Deposits and new prices?? poor service

steviebee

Member
HI all,

Hope someone can shed some light on this one?

I paid a deposit, on a rifle with a well known outlet? that will remain nameless so as not to spark anything off.
However low and behold when confirming collection was told hadn't received it from there 'other store' and was out of stock ? even though thay took my deposit knowing this? and I will have to wait till next shipment arrivers in 3/4 weeks time.
And was informed of there rise in price!
However I feel I am entitled to the rifle at the price I put the deposit down on not the new inflated price? as it was advertised in monthly gun magazine and still is at that price in said magazine,
It is not my fault if thay, did not have the rifle in stock that thay, was advertising and said thay had! and confirmed by telephone conversation and took a deposit off me to hold onto it.
This is not a back street trader or private add' it's from one of the big name advirtisers and frankly feel this is shameless service. any light on this matter would be apprecatied,

thanks
 
HI all,

Hope someone can shed some light on this one?

I paid a deposit, on a rifle with a well known outlet? that will remain nameless so as not to spark anything off.
However low and behold when confirming collection was told hadn't received it from there 'other store' and was out of stock ? even though thay took my deposit knowing this? and I will have to wait till next shipment arrivers in 3/4 weeks time.
And was informed of there rise in price!
However I feel I am entitled to the rifle at the price I put the deposit down on not the new inflated price? as it was advertised in monthly gun magazine and still is at that price in said magazine,
It is not my fault if thay, did not have the rifle in stock that thay, was advertising and said thay had! and confirmed by telephone conversation and took a deposit off me to hold onto it.
This is not a back street trader or private add' it's from one of the big name advirtisers and frankly feel this is shameless service. any light on this matter would be apprecatied,

thanks

You don't seem to have had much luck, poor practice from the retailer is putting it mildly!

Deposits should be refundable to the customer at any point regardless of your reasons, where something is special order the vendor needs to make sure his paperwork for taking the deposit is watertight i.e. Admin charge for the special order of 1 x bla bla bla. I have spent quite a bit of time in the retail and trade side of the gun industry and would be ashamed if I heard of any customer being treated like that!

What paperwork did you receive from the unnamed establishment when you placed the deposit?

PS I have a fair idea who the culprit is, many years ago I had a similar experience. PM me if you would rather?
 
If it's who I think it is then I am not surprised. Big adverts and empty stock rooms.

I once put a deposit on a rifle under the promise it was due in next week, 3 months later I recovered my deposit and went elsewhere.

some sportsmen just are not sporting. ;)
 
Have you told the vendor that you will not be happy paying the increased price? If they want your business they'll honour the advertised price, if they won't do that then I'd politely tell them that you no longer intend on purchasing.
Prices do change around this time of year, at least in my sector, but I wouldn't dream of charging a customer the increased price if it changes whilst the order is in progress.
 
They agreed a price and accepted a deposit so a contract was made. They even continue to advertise the price. They should therefore honour that contract. If they don't honour the contract recover your deposit and take your business elsewhere.

Oh and tell others of what has happened naming names.
 
HI all,

Hope someone can shed some light on this one?

I paid a deposit, on a rifle with a well known outlet? that will remain nameless so as not to spark anything off.
However low and behold when confirming collection was told hadn't received it from there 'other store' and was out of stock ? even though thay took my deposit knowing this? and I will have to wait till next shipment arrivers in 3/4 weeks time.
And was informed of there rise in price!
However I feel I am entitled to the rifle at the price I put the deposit down on not the new inflated price? as it was advertised in monthly gun magazine and still is at that price in said magazine,
It is not my fault if thay, did not have the rifle in stock that thay, was advertising and said thay had! and confirmed by telephone conversation and took a deposit off me to hold onto it.
This is not a back street trader or private add' it's from one of the big name advirtisers and frankly feel this is shameless service. any light on this matter would be apprecatied,

thanks

My experience as well - it seems it is actually very difficult to buy a specific rifle or specific gun or specific shotgun cartridge as so many RFD retailers will not reply to requests for quotes or even if they stock an item; they do not stock the rifles and guns they advertise; they will not give you specs such as thread size or barrel lengths when requested; and if you contact a specific retailer because the main UK importer-distributor lists them on their website as a stockist, they often reply 'we don't do that product' - if you are so lucky to get a reply in the first place.
Another example is a specific optic I am trying to buy: Prices in the USA are typically around $800 but in the UK they are around £650. One UK retailer quoted me £998 for an optic that their parent business in the USA sells for $800 (!) Yes, really, this is no typing error.
I am also baffled by the indifferent, sloppy, contempt for the customer attitude I experience in most retail outlets.

However to end on a positive note the smaller RFD's that specialise in say rifles or moderators or rifle-smithing and that work from a private address often will quote, negotiate, reply, help and do their best to win your business.
 
