Bad behavior by Gander Mtn

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TheEgg

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I purchased a revolver at the new Mesquite TX store last week. The staff was poorly trained in the purchase process for firearms and it took them more than an hour to complete.

Fast forward to yesterday. I got a call from the store. The lady on the phone stated that there was a problem with "my" paperwork. (it isn't my paperwork it is theirs.)

She told me that they did not have my drivers license information. I told her that that seemed strange as they had had my DL and my CHL in their possession for at least 45 minutes during the transaction. She told me that I needed to provide it to her on the phone immediately.

I told her that I wasn't sure I wanted to do that, as I was concerned about identity theft and providing that kind of information on a cold call

Here is the crux of the matter. - She told me that if I didn't cooperate she would call the ATF and have them come out and confiscate my guns.

I know that this is total bull. I asked to speak to her supervisor, and although she did not repeat this silly threat she did not retract it or apologize either.

Later on today I will be calling the Dallas ATF field office and find out if they are instructing the local FFL dealers to threaten their customers with visits by the ATF and gun confiscation as a result of paperwork errors by the dealer. I don't think they will be pleased.

I would strongly advise anyone reading this to NOT purchase firearms at the Mesquite Gander Mtn. Store.
 
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Wow! Nice try on the threat. Someone in a sales position should know that you don't just make a call like that demanding personal information. If in fact there was something that was required (guessing somebody wrote down the wrong DL number or something like at, since you said they appeared to lacking knowledge of the process), one of two options should have been possible. One, get her name and phone number so you can call back (of course, calling the main store phone number and asking to be directed to the person you talked to) or two, go to the store and handle the situation in person (inconvenient I'm sure). But threatening you when it is something they did incorrectly is put of line and needs to be taken up with store management (doubt anything will happen but at least you can have the issue documented). Best of luck on your cell to the ATF.
 
You need to write that up in a letter to Gander Mountain corporate and copy it to the manager at that store.

The second she made that "threat" I've have simply hung up if I hadn't long before that.
 
Bad behavior by Gander Mountain

We all know that they (Gander Mountain) was required to make "the" phone call, during the process of the Form 4473, and verbally received permission to complete the firearms purchase transaction. The information obviously was correct or you would not have been allowed to leave the store with the weapon. Surely someone at Gander could have reconstructed the information, to reconcil their paperwork, instead of instructing an uninformed underling, to take care of it, as it was beneath them, to do so. Glad the ATF did not get involved, as your weapon quite likely would have been confiscated and sent to Mexico!... Seriously, someone should be notified of the ignorance rampant at Gander, and have it addressed immediately! (ATF, Gander management, your choice)
 
Whoa!

I would have informed said employee that it would be I notifying the BATFE and that the ATF would be confiscating her employer's firearms while they executed an audit of that particular GM's shoddy record keeping.
 
Well on the reasonable side:

They're supposed to have the info. You gave it to them once. It's not a stretch to assume you don't mind if they have the info.

You did your part. They dropped the ball. They can ask you politely to come in, in person, and help them clear it up. If they want to be really polite, a small gift certificate wouldn't be out of line for your time and trouble.

After the threat- Sure lady, you just give me your name, SSN, address, DL number, and any other PII I can think of. Oh, you don't want to do that to a total stranger over the phone?
 
The problem is theirs. They forgot to write it down or make a copy. That's not your fault, nor are you legally liable.

That said, if a shop was nice about it, I'd arrange a time to stop by and furnish the information in person. However, I'm not giving out any significant information over the phone, nor am I too inclined to cooperate with people who make baseless threats.
 
I'm going to have to agree with Mike on this one, that a letter should be sent to both the management at that Gander Mtn and those at the corporate level. Will anything be done? You don't know until you try. At the very least, I would hope that corporate overseers would come in and demand that the employees be better trained in the paperwork part of firearms purchases. While it might not help you out at all, hopefully it would prevent another gun enthusiast from being in your shoes.
(And personally I'm hoping that the lady who called you gets fired. I know it might seem kind of petty, but I'm a big fan of small victories.)
 
Dirty Dan We all know that they (Gander Mountain) was required to make "the" phone call, during the process of the Form 4473, and verbally received permission to complete the firearms purchase transaction. The information obviously was correct or you would not have been allowed to leave the store with the weapon.
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Have you ever called in an FBI NICS check?:rolleyes:
If you had, you would know that the drivers license number is not read or given to the FBI.

It is quite possible that a new clerk took the OP's drivers license and failed to write down the DL # and expiration date on page 2 of the 4473.

OP...........do the right thing and go back to Gander Mountain and let them record your DL # and expiration.

WHY? Because it will be a violation of ATF regulations and the store will face possible loss of their FFL.

