I chose this place to sell my guns on consignment based on the positive reviews, trusting in a reasonable outcome based on satisfaction from other customers. I had two antique rifles (a Winchester and a Remington, from the 1800s), plus a handgun that I had no information on regarding make and model, all inherited from my late father, who never talked about their price or origin. Although I didn't know the value of the guns, I figured that since I was selling them on consignment, there would be no incentive for the owner to downgrade the value of the guns. He would be getting a percentage of the sale, so would benefit from recognizing the value of the guns.
What the owner of Panther City Firearms decided to do, instead of selling them on consignment as I indicated that I was interested in doing, twice (once on the phone before I arrived, and once in person), he told me the guns were worth very little, and that it would cost me $55 plus tax (each) to have the guns cleaned before he could put them out for sale. $110 to clean two rifles? He insisted that both rifles couldn't possibly get more than $250 combined, but he would buy them outright from me for $100 so I didn't have to worry about the "cleaning fee," and other trumped up crap that he used to bully and manipulate me into surrendering my right to a proper percentage of the sale.
He told me the handgun was broken beyond repair and needed to be disposed of. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if he ended up fixing it and selling it.
He could well assess that I had no experience with guns, was uncomfortable with the entire situation, and wanted the experience over quickly. He hemmed and hawed, pretended to fumble with the guns in a confused fashion, and drew everything out in order to make me impatient and do something rash, which is exactly what happened. I was so irritated and overwhelmed that I didn't want to deal with the guns anymore and just wanted out, so after his badgering, I unfortunately agreed to his ridiculous terms. (Which I regretted very shortly afterwards, but live and learn.) He made a snide, sarcastic comment as I was leaving. This is exactly the reason why so many people (especially women) can be nervous and intimidated by getting their cars fixed or going to a gun shop. It's not someplace where you are on sure footing, and someone can decide to take advantage.
I had brought a friend with me for moral support, and although my friend didn't know who the owner of the shop was when she agreed to go with me, once we were there she recognized the shop owner as the father of a girl her daughter had been friends with growing up. And he still chose to be predatory.
Judging by the reviews, it looks like he treats different customers very differently. If you're someone he recognizes as a respectable peer, he might be helpful and fair. He knew I wasn't part of any gun culture or lifestyle, had no other guns to sell and likely wouldn't, so I wouldn't be back for future business and therefore he could take a slash and burn approach. An easy mark.
This happened about a month ago, and I still have nightmares about that day, as well as guilt for disappointing my late father for handling his possessions improperly. Very sad, and if I could go back and steer clear of this place entirely, that's exactly what I would do.
To top it off, the form he gave me after the sale was just a plain white piece of paper with a picture of my ID on it and the serial number of the rifles, without his business name and address or the amount of the sale, like a proper receipt. I have no proof of the sale itself. And maybe that was the point. read more