New "no more 24-hour holds" policy - clarification?

[Tuco Pike]

I really don't like the idea of have to put a 1/3 deposit to ensure the gun isn't sold while waiting for pictures, then if the pictures come and the gun isn't what I want, having to pay a 10% restocking fee (not bad work if you can get it). Just me? Or did I read something wrong?

[jethunter]

Unfortunately, the sheer volume of our sales prevents us from being able to keep up with the turn-over of firearms through our store. Quite often we receive a used gun in our store from the original owner, only to have that gun sold within minutes of it entering our inventory.

Most other retailers show photographs of their new in-stock guns, taken from the manufacturers' websites. Very few of those retailers who sell anywhere near the volume of used guns that we carry display photographs of their used firearms for this very reason.

Case in point: We have a collection of some 300 guns arriving within the next few weeks. By the time we get those guns entered into inventory and posted on the website, many will be sold within 24 hours. There is no way for us to keep up with that volume to post photos that quickly.

For those reasons, we offer photographs on-demand as required by potential customers.

Tradeex has a high volume of used guns and they take a decent picture of every one of them. They don't list until the photo is online. I guess that's because they don't have walk-in sales like Epps does.

[haretrigger]

I have lost out on at least two milsurp firearm purchases, and a bayonet from Epps because I've been waiting for pictures to arrive to my email while someone else local scoops up what I'm after. I very simply have given up requesting photos as it simply isn't worth the hassle of buying a rifle sight unseen. IMO it's like when a seller on the EE requests buyers to email or PM for pictures. I have purchased a few this way but it definitely is not the normal or preferred way of making a purchase.

[jethunter]

I have lost out on at least two milsurp firearm purchases, and a bayonet from Epps because I've been waiting for pictures to arrive to my email while someone else local scoops up what I'm after. I very simply have given up requesting photos as it simply isn't worth the hassle of buying a rifle sight unseen. IMO it's like when a seller on the EE requests buyers to email or PM for pictures. I have purchased a few this way but it definitely is not the normal or preferred way of making a purchase.

You can't blame the retailer for that. Walk-in sales are customers too. Most ads here on the EE use the same logic: First "i'll take it" get's it. That's the way it works every where but Epps gives you the option of holding it if you want.

[haretrigger]

I agree, not Epps fault. I know a sale now beats a possible sale tomorrow everytime. It made no difference that I didn't buy the rifles in question as they sold quickly, but I most likely would have bought them on the spot if I could have seen them. (They would have sold quicker)

I have purchased quite a few odds and sods from Epps over the past few years and have always been impressed with their customer service. I know it's a lot to ask of a retailer to take photos of every piece of kit that they have for sale, but as stated previously in this thread with used rifles milsurp condition and appearance are everything. I don't need a photo of a synthetic stainless 10/22 to know what I'm purchasing.

[jethunter]

I know what you mean. I like Epps and they have a really good used gun selection. But the good ones go so darn fast it's hard to keep up.

[maxinumarmor]

Or post pics of up come guns before posted and entered into inventory so while they are being checked over and graded/priced people have seen them and know/decide to buy or not.
This can be done when they roll in the door some quick pics to post.
I should say this is for used guns but as state already for new ones we can go to the man.web site and see them all we would need to know other then that is if they come with timber or plastic stocks.
Real simple i think.

[jethunter]

Noted the new policy on your website about no more 24-hour holds, and I'm looking for some clarification about options for us out-of-towners who need a bit of time to receive some photos, for example. Commitment to buy pending photos, with required quick response? Buy it on-spec and return it, with attendant costs?

I understand your desire may be to cut down on the tire-kickers and avoid missing a sale during the hold period, but just want to see how this is going to work for those unable to actually handle the firearm before buying it.

Thanks.

PS. Just want to add that I've had nothing but great experiences in my dealing with you guys.

Like everything else, there were people abusing the complimentary service. That's what usually happens - a few jackasses abuse something good and the rest of us suffer for it. That rule wouldn't be needed except that there were people who weren't really interested screwing with the system just because they could. Blame the #######s who put 24 hr holds on firearms time and again but never bought anything.

As usual, We who did not abuse the system are penalized because of the assats. That's pretty much the root of all law and regulation. The rules have to be there for the dinks.