Bear Arms - Windsor, CO

[glucas]

Guys. I will transfer in anything in you want. I just want the opportunity to price match your online findings before you go straight to gunbroker. Dont call me after you bought something online that I have sitting on my shelf and want me to transfer it in for you. If I cant match the price, I will let you know and I will happily transfer the firearm in for you. Doesnt seem unreasonable to me. If you have an issue talk to me directly and I will do my best to make it right. Transfer fees are $25 by the way. A little communication goes a long way to establishing good long term relationships, and THAT, you cant just order on the internet. I WANT to earn your business.

Gary Lucas
Owner of Bear Arms
970.795.0999

[jmg8550]

I did ask your employees if the business could transfer a firearm BEFORE ordering. They wouldn't match the price, and also would not do the transfer.

You lost my business. Sorry, strike three for you.

[glucas]

Sorry to hear that. Cant win 'em all. You certainly didnt talk to me and your original post says you called after you bought it.

So i called them today about doing an FFL transfer on a new SIG i bought on gun broker because i saved $230 over retail and got a holster and 3rd mag. He said he would not do a transfer on a NEW gun only on used. I understand he wants his markup but now he lost the transfer fee as well. I paid $40 in Greeley and still saved $190 over retail and got a free holster and 3rd mag. Just a heads up.

For everyone else, like I said, if you have a problem ask me directly. I WILL make it right.

[sroz]

Guys. I will transfer in anything in you want. I just want the opportunity to price match your online findings before you go straight to gunbroker. Dont call me after you bought something online that I have sitting on my shelf and want me to transfer it in for you. If I cant match the price, I will let you know and I will happily transfer the firearm in for you. Doesnt seem unreasonable to me. If you have an issue talk to me directly and I will do my best to make it right. Transfer fees are $25 by the way. A little communication goes a long way to establishing good long term relationships, and THAT, you cant just order on the internet. I WANT to earn your business.

Gary Lucas
Owner of Bear Arms
970.795.0999

Really???
Then again, it is your business. Good luck with that.

[Great-Kazoo]

Really???
Then again, it is your business. Good luck with that.

At least Gary takes the time to respond instead of ignoring an issue, like some vendors.
He's taken care of me and other gun owners. Either way there are plenty of ffl's in NOCO to patronize.
I know 1 ffl in ft fun was doing $20 transfers. Since he had such a good flow of traffic, what did he do? That's right raised it from $20-25.

[bryjcom]

Really???
Then again, it is your business. Good luck with that.

Yeah, I don't know how that is a bad response??

Seems like a perfectly good response to the issue at hand. He could have just ignored this or even worse started getting defensive like another vendor did on another board.

I've done business with Gary and have had no problems. Seems like a straight up guy.

[Goodburbon]

I understand what the issue is but the way he's looking at it is a little odd.

Apparently his business model is:

1. Sell in store stock and make money on his mark-up.
2. special order and make money on his mark up
3. do a transfer and make the transfer fee, but only on items he can't order or stock.
4. Turn away someone who wants to give you $25 for filling out some paperwork on the principle that you should've made your mark up. Thus instead of making mark up, choosing to make zero because it's insulting to make $25.

In the end it's his choice how to run his business, but running people away who want to give him $25 because he could've made more doesn't seem wise, at least to me. He's probably losing a lot more than $25 for a transfer per customer in the long run because of the bad experience the refusal leaves in the customer's mind. His response explained his position clearly, and I respect it and the respectful manner in which it was posted. I don't think it's the best position business wise, but it's not my business to run and I wish him the best of luck.

[sroz]

I understand what the issue is but the way he's looking at it is a little odd.

Apparently his business model is:

1. Sell in store stock and make money on his mark-up.
2. special order and make money on his mark up
3. do a transfer and make the transfer fee, but only on items he can't order or stock.
4. Turn away someone who wants to give you $25 for filling out some paperwork on the principle that you should've made your mark up. Thus instead of making mark up, choosing to make zero because it's insulting to make $25.

In the end it's his choice how to run his business, but running people away who want to give him $25 because he could've made more doesn't seem wise, at least to me. He's probably losing a lot more than $25 for a transfer per customer in the long run because of the bad experience the refusal leaves in the customer's mind. His response explained his position clearly, and I respect it and the respectful manner in which it was posted. I don't think it's the best position business wise, but it's not my business to run and I wish him the best of luck.

A friend who's an ffl considered doing the same thing. I advised him otherwise for this very reason. A good number of folks will go elsewhere based on that business decision. I say again, have nothing against Bear Arms and wish them the best.

[funkymonkey1111]

Seems like an incredibly stupid policy, but hey, Bear Arms is free to look stupid to whoever they want.

[xring]

Guys. I will transfer in anything in you want. I just want the opportunity to price match your online findings before you go straight to gunbroker. Dont call me after you bought something online that I have sitting on my shelf and want me to transfer it in for you. If I cant match the price, I will let you know and I will happily transfer the firearm in for you. Doesnt seem unreasonable to me. If you have an issue talk to me directly and I will do my best to make it right. Transfer fees are $25 by the way. A little communication goes a long way to establishing good long term relationships, and THAT, you cant just order on the internet. I WANT to earn your business.

Gary Lucas
Owner of Bear Arms
970.795.0999

Seems clear to me. Appreciate your commitment to the customer Gary. Overall I think it would be in your business's best interest to do transfers without criteria but thats your call. Personally I dont see what the issue is, its not hard to find a FFL to do transfers. Some do some dont. If Im going to do a transfer ill do it with a dealer that doesnt mind hopefully by email using a JPEG FFL. If I want to go to a stocking dealer thats relaxed with reasonable prices Ill go to Bear arms. A dealer that does gunbroker transfers yes thats a nice thing. Many dealers who willingly do gunbroker transfers dont have Garys overhead in inventory or location. A personal relationship with a dealer that stands behind his product has value. Yes you can save significant money on gunbroker - sweet score! but Gary is running a stocking shop. If he wants to set criteria for tranfers thats his choice, If you dont want to give him your business because he sets terms for transfers thats your choice. Personally if i want taco bell ill go there if I want Carinos ill go there. Both serve food but provide a very different product.