WHAT CAN WE DO?!?!

[explorerdude]

Hey guys am an employee at a local gun store. And we ran into a little problem with potential to become a bigger problem. Here is what happened.

A handgun was registered to a customer as a dealer sale. His actual address was different from the address on his license. So we DROS'd the gun to him with the new address. He brought in proof of residency to his new address and was told to bring in a DMV printout stating he changed his address was changed to the address on the 4473 and utility bill. My error was releasing the handgun without collecting the DMV printout, my mistake. But now after attempting to contact the customer to bring in the printout, he tells us he does not have it. He says it was our mistake not his and it is not his problem. So our problem is that we do not have proof from DMV that he changed the address on his CDL to match the POR and 4473. What can we do as a gun dealer to solve this problem? Any suggestions? Any advice would be appreciated.

[halifax]

Bribe him with free ammo.

[tenpercentfirearms]

For the Feds, you will need to fill out 20b. There is no requirement you actually take a copy of the document you use to fill out 20b. You could incorrectly put down the state POR document even though it might not be a government issued document and having something written in that spot might not cause the auditor to figure it out. You could also just leave it blank and see if they catch it.

I would definitely flag that guy and if ever came back into the shop, tell him to kick rocks. If nothing else, you know not to ever release a gun like that again.

[halifax]

...

I would definitely flag that guy and if ever came back into the shop, tell him to kick rocks...

Yep, that guy burned that bridge.

[NorCalDustin]

Bribe him with free ammo.

I would probably bribe him with free ammo anyway...

Like In my case, I've purchased guns from FFL's that are 2hrs+ away from where I live. I would be less than happy with having to bring my firearm back because there was a paperwork issue (which I understand, people make mistakes).

It would flat out take an ammo bribe to get me down there...

[explorerdude]

Thank you all for your help and advice. It truely is greatly appreciated. The ammo bribe seem to have worked. The customer just brought in the remaining paper work that was needed! Lesson for me to triple check all paper work.

[kemasa]

I would still not do business with that person again. It is nice to give him a present for bringing in the form, but it should not be a complete bribe in order to do what was needed.

[explorerdude]

We definitely will not do business with this anymore. Bridge was burned. Thanks again for all the advice. Have a good weekend guys!

[NorCalDustin]

I would still not do business with that person again. It is nice to give him a present for bringing in the form, but it should not be a complete bribe in order to do what was needed.

What we do know is the FFL's employee made a mistake... Human error, it happens... Big deal.

The customer told them, hey, not my problem... which whatever... customers problem or not... I say it is a problem... but whatever, that aside for now.

It can be pain in the *** & costly for the customer to have to go back to an FFL. I mean, lets say he lives 60-100 miles away from that FFL (which is only 1-2hrs) and his vehicle like mine gets ~15mpg and gas cases $3.20/gal like in my area. Well for a SINGLE round trip the customer could be looking at an easy $26-$43 in gas alone...


IMHO... If it were me, If the customer was still willing to come back then an 'ammo bribe' will have been well worth it. The customer probably feels like you've really taken care of him and you don't know how many firearms/other related thing he will purchase in the future. Just in the future I would make sure I had everything in order.


Just a thought.


On a side note: I'm glad it all worked out

[kemasa]

As was stated, the customer was told to bring in a DMV statement showing that the address was changed. He did not do that as instructed. Yes, the FFL made a mistake, but so did the customer or perhaps it was not a mistake and hoped that the FFL did not notice, which happened.

It is nice for the FFL to give the person a present for having to come back, but in this case the fault was also with the customer and he should have agreed to come back without having to be bribed to do so.

Yeah, it can cost the customer money to come back, but it can cost the FFL even more if there is a problem. Yes, you can give cases where the drive is long and the fuel economy is low (strawman), but it can also be the case that the distance is short and the fuel economy is high.

But the bottom line to me is that a bribe should not be REQUIRED. A gift should be done because it is nice and the right thing to do. Since a FFL need not deal with any specific customer, one who refuses to come back and expresses an attitude which I find unacceptable, the FFL is fully within their right to not do business with such a person so as to avoid any future issues.

[tenpercentfirearms]

If you got him back in, then there is no need to tell him to kick rocks. Money is money and the guy might want to come back in and spend a heck of a lot more money.

If the customer did not bring it back in and showed up one day and wanted to buy a gun, I would still take his money. Then I would pull a douche move and remind him that he still needs to bring in that DMV print out for the old paperwork or I am not releasing his new gun. Oh what? I have your money. Well that isn't my problem now is it.

If the thing gets fixed, I think it is important for us in the retail world to not burn bridges either. Keep taking their money even if you have to hold your nose.