Shifty online retailer alert

[johnh]

Guys,

I know many of you are aware I am an AK collector, and of course was sent into panic mode with the latest Obama ban on Russian gun imports. I broke out the plastic and ordered a few Saigas with the Mrs. encouragement. I got most of my orders through, but two companies mysteriously ran out of guns after I ordered: Buds Gunshop and Cheaper Than Dirt. I am not really surprised at the latter as they have a long record of such mysterious inventory issues around panic purchasing events. Cheaper actually charged my card first, a new level of low. In both cases their online inventory showed the Saigas I ordered in stock. It will be interesting to see if they suddenly have more in stock at a much higher price. :32:

On the other side, some other vendors honored their advertised price and even managed to ship relatively fast: J&G Sales, Classic Arms, and RRC Firearms. I was able to get the guns I originally ordered from Buds and CTD thanks to them. Of course it would help if the dictator in chief would just keep his nose out of the gun business.

John

[Longitude Zero]

Hold on tightly to them. I know folks who tried to buy like you did and the starting price for weapons already in stock hit 3K to start and hit the stratosphere quickly. Sadly I do not forsee the ban ever being lifted.

[marshal kane]

I don't know if you've ordered firearms from Buds Gunshop before but I have twice without incident. It may be coincidence that Buds ran out of inventory but IMO, I would not classify them as a "shifty online retailer". At least not just yet. Hope you'll give them another chance and the outcome is successful. BTW, I'm not affiliated with Buds in any way.

[marshal kane]

. . . Sadly I do not forsee the ban ever being lifted.
Hopefully sometime after 2016.

[DavidS]

It would not surprise me that sales outpaced the ability to update the online inventories. Particularly with Cheaper Than Dirt as they are a very popular site because of their generally good pricing.

[CPTKILLER]

CTD is a dirty firm.

[DavidS]

CTD is a dirty firm.
Care to elaborate?

[CPO15]

Same thing happened to me with Gander Mountain: AK ordered, CC info provided and confirmation email on same day (last Thursday). No shipping notice, so I email "What's Up?" Am told they are out of stock even though the website stills list the gun as in stock. I knew GM's prices stink, now I know they're liars too.

[deadeye]

Care to elaborate?

Same here. I haven't ordered a firearm form them but have parts and ammo. They have given excellent service. They had a pricing problem some time ago but have that ironed out. My son lives close to them and doesn't like them - said they don't keep things in stock. I told him I thought they were mainly mail order. Just wondering.

[muggsy]

I'm not a fan of either company, John. Both are involved in practices that are less than honest and forthright.

[ltxi]

I quit ordering from CTD years ago. Consistently high shipping costs, erratic delivery times, immediate card charge for items listed as in stock and then back ordered, bad/poor quality ammunition, and a bad attitude.

[downtownv]

I never had and success with Buds. I get the impression that they are very Overrated. CTD isn't always found better deals elsewhere.
LZ I agree, Obama under the Russian punishment guise just got away with another Gun Ban.

[nodakbassmaster]

CTD has a long history of skyrocketing prices VERY quickly when they see a situation where demand may warrant. Stay away from them! There are plenty of places out there who didn't/don't jack up prices artificially. But it can be hard to get ahold of what you are looking for sometimes!

[b4uqzme]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1XlwkA9u54

Both companies have spotty histories. I've avoided them just because. I prefer to buy in person anyways. It's more fun...the thrill of the hunt so to say. Plus I like to support local businesses. I would hate to see them go away.

[larryz]

CTD has a long history of skyrocketing prices VERY quickly when they see a situation where demand may warrant.

Hmmm. They seem to drop ammo prices when they can get a bunch, though. And I was able to get two mags for my P45 at $27 each on sale just two weeks ago -- and they shipped and showed quickly.