Where you buy your airgun needs makes a big difference

[Sam]

I bought my 1st air rifle from Walmart in 2000 when I was in my 30’s.  It was cheap and did not last long so I wanted a better air rifle.  I used the internet to find something different and came across dealerA, which I used to by few Gamo’s, RWS’s until I had a bad experience that was not handled properly so I stopped dealing with him.  Then I ordered another air rifle from dealerB but did not like his service; therefore, I stopped using the internet to buy air rifles and stuck with our local Walmart, Sportsman warehouse, and Bass pro shop since 2004.  I was happy but limited with my options.

During the last third part of last year, I again used dealerB that I tried several years ago but I was still disappointed with their service so I said let me give PA a try and placed my 1st order with them.  Right after I placed my order, I got an e-mail describing my order, and shortly I got another e-mail telling me the item was shipped with a tracking number and that I should receive it in few days and I did.  I liked the service, their website shows the stock and the availability status and are always updated (important to me), and they have an 800 number which tells they want to hear from their customers.  I also received a follow up e-mail asking me for my opinion about the purchase that I made.

I placed my 2nd, 3rd, …etc orders with PA and I still got the same good treatment.  To say it in short: I bought from PA in several months more than what I bought from all the other dealers and shops (combined) in nine years.  For now I will keep using PA for all  my air gun needs.

That was my own experience and opinion which everyone is entitled for.

[thebookdoc]

Glad you had a good experience with PA... I don't think I ever have and I TRIED! Slow shipping due to out-of-stock (but not advertised), received used guns as new, lousy customer service...

I never had a problem with compasseco, though some say they have.

My best place of purchase? GENE! I am tempted every time I see one of his rifles go up for sale...

[Uncle J]

I've had excellent service wit PA.

Jeff

[Sam]

thebookdoc, I will be very upset if somebody tries to sell me used gun as new.  It happened to me but not with PA.

[cactusrat]

Yes, PA is tops in my book. I get the same service as you mention. I also got a phone from them when an idem got back order. :p

PA is not perfect, but over all they “good guys” to do business with. :emoticon:

[Rickster]

I have done allot of business with PA, and I am happy with them for the most part. The only thing I don't like is there backorder system.
Lets say i have a list of things i need to meet the $150 free shipping.
I make an order for 5 items, 1 of the items is back ordered, my other 4 items are not  allocated to me.
If one of my other 4 items gos on back order while I'm waiting for another item to be in stock, my order may never ship.
And on top of that, Item A, that I  have on order, gets sold to someone else who ordered it after I did, because i'm waiting on item B.
There has to be a better way.

Rick

[VINNY]

I have had great service from Pyramyd Air. I will be using them again. You want your patience tested? Order from A.G. Warehouse. If they werent so far away, they would have had a fire sale...

[atchman2]

I buy pellets all the time from them.  

My 350 came from PA.  

The backorder thing almost bit me on it as I needed it before I went on vacation.  The scope mounts or something was on backorder and I wasn't going to get it before i got back.  So I had to call and talk to someone and they helped me out.  However it cost me another $70 since the package went kaput at that point in time.  

I'm not sure I would buy another gun from them but I buy accessories and pellets all the time.  Compasseco has been very good to me.  Maybe it is because I'm close enough to drive there if I want.  

[longislandhunter]

I've made many purchases from P.A.   Out of all my purchases I only ran into a problem one time but P.A. eventually admitted they were wrong and the incident ended in my favor.  Other than that one time all my purchases have been very smooth with excellent service.  

Jeff

[Rickster]

I haven't done any business with them or AG-Depot.
But I did learn to avoid Sportsmans-Depot.
All the air-gun stuff comes from PA anyway, so that just puts someone between me and PA, and its not near as easy to change or cancel an order.
I don't think they actually sell anything. They just get a percentage for going through their web site.
If you see an air-gun on FedTactical, and the price is lower then normal, don't order it.

Rick

[RedFeather]

So far, I've had great luck buying from the internet sites. Gun Broker and Auction Arms, plus here and the Yellow Classifieds or Brad's. If you familiarize yourself with the gun and ask questions, it usually turns out OK. Have I been "burned"? Once or twice but the most I've been hurt was in return shipping, if that. When you deal with sellers who have been around a while (checked out by critiques on the auctions sites or BOI, etc), you stand a pretty good chance of a fair deal. Most sellers want to maintain a good rep, especially on places like this. Again, you have to know your product - that is the key. Then you can look at a posting and perform a fair initial inspection. I just asked about a rimfire on Gun Broker yesterday and the seller actually answered my question (about what appeared to be a hole tapped for a side mount - it was), BUT he also took it out and ran ammo through it to ensure it functioned. That guy went the extra hundred yards. The ones that say "This CO2 rifle is in excellent condition, but I don't know how it shoots because I don't have any cartridges" are the ones to avoid. Too cheap/lazy to pop a buck to see if a gun works and probably doubtful that it will hold air, not wanting to confirm it.

PA seems to be doing better these days in the customer service department. That's nice to see as they are making a good presence in promoting the sport.

[Gene_SC]

Yep I have bought alot stuff from Pyramiyd and many other reputable dealers. Never have been burned yet. Like Red said, know the product you are trying to buy. That is the key. I have bought from Auction Arms, Gun Broker, Brads Classifieds and even here on the GTA. Know what you are buying and try to do a bit of reasearch on who you are buying from..

[keith2324]

However, some things are just unforgivable. I am in the process of returning a scope right now to a dealer online. I don't accept the "practice" of selling defective materiel. If I have a bowl of apples and I know one of them is bad, no way in the world am I going to put it back in the bowl for someone else to get it. I will either throw it away or put it in the compost pile. Either way, these dealers should be doing the same thing. Separate the item from the rest and not sell it period. Does this sound like too much to ask? Totally unacceptable practices.

Keith.

[thebookdoc]

Keith, I think there is an exception... People SHOULD be able to sell junkers for parts. Of course they need to describe it accurately. I know I've looked for parts before... However if you were told it was in great condition and it is junk, that is another story.

[Sam]

With all the respect to RedFeather and Gene Sc, I do not believe knowing what I buy affect my experience if the other side is trying, to say it mildly, trick me.  For example, I ordered an air rifle from a dealer after he told me it was available and would go out that same day but actually did not ship only after a week.  He never called or emailed me to tell me about the delay.  See in this case I was familiar with what I was buying and did ask questions.  I also one time received a clearly used air rifle from a dealer when it supposed to be new.  When I called the dealer and told about it, he was unapologetic and said “you are only buying an RWS 350 from me, not an expensive $2,000.00 air rifle”! and I can still tell few more bad experiences.  I do use Gunbroker to buy and sell firearms and air guns.  I can see how an individual can misrepresent his/her item so he/she can sell it fast, in this case you need to do your part.  But I never accept misrepresentation from a dealer.

I do agree with keith2324