Walmart sold me the wrong barrel length on shotgun...advice?

E

Everymanalion

Inactive
So this was partly my stupidity, partly an error somewhere else. So I went into Walmart yesterday, bought a few guns from the same one before, got a Pardner Pump home defense shotgun for $180. Shouldered the display model, everything good. Guy went in the back and got the box. Side of the box said "18 inch barrel" and I got rang up on the register and was good to go. Got home. Opened it up and it is the 28 inch barrel. Farrrr too long for what I need. I call Walmart up not 30 minutes later, they basically said I am out of luck and to contact H&R. So I emailed them today. Waiting on a response.

Has anyone ever had anything like this happen before? I have my receipt and the SKUs match up on the box and receipt for the 18 barrel but is not what I got. And after thinking about it for awhile I remember Walmart always showing me the rifle before I buy it in the box then taping it back up, they didnt do it this time. I already told that to the manager but they kept repeating contact the gun manufacturer.

What do you think H&R will do, if anything, to rectify the situation? The barrel has never been fired and I can send them the barrel with the receipt as proof for the correct one. Am I better off just selling it, taking the hit then buying and making sure I get the correct barrel length at a different store this time? Thank you for your advice ahead of time. Much appreciated!
 
Did the box look like it's been opened before? Kinda unusual to have a 28" inside an 18" box. Walmart should take it back.
 
I think they sold you a gun they couldn't move from their shelves. I'd complain long and loud. Isn't Wally World supposed to have a no-hassle return policy?
 
My wife works for Walmart. She said that they receive the guns and record serial numbers and they are supposed to take the gun out of the box before you paid. She is not sure if the system will let them do a return.

She said you should check the serial number on the box and see if it matches the gun.

If they don't match go in person to the store and ask for the store manager who's name is listed above the customer service area. Show him the discrepancy.

Someone didn't follow procedure.

Oh, my wife is an assistant manager.

Mel
 
I suspect Wal Mart's return policy on firearms is different than most other products due to all the paperwork legalities involved.

It DOES sound like an H&R problem since the box was marked incorrectly, unless as stated in the post above, they were switched at the store, which will be difficult to prove unless they switched both frame and barrel

I doubt the barrel is numbered, so it would be guesswork as to if it was the one that came with the frame
 
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BTW they can get in huge trouble for selling the wrong gun. There are major controls that have to be followed both federally and with store policy!

You will for sure want the store manager, not a shift or an assistant even a well meaning one.

If the serial numbers are the same, the only thing to complain about is they didn't show you the firearm before you were rung up. Then you will likely have to get a different barrel and change them out.

Since the box says 18" and the gun is a 28" I suspect the serial number doesn't match and you will get the right one.

Mel
 
Oysterboy said:
I didn't think that the barrels are serialized, just the firing control units.
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That's correct, but I'm sure the manufacturer has a record of what barrel length was [supposed to be] on the receiver when it left the factory.

I would "escalate" with Wal-Mart. They sold you something other than what you bought. It's up to them to make it right. They don't have to do a "return" on the firearm -- you can keep the receiver (and serial number), and Wal-Mart can work something out with the manufacturer to get you the barrel you bought. It's also Wal-Mart's job to figure out how the wrong length barrel got on the gun, it's not your job.

If the store manager won't help you, go over his (her) head to the regional manager.
 
Speak to the store manager and tell him/her what happened. They can take it back if they want to.

Might involve some paperwork, but hey, it's their fault.
 
Our local Walmarts have several signs indicating firearms cannot be returned. If you have an issue, contact the manufacturer.

But if your guns SN does not match the SN on the box I think you have a legitimate beef with management.
 
Like I said before there are federal rules here. Walmart can not take it back. However the right person to talk to is the store manager. His/her name will be poster with a phone number in the customer service area.

The key here is the S/N. If it is different than the box there is an entirely different and severe issue here.

BTW the regional manager will not reverse the managers decision. Even if you go to corporate, they will not take the weapon back. They may help you with the mfg and help you get the right barrel.

It doesn't sound like procedure was followed. It is procedure for the member of management that did the gun sale to take it out of the box and make sure it is what you want before you pay! They are also required to walk you to the front door before they give it to you.

Once again to resolve this issue the first step is to check the serial number in the box, receipt and the shotgun. If they don't match it is a big deal that needs to be fixed!

Mel
 
Oh BTW they are supposed to take the weapon out of the box to write down the S/N on the background check paperwork.

If this wasn't done, the feds will have a problem with it. They also have film on the transaction they can check to see what procedures were and were not followed.

If they were not followed it is a real big deal. Termination of employment big.

Mel
 
Don't want to be the devil's advocate but I have to ask. Why would you buy a box with a gun in it without opening it and inspecting first?
 
Like I said before there are federal rules here. Walmart can not take it back.
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There are no federal rules saying the store cannot take the gun back. If that were the case gun shops couldn't sell used guns. This is a Walmart policy. They don't sell used guns and once returned it cannot be sold as new.

But if the wrong gun was in the box, and if Walmart wrote the wrong SN on the 4473 there is a big problem. I bet Walmart management will gladly take it back if that is the case.
 
My point is more about the S/N. Walmart is not set to sell used guns. I could be wrong but I believe there is paperwork involved with that walmart can not do.

The key here is did the walmart employees follow procedure and put the wrong weapon in the wrong box and why did they not take it out of the box before money had been tendered?

If it was mid packaged at the factory, why did Walmart employees receive it wrong. The weapons are supposed to be opened up and serial numbers matched and recorders when they arrive.

So, no walmart can not take the weapon back.

I am very interested to find out about the serial numbers and if they all match up. If so the factory put the wrong sticker on the outside of the box and walmart employees did not follow procedure to catch it when receiving it in and the problem is mainly with the mfg. If the numbers don't match the procedure at sale were not followed. Either way the manager needs to know. This is a serious problem in Walmart's eyes. If the box and receipt match and don't match the weapon then there is a huge problem for the manager.

BTW my wife said she would have done all in her power to take care of the customer.

Mel
 
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