A group of clowns is called an "alley." I did not know that before this week, but after attempting…read moreto complete a simple FFL transfer through Stratford Guns and Ammo, I now feel qualified to teach the subject at the graduate level.
I called ahead to confirm they could handle the transfer. They said yes, no problem. They gave me their email address and told me to have the seller's FFL contact them. Perfect. Simple. Routine. A process that, in theory, should require less coordination than launching a moon mission.
The seller emailed them on Monday to confirm they were willing to receive the firearm and to request a copy of their FFL. By Wednesday, the seller let me know they had heard absolutely nothing back. Not a "yes," not a "no," not a carrier pigeon, not a smoke signal. Nothing.
So around noon on Wednesday, I stopped by in person. Behind the counter were two perfectly pleasant guys who informed me that they do not have access to the store email account. Which is an interesting business model for a store that gives out its email address as part of its business process. That is a little like a restaurant saying, "Sure, we take reservations online, but unfortunately nobody here can access the internet."
They told me the owner would have to handle it. I left my information, the seller's information, and presumably my hopes and dreams on a small invisible altar behind the counter. They said they would contact me when it was all set.
Four hours later, no word. I called to follow up and was told they would get to it, but the store was busy. I found this surprising because every time I have been in there, the place has appeared to be staffed by two or three armed guys standing behind a tiny gun counter, bravely defending it from the threat of customer service.
At that point, I called another local FFL. He told me he usually does not handle transfers for firearms he does not sell himself and suggested I try Stratford Guns and Ammo. I told him I had already tried them, had even gone there in person, and that they had been completely unresponsive.
Without missing a beat, he said, "Let me guess, two or three guys standing behind the counter not doing a damn thing, but incapable of helping you?"
I said, "HA. So you've been there?"
That moment alone was more efficient than my entire interaction with Stratford Guns and Ammo.
To his credit, after hearing the story, the other FFL agreed to help with the transfer.
It is now Friday, and I still have not heard a word from Stratford Guns and Ammo. To recap: I called first. They agreed to take the transfer. The seller emailed them. They ignored the seller. I went there in person. They took my information. I called again. They said they were busy. And then they vanished into whatever administrative Bermuda Triangle apparently exists between their counter and their email inbox.
The guys I spoke with were nice enough, but the experience was ridiculous. If your business agrees to handle FFL transfers, then handling the FFL transfer feels like an important part of the process. Possibly even the main part.
Overall, a disappointing experience wrapped in a sitcom episode. Would not recommend unless you enjoy side quests, unanswered emails, and watching three grown men lose a battle with their business email account.
