Sportsman's Warehouse sold me the wrong Shotgun.

[Gobble Gobble]

For starters I’ve never been one to make a long story short and this is a long story.

So, I made the hour and a half long trip from Yakima to the Kennewick Sportsman’s Warehouse as my wife and I are getting our son a shotgun for Christmas (he is hooked on pheasant and quickly enjoying waterfowl). Well, the scattergun I wanted to get him they didn’t have in stock. I wanted one with a 28” barrel but was told they could only order it in 26” that the 28” was a special item corporate sent to select stores. I asked the associate what store had it in stock, he looked it up and said Walla Walla. I asked if the Kennewick associate could call and confirm, which he did. The associate in WW said they had 2, one on display and one in the back. I asked the associate in Kennewick to confirm again it was the 28” barrel. He was told yes. I called my wife to see what she wanted to do, she said if that’s what I want then I’d have go to WW and get it. So, I asked the associate to call the WW store back and have them set one aside, I gave them my name to tag the box as the gun was on sale and I was worried that the 2 in stock may sell before I could make the hours drive from Kennewick to WW.

I made my way to the Walla Walla store in no time thanks to minimal traffic. It was my first time to this store and thought to myself as I walked in it felt like a Cabela’s Outpost, it was much smaller than the Sportsman’s Warehouse stores I’m used to. I found the gun counter in the back corner and waited in line. When asked if I have been helped, I told the young gentleman who I was, that I was there to pick up a shotgun. I said the Kennewick store had called and there was one set aside for me. At that time another gentleman said yes, he was the one they spoke to on the phone at which point he told the kid what shotgun it was to include the barrel length. I chatted with the associate who had taken the call from the Kennewick store for a minute as the kid went into the back to retrieve my saved item. When he returned, I asked him specifically is that… and stated the make, model, caliber, and barrel length. He looked at the box and said, yes it was.

Now I haven’t purchased a firearm in more than 10 years, so I didn’t think to ask for the box to verify for myself. After all an associate from Kennewick had called to confirm they had the specific make, model, caliber, and barrel length I was looking for in stock, I spoke to the associate who had taken the call and confirmed they had what I wanted, I asked the person currently holding the box tagged with my name the same thing and was told yes. Why should I think it was something other than what I wanted…Right? Two associates gathered round the kid with the box and I watched as one cut the tape sealing the box, another asked for my ID and third pointed to the i-pad I would be using to fill out the paperwork. They pulled the shotgun stock out of the box to get serial number but never pulled the barrel out. I never did see it as it was under a cardboard flap. Well, the three of them and I fumbled through the paperwork and it was submitted. Then they tried to sell me an extended warranty that I didn’t want (the reviews for this shotgun were great for the bargain cost). I used my military discount to save a few bucks, they wrapped the box with red cling wrap and told me to come back again. I looked at a couple things on my way out and immediately put the box into trunk when I got to the car.

I made the trip back to Yakima with a not so quick stop at some retired friends of ours house outside Prosser to pick up some duck decoys he didn’t have use for (one can never have to many decoys just not enough space to store them). They are retired farmers and spend most of the year on multi month world cruses. They’re so blessed. Anyway, I made it back home late and hid the gun box in the garage so my son wouldn’t find his Christmas present. Between working extra hours at work and the kids’ activities in the evenings I never got a chance to look at what I purchased. Two weeks passed and kids stayed with grandma one night, so I pulled the shotgun out to look at it and show the misses. As I was un wrapping the box I saw a sticker on the end and it said, 12/26” and I though OH $H!T. Told my wife I think they sold me the wrong shotgun! I pulled out and unwrapped the barrel, looked for a tape measure and sure enough it looked 26” to me. I grabbed my wife’s Mossburg and measured its 28” barrel and even laid the two side by side. Sure as $h!t it was a 26” barrel and I had made the 2.5 hour drive because I wanted the 28” barrel.

Now I know some of you are thinking I should have made sure of what I had before I paid for it and the screw up is my own stupid fault. I agree with you in that I should have verified the box myself before I made the purchase and as the consumer I’m ultimately responsible for what I buy before I walk out the door. I also lay blame on the 3 associates whom had control of the gun and whom told me yes, the item in hand was what I was wanting. Because I asked at least 2 more times for confirmation specifically noting barrel length.