We don't need less gun stores, we need more.
 
Threatening someone with criminal prosecution to get them to do something is extortion, and THAT is illegal.
 
Gander Moutian has a problem, you can't fix.

She told me that I needed to provide it to her on the phone immediately.
- She told me that if I didn't cooperate she would call the ATF and have them come out and confiscate my guns.
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So very rudely, she "told" you to come down and rectify their mistake. Not only that, she threatened you and of course, was not truthful. As a good citizen, I would go back and help to resolve "their" problem. Then one way or another, I would burn that clerk's a$$ and she was way out of line. That is not how it plays out. I know cause there FFl Dealers that would not agree with her. G.M. does not want this business going outside of their control. :rolleyes:

At one time, Kmart and Target, sold guns. They eventually stopped selling as they kept getting into trouble with the BATF. Was told that when they came in to do their audit, they would always tear them up. It just wasn't worth the effort and troubles, so they stopped selling guns rather than learning how to do it correctly. .. ;)

Now take Walmart, ours has recently started selling guns again. There are only a select few clerks/managers, that will do the transaction and they have some very strict policies and procedures. That is good even though it takes about an hour to finally take procession, in the parking lot. .... ;)
 
We all know that they (Gander Mountain) was required to make "the" phone call
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Actually in Texas, a CHL waives the need to make the NICS call. Some places still do it, but there is no need.
 
Empty threats, phone records....

I agree with the TFL members that wouldn't cave in to threats or any harsh tactics.
If it were me, I would have hung up, called the corporate HQ(with a email to create a paper trail, ;)), then either contact my lawyer(if available) or the local ATF field office to explain my side of the issue. The last thing would be contacting the local area media(print & TV).
Big firms like Gander Mountain & Walmart or Target do not want bad PR. They will step up their efforts to resolve disputes quickly to avoid any problems.
When dealing with some people who work in public positions, I follow a few basic steps; don't be rude, don't use sarcasism or humor, speak slowly & clearly, avoid slang or profanity, and finally do not say what actions you'll take.

Years ago, in the early 2000s, I applied for a public service position & had to take a medical exam/drug screening as part of the city hiring standards.
I showed up for my appt, did all the tests & did the UA screening as mandated.
I walked by the main desk, asking if they needed any other information or tests. The medical staff said; no. The next day, around 800am, the lab tech who did my UA called me in a frantic tone. The tech would not explain why but said I had to go back to the clinic ASAP. I thought it was a serious medical issue & went to the office. The lab tech later told me the staff made a error with my UA screening & I needed to re-take it. :mad: I was ticked.
People make mistakes & errors all the time. Threats or aggressive behavior is not a mistake!

Clyde
PS; I always go by the old US spec ops saying; "Don't get mad. Don't get even. Get ahead!
 
I'm with Dogtown on this one. They made a mistake,and you acted like a jerk because you were upset over the 45 minute wait to get your gun.

You could have resolved this with no problem by supplying them your DL#.
 
I would suggest writing up a short objective description of what happened in both transactions, I have a feeling this isn't over. You might get an apology or $50 off your next purchase if you talk to their management proactively. Conversely, depending upon what they tell BATF, you may get a less-than-pleasant visit from the guvmint.
 
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I would probably go back in to the store with two agenda's.

1: straighten out 'their' gun paperwork mistake.

2: straighten out the person who called my house threatening me with the ATF.

But neither of the above would be done without the presence of both the person calling my house and the GM of the store.

FWIW: Don't blame the OP a bit for not giving info. to a stanger over the phone. Wouldn't do it either.
 
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Your first mistake was buying a gun from gander in the first place - they are typically listed at MSRP PLUS 15% where I live. Good to go look and handle (showrooming), but I always buy elsewhere when at all possible.

The second thing was mentioned above - writing a formal complaint to the corporate office and store manager and saying you are CCing the ATF about shoddy record keeping. make sure you mention the employee's name - no need to get them all fired.

Things will get changed ASAP
 
Conversely, depending upon what they tell BATF, you may get a less-than-pleasant visit from the guvmint.
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I don't see the ATF getting involved in this. They can still trace the gun, so I don't see them knocking on the OP's door. On the other hand, if they catch wind, they may choose to audit the retailer.
 
I spoke to them again. Turns out all they needed was the expiration date of my DL. I was happy to provide them with that and did.

Still working my way up the chain of command until I get someone who acts as if they have more than a room temperature IQ. No luck so far.. :D

And by the way -- MC 1911 how did you get out of what I wrote that I acted like a jerk? Were you there? I can act like a jerk with the best of them, but I assure you I missed this opportunity -- I was a gentleman.;)
 
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