Impact Guns - Beware!

Rich Z · January 17, 2007, 01:45 PM

Back on April 16th, 2005 I placed the following order with Impact Guns (http://www.impactguns.com/store/)

Quote:

Order Number: 38794

Qty Name SKU Each Sub Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 FN FS2000 5.56x45mm Semi-auto Rifle, Civilian ModelFN-FS2000 $1,749.99 $1,749.99
1 FN PS90 5.7x28mm, Civilian Legal Semi AutoFNPS90 $1,399.99 $1,399.99
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would drop them an email every now and again inquiring on the status of this order, and even though I had seen some of these guns for sale quite frequently, their response was that they were still filling previous orders or waiting for shipments.

Finally, on or about October 24, 2006, I got a call from someone named Shaem in their customer service department notifying me that my FS2000 was ready to be shipped to me. Shaem said that my FFL on file was listed as being no longer in business. So I did some calling around, and found another FFL holder locally who would do the transfer to me and forwarded this info to Shaem via email on 10/25/06. I contacted the FFL holder and had them fax a copy to Impact Guns, which Shaem told me was sufficient. In a followup phone conversation I gave Shaem my credit card number and she said that everything was good to go and my gun would be shipped out in the next couple of days. By then we were into the first week of November as email replies from Impact were rather slow in coming.

Anyway, with this all straightened away (I thought) I went to my FFL guy and filled out the paperwork ahead of time and paid the transfer fee and call in fee. Came to $35. And as far as I knew, I would be getting a phone call shortly from the FFL guy telling me my gun was in and I needed to come pick it up. So I waited..... and waited...... and waited...

On November 20th, I sent the following email to Impact Guns:

Quote:

Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 12:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Did the charge go through OK and FFL received? Was my FS-2000 shipped?
>
> Thanks.
>

To which I got THIS response...

Quote:

Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

Dear serpenco,
We have Gandhi Arms listed on file for you but they need to resend in an
updated FFL for our files. Make sure when they fax it in it references your
name and order number.

If this is a dealer that you
would like to us, you can have him fax us his license (his FFL) to:
(801)393-2476.

Print out this coversheet and give it to your dealer:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/ffl_coversheet.html

As for the FS-2000 everyone is still waiting for it to arrive.

Your card will not be charged until we ship.

Thank you for your business

My reply was then...

Quote:

Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 12:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

>I was contacted via phone from someone in your company who said my FS2000
> was ready to be shipped. I contacted a local FFL:
>
>> > I found someone locally here in Crawfordville FL, who will do the
>> > transfer.
>> > I have an old email with your FAX number and need to make sure it is
>> > current. I have it as (801) 393-2476. The name of the FFL dealer is
>> > Gunsmoke Gun Shop. Their phone number is (850) 926-5500.
>> >
>
> And they FAXed their FFL to your offices and apparently my card was being
> charged at that time (November 3rd) and the gun was going to be shipped to
> that FFL holder.
>
> Now I am hearing a different story? My gun was ready to be shipped at that
> time. I have already PAID that FFL holder for the transfer and the Florida
> background check.
>
> Please contact me to straighten this up. (850) 926-6248.
>

Their reply was:

Quote:

Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 3:38 PM
Subject: RE: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Sir, we haven't received payment from you for this order. Your original
> order says to contact you and you will send a check for the order. The
> gun isn't committed to you unless we have your credit card number that
> we are billing or payment in full. You are still on the list, but the
> gun isn't committed to you until we have the payment. Just send over the
> payment or let us know to bill your credit card and then you'll get one
> from the next shipment that comes in. Thanks.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Order Status [mailto

[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 10:42 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers
>
> shaem
> Impact Guns
> Internet Customer Service
>
> --
> Impact Guns
> 1.801.409.1021
> http://www.impactguns.com/
> --
> ---- Forwarded message from "serpenco" <[email protected]> ---

My reply:

Quote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: serpenco [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 4:18 PM
> To: Briank
> Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers
>
> Brian,
>
> Well honestly, I don't remember the details of the phone conversation
> with
> Shaem, but I do recall her saying that everything was OK except for the
> FFL.
> If she did not already have the credit card info for the order, then why
> did
> she not ask for it? Or perhaps she did and I gave it to her, I really
> don't
> recall. But I do recall her saying that the gun would be sent out
> immediately in my last conversation with her. Certainly if she had
> asked me
> for payment info I would have provided it. Do you have my credit card
> info
> or not? I believe you do. And I also believe I gave the OK to Shaem to
> bill
> that credit card for this purchase.
>
> Why are you making it so difficult to do business with you?
>

And their reply:

Quote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Briank" <[email protected]>
To: "'serpenco'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 6:58 PM
Subject: RE: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Well, what would you like us to do at this point? When we get the next
> shipment of these in, we'll bill one to you and get it sent out asap.
> I'm sorry for the confusion, but until we get some more of these in,
> there is nothing we can do to get one out to you.

And my reply:

Quote:

From: "serpenco" <[email protected]>
To: "Briank" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Yes, please contact me. I definitely want one. I just figured by now I
> would have it. Do you have my credit card info on file?

So that's how things were left. After a month, I sent this email:

Quote:

From: "serpenco" <[email protected]>
To: "Briank" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 1:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Where is my gun, please?
>

To which I received NO reply.

Finally, I had had enough, and sent this rather (excusably) rude email to Impact Guns:

Quote:

From: "serpenco" <[email protected]>
To: "Briank" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Well obviously I was just screwed concerning that FS2000 that I was told was
> mine and being shipped out to me. The whole story you are trying to feed me
> just sounds lame and in my opinion someome must have come along and offered
> you more money for that gun that was supposed to be shipped to me. Since
> Shaem called me a couple of times to get the FFL info there is NO reason in
> the world that she or someone else couldn't have called me to try to correct
> this supposed "confusion" you all had about the payment. You already HAD my
> credit card info on file.
>
> So tell you what. Send me the $35 I had to pay to my local FFL for the
> transfer of this gun that was SUPPOSED to be on it's way to me, and I'll
> just forget that Impact Guns exists. I don't appreciate being lied to and I
> REALLY do not care to give my money to a company that is composed of liars.
> And you can forward this to the owner as well, because this incident may
> very well wind up on various gun related message boards REAL soon.
>
> Oh, there are other guns I have on order with you. I think you know what
> you can do with those orders.

Which got only this as a reply:

Quote:

From: "Briank" <[email protected]>
To: "'serpenco'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 12:18 PM
Subject: RE: [Ticket#2006102410001398] FFL Dealers

> Sorry, we're not going to be able to refund you for the transfer fee
> according to my manager. We will cancel your orders.
>

Yeah, I'm PISSED! :hot: I waited a year and a half for that gun and then they just SCREWED me (in my opinion) at the end. They had my credit card info, they had the FFL copy, and yet something happened and the gun was not shipped out. My suspicion and opinion is that someone else offered them more money or else a bigger customer wanted it, and they just decided to shaft me.

So screw them. I will NEVER even look at their website for anything ever again. They obviously (and in my opinion) do not feel that they are obligated to hold up to their word and could really care less about providing anything even remotely similar to good quality customer service. If that is the kind of company you don't mind doing business with, then more power to you. But in my case, I really don't care to do business with anyone whom I cannot trust their word nor their business practices....

rangermonroe · January 19, 2007, 01:07 PM

He ordered a PS-90 about the same time as you did. He tried to get me to interested in one as well. I resisted.

Last month I called him on the phone to let him hear what one sounded like when I pulled the charging handle.

I paid $1400 for mine locally (at a real, live gunshop), one dollar more than he did for the one he is still waiting for.

About once a week, I like to remind him that I have one and he doesn't.

Yeah, I'm one of those guys.

RevoRick · January 19, 2007, 02:15 PM

Thanks for the warning. You must be a patient man. I would have not put up with their crap as long as you did.

BerettaBuckeye · January 22, 2007, 07:09 AM

Quote:

I will NEVER even look at their website for anything ever again

Ditto that, you convinced me

liliysdad · January 23, 2007, 06:18 PM

You paid a transfer fee before you got the gun? While I agree they are quite lacking in the organizational aspect, I do not believe they owe you a fee you paid for no reason.

Tom2 · January 25, 2007, 12:45 PM

I think that Shaem guy was spelling his name wrong. Maybe it is Shame

D FAR · January 25, 2007, 07:55 PM

Tehy wanted me to put an order on a AR 30 thye would no thave until April. Then Iaske dabout AI and they would not be in till end of Feb. Then he tied talking me into a FN. Glad:barf: I saw this.

goodoleboy · February 1, 2007, 04:51 AM

Sucks..I would write them a letter..

Ruff Stuff · February 27, 2009, 08:29 PM

I ordered a Ka-Bar knife from them on 1-2-09. Said it was in stock and ships in 2-3 days. After two weeks i sent them an email wondering about it taking so long. I got an auto response saying they got my email and they will process it as soon as possible. Never heard anything since then and still haven't got the knife. I guess taking a knife off a shelf and putting it in a box is just too much for them. Never buying from them again.

Stick_man · March 1, 2009, 04:11 AM

I was thinking about driving the ~45 miles to their store to purchase a couple guns from them, but have now decided that if their customer service and business ethics suck that bad, I no longer want to do business with them. The guns I was looking at are popular guns and in pretty high demand. I don't think I would be able to trust even a phone call confirming they were in stock. I don't want to waste the gas only to find the guns not in stock. Plus, I don't want to support that kind of business practices.

Thanks for the heads up.

Playboypenguin · March 1, 2009, 04:16 AM

Just an example of why I say to B\buy locally, buy in person, support you local businesses, and get what you pay for...otherwise take your chances.

eaglesnester · March 3, 2009, 10:06 AM

All of the customers on this web site that have been ripped of should call their Attorney General and let him deal with it. Also call your credit card company and let them know that a false charge has been applied to your card, document everything, take notes, time, date, who you spoke with, name of business, ect. Get your ducks in a row and go after your money.

swman · March 3, 2009, 10:39 AM

I too have had poor communication with them. They don't care about their internet business.

Glock1975 · March 4, 2009, 10:55 AM

I'm so glad I came across this thread I just left Impacts' website. I was looking into buying a AR57 5.7X28 upper and a FN Five-Seven. now that I have heard how they do business I will go elsewhere. The AR57 and the FN five-seven handgun are not that hard to obtain. I try to support my local deaer as much as possible theres just some things he can't get. I must thank you all again from saving me a BIG HEAD-ACHE!

I have had good luck on gun broker myself so I think if my local dealer can't get it i'll stick with them. Thanks ALL!!

January 19, 2007, 02:15 PM	#3
RevoRick Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 201	Thanks for the warning. You must be a patient man. I would have not put up with their crap as long as you did. __________________ Criminals thrive on the indulgence of an understanding society DW 10mm CBOB, 10mm Experimental, .45 Pointman GD, .45 Patriot CCO. DW 744 VH .44 6", 715 VH .357 4". Fusion 10mm Longslide XM-10 Tactical Hunter. Glock 19c, Browning Buckmark, S&W 686 .357 4", 629 .44mag 8 3/8". Uberti Cattleman .45LC. http://www.1911auto.org/forum/index.php?referrerid=24

February 27, 2009, 08:29 PM	#9
Ruff Stuff Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1	Horrible Service I ordered a Ka-Bar knife from them on 1-2-09. Said it was in stock and ships in 2-3 days. After two weeks i sent them an email wondering about it taking so long. I got an auto response saying they got my email and they will process it as soon as possible. Never heard anything since then and still haven't got the knife. I guess taking a knife off a shelf and putting it in a box is just too much for them. Never buying from them again.

March 3, 2009, 10:06 AM	#12
eaglesnester Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Posts: 100	Rip off business All of the customers on this web site that have been ripped of should call their Attorney General and let him deal with it. Also call your credit card company and let them know that a false charge has been applied to your card, document everything, take notes, time, date, who you spoke with, name of business, ect. Get your ducks in a row and go after your money.

March 4, 2009, 10:55 AM	#14
Glock1975 Junior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Posts: 6	Thank You! I'm so glad I came across this thread I just left Impacts' website. I was looking into buying a AR57 5.7X28 upper and a FN Five-Seven. now that I have heard how they do business I will go elsewhere. The AR57 and the FN five-seven handgun are not that hard to obtain. I try to support my local deaer as much as possible theres just some things he can't get. I must thank you all again from saving me a BIG HEAD-ACHE! I have had good luck on gun broker myself so I think if my local dealer can't get it i'll stick with them. Thanks ALL!!

January 19, 2007, 01:07 PM	#2
rangermonroe Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2005 Location: savannah Posts: 758	My friend had the identical experience He ordered a PS-90 about the same time as you did. He tried to get me to interested in one as well. I resisted. Last month I called him on the phone to let him hear what one sounded like when I pulled the charging handle. I paid $1400 for mine locally (at a real, live gunshop), one dollar more than he did for the one he is still waiting for. About once a week, I like to remind him that I have one and he doesn't. Yeah, I'm one of those guys.

January 23, 2007, 06:18 PM	#5
liliysdad Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2004 Posts: 1,145	You paid a transfer fee before you got the gun? While I agree they are quite lacking in the organizational aspect, I do not believe they owe you a fee you paid for no reason.

January 25, 2007, 12:45 PM	#6
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I think that Shaem guy was spelling his name wrong. Maybe it is Shame

January 25, 2007, 07:55 PM	#7
D FAR Member Join Date: February 11, 2002 Location: CT Posts: 34	Tehy wanted me to put an order on a AR 30 thye would no thave until April. Then Iaske dabout AI and they would not be in till end of Feb. Then he tied talking me into a FN. Glad:barf: I saw this.

February 1, 2007, 04:51 AM	#8
goodoleboy Member Join Date: February 1, 2007 Posts: 16	Sucks..I would write them a letter..

March 1, 2009, 04:11 AM	#10
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 241	I was thinking about driving the ~45 miles to their store to purchase a couple guns from them, but have now decided that if their customer service and business ethics suck that bad, I no longer want to do business with them. The guns I was looking at are popular guns and in pretty high demand. I don't think I would be able to trust even a phone call confirming they were in stock. I don't want to waste the gas only to find the guns not in stock. Plus, I don't want to support that kind of business practices. Thanks for the heads up.

March 1, 2009, 04:16 AM	#11
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	Just an example of why I say to B\buy locally, buy in person, support you local businesses, and get what you pay for...otherwise take your chances.

March 3, 2009, 10:39 AM	#13
swman Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 152	I too have had poor communication with them. They don't care about their internet business.