I remember years ago stopping in at the local Gander Mountain up here in Ft. Wayne. In all transparency I like shopping there for outdoor stuff, but my story will explain why no firearms purchases.
I had gotten bit pretty hard by the C&R bug and was accumulating a lot of firearms. At the time you could get a good Lee Enfield No 1 Mk III for about $150 - $175 online or from other collectors. For around $200 - $250 a really nice one, and at $300 one in excellent condition. (Caveat: This does not include any very special collectables, just standard issue)
I was a bit surprised to see a standard issue Lee Enfield No 1 Mk III on display. I looked it over and after seeing the price tag I turned to a nearby clerk asking him, "Do you have the paperwork on this rifle?" He looked confused and responded with "paperwork for what?" I said, "For $800 ya'll should have paperwork that Montgomery himself carried this rifle, or at least shot it!" His response was a dull, confused look.
Now I don't blame the clerk, their pricing wasn't his fault. It did make me angry that some ignorant purchaser would probably shell out that ridiculous amount of money because he didn't know any better. But that one incident did drive home to me their pricing on a field of firearms that I was somewhat knowledgeable on. After seeing years of posts here I have learned to buy my outdoor stuff there and avoid firearms sales unless it is something I personally know to be a good deal.
Regards,
Doug
I had gotten bit pretty hard by the C&R bug and was accumulating a lot of firearms. At the time you could get a good Lee Enfield No 1 Mk III for about $150 - $175 online or from other collectors. For around $200 - $250 a really nice one, and at $300 one in excellent condition. (Caveat: This does not include any very special collectables, just standard issue)
I was a bit surprised to see a standard issue Lee Enfield No 1 Mk III on display. I looked it over and after seeing the price tag I turned to a nearby clerk asking him, "Do you have the paperwork on this rifle?" He looked confused and responded with "paperwork for what?" I said, "For $800 ya'll should have paperwork that Montgomery himself carried this rifle, or at least shot it!" His response was a dull, confused look.
Now I don't blame the clerk, their pricing wasn't his fault. It did make me angry that some ignorant purchaser would probably shell out that ridiculous amount of money because he didn't know any better. But that one incident did drive home to me their pricing on a field of firearms that I was somewhat knowledgeable on. After seeing years of posts here I have learned to buy my outdoor stuff there and avoid firearms sales unless it is something I personally know to be a good deal.
Regards,
Doug
