Stay FAR from Wild Bill's in Abilene, TX

[WaltonS]

Hey, guys. Figured I'd take a minute out of my day to share another amusing/idiotic story with y'all.
I mentioned this chain of pawn shops before without naming names here in the past. Stupidly, I went to another of their four locations in the city the other day, and spotted an odd rifle... shiny polished bolt handle, very long barrel, black synthetic stock, completely internal magazine (no exposed floorplate).... I asked what it was. Guy at the counter says it's an SKS.


.... A bolt action SKS? So I ask to see it. Sure enough, price tag says SKS, 7.62x39. Asking price $350.
It was a sporterized M91-30 chambered in 7.62x54R according to the engraving on the receiver. And according to probably anyone who knew anything about either rifle. I point out the mislabeling to him and ask what the actual price is. He excuses himself, and shortly thereafter he returns to the counter, manager in tow. The manger tells (not asks, tells) me to leave for trying to start trouble.

 

[Rail Driver]

Sounds like they got busted for mislabeling guns (not sure the legality of that...false advertising claim maybe?) and attempting to rip people off... Of course it also depends on how you approached the matter and whether there were any other customers present at the time.

I'm not saying what they did is right (far from it) but their response was likely not too far off from your approach.

 

[WaltonS]

I just asked "Are you sure this is labeled right? The receiver says it's a Mosin. Could you double-check on the price of this for me?" then he got his manager. I'm usually pretty cool to people working sales anywhere (Unless they call me from overseas three times a week to sell me deeply discounted prescription drugs. Then I get a bit cranky...) after being subjected to years of abuse at Walmart, Sears, and working for a call center...

 

[Rail Driver]

I just asked "Are you sure this is labeled right? The receiver says it's a Mosin. Could you double-check on the price of this for me?" then he got his manager. I'm usually pretty cool to people working sales anywhere (Unless they call me from overseas three times a week to sell me deeply discounted prescription drugs. Then I get a bit cranky...) after being subjected to years of abuse at Walmart, Sears, and working for a call center...

LMAO I just got one of those calls for "prescription medicines at cost!" the other day. Maybe the manager was having a bad day. I'd let it slide and go shop someplace else. Good on you for making sure everyone else knows about their poor business practices too!

 

[WaltonS]

[tangent] It seems those guys don't know the meaning of the phrase "do not call registry," nor do they acknowledge polite requests such as "Please stop calling me, I'm not interested in prescription medication."[/tangent]
I try to turn a blind eye to the odd social or business faux pas, but at the same time... you can't unsee what's already been seen, and when one place is responsible for so many, you can't help but think something's amiss...

 

[tekarra]

I learned long ago that people who worked in gun shops are not necessarily knowledgeable with the products they sell. Therefore, I try to find a mom and pop shop where, if they are not certain about a product, they don't try a snow job on you.

 

[InkEd]

It was a pawn shop not an actual gun shop.

 

[WaltonS]

InkEd, when one of their main draws is selling guns, and the "pawn" part is kind've on the side, the classification's kinda fuzzy.

 

[shiftyer1]

I have worked in a pawn shop for 10 years and can honestly tell you that at least 85% of pawnbrokers can't tell a gun from a broomstick. Some like me have an interest in guns and know a little bit. I try my best to learn more about guns I get that I know nothing about. It helps me and the customer both. If you come in and can't tell a broomstick from a gun and I don't have what I feel would suit your needs i'll try to find you something that will. Even if it's elsewhere.

As far as the managers responce that probably veries from the way you were interpreted to what the last customer or 2 were like.

Shop around find a pawnshop you like and take your business there. If you can't find one come visit me in austin. If it's priced foolishly high i'll probably tell you before you tell me.

 

[ShawnC]

But...but...but on Pawn Stars they are all experts on at least antique weapons! Are you telling me all pawn brokers aren't like that?

 

[jmstevens2]

Wonder if they got taken by a guy who sold them an SKS that they paid too much for and were not happy when they found out that it was a 79 dollar gun.

 

[PlateStacker]

Damn, just imagine if someone tries and fire the wrong ammo in a firearm that the pawnshop mislabeled..

 

[rondog]

Damn, just imagine if someone tries and fire the wrong ammo in a firearm that the pawnshop mislabeled..

If someone tried to put a 7.62x39 round into a Mosin, it would just drop down into the chamber like it was a trash can. No chance it would fire.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

It was a pawn shop not an actual gun shop.

its possible to be both

 

[redraidermgr]

I have looked at one of that chain before (I grew up a few towns down the highway) and I was never impressed either. I was turned off from pawnshops for a long time after dealing with that one and it took me a while to get out of the whole pawnshops are dens of scum and villainy vibe that I got from that one. I currently have a couple good ones that I visit in Lubbock that are actually class 3 FFLs as well as pawnshops and are more competitive than half of the gun shops here in town.

 

[Bubbles]

Got to wonder if the gun is labeled as an SKS in the bound book...

 

[Onmilo]

I stopped wondering about these things.
Their problem, not mine.

 

[303tom]

If someone tried to put a 7.62x39 round into a Mosin, it would just drop down into the chamber like it was a trash can. No chance it would fire.

If you held it straight up maybe.

 

[WaltonS]

I have looked at one of that chain before (I grew up a few towns down the highway) and I was never impressed either. I was turned off from pawnshops for a long time after dealing with that one and it took me a while to get out of the whole pawnshops are dens of scum and villainy vibe that I got from that one. I currently have a couple good ones that I visit in Lubbock that are actually class 3 FFLs as well as pawnshops and are more competitive than half of the gun shops here in town.

I don't know if you're familiar with it, but our one dedicated class 3 shop, Patriot Gunworks, seems to have gone AWOL.

Got to wonder if the gun is labeled as an SKS in the bound book...

Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of this happening before; just how bad could/would the fallout from that be?

 

[Bubbles]

Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of this happening before; just how bad could/would the fallout from that be?

During our last compliance inspection we had to produce every firearm in inventory and show it to our IOI.

IOI: Where's the SKS?
FFL: Here it is.
IOI: This is a Mosin.
FFL: DOH!

At that point your inspection just got "fun".

One instance? Chalk it up to a human mistake. Many instances will get your license pulled.

 

[WaltonS]

Oh, ok. I kind've figured it would put a dealer at risk of losing their license; I didn't know if they might be subject to any other sort of penalty if that sort of thing was caught by the inspector.

 

[redraidermgr]

I don't know if you're familiar with it, but our one dedicated class 3 shop, Patriot Gunworks, seems to have gone AWOL.

I am familiar with Patriot here in Lubbock. I did not know they had gone missing. I was just there a couple of months ago with some family. I don't regularly check out that one because of some of the attitudes and comments I have gotten there before. It is always hit or miss with them on whether they will be nice or rude to you when you go in there.

I check out patriot (never bought anything from them but range time) but tend to stay away from sharp shooters and fred's gun emporium as they are both overpriced. I like lubbock shooters group (34th and elgin) and Empire pawn at 50th and Q. There are a couple shops i still havent checked out but customer service and prices have alot to do with how much i like the place. Both of the ones i recommended above have friendly and competent staff and competitive pricing for this area.

 

[marktx]

I don't know if you're familiar with it, but our one dedicated class 3 shop, Patriot Gunworks, seems to have gone AWOL.

That's what happens when you aren't very careful with your paperwork.... or just plain careless.