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Score: 123
I contacted RustyWood (rustywoodtc/rustywood.ca) to purchase a few lbs of black powder. After placing the order and providing all of the personal details which are required, the staff contacted me and said that I required a PAL to purchase it. This was a surprise to me as I have not required this before. Likewise, at the time it was not mentioned on their website anywhere at all (credit where due this has since changed and their unnecessary made up policy is now stated in their FAQs). I then called them up and informed them that this was not required by law and that this substance is controlled under the explosives act and has nothing to do with a possession and acquisition license, and instead offered to provide a driver’s license (despite this also not being a requirement under Canadian law). Despite this compromise on my part, they said they would not be able to comply and fulfill my order and then quickly passed me on to the owner. He was a belligerent prick to me and said he would not sell to criminals (thereby accusing me of being one) and further, that he did not care what the law said, that it was his business, and as the owner of the business he can set his own policy and can do whatever the fuck he wanted and then hung up on me. Just like him you are of course free to do as you like. I, however, personally believe that this sort of person/business is not one that the gun community should support (unless you really believe we need increasingly restrictive gun laws). For those wondering why I did not just give him my PAL it is a matter of principle. It appears he can do this — as it does not appear to cross the line enough to become discrimination under constitutionally protected grounds (though this is questionable as criminals actually have every right to purchase black powder according to the law, whether you like it or not, and you cannot discriminate based on someone's criminal history unless the law authorizes it (e.g., for certain jobs) — but just as can choose how he operates his business, we can put our money elsewhere and support more freedom orientated (less Liberal leaning) businesses. As such, I encourage you to not do any business with Rusty Wood until they change this completely unnecessary policy. Pretty much all of what they sell can be found elsewhere. Please feel free to contact me and I can help you find a more reputable source for your needs (I am not affiliated with anyone I may recommend for your reloading or ammo needs nor am I looking to make any money from this myself, I just cannot stand these sort people in the gun community!!)
Score: 20
To say I am disappointed with the services provided by Rusty Wood Trading Company is an understatement. We contacted them via a resale website (town post.ca) for firearms regarding a pair of advertised Colt Single Action army revolvers that I have been looking for for a while. My husband confirmed with them that they were the colour case hardened we wanted, and proceeded to negotiate a price for them as it is both of our birthdays this week, so despite being more than we were willing to spend, we wanted to jump on this rare find. Multiple times he referred to the ad for “Single action army” revolvers. They asked us if we wanted insurance for the purchase amount of $4500 and we agreed due to the value of the firearms. Fast forward a week - the guns that arrived were not Colt single action army guns at all, but instead Colt Cowboys. They were in awful shape, the dirtiest firearms I’ve ever put my hands on, and the transfer bar had been removed from both guns. The grips also look to have been changed from the original brown grips to ivory Single Action Army grips. The average value of a cowboy is about $800-$900, being that they were $500 new. The average price of a Single Action Army is $2000+. So, we bought and paid for single action army revolvers worth $2,250 each, paid $2.50/100 insurance based on that value and we were sent $1800 in misrepresented, dirty and poor condition guns. We contacted rusty woods and spoke to what I assume is the secretary, she said she would follow up with the seller and the owner. She called back and told us to send them back and they would refund the purchase price - fine. But now we are out $150 in insurance on guns we did not receive and guns that we did not purchase, and shipping both ways totalling over $175. I wanted to speak to the owner regarding the situation and find out if they were misled by the seller or how the mistake happened, so that we could come to an agreement for the money we were out or at least have a discussion as to how things went so badly. I was told by Peter that there was nothing to discuss and to provide a tracking number no later than that day, calls to rusty wood have been ignored since then, no attempt to discuss the issues or contact me in any way. Being a small business owner and on the opposite end of this same situation myself, I know it sucks to hav to