NRA Instructor sales program experience?

[DRNewcomb]

I'm curious if anyone else has taken advantage of the NRA Instructor sales program? As an NRA certified instructor I ordered a handgun from Beretta. I included their order form, a copy of my instructor certificate and a copy of the local FFL I'm using for the transfer. I received a quick acknowledgment from Beretta that the order was received and then nothing. That was a month ago. About two weeks later I sent them an e-mail politely asking about how long these orders normally take, so I could let the FFL know when he could expect it. This e-mail received no response. So far, there's been no charge to my credit card.

Has anyone else ordered a gun through the NRA Instructor program, particularly from Beretta. What was your experience?

 

[shootnjunky]

I have only used the promotive/expertcity portion of the instructor sales and they have worked well. I have not done any firearms purchases however

 

[DRNewcomb]

I finally got a response from Beretta telling me that my order was in the system but that the gun in question was backordered and will ship when available.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Since over 90 days had passed since I placed my order, I asked Beretta for a status update. They replied that they had "pushed" my order and it should be shipping PDQ. The amount they charged my CC was about $25 more than the price list showed, which I assume was for shipping, which was not mentioned previously. All-in-all, it's been a pretty unsatisfactory experience. While waiting, I've had opportunities to buy the same gun, for less, but passed because of my outstanding order.

 

[BountyHunter]

Burris gives 50% off MSRP!

 

[DRNewcomb]

The continuing story of my order with Beretta takes a new twist. I e-mailed asking them to send me the tracking number when the gun shipped and got back a reply that they had made a mistake when they charged my credit card and would refund the charges. The gun I ordered showed as "available" in their system but is actually distributed on an "allocation list" at the warehouse. No estimated delivery date. I'll never do this again and would advise other NRA instructors to stay away from the sales program, at least as far as Beretta is concerned.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Surprise! It showed up today. Almost 9 months after the initial order.

 

[Bbear]

Welcome to dealing with Beretta.

 

[hoz53]

Surprise! It showed up today. Almost 9 months after the initial order.

Wow when did they charge you for it or was your money tied up 9 months while you waited?

 

[swd]

Ever try and order parts from Beretta? You can literally spend hours on the phone waiting. I got to where if a customer needed factory parts available only from them, they had to call or I wouldn't work on the gun. The few that did understood my position after the fact...

 

[DRNewcomb]

Wow when did they charge you for it or was your money tied up 9 months while you waited?

Actually, I just got the bill today. Originally, I had given them my Visa card, which they charged when they thought they could expedite the order and then credited back a few days later when they decided they couldn't. I guess they decided, after nine months, they couldn't use the Visa info and direct billed me, after shipping. I'll toss a check in the mail come Monday. I had given thought to the idea, if they forgot to bill/charge me for it, of waiting 9 months then reminding them about it. (Sauce for the goose....)

Took the little Nano out to the range today. Points and shoots very nicely. I'll have to get used to the long trigger pull. Someone, advised me against the Nano due to lack of an external slide release. Not sure that's really important or not. Keeps it simple.

 

[hoz53]

Actually, I just got the bill today. Originally, I had given them my Visa card, which they charged when they thought they could expedite the order and then credited back a few days later when they decided they couldn't. I guess they decided, after nine months, they couldn't use the Visa info and direct billed me, after shipping. I'll toss a check in the mail come Monday. I had given thought to the idea, if they forgot to bill/charge me for it, of waiting 9 months then reminding them about it. (Sauce for the goose....)

Took the little Nano out to the range today. Points and shoots very nicely. I'll have to get used to the long trigger pull. Someone, advised me against the Nano due to lack of an external slide release. Not sure that's really important or not. Keeps it simple.

 

[hoz53]

" wait 9 months to pay them" id feel the same way im sure-gotta be legal though-- Anyway looked on the web at the Nano- looks like a nice pistol - So slide doesnt stay back on last round?

 

[DRNewcomb]

" wait 9 months to pay them" id feel the same way im sure-gotta be legal though-- Anyway looked on the web at the Nano- looks like a nice pistol - So slide doesnt stay back on last round?

Well, they did send me a bill and it accrues interest if unpaid, so the check goes in the mail Monday.

The Nano's slide does lock back when the magazine is empty but it doesn't have an external slide lock/release. The only way to lock the slide is to insert an empty magazine and rack the slide. You release the slide by either removing the magazine or inserting a non-empty one and racking the slide.

 

[hoz53]

Well, they did send me a bill and it accrues interest if unpaid, so the check goes in the mail Monday.

The Nano's slide does lock back when the magazine is empty but it doesn't have an external slide lock/release. The only way to lock the slide is to insert an empty magazine and rack the slide. You release the slide by either removing the magazine or inserting a non-empty one and racking the slide.

i see thanks for explaining that. i dont think id like that type slide lock but now i know about it

 

[DRNewcomb]

i see thanks for explaining that. i dont think id like that type slide lock but now i know about it

It's an extremely clean, minimalist design. Some people view that as a plus, some view it as a minus. I have not made up my mind on the subject.

 

[hoz53]

It's an extremely clean, minimalist design. Some people view that as a plus, some view it as a minus. I have not made up my mind on the subject.

i can see some good points. simple as possible- im just so used to the 1911 type system i think it would be best for me to stick with that for a gun i might use in a high stress situation--if i was just target shooting with it that would be different. thanks ill remember to check this feature buying anything new.