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Seriously, spoke to two RFDs this morning about guns they have advertised on GT. Both I believe are shops and not part time from home. Well the experience was less than pleasant....

I didn't even get to the haggling over price, despite the inflated advertised asking, I only looked for clarification on the wording of their add before opening negotiations!

One I could easily hear the sucking of teeth and long intake of breath and the second got really uppity after pointing out that something he wrote in his add was not truthful!!

Explains why a lot of new guys once they have their tickets all of a sudden appear in the club with guns that raise eyebrows of others....

I've come to the conclusion that RFD's are rolling in cash as I've asked 3 for a price on a new high end rifle and not one got back to me. They obviously don't need the money!

Gazza wrote:I've come to the conclusion that RFD's are rolling in cash as I've asked 3 for a price on a new high end rifle and not one got back to me. They obviously don't need the money!

I doubt that very much but there's no excuse for poor customer service.

Well I can tell you now RFD's are not rolling in cash . But used guns are where they make their money along with clothing & accessories. The problem is customers have this idea that a gunshop makes silly money on a new gun, I had one guy trying to convince me we made 60% per shotgun! In reality it's single figure %'s. On a used gun however they can make a lot more so it's in their interest to buy as cheaply as possibly.. if you're made an offer for a gun & you don't like it then don't take it, if you see a gun & think it's overpriced & they won't haggle then walk away. Others will buy it/sell it at some point & sadly that's a reality, don't forget any used gun they buy has to be serviced, & offered with a warranty & they do want to make something on it! You'll always get more selling private & people are more likely to haggle.

Something is only worth what someone will pay for it. If you don't like the price go elsewhere or wait until it cannot be sold and snatch it at the following price drop.

It is like the Marlin price issue. Older Marlin 1894s aren't worth the £900-£1200 price tag I've seen people asking. But I guess I'm wrong because apparently there are some willing to pay those extortionate prices.

Making a good mak up on a gun is not my issue, far from it. It's the bollox and a lack of even basic knowledge that paints them as Arthur Daleys!

My gripe is the lack of comunication

Gazza wrote:I've come to the conclusion that RFD's are rolling in cash as I've asked 3 for a price on a new high end rifle and not one got back to me. They obviously don't need the money!

I've had that quite often too. Recently I was casting around to buy a couple of new BP pistols listed on GT and was attempting to ascertain some extra info and get directions to the shop. The chap wouldn't reply. I had the money ready and waiting. I went elsewhere. To this day the same two revolvers are listed for sale.

I've also had some narrow escapes where a few well known dealers tried to sell me a pup. One DID sell me a pup but Bruce at Adenbournes (my then local RFD) tipped me the nod that the seller had told him not to mention some faults if I didn't spot them. A narrow escape and the item was returned for a refund before it went on my FAC.