New gun buyer unhappy with purchase.

[newtoit]

Hi,

I am very new to hunting but have been skeet shooting previously in the UK and have a Beretta 687 O/O already. As part of my ongoing integration into life in Canada I decided to take up hunting as a sport and hobby. I took all of the courses and started on the expensive business of getting the equipment required, I did a lot of reading and homework on the guns I would need and toured around Cabella's and Bass Pro locally to find out what kind of gun I would need. I decided to purchase a shot gun first for turkey and wild bird and had settled on a Benelli supernova. I did a bit of research and found that Epps had a good deal on a supernova so decided to take the 1.5 hour drive to the store to review the gun and make the purchase. Being a real novice I was given some very good advice by the sales person (Chris) about the supernova (28" barrel) and the kind of shooting I would be doing so was moved from the supernova (a $699 deal) to a new Beretta A300 Outlander ($914 deal). I still think the deal in terms of cost for a new A300 is pretty good, but that is where things go awry!

I made the purchase in good faith, the gun was assembled for me and dis-assembled by the sales person. I did not really inspect the gun which is a real mistake on my part. I did check the first 2 guns I was shown which was the Benelli and a new Browning, but I did not check the Beretta!

A couple of hindsite notes I will take away from this.

1. The Benelli and the Browning were both fully packaged with the suppliers packing, the Beretta was just in a box.
2. I should have checked the firearm thoroughly before I paid for it.
3. I was too eager to make the purchase.

I then went home and before I put it away decided to give it a full clean to make sure it was ready to take out and shoot when the weather is warmer (currently -47 is no fun). On checking the bore I noticed that is was absolutely filthy after about 20 runs with the brass brush and soft cloths it came out clean! Then I notice the markings down the barrel from the shot, I immediately thought this is a second hand gun and I purchased a brand new one. So I decided the next day to drive the 1.5 hours again to see what they had to say.

I spoke with the first sales rep who said he felt it was not used even though there are some chips in the ejector hole and the fact that the gun was filthy before I cleaned it. Then I was passed onto the owner of the shop, he was pretty condescending about how guns are not pretty toys and that they get marked up. He then went on to say that the reason the bore was dirty was because the manufacturer has to test fire 60 rounds through the gun before it is shipped (seems he cannot agree on that because in a previous comment in regard to another post about poor service he said it was 40 rounds?). I also mentioned the fact that there was what appeared to be a deformity in the barrel, I was corrected because this is for the gas ejection (I am still learning). So I then asked if they had another gun I could look at (I knew they had another for sale in there inventory), he brought out the other gun and I could immediately see the gun was still packed, there was oil residue all over the gun and when I inspected the barrel I saw that while it was still dirty it definitely was no where near as bad as the one I had just cleaned up. I asked if he would swap the one he had sold me as new for then one I could see is definitely new. His answer was the same as he had give the other poster about the transfer of warranty and that I would have to pay a restocking fee ($120) as the gun would now have to be sold as used! He then went on to say that if I have any problems I should talk with the Beretta rep directly and gave me his number.

I cannot definitely say the gun was used, but all indications would point to that. I am new to this game but I cannot see how swapping out a gun would void the warranty? The fact is I was a first time buyer at the shop, I spent a lot of time and money going to the shop to make sure I got the right gun, the sales staff I encountered were excellent and I was definitely encouraged to get the right gun for all the right reasons. But in the end this has left me with a very bad taste about dealing with Epps in the future, I am not writing this to whine about the store but just to make others aware of just what to expect. It was my dumb stupidity that got me here and I will live with that. I will never buy from Epps again just for this reason, as a new gun enthusiast I feel very wronged by someone who should be encouraging new buyers and giving them a great gun purchasing experience.

[jasondhaynes]

Had many problems with Epps in the past. Needless to say I do not give them anymore business nor do my friends. Many honest dealers out there not looking to nickel and dime people.

[K-Roc]

They generally don't get good reviews or go the distance for their customers. Just look at their horrible website. I would suggest wanstalls, canada ammo, and Crowin arms just to name a few sponsors who provide excellent service. Chalk it up to a learning experience and send your business elsewhere from now on.

[J_K_S]

It's best to go with a buddy who knows a lot about hunting/firearms before jumping into a new purchase. Sounds like the store "Upsold" you on the more expensive model too. To charge you a restocking fee for a gun you brought back to the store the next day seems shady/unfair.

i hope it works out for you in the end.

J_K_S

[Familygunnutz]

thanks for the info, you did not do anything wrong. I have never received a brand new gun that is filthy, a little dirty maybe after test shots, filthy is not right.

[smiley1]

Most guns are test fired at the factory! Some more than others.

If you bought this gun to drag around in the bush and do gun games with, will it really matter next year if the factory shot 40 or 60 rounds?

Do you also get upset if your new Black and Decker drill gets a little scratch or looks dirty? Guns are tools.

[BoomSticKs]

He then went on to say that if I have any problems I should talk with the Beretta rep directly and gave me his number.

Sorry for your experience , i have a similar issue with Arma Coast Finishes. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...ight=Arma+Coat

You must post your experience in the General Firearms Discussion Forum.

The Beretta rep can't do anything for that.

I hope you will have better luck than me. Good luck.

[Familygunnutz]

Most guns are test fired at the factory! Some more than others.

If you bought this gun to drag around in the bush and do gun games with, will it really matter next year if the factory shot 40 or 60 rounds?

Do you also get upset if your new Black and Decker drill gets a little scratch or looks dirty? Guns are tools.

I'd like to chime in here a little, I often see people advise others just to live with the cosmetic issues on a new gun,e.g guns are to be shot etc....
of course the cosmetic condition of the gun will not affect function, or ever cause any trouble for the owner. but this is not about that, this is about the matter of principle.
a very simple example, would you be happy taking delivery of a new car which you paid retail price for and you discovered the odo shows 5000km ?
not looking to start to argument here, just stating some of us expects what we paid for that's all...

[TITAN_32]

Most guns are test fired at the factory! Some more than others.

If you bought this gun to drag around in the bush and do gun games with, will it really matter next year if the factory shot 40 or 60 rounds?

Do you also get upset if your new Black and Decker drill gets a little scratch or looks dirty? Guns are tools.

I agree and disagree... If he bought it new... It should be 'new'. If you choose not to take care of your stuff that's up to you. I'd be choked too... A 3hr drive only to be disappointed. That's tough to swallow for something he clearly has been excited about and preparing for. I haven't bought from Epps but have spent many hours browsing their site or corresponding with staff. They have a great selection. I would have hoped they would have swapped the shottys for him. It's not too late for them to give him some love back... And I think they should.

[Forest1488]

This whole episode gets under my skin. The store in question had an opportunity to take someone new to the sport (as well as our country) and help them along. I have found that just about every gun owner I know or have met are people with integrity and are loyal to their friends and families. They are also loyal to the stores and the people behind the counter who have provided them assistance and customer service when making a purchase, or even a non-purchase. I own a garage full of hunting and fishing equipment and it was bought from the people and stores that went the extra distance to earn both my trust and my money. There are a dozen other places you can go to that will not treat you like this or mention BS restocking fees.

I have lived in the UK and have purchased shotguns there on occasion. It was my experience that customer service in the UK was awesome at the worst of times. You can find it here as well but you have to get out there and either visit or call around. Yes some of the vendors on this board are A++ but there are many who do not advertise here that are also top notch.

I hope it all works out for you.

Cheers,