Thread: Gun City why do people dislike them?

I've bought a few things off them over the years, from air rifles, to rimfires to shotguns and ammo and other gear. The service I've had had been good and they have honoured warranty issues well after the warranty period too. I do shop around and go for the best deal I can get and of the stuff I've bought off them no one else has been even close on the price. Likewise at other times I've found better deals elsewhere, and that's where my money has gone.

Normally I check prices online first and have a good idea of market prices and decide what I want to buy rather than rely on in shop advice.

Just for kicks ... Contrast your consumer experience at guncity against that you've had at reloaders (for arguments sake )

I've had bad experiences at GC. Never had one at reloaders.

I've had great customer service experiences at RL. I've only ever had one at GC.

The best places I've dealt with by a long way are Wayne Chapman (Magnum Imports), Digit and Shooters Supplies. Gun City have actually been the best to haggle with which goes against everything I've heard about them. Shooters Supplies were strange in the haggling department, "Oh no, you can have it for just this.", they were the ones bringing the already fair price down.

I bought a Harris copy bipod from GC once, before I knew better. It looks like metal, but I think it might actually be made of cheese. Whether the same goes for other Harris copies as well I don't know.

Are the stories/rumours floating around about the criminal records of the owners true? I've heard a few tales, but nothing concrete to back them up.

Do a quick search

Gun dealer 'enriched' by US jail time - National - NZ Herald News

Ah, that would be one of them then.

ETA: I see there is a conviction for a Timothy Tipple as well for careless use of a firearm (supervising unlicenced shooters, one of whom hit a car on an adjacent public road) - no idea if thats the same Tim Tipple from GC or not.

I know its not necessarily relevant to the service at the shop, but criminal convictions don't exactly inspire confidence in a business.

You can see what he is prepared to do to get some good deals.

Thanks all for your input, was not in any way trying to bag on them. Just typically stick to my local but was cruzing TM looking for some prices to see what i could get bang for buck, saw the did a bare rifle 'new' for $499.

I see elsewhere they do go for similar money.

Thanks all for your input

They tend to work on the loss leader, special deal approach and you can get some good deals through them. They are aggressive and act superior which pisses people off myself included. The irony is that the superiority doesn't seem to come from a genuine knowledge or understanding of their products, it seems to exist in spite of that..

To be honest I think that their market is mostly pitched at the new, uninformed or average punter who while has been involved in shooting for some years but is not sophisticated in terms of products or prices. The particularly galling thing about them is that they are all too ready to exploit that. I have been in the shop on several occasions when some poor dude is trying to trade his old rifle, for some other overpriced item on the shelf and both the asking price and trade price have been nothing short of embarrassing. The bullshit is thick in the air most of the time...If you know your stuff, you can do good deals but expect to be ripped off if you don't.

Personally I find that reprehensible. However you will find some support from a sector of the community who don't get ripped off because they are better informed.

I try not to buy much from them... but will on occasion purchase bulk ammo, for a good price. Do your homework before you get to GC, but if they can't beat the competition buy from the other guys...

saw the did a bare rifle 'new' for $499. I see elsewhere they do go for similar money.

They have a SKS on $1 reserve 'every week'....or have done for the past 3 years anyway....usually goes for around $300 on average.....

ive generally had a good deal off them unlike a certain major sports store often recommended on here.Ive found via TM&directly that if ive got a problem ,I ring and speak to someone ,then deal only with that person when i go into see them.like gadget,theyre generally pretty good at honouring the deal.
IMHO a lot of the criticism on here is based on hearsay.also the atitude displayed on here ,if its the same used when shopping aint gonna do much for any sort of cooperation. assholes live on both sides of shop counters gents!(I got that from an old grocer who more than once gave smartarse abusive customers the short shift!.

Originally Posted by kotuku

ive generally had a good deal off them unlike a certain major sports store often recommended on here.Ive found via TM&directly that if ive got a problem ,I ring and speak to someone ,then deal only with that person when i go into see them.like gadget,theyre generally pretty good at honouring the deal.
IMHO a lot of the criticism on here is based on hearsay.also the atitude displayed on here ,if its the same used when shopping aint gonna do much for any sort of cooperation. assholes live on both sides of shop counters gents!(I got that from an old grocer who more than once gave smartarse abusive customers the short shift!.

I deal with gun city and find them great,they will match anyone`s price if you ask.Chloe always bends over backwards to help and knows her stuff!.I cant und
erstand why they get the crap they do.Nick

So you can't read then?

I don't buy nor deal with any gun shops in New Zealand,it's like I'm privileged to be in the shop every time I walk into one of them. Arrogance and opinionated beyond belief,just does my fucking head in! I buy everything from the states,have been for years! I have worked in the service industries since 1979 but I have never seen it as bad as here,there are exceptions though and some genuine retailers.

Get some prices else where before you commit to buying from Gun City !!
Try Hunting & Fishing ,Hamils ,Reloaders , Balingers or Bronco sports .
I wouldn't spend another cent with GC ...ever .