Time for a new gun store. :(

[OldGringo]

I think a lot of LGS owners are really feeling the pain of reduced profit margins and it shows.

I've noticed this as well.

That's why I'm VERY fortunate that my go-to FFL isn't just an LGS but the pro shop of a very fine outdoor range with lots of bays, members, as well as a busy calendar with many shooting competitions and classes. They charge $25 per transfer and the owner, manager, and staff are more than happy to do them since they also make a lot, if not most, of their money off of memberships, day fees, rentals, ammo, match fees, training classes, gear, etc... The place is usually pretty busy. They also do a lot of Form 1s and Form 4s.

Adding value, in addition to being a gun store, seems the way to go these days. Even if you purchase the gun online, unless you've got access to rural land (yours or a friend/family member) or you live in the Mountain West, you're going to need somewhere to shoot it.

Case in point:
Even though I've been a member at this range for several years and their pro shop is where I have done all my transfers, I only very recently bought a firearm from them. Nonetheless, I've spent a decent amount of money with them over the years.

As an added bonus being a CZ owner; because of the many matches they host, they're always well stocked with CZs both duty and competition. The manager is actually a competitive shooter and gunsmith who shoots and specializes in working on CZs.

[Insert]

I’m glad my local shops have all been pretty nice to me so far. That sucks with what you had to go through but at least got your product.

[Boriqua]

To the OP .. Its awful that you had to go through that. Its always a happy happy joy time when you are picking up a new gun and he spoiled the experience. Lets hope he falls asleep with an open window and receives the 1000 mosquito bites on his testicles he so richly deserves.

It may be my imagination but TERRIBLE rude customer service since endemic in the gun shop world. I have one just a few miles from me. I can ride my bicycle there and wont touch the place.

All the crying about internet sales when the only thing a brick and mortar can offer is quality professional customer service and they drop the ball on that. I am an absolute stickler about customer service and will be loyal to a fault to people and places that provide it. I will gladly pay a little extra to be treated like a human being.

My last 5 guns have been through the internet and I too use a local small FFL guy. You sometimes have to work around their schedule but its always smiles, a handshake I pass $20 and I am off and doing the new gun happy dance. Life is to short and happy moments to infrequent to let others ruin it. IMHO .. the extra you had to pay to send it back and recieve it again was worth it. Dont give 5 cents to people who dont earn it.

[CrusherDestroyer]

Sorry,  Been busy with sick kids and life.   I've been waiting for a confirmation that the pistol was back in the mail to me before I put a name to his BS.   He's in Glen Allen, VA.  I think its the only one there...
I have no ill-will towards him or his shop. Hes running himself into the ground, one day, he may even realize he did it to himself.
 
I'm happy he sent it back, I have no idea how to go about getting it back if he really decided to keep it,  is that even legal?

[Claymore504]

Wow, not good customer service at all. Not worth dealing with that at all. Glad you found another one. The problem I experienced in my area for years was every gun store employees that were arrogant and called everyone chief, turbo, hotrod and other nonsense. They always adives you what gun you needed and that what you wanted was junk. I remember going to a shop years ago looking for a Springfield 1911 and was told that I really wanted a Kimber and that all other guns were junk.

Finally found a little family owned one about 5 years ago and have been doing business with them. They are pretty far from me, but worth it.

[GoBlueCO1]

Unfortunately, providing any type customer service seems to be few and far between these days. I also have to find a new gun store as the only one near me that was worth visiting closed down.

[Arko]

Wow! You have to be in maryland. That's a terrible story. Glad you finally did get the gun you wanted. I believe you were right to discontinue doing business with that particular dealer.

[Wobbly]

There was one really nice shop near my old home. In business for decades, family owned, well stocked. I went in there a lot... until my first transfer.

I kept calling and they kept saying, "the gun isn't here yet". This went on for 2 weeks, so I called the GB seller back and he sent me the UPS tracking info. I went to the shop in person, and they said the same thing. So I whipped out the UPS sheet with the guy's signature showing. They begrudgingly went into the back to look again. And guess what ? They found my rifle ! But the guy came back with an attitude. I don't know why because it was a brand of rifle they did not sell and had never sold.

This was 15 years ago and the guy had the gall to charge me $35 for the transfer. I never went back.