Rude Gun Shops ?

[kemasa]

The requirement that FFLs collect sales tax has been there for a long time. Many FFLs are not aware of it, which could cause them future problems if they get audited, including interest and penalties.

I keep a copy of the BOE requirement to show people because some people think that I am trying to rip them off. I would prefer to not collect sales tax, but that is the law. I do let people know that it is exempt if the firearm is not coming from a business and it is documented as such.

[novabrian]

Find a really rude place and do a ton of PPT there since they don't make any money on them.That would be funny.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Find a really rude place and do a ton of PPT there since they don't make any money on them.That would be funny.

That is a great idea in theory, but how much is your time worth? Do you really want to go to the guys that take 2 hours to do a PPT?

I actually figured out this genius idea the other day. A buyer and seller were having a hard time getting together for a PPT on a Kimber Stainless II. I am limited to $10 on the PPT no matter what, so I decided to just tell the seller to come in and give me the gun. I logged it in from the seller, but processed it as a regular transfer. Now I am in no way limited in fees on a regular transfer; however, there is actually a little less paperwork on a regular transfer and this gun is listed so I can get away with it. I just charge the guy $10 and told him it would help him out because I don't have to get the seller's signature.

Sure I realize I could have used the DROS worksheet, but screw it. Why not just run it as a regular transfer and charge the guy $10. It makes everyone's life easier, including mine.

I was so proud of myself for thinking outside the box.

[halifax]

That is a great idea in theory, but how much is your time worth? Do you really want to go to the guys that take 2 hours to do a PPT?

I actually figured out this genius idea the other day. A buyer and seller were having a hard time getting together for a PPT on a Kimber Stainless II. I am limited to $10 on the PPT no matter what, so I decided to just tell the seller to come in and give me the gun. I logged it in from the seller, but processed it as a regular transfer. Now I am in no way limited in fees on a regular transfer; however, there is actually a little less paperwork on a regular transfer and this gun is listed so I can get away with it. I just charge the guy $10 and told him it would help him out because I don't have to get the seller's signature.

Sure I realize I could have used the DROS worksheet, but screw it. Why not just run it as a regular transfer and charge the guy $10. It makes everyone's life easier, including mine.

I was so proud of myself for thinking outside the box.

Does that Kimber now become subject to sales tax? Just asking.

[kemasa]

Are there any issues with regards to taking in a used firearm? I know it has to be reported and I think there might be a 30 day waiting period until it can be sold.

[Sportsmans_Arms_Gabe]

I think the rude shops really don't know how much it affects their business. I for instance, only shop at places that people say are good-great shops here on calguns. I won't even step in to a shop that I've heard bad stories about. I have found that there is typically at least ONE good shop in each area, and guess what, that's where I go! Do you know why I don't even bother shopping at the other places? Because I have had such amazingly good luck with all of the places recommended here on calguns and word of mouth.

Some of the really GREAT places that have been recommended on Calguns are Sportsmans Arms in Petaluma, Parallax Tactical in San Diego, P2K range, etc. I went there based on reputation on here, and I was not disappointed in any of them. I would rather not have some terrible story in the first place, so I only go to the shops that have A GOOD REPUTATION. That's ten of thousands of dollars that other shops that I've heard bad things about will never see, and I'm sure there are hundreds others just like me.

There's a shop just down the road from me that I know nothing about, but I'd rather go some where that has a good reputation. Guess I'm silly that way.

Edited to add that there are actually a lot of great shops down here in San Diego, but I tend to frequent the ones with EBRs which limits it even more.

Thanks corrupt!!

[Randall]

We've got two gunshops in Elk Grove. There is one that I wouldn't piss on if it were on fire, and then there is Wild Bills. I don't do a great deal of business at Wild Bills, though I've bought a few firearms, done a couple PPTs, and just recently purchased a Spikes lower from them. I've had exactly one transaction at the other shop. Never again.

The difference? Wild Bill's is friendly, always smiling, and they try to be as helpful as they can be. The other place has an owner and employees that have serious superiority complexes. They are more knowlegable than anybody around about any subject you can possibly think up. Just ask 'em. They'll tell ya all about it. Wading through the BS, is something that I can do without. I'm not a redheaded step child. I'm just there to shop.

[dadoody]

First, let me say that I am not criticizing any one person or shop, I’m just curios.

