American Guns

October 11, 2014
Thank you for the notification of a complaint against our company, and the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding this transaction.On September 5, 2014, a local social club (the [redacted] Club; Tribe #** in [redacted], MD) held a gun raffle event to help...

raise money for their club and other charitable contributions. The club purchased 5 firearms from my company to offer as winning prizes for the raffle. [redacted] Club representatives sold tickets for $10 each.The rules established for the raffle clearly indicated that a winning ticket had the option of:1. Accept the firearm OR
2. Accept $300 cash in lieu of the firearm
These rules were posted at the event and printed on the individual tickets. The [redacted] Club was completely aware that not all participants would want (or were legally allowed) to own firearms.
We are a West Virginia licensed firearm dealer, and, unfortunately, do not conduct many firearm transactions with Maryland residents. Since the state of Maryland has some of the more restrictive firearms regulations in the country, we sought counsel from a Maryland firearm dealer that was also providing firearms for the [redacted] Club raffle. ([redacted], owner of [redacted] Gun Shop in [redacted], MD).At the time of the raffle, the other dealer informed us (and the [redacted] Club) that one of our firearms was prohibited for Maryland residents to possess. It was this firearm that the customer in question happened to win.
The customer was not present at the raffle. When he contacted our company later (via telephone), I relayed the information from the Maryland dealer and reminded him of the second option indicated on the ticket....accept $300 cash in lieu of the rifle.The customer stated that he won a rifle valued at $600 and was entitled to such (either a rifle or $600 credit from our company). We were understanding of the disappointment, and felt some responsibility to find a suitable solution. We agreed to find a different rifle, of approximately equal value, to transfer to the customer, In the time between ordering the new rifle and transferring it to the customer, it was brought to our attention that the original rifle we were told was prohibited in Maryland, was actually not. A fact that the customer, a Maryland State Trooper, was also aware prior to the transfer but failed to relay to our company.
When the customer arrived to accept transfer of the new rifle, we completed all the necessary paperwork, charged a $20 transfer fee, and gave the customer a receipt showing all payments made by the customer to our company ($20 for the transfer fee). The customer signed all the paperwork, paid the transfer fee, accepted the rifle and the receipt (after examining both thoroughly), and went on his way.He later contacted me via email to request another receipt showing his "purchase" of the rifle, so that he would then qualify for a manufacturer’s rebate of $75. I tried to politely explain that the original purchaser of the rifle was the [redacted] Club, and typically rebates were not intended for retail items won as prizes. Rebates are traditionally intended for the retail purchaser, paying normal retail prices (which was the [redacted] Club). further explained that his entire expense throughout this transaction totaled $30 ($10 for a raffle ticket and $20 for a transfer fee), for which he received a rifle valued at just under $600. I told the customer that I was not comfortable giving him a receipt showing payments that he did not make. Follow-on emails from him said he understood.
Clarification for this file: a $75 rebate paid to the customer would result in a $45 profit, along with a new rifle, for the price of a $10 raffle ticket and $20 transfer fee. American Guns does not believe this to be the original intent of a manufacturer’s rebate.At no time did the customer indicate any concern about warranty issues. Should any warranty issues arise, our company would help resolve, to the best of our ability, any dispute between the customer and the manufacturer.
If the customer is truly concerned about manufacturer's warranty, he may register his product or the manufacturer's website (www.[redacted]). We have reviewed the required fields for this registration and they do not require a receipt.If a warranty issue arises and the rifle must be returned to the manufacturer, according to the manufacturer's website and warranty details page, a bill of sale OR a copy of the ATF form [redacted] must accompany the rifle. If the customer is truly concerned about the warrarity (and not actually the rebate), we can provide a copy of his form [redacted].
Our company, American Guns, was formed largely because of our own disappointment in the personal service and overall attitude of other gun dealers not just in our area, but the entire country. We take customer service very seriously. This is a family business, and we do our best to extend that family feeling to all of the people we have the honor of talking to, dealing with, finding products for, etc. As such, any disparaging attack on our business we view as an attack on our family. We have over 15years in the law enforcement and military services, and hold steadfastly to the core values of each: honor, integrity, service. Those are also the core values of our business. Accusations that seek to discredit or otherwise tarnish our core values will get our immediate and aggressive attention.
In keeping with those core values, American Guns would like to find a solution that we are confident would uphold the true, honest, good faith intentions of each party, We would be happy to accept any of the following, reasonable Solutions:1. American Guns can provide another itemized sale receipt to the customer reflecting the price that he actually paid for the new rifle ($0.00). The receipt will include all the necessary information to register for a manufacturer's warranty.
2. American Guns can enter all of the pertinent information into the manufacturer’s warranty registration on behalf of the customer.
3. American Guns can work with the customer to find another [redacted] rifle, which the Customer may purchase through American Guns for the basic MSRP, and thereby qualify for any manufacturer's rebate available to retail purchasers of [redacted] firearms. A full itemized receipt would be included to show any/all payments made by the customer to American Guns.
4. American Guns will accept return of the new rifle in exchange for the original rifle that the customer won (and was initially believed to be prohibited for Maryland residents). This exchange is dependent on the condition of both rifles being acceptable to both parties (i.e. new or like new condition of both). Inspection of each rifle by each party would be reasonable.
5. American Guns will accept complete return of the new rifle and offer a full, complete refund of all payments made to American Guns by the customer ($20 transfer fee). Any reimbursement of ticket values and/or prize values must be negotiated between the customer and the [redacted] Club.
American Guns would like this file to reflect our belief that the customer is trying to circumvent the rules/intent of the manufacturer's rebate. As an active member of a professional law enforcement organization and business owner, it is disappointing to see another law enforcement "professional" attempt to pervert the intent behind the manufacturer's rebate and then launch a vindictive, malicious, Smear campaign against our business when we would not cooperate.
Along with the solutions outlined above, we would also be willing to allow the customer to rescind his complaint without any further action or embarrassment, and would graciously accept his written apology that the Revdex.com could then publicly post on their website.We are committed to making sure our customers get the type of service and treatment they deserve. We are just as committed to defending our name and reputation amongst our peers and community.
If there are any details that need further explanation, or questions that we may address, please be sure to let us know. Again, we appreciate the opportunity to explain our stance in this matter.
Sincerely,Anthony S, 
owner