Issues with LGS

[islandviewent]

We have had issues with another local gun store for some time now. They have consistently misinformed customers by telling them we are breaking the law by performing sse and have told customers they will go to jail if they purchase an sse gun from us. Earlier this year they started posting bogus reviews of us online (yelp and Google local) it was easy to see because there was only one other review in the posters past (the local gun shop in question.) Late this summer they took it a step further and started calling the atf and doj everyday to alert them that we were breaking the law by performing sse. This prompted an atf inspector to come out and review our business practices. We passed with flying colors and the business inspector advised us to keep practicing business as usual. This did not slow them down, we literally have customers coming through our door everyday that tell us the other store is telling everyone that walks through the that we are criminals and they will continue to call atf and doj until we are stopped. There claim is that they are not on an even playing field with us, b/c we perform sse.We have been hesitant to post about this on Calguns, but it appears that this is not going away and unfortunately we have people posing as customers, that are employees from the other shop, consistently writing bogus reviews on us. We pride ourselves on our customer service and will gladly review surveillance tape footage with anyone who believes they were not treated well in our range/store.

[Untamed1972]

Sounds like it's time for a sternly worded "cease and desist" letter from your attorney

[Aldemar]

Since it appears as though you can prove it is this other shop that is disparaging you, it would be helpful to the members of CalGuns if you would name them.

On the surface, it looks like this other shop may be having some issues and has resorted to slander and libel to keep it's customer base.

[Socalmedix]

You guys have a very good customer base as it is. Luckily I just got a job in Ventura County so I'll be able to give you more business and use your range. Anytime any posts here about a range or gun shop in Ventura county, you guys are always top of the list. I think legal actions are in order if you can prove this shop is affecting your business directly, but for now, keep pushing strong and providing stellar customer service and great prices and you will have customers for life.

[RazzB7]

I guess I'm old school. I disagree with an earlier poster's idea of a "cease and desist" as a first step. (Not to be ruled out as a later step).

How about you walk in to their shop and try to have a civil word with the owner? Perhaps offer to educate him on how to legally do a SSE? There's an expression that applies "A rising tide raises all ships". You guys are competitors, but there's nothing wrong with being friendly competitors vs adversaries. There are enough people trying to close gun shops without the gun shops joining into the fight.

[Arkangel]

So they can't compete or won't ( it sounds like they don't do SSE for some reason) and have sunk to unprofessional practices?

Easy fix. Have a nice chat with the owner of the other shop, and if they won't stop... Out them on Calguns. We may be a diverse group but we uniformly hate BS and FUD.

[Squid]

On the bright side, you can bet they are all branded as exactly what

they are by the local cops and all the various gun regulatory agencies.

But I admit, I find this whole SSE thing almost hard to believe, as in normal law there is a sort of "can't do stuff if its sole purpose is to evade 'the sprite' of the law" and "constructive whatever".

I've know people jacked up for non-smog legal parts that WHERE on the car, and various un used virgin "drug paraphernalia" charges, and what about two sticks connected by string (nunchuks)?

It wouldn't surprize me one bit if tomorrow some judge rules all this SSE stuff totally illegal, and ads in "conspiracy", including all prior transactions.

[chozenfew805]

You've got a loyal customer here!!!!! A walking, talking, free advertisement!

[Librarian]

While the content is annoying (and allegations of wrongdoing have been refuted by ATF), you could take the Hollywood attitude that 'no publicity is bad publicity, it all gets us noticed'.

You might try thanking them publicly for sending customers your way! "Our competitors don't like us - we must be doing a lot of things right - come in to see how we can serve you!"

[rplusplus]

While the content is annoying (and allegations of wrongdoing have been refuted by ATF), you could take the Hollywood attitude that 'no publicity is bad publicity, it all gets us noticed'.

You might try thanking them publicly for sending customers your way! "Our competitors don't like us - we must be doing a lot of things right - come in to see how we can serve you!"

^^^ This.

Plus having the information available for customers who come in will help get the word out of what is legal. Point them to CALGUNS. More Californians who understand the laws helps all of us.

[keenkeen]

they are by the local cops and all the various gun regulatory agencies.

But I admit, I find this whole SSE thing almost hard to believe, as in normal law there is a sort of "can't do stuff if its sole purpose is to evade 'the sprite' of the law" and "constructive whatever".

I've know people jacked up for non-smog legal parts that WHERE on the car, and various un used virgin "drug paraphernalia" charges, and what about two sticks connected by string (nunchuks)?

It wouldn't surprize me one bit if tomorrow some judge rules all this SSE stuff totally illegal, and ads in "conspiracy", including all prior transactions.

Discussed many times already and not worth de-railing this thread for. It is enough to say:

SSE is legal. The SSE process is spelled out specifically as a legal exception to the roster in the roster law itself. It would only change if a new law was written and passed, not by "some judge rules all this SSE stuff totally illegal".

[PolishMike]

I had a similar issue.

I had my lawyer send a Cease and Desist letter. Seems to have stopped for now.

[islandviewent]

^^^ This.

Plus having the information available for customers who come in will help get the word out of what is legal. Point them to CALGUNS. More Californians who understand the laws helps all of us.

We linked the sse thread on our Facebook page and addressed this issue a few weeks ago. We really try to take the high road and our employees are instructed to not discuss other gun stores with customers. We have always made customer service our main objective and will continue to do so. Our gun store employees frequently read the legal interprations on gun laws and are instructed to only answer customers questions if they know the answer. I would much rather them say I don't know than to misinform our customers.

[readysetgo]

sarcasm warning:
"That IVE place down the street that's so terrible and full of illegal activities that we're going to start a monthly CGN meet there (Ventura County Meet) and see if they'll let us shoot off our grenades and such"
sarcasm over.

Agree with Librarian... that "other" place sounds like they got kicked where it hurts, the wallet, when you guys rolled into town and out serviced them. Rock on to the top IVE!

[NytWolf]

Sounds like it's time for a sternly worded "cease and desist" letter from your attorney

This.

Then if it continues, sue for lost business and slander or libel.