After saying Goosfraba (a line from movie Anger Management) a few times I made a call to the Walla Walla Sportsman’s Warehouse. I spoke to someone in customer service, told them my issue and that I wanted to speak the manager of the firearms department and they agreed it was an issue in need of a manager. Luck would have it he was working. I spoke to the manager very nicely explaining what happened just as I have stated here. He apologized for the screw up. I gave him some information off the receipt along with my contact info and told him I wanted to return it or exchange it for the correct item. He said he would contact the store manager and get back to me that evening (store closed in an hour). He called back very apologetic over the issue and said he will investigate the matter and see about getting the correct item for me however, he was off the next day so it would be a couple of days before I heard back from him and how quickly did I want to resolve this issue. Told him I live in Yakima so it’s a 2.5-hour drive for me one way, but that I happened to have an appointment scheduled for the next Friday at the VA Hospital. So, if we would take care of the issue then that would be great. Before hanging up I wanted to know if they had any of the 28” models in stock knowing they most likely didn’t and learned they in fact did not have any more in stock.

Two days passed and the gun department manager called to give me an update. He had some good news and bad news. The good news is he got ahold of the shotgun I wanted and would hold it if I was still interested. The bad news is he said, “it’s company policy they do not accept gun returns”. If I wanted the other shotgun, I would have to purchase it, but he would give me a 10% discount on it for the mistake and hassle. I’m thinking excuse me… what? He even offered me a semi auto (the one I purchased is a pump) that is twice the cost of the one I bought, but I would have to pay the cost difference. I said NO, then he wanted to know if there was anybody I knew I could sell the 26” barrel shotgun to so I could get back my money and have the cash to purchase the correct one. I said I would have to talk to my wife about it, that I’d be in touch. He gave me his cell number so I could contact him directly.

After beating myself up for not verifying the purchase before handing over payment, I got to thinking I purchased the wrong shotgun and screwed up the Christmas gift for our son because I couldn’t return the one I had and get the correct one. I was going have to figure out where to come up with the money to purchase this other one. I said a few more Goosfraba’s and then some prayers to lower my blood pressure before I talked to my wife about what the manager had told me. After a talk with my wife, we decided to just go ahead and purchase the other one, she would deal with where the money would come from. I called the manager back on his cell and said to hold it for me that I would be in on Friday to resolve the matter, I wanted to do it face to face.

Now I know there isn’t a lot of difference between a 26” and 28” barrel, a tighter choke can make up the difference. It will be used for waterfowl and pheasant. We don’t have a dog so his shots on pheasant are usually a little longer of a shot. He currently uses my wife’s 20 gage with a 28” barrel so why shorten the barrel just because he is upgrading to a 12 gage. He handles the 20 gage just fine.

Friday came and another trip to Walla Walla was made. After my Optometry appointment at the VA, I killed some time before noon when the firearms department manager would be in. It’s roughly a two-mile drive at most to Sportsman’s from the VA hospital. I get to the store and wait in line as they were busy and asked for the manager by name when it was my turn. I was told he was upstairs talking to the store manager. I told the associate who I was and why I was there. He said he knew of the situation, and  he was sorry for what happened. He wanted to know what they had decided to do so I told him I was informed they could not do a return because of store policy and that if I wanted the other shotgun I’d have to purchase it. He thought it didn’t seem right but stated it was a corporate policy that they don’t do firearm returns but still there should be some sort of exception made. It created quite the commotion in the gun department and all the other associates working wanted to know what was going on. After telling my story again and again they wanted to know who it was who sold it to me. The associate I had been talking with said the name of the person along with the 2 other associates who had assisted. They all voiced amongst themselves about “the kid” not being the sharpest of individuals. I decided to take a walk around the store as I didn’t want to make a big scene. After a 20 minute wait, I asked an associate if the department manager was still talking to the store manager. I was told he was that he could see them upstairs talking. He also let me know it was the firearms managers last day that he was leaving for another store. I thought this was convenient, it’s his last day he just didn’t want to deal with me and the situation. The associate was nice and went to tell the manager that I was there and waiting for him.

I finally got the meet the manager after a bit more waiting, he was very apologetic about the situation. I asked about returning the shotgun and was told again, company policy says they cannot do firearm returns plus he doesn’t know of anyone in the store who has ever done or even knows how to do a firearm return. I even asked about an exchange. The manager said he has asked about that already as well as just a barrel swap but couldn’t because the serial number is also tied to the barrel and its length. I tried all the angles as I didn’t want to have to have to fork out more money to purchase the other gun. I was curious as to where and how they got the new 28” shotgun, because five days ago they didn’t have any in stock. Apparently, a customer had ordered one back in September and after several calls to come get it they never did. So they were going to sell me this un-claimed gun that has been in the back sitting for two months. After more apologies from the manager and other associates it was clear the only thing I could do was accept the screw up, purchase the other shotgun and figure out what to do with the one I already have. I was offered 10% off the purchase of the other shotgun along with my entire order if I wanted to purchase anything else (they tried selling me a gun case as well). I asked for the military discount (5%) in addition to the 10% for the hassle of it all. I will say the staff that I spoke to and delt with at the Walla Walla Sportsman’s Warehouse firearms department were quite apologetic, they  thought the situation sucked and took the blame for the issue even though I failed to confirm for myself. They all thanked me for not getting angry and making a big scene. I told them the only good it would do is get me taken out in handcuffs. I still say I’m 50% to blame though they argued it was their screw up because I asked multiple times and was told I had what I wanted. I let them know as the consumer it’s my responsibility to know what I’m purchasing before giving payment.