I live in Fresno, CA and we have at least seven guns shops in the local area. Of the seven, I refuse to do business with five of them because they treat customers like crap. Based upon what I have read in other postings and what I hear from other gun enthusiasts, I am not alone nor is Fresno unique in this aspect.

My question is, why do some gun shops treat their customers so poorly? Is it that they have so much business that they can afford to lose a few customers? Or, is it that they deal with so many tire-kickers that they just get burned out after a while?

I had to sell several of my guns to pay bills a few years ago and recently, I have been trying to replenish my firearms and ammo supply. I have purchased a few firearms and a decent amount of ammo in the last few months and I have been shocked by the treatment I have received at the local gun shops. In more than one instance, I walked into a shop to buy a particular firearm and was treated so badly that I walked back out without spending a dime. In each case, I had money on me and knew what I wanted. Luckily, I have found one shop in this metro area of 1 million people that is a pleasure to do business with. I will be giving them all of my business in the future. I really wish I could do business with the others.

Thanks in advance for your response.

You need to grow somewhat of a thick skin. The firearms hobby and industry seems to attract a large amount of certain types of guys - easily irritable and paranoid sort of people.

Many gun owners are awesome people to deal with, don't get me wrong, but we will have a larger percentage of socially awkward people in this hobby than other hobbies - like bicycling for example.

You run into rude weirdos almost anywhere, but guns seem to attract more rude weirdos than other hobbies/fields.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Are there any issues with regards to taking in a used firearm? I know it has to be reported and I think there might be a 30 day waiting period until it can be sold.

I thought the same thing too kemasa, but do you hold onto guns shipped to you from private citizens either in state or out of state? If a guy ships a gun to you and you do the transfer, you are not the purchaser and you don't hold onto them right? Guys who buy guns on Gunbroker, do you hold onto their guns when they come in and report it using your second hand sellers license procedures?

Whether the seller brings it in and I sign it into my book from his address or he ships it to me and I sign it into his address, the process is the same. I did nothing to facilitate the sale and am only the transfer agent.

As a result, I would not collect sales tax either because it is an occasional sale between two private parties.

[RpMiller]

Very odd

I can't help but wonder what the cause might be on the Fresno situation. I live in Fresno and have done business with most all of them over the years, Fresno Firearms back when her husband was still alive and running the store as well as recently with her, with Herb Bauer, Mayfield and on. The only ones I have not made it so so far is the new A&A and I am going there in just a few minutes to have a look at the place and Breco out in Clovis, that one comes VERY highly recommended by a good friend of mine. And I have never had anything but good treatment and service from all of them. And I am not all that nice and sociable a guy. People tend to think I am sort of rude and standoffish a lot so it is odd that somebody like me would not get the cold shoulder from them.

Strange.

[RpMiller]

Fresno Shop

I just got back in from visiting the new A&A Firearms here in Fresno. Nice little shop. Not a whole lot to it but that is fully understandable since he has only been open a couple weeks now and it takes time to build inventory so you can't expect a guy to have hundreds and hundreds of guns in the counters in the first week or two. Seemed like a nice enough guy.

[Secret]

OC Armory great place for every firearm thats black . Nicest guys you'll run into

[jtmkinsd]

Gun shops are no different than any other retail store. We have customers who are easy to work with, and others who present us with challenges. Gun shops have employees who love what they do, and some not so much...lol

Just remember you as a customer have come into what you might consider a toy store and have a lot of passion about what you're looking for...the person you may be helped by is there to earn a living...the motivations clash at times and what someone may see as a "grumpy" employee could just be having a bad day.

Make no mistake, I know there are people in the business who really seem to have a knack for ticking off customers. But ya get that in any retail / customer service setting.

Best advice is what you said in your post...vote with your money...you should go where you have the best experience...and maybe you should politely explain that to the manager / owner where you had your bad experience. How else would we know you left unhappy??

[mcholak]

A&A, are you guys open? I drove by the other day and saw your sign but haven't had a chance to come by yet to see if you open or coming soon.

[TNLK]

I'm up here in sacramento, oh gee where do i start. From an asian guy its pertty bad everywhere I go. There only one shop own by an Japanese guy who knows his stuff and would dumb it down for an newbie (witnessed it myself when I was in the shop). Yeah any Sacamento foks on here would know that shop is. It is the only shop I'll ever go too and buy from no matter what.