Deposits are always refundable except on custom/tailor made items, where the vendor has incurred cst.
 
Deposits are always refundable except on custom/tailor made items, where the vendor has incurred cst.

I know what you are saying is essentially correct however some people appear to be of the opinion that deposits are only binding on one side and demand their deposits back simply if they change their mind and no longer want to buy a product. That isn't the case and they aren't then entitled to its return.
 
I'd have a bet I know which retailer your on about having had a similar experience with them when I ordered rifles from them but you should Name & Shame, too much of this goes on I would also contact your trading standards department espically if their still advertising it at that price.
 
HI Guys,

Thanks for all the replys, and it seems we are all singing off the same song sheet so to speak, and as suggested having paid a deposit thay have entered into a contract and should be sold for the advertised price ,and will contact my local trading standards for advice, as it may be not a lot of money to them but it's a damm lot to the average wage earning man on the street, if no joy I will vote with my feet on this one, shameful customer service and have heard lots of similar comments about this retailer since.

cheers
 
If all as you say, then speak to someone higher up their food chain. The price hike should be their loss, you have paid the deposit at the price stated.
If it is who I suspect, then you maybe out of luck.

Good luck.
 
I bet I know what retailer this is!
I have one very close to me.
There service has gone down hill dramatically!
It is now staffed by some complete monkeys (bar one chap).
As someone previous said - it just not very SPORTING of these GUN CENTRES.
I now use smaller retailers wherever possible.
 
I bet I know what retailer this is!
I have one very close to me.
There service has gone down hill dramatically!
It is now staffed by some complete monkeys (bar one chap).
As someone previous said - it just not very SPORTING of these GUN CENTRES.
I now use smaller retailers wherever possible.
I also have had issues with said retailer and wish there was a reliable retailer around here.
dave
 
If they have accepted a deposit from you then they have committed to supplying you the goods at the price advertised, I would seek advice from trading standards , what they are attempting to do is bordering on dishonest!
I am sure if trading standards threatened to take legal action against them for falsely advertising prices - they would soon see the error of their ways!, you could even get trading standards to phone on your behalf.
 
Saw this thread and it promoted me to register rather than lurk.

Thank you for bringing this up as I was on the verge of ordering a Howa .243 from them as the new price looked pretty good against others in the market. I've visited their store in Newport a few times but usually end up purchasing elsewhere as the staff didn't inspire me with confidence.

I wondered about their ability to service an order and delivery to another shop or different RFD so I was procrastinating and potentially waiting for the Shooting Show in a few weeks. Happily enough I've seen a used Howa with mod for a good price so think I'll be picking that up tomorrow.

DSC1 in a few weeks so I'm not taking a punt on a potential washout and it will be interesting to see how this lot keep going with all the negative feedback and stregthening competition.
 
Highland outdoors have excellent deals/packages on Howa's if your looking.

Saw this thread and it promoted me to register rather than lurk.

Thank you for bringing this up as I was on the verge of ordering a Howa .243 from them as the new price looked pretty good against others in the market. I've visited their store in Newport a few times but usually end up purchasing elsewhere as the staff didn't inspire me with confidence.

I wondered about their ability to service an order and delivery to another shop or different RFD so I was procrastinating and potentially waiting for the Shooting Show in a few weeks. Happily enough I've seen a used Howa with mod for a good price so think I'll be picking that up tomorrow.

DSC1 in a few weeks so I'm not taking a punt on a potential washout and it will be interesting to see how this lot keep going with all the negative feedback and stregthening competition.
 
When I buy a new rifle I find the one I want that is actually in stock (this is new, not secondhand) wherever it is, pay for it and have it shipped over that day to my local RFD or I go and pick it up myself, nothing else is acceptable any more.

i have had horrendous problems in the past, waiting 5 months for one gun, another breakdown model came with no barrel, I had to find another barrel and get it shipped in, or wait seven months ( no joke) had a hell of a job getting my money back. And on top of that the firearms office weren't too pleased about altering my certificate again for a different barrel number

now I don't do deposits no nothing if it ain't there in the flesh so to speak, I move on, it should be all deep joy buying a new rifle, if you don't control it, it's an absolute nightmare, no back orders no deposits no nothing.

Fingers crossed, lets hope you get yours sorted ASAP

atb

phil
 
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Highland outdoors have excellent deals/packages on Howa's if your looking.

Cheers, I've had a look and they do look good.

I'm happy enough to go second hand for this one (as long as it's not knackered) as I won't be using it that much. If I get on well and look to upgrade to a new one then HO are the place that I'll be looking to source from (through local RFD).

ta.
 
Support your local RFD they will get you a better deal, new sako 85 on order 5 days later it arrived and with a good discount, well done BOND & BYWATER PRESTON, and thanks.
 
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