I decided to make the purchase but made sure the manager and two associates with him verified all information on the box for me as my eyes were still dilated from my eye exam and I was unable to read anything unless it was inches from my face and still things were blurry. I even had them get a tape measure and measure the barrel to verify it was 28”. I made them recite back all my info on the paperwork to make sure there was no typo. Of all the times to make absolutely certain I’m getting what I want I could hardly read the packaging. They were more than willing to help read things back to me.

I wanted this specific shotgun because it isn’t overly expensive, my son can bang it up and it won’t be a big deal and it had pretty good reviews. Plus, he is already used to hunting with a 28” pump. It’s not the one he would like but getting his first shotgun he is going to go nuts as he unwraps the pieces and has to assemble it.

So, now we have a shotgun we don’t need and I have more than quadrupled his Christmas budget. I’ve since talked to two different local gun shops and they would only buy it for less than what I paid so they can then mark it up for their profit or I could put it up for consignment but they would take 20% of the sale amount. Again, still walking away with a loss. Had one place tell me to sell it on gunbroker.com as it would sell quickly and most people overpay on the site so I could come out ahead. The question now is… what to do?

I have a right handed, all black, Stoeger P3000 12 gage pump chambered in 2 ¾” & 3” with a 26” barrel and flush fit Modified chock that is of no use to me. If you stuck it out to read my long winded post/rant thank you. If you’re interested all I want is what I paid for it $258.63, I’m willing to travel with-in reason from Yakima to an FFL for the transfer, I have no idea what transfer fees would be. Buyer would pay that as I’m willing to bring it to you. It’s new in box only been removed from plastic to get serial number off stock and for me to measure the barrel. Never even assembled. Box is currently wrapped in plastic sealed at both ends the way I left the store with it. Box does have a couple dings in it from one gun shop rough handling it. If interested PM me.

[greenhead_killer]

Good grief. That is a handful! I have no doubt someone will help you out of your issue 

[Kola16]

That's rough. Cabelas just sold my friend the wrong shotgun. Luckily they are getting him the right one, but it is taking months.

[M_59]

  What is the issue with the 26" barrel?? On a pump or auto it is my length of choice.

[callturner]

You could also list it on Spokane  Guntrader

[jrebel]

There is another member on here looking for a 12 gauge shotgun 2 3/4 - 3" chamber.  Seems like a match made in heaven. 

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,266826.0.html

[Dan-o]

You're a nicer dad than me.     

My kid would be shooting a 26" barrel before I'd buy a 2nd shotgun.

[dreadi]

This is why I always say to customers, “Go ahead and check it out. Here’s the box too.”  I don’t know all the details and expectations about what they bought through their chosen online retailer. However, I serve supreme clientele that knows what they are expecting and they know if they do or do not have it in their hands.


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[highside74]

I had similar issue at Lacey Cabelas. Went to buy a Ruger American compact. They had one on the rack but diff caliber. No problem they have more in back. Guy goes and grabs a full size 7mm08 and I didn't realize it til I got home. I called the store and said what the heck. They took full responsibility and exchanged the gun for the compact the next day.

Sorry for you troubles.

[boneaddict]

You're a nicer dad than me.     

My kid would be shooting a 26" barrel before I'd buy a 2nd shotgun.

 

[fowl smacker]

Sucks that whole situation happened.  I love 26" barrel shotguns.  Points so much faster. 

[Iveexcaped3]

Dang gobble gobble, they should have given you store credit in my opinion. I will say sportsman’s employees are much better to deal with than other “retailers”.

What about the range? If you consign it put it up with their mark up. $311.

[spoonman]

There should of been chapters to that post! Hahaha  Either way that sucks. In the end the blame is equally shared as you mentioned but when it come to firearms the only person you can trust is yourself. Hope your son has an amazing Christmas and hope you find a buyer!

[Bob33]

That's unfortunate. I would probably trust the retailer in the same situation. I would also have given my son the 26" shotgun. 

[BD1]

Ok...I will admit it...I did the very same thing when I bought my son a Benelli supernova  this fall at sportsman's.  I looked up their return policy and didn't even attempt to return it. He also wanted the 28 inch but ended up with a 26. He was disappointed for about 10 seconds and then remembered how stoked he was to have his own shotgun. He loves it...it all worked out. Did I feel stupid? Yep but stuff happens...just adds to the many stories that gun will make with him in the years to come. I feel better now that I admitted it to someone
Merry Christmas...you will never forgot the look on his face when you give it to him!