Local Airgun Store (Return)

[Cutstavo]

I’m new to the PCP world and got the itch so bad yesterday that I went to a local airgun store set on leaving with something. They didn’t have exactly what I was looking for, but I ended up walking out with a Gauntlet 2 in .22. As soon as I got home, I fired one pellet to see how “friendly” it would be in the backyard. Pretty dang loud, not a huge deal.

Fast forward to today and I am not happy with my purchase. I’m sure the G2 is nice for a lot of people, but it ain’t me. It’s looong, heavy, the bolt is heavy as hell, and I’m just not happy with it. I went up to the store after work today and asked what the return policy was. The salesman looked at me like I had a lampshade on my head. Am I crazy to think that I should be able to return this airgun? He took down my name and number and said he would have the owner call me to discuss.

What is the general consensus regarding a situation like this? The airgun is still essentially new. For reference there was nothing specific said when I was purchasing about returns or lack thereof. No signs in the shop, no info on the receipt, etc.

I’m interested in other people’s experiences.

 

[JimNM]

Are you serious? Try taking a steak back to the restaurant after you take it home and eat it

Grow a pair and don't expect others to suck up your mistake. IMHO. Impulse control is on you.

 

[Miami Airgunner]

The issue is this: The shop would now need to sell this as a 'used' airgun - regardless of the fact it's only a little used, if they're being honest with their customers, it'd be important to disclose that fact.

So, if they do take a return, it'd be fair to expect a significant restocking fee to cover the loss of value they'll suffer on the item.

With that being said, as long as that's agreeable to you, they probably would do so, or may offer to sell it on commission for you.

If none of that works out, there's always the used forum here - just make sure you understand shipping costs before committing to a deal - once you've agreed to it here, the expectation is that you'll follow through on what was promised.

Hope that helps!

 

[L.Leon]

Well, you did scratch that itch, a little too hard and now you’ll bleed some cash. Take the hit, learn to be patient and get what you really want. All the things you just learned about the Gauntlet “the hard way” could’ve been avoided with a few questions here… Good luck!

 

[Max B.]

You're very fortunate to have a local airgun store. If it were me, I would give the sale to the store and sell it in the classifieds. But, that's only because I'd be so grateful to have a local store and wouldn't mind spending a little extra to keep them in business. Hope this all works out for you.

 

[WorriedMan]

Well, you did scratch that itch, a little too hard and now you’ll bleed some cash. Take the hit, learn to be patient and get what you really want. All the things you just learned about the Gauntlet “the hard way” could’ve been avoided with a few questions here… Good luck!

L.Leon,
Well said, couldn't agree more. First PCP was Original Gauntlet, never considered length and weight, figured size was suited to adult over youngster, that's about it. Research showed regulated, synthetic stock and .25 caliber, all boxes checked! Arrival brought same reality as OP, hopes for an all-day hunter dashed. $310 lesson learned, join forum, ask questions, save heartache. Still own Gauntlet and enjoy bench shooting, just not as endearing as others in collection. WM

 

[Doc C.]

Life lessons usually come with some costs. Cash, blood, friends, etc.
That being said, OP may not be too familiar with weapons and the unfired versus fired values.

Hang around here and ask more questions. I did, and it saved me a lot of mistakes and cash.

Doc

 

[starlingassn]

thats why i always buy from pyramyd,
if i dont like it i can send it back and get my money back no questions asked.

 

[Trucker3573]

Sorry to be blunt but local shops aren’t generally Amazon. Another trend we can thank bezos for.

 

[Rob_in_NC]

Good judgement comes from experience; experience usually comes from bad judgement.

 

[AirNGasman]

Are you serious? Try taking a steak back to the restaurant after you take it home and eat it

Grow a pair and don't expect others to suck up your mistake. IMHO. Impulse control is on you.

As a serious airgunner for 65 years, and with 40 years of retail business experience, I agree with Jim. Customer's mistake; he should OWN IT.

That said, if the shop owner is reputable and the gun in LIKE new condition, he should offer roughly half the original purchase price in store credit toward whatever the customer thinks he wants this time; so the shop doesn't lose TOO MUCH money.

 

[jetpopt]

I sure hope you don’t go pet shopping with that buy-NOW! impulse. Didn’t you pick it up in the store to feel its weight and check the size? That is THE big advantage of buying in a brick-and-mortar store in the first place.

 

[Chukar60]

I am not going to pound on you but best you can hope for is a reasonable trade in value with the same shop.
I am very fortunate and have a great little shop about 15 miles from me. They have converted from a PB and air gun shop to just an air gun shop. Their inventory and selection are improving all the time and I can tell you it is a rare event when I buy online. Having an air source close and instant access to most anything I need is invaluable. I will pay more for the convenience.
Most mom and pops will treat you more than fair once you have proved a solid customer.
Sorry for your misfortune. Hard lessons always hurt a bit.

 

[AirNGasman]

The adage "experience is the best teacher' is absolutely false! BAD experience is a MUCH BETTER TEACHER than experience.

Lesson learned?

 

[Cutstavo]

I appreciate all the replies to this. I have learned my lesson and will understand if a return is not possible. I made a bad, snap decision and I’m OK to own that. Like I said, I’m new to this scene and didn’t know what was “normal” in this situation.

 

[shambozzie]

It boils down to 2 choices. Sell as is or contact the Gauntlet guru about his tune. Turn the lemon into lemonade.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Wow... Pa dont even treat ya that bad..

But like said above in many ways on how things can be . Now that kinda makes pa generous rma/ refund policy look real good and as he sticks more customers as he goes you may not have a local air gun shop before long anyway..
One thing you did get from this is the " you know better next time" experience.

 

[Cutstavo]

It boils down to 2 choices. Sell as is or contact the Gauntlet guru about his tune. Turn the lemon into lemonade.

View attachment 355648

Yep! I found him last night. At least if I end up keeping the G2 I’ll have some options for tinkering.

 

[Cutstavo]

Wow... Pa dont even treat ya that bad..

But like said above in many ways on how things can be . Now that kinda makes pa generous rma/ refund policy look real good and as he sticks more customers as he goes you may not have a local air gun shop before long anyway..
One thing you did get from this is the " you know better next time" experience.

How does PA (I’m assuming you mean Pyramid Air) handle these types of situations? Do they have a no questions asked return policy?

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Pretty much .. they ask somethings but i returned a r9 3 times , first would not shoot over 309fps, 2ed they sent was bad rusted up, 3ed they sent had aftermarket parts in it . The 4th teturn the rear sight was all the way right and the groups were 2 inches left of aim point ..lol. I kept that one and "fixed it" myself.. reason i did not return and select "refund" was covid was now in full swing and did not want to go back to town to remail it ..

They took them back one right behind the other and paid the return shipping with a print off lable.

Now each one had a legitimate issue and i was able to show good pictures of them as definitely not "new" guns sent..lol. more like referbs they tried to push off as new. (???)

You see the 60 fay money back guarantee thing below .. well they held up there end of that well on that mess ( though i choosed replacment gun instead of refund).

So until somthing they dont pops up i cant knock pa for that effort

The gauntlet 2 shows 60 day return.