Just curious about what others think about this situation.
Just prior to us going into pandemic mode, I paid a visit to a couple of local gun shops here in Honolulu and I ended up ordering
a pistol from one of them. Paid with my credit card, which shows the transaction was completed and went on my merry way. The
following day, I believe, the governor made the announcement and the beginning of the "lockdown" on Oahu commenced. Since then,
(middle of March), I have been unable to contact the shop for a status update.  No response to calls or text messages. I understand
that this is an extraordinary time for a small business, but it has been almost a month. Under normal circumstances I would have
cancelled my order and and called my credit card company, but again I understand that things are far from normal. Anyone else in
a similar situation?

Craig B

What gun shop is this.  I know there’s a few of them that are not answering their phones due to high volume of calls and telling customers to email.

Maybe you can go down to see if they are open

Have you tried going to the store to speak with one of the employees in person? I believe that all LGS are still operating. You'd probably get at least a half answer (which I guess is better than no answer). I wonder what LGS you went to.... hmmmmm....

Is the expectation for comms in that month? That’s a very reasonable expectation. However, like mentioned above, I know a couple LGSs that have mentioned they aren’t answering calls since they’ve gotten slammed with calls. One posted on social media.

Just curious about what others think about this situation.
Just prior to us going into pandemic mode, I paid a visit to a couple of local gun shops here in Honolulu and I ended up ordering
a pistol from one of them. Paid with my credit card, which shows the transaction was completed and went on my merry way. The
following day, I believe, the governor made the announcement and the beginning of the "lockdown" on Oahu commenced. Since then,
(middle of March), I have been unable to contact the shop for a status update.  No response to calls or text messages. I understand
that this is an extraordinary time for a small business, but it has been almost a month. Under normal circumstances I would have
cancelled my order and and called my credit card company, but again I understand that things are far from normal. Anyone else in
a similar situation?

Craig B

Is the expectation for comms in that month? That’s a very reasonable expectation. However, like mentioned above, I know a couple LGSs that have mentioned they aren’t answering calls since they’ve gotten slammed with calls. One posted on social media.

Yeah, I think that communication is a reasonable expectation even under extraordinary circumstances. Just a status update.
I do understand that things are not exactly normal right now.

Have you tried going to the store to speak with one of the employees in person? I believe that all LGS are still operating. You'd probably get at least a half answer (which I guess is better than no answer). I wonder what LGS you went to.... hmmmmm....

Didn't want to have to drive in to town just to find out that nobody is there. It's about a 45 minute drive from the west side
even with no traffic. If I had another reason to go to town I would surely at least do a drive thru to see if the shop is open.

What gun shop is this.  I know there’s a few of them that are not answering their phones due to high volume of calls and telling customers to email.
Maybe you can go down to see if they are open

I appreciate the responses folks and if I had to make a trip in to town for any other reason, I would certainly consolidate as many trips as I could under
the circumstances. Other than a lack of communication, nobody has done anything wrong, so I will withhold any mention of the LGS name for a bit.
If things go south I will give a full update and if things turn out well I will also do an update.

I am still curious as to whether or not anyone else is having a similar experience. Take care everybody and Happy Easter to you all.

Craig B

zippz has a post that list the local gun stores and the contact info:

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=27759.0
 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nh6gdfL27GXSEkpRZFwPRceAvM6uFTgDeArc-KB-leg/edit?usp=sharing

KGS has the best updates on his website.  Gives you the hours he will be open, what he has in stock, what is coming in and not to call if you ordered a gun. He will call you as soon as if comes in.  Daniel can be abrupt at times but at least he lets you know what is going on.

 

I am still curious as to whether or not anyone else is having a similar experience.

I rarely go through LGS for firearms these days as online prices are hard to beat. The FFL I use is very cost efficient as to not hamper the deal I always find online. Not to say that this situation couldn't happen with an online dealer, though...

Due to the difficulty that the city/state is making it to get an appointment to do the legal transfer of firearms, and the overwhelming demand, breakdowns in the "regular" ways of doing the transaction is bound to occur. 

Try and contact them on the method they'd prefer to complete the transaction.

Get an appointment to do it from HPD.

I've read in other posts that HPD will soon be doing online appointments scheduling.  That should help with the backlog.

(To add:  having to jump through all these hoops to excercise your RIGHTS is ridiculous, register to vote, vote for people who support your rights, not take them away.  /rant)

There are several people in the distribution chain:  manufacturer, at least one wholesale distributor, shipper and local retailer.

It's quite possible your firearm was ordered but has been placed in a queue that was temporarily shutdown until manufacturers were allowed to go back to work.  Still, many are operating with a minimal crew and trying to meet massive demand.

You may just be a victim of unfortunate timing.  If your order didn't make it to the manufacturer or distributor soon enough, it might be buried under hundreds of other waiting orders.

Or, your order could have been lost by the shipper.

Or, the gun arrived, and the store hasn't been able to match it up with your order due to an overwhelming number of customers with perhaps fewer employees working.

With the way gun prices are going up, I wouldn't wait to go to the shop.  If they have to reorder it, they might not be able to get it again for that price. 

These are not normal times, so all of the normal rules aren't going to apply.  Don't be surprised if the distributor is sending earlier orders to retailers paying panic prices.

Due to the difficulty that the city/state is making it to get an appointment to do the legal transfer of firearms, and the overwhelming demand, breakdowns in the "regular" ways of doing the transaction is bound to occur. 

Try and contact them on the method they'd prefer to complete the transaction.

Get an appointment to do it from HPD.

I've read in other posts that HPD will soon be doing online appointments scheduling.  That should help with the backlog.

(To add:  having to jump through all these hoops to excercise your RIGHTS is ridiculous, register to vote, vote for people who support your rights, not take them away.  /rant)

"To add:  having to jump through all these hoops to excercise your RIGHTS is ridiculous, register to vote, vote for people who support your rights, not take them away. "

We are in Hawaii.  You can't expect a state run by a single town( Honolulu) full of Democrats to be reasonable or rational.  Even in the outer islands
we have a Democrat infestation that is virtually destroying the place.  At some point they are going to figure out just how much they
have damaged their paradise, but it will be too late then.  Successful parasites don't destroy the host.  I think Hawaii Democrats missed that lesson.
Some day the tax money and credit will run out.

which gun shop?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Yeah, I think that communication is a reasonable expectation even under extraordinary circumstances. Just a status update.
I do understand that things are not exactly normal right now.

Didn't want to have to drive in to town just to find out that nobody is there. It's about a 45 minute drive from the west side
even with no traffic. If I had another reason to go to town I would surely at least do a drive thru to see if the shop is open.

I appreciate the responses folks and if I had to make a trip in to town for any other reason, I would certainly consolidate as many trips as I could under
the circumstances. Other than a lack of communication, nobody has done anything wrong, so I will withhold any mention of the LGS name for a bit.
If things go south I will give a full update and if things turn out well I will also do an update.

I am still curious as to whether or not anyone else is having a similar experience. Take care everybody and Happy Easter to you all.

Craig B

In town? There are many on this site who are regulars     with the town gun shops. The only two town shops that I know with special circumstances are DCT and KMC. If the "town" shop is between Mapunapuna and Ala Moana you won't be disrespectful posting their name as they are all reputable and you will possibly get a reasonable answer for the situation or someone can ask the shop for you.

........Successful parasites don't destroy the host.  I think Hawaii Democrats missed that lesson.......

That's because they aren't parasites, which are living creatures,


they are viruses, which is not a living creature, that sucks the life out of living creatures just because 'nature'....  

Basic rule.  No buy guns and ammo during a panic.

Basic rule.  No buy guns and ammo during a panic.

As I mentioned in my original post the order was made prior to the shutdown, but thanks for your insight.

Craig B

In town? There are many on this site who are regulars     with the town gun shops. The only two town shops that I know with special circumstances are DCT and KMC. If the "town" shop is between Mapunapuna and Ala Moana you won't be disrespectful posting their name as they are all reputable and you will possibly get a reasonable answer for the situation or someone can ask the shop for you.

"Town" for me is anything east of Aiea/JBPHH. I understand that that may not reflect what town is for everyone.
Thanks for responding though. I did finally get a communication from the shop and it appears that things are okay.
I will wait and see. It's kinda what I expected under the circumstances.

Craig B

There are several people in the distribution chain:  manufacturer, at least one wholesale distributor, shipper and local retailer.

It's quite possible your firearm was ordered but has been placed in a queue that was temporarily shutdown until manufacturers were allowed to go back to work.  Still, many are operating with a minimal crew and trying to meet massive demand.

You may just be a victim of unfortunate timing.  If your order didn't make it to the manufacturer or distributor soon enough, it might be buried under hundreds of other waiting orders.

Or, your order could have been lost by the shipper.

Or, the gun arrived, and the store hasn't been able to match it up with your order due to an overwhelming number of customers with perhaps fewer employees working.

With the way gun prices are going up, I wouldn't wait to go to the shop.  If they have to reorder it, they might not be able to get it again for that price. 

These are not normal times, so all of the normal rules aren't going to apply.  Don't be surprised if the distributor is sending earlier orders to retailers paying panic prices.

I understand everything that you have mentioned above. My concern, as I mentioned in my original post, was that there was
no communication from that shop after a couple of attempts to contact them. I did hear back finally yesterday and so I will wait and see.

Craig B

As I have mentioned in a couple follow-up posts, the LGS has made contact with me and I'm good for now.
I appreciate the responses and hope you all have a very special Easter.

Craig B

As I have mentioned in a couple follow-up posts, the LGS has made contact with me and I'm good for now.
I appreciate the responses and hope you all have a very special Easter.

Craig B

So, what did ya order? :hmm:

Hope things go smoothly from here.

Happy Easter 🐣