end bird hunting shotguns (Benilis and Brownings IIRC). The wouldent deal with him on the price at all....no throw ins, nothing.

I guess this is what you can expect from corporate gun stores. Better to support the owner operators I think.

[Noypi916]

I guess we can send our complaint and frustration to wild sports . Send it to ==> gripes@wild-sports.com. Let see if they can improve their customer service skills.

[sierratangofoxtrotunion]

I wonder if it might have been simpler to just show his DL without the address correction?

[ohsmily]

I wonder if it might have been simpler to just show his DL without the address correction?

Well, then his proof of residence (car registration or utility bill) would not have matched his DL. So, that would not work.

[The SoCal Gunner]

Well, then his proof of residence (car registration or utility bill) would not have matched his DL. So, that would not work.

His DL does not need to match that of his proof of residency. The buyer just needs to state his residence on the DROS as the one on his proof of residency. The DL is used for proof of age and proof of identity.

ETA - From the DOJ handgun safety booklet, the address that is stated on the DROS has to either match (1) the DL or (2) the proof of residency provided, either way an acceptable form of ID and proper proof of residency is needed.

[ViPER395]

I live a short walk from Wild Sports. I've bought two firearms there. It's close and their prices on Blazer ammo is hard to beat.

I've never had any real problems, but they always seem reluctuant to talk to me. I look like im 15, and the sales people usually ignore me and go ask the "adults" if they need help, and I have to acutally grab someone and tell them to give me some goddanged .223 ammo. I buy a lot at a time so I don't have to go back often. Their attitudes make me uncomfortable sometimes.

I usually try and deal with the older guy that works the centerfire/knife counter and not the young bucks.

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Oh yea. I recently bought my third firearm at Big-5. OMG it was such a breeze, I BSed with the salesguy the whole time (who actually knew a little about .22s) and it was a great experience. Even though they are overpriced on many things, I would never hesitate to buy another firearm from my local (Sunrise & Greenback) Big-5.

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Another thing. I need to get me HSC and was considering going to Wild Sports for it. Maybe i'll go someplace else, though i'm not sure what other local place issues the test.

[586L-Frame]

the utility bill is all you need.thats why they have you bring it in as a proof of res

I supplied Wild Sports with my CDL and the DMV DL43(change of address supplement card) & a my PG&E & SMUD utility bills and also my CHP Retired ID Card. They would not accept my CDL with supplement Change of address card as proof of my residency.

[Shane916]

I supplied Wild Sports with my CDL and the DMV DL43(change of address supplement card) & a my PG&E & SMUD utility bills and also my CHP Retired ID Card. They would not accept my CDL with supplement Change of address card as proof of my residency.

Just curious why you posted this same exact topic in 2 different sections of the forums? I understand your frustration but I don't understand the logic in creating numerous threads bashing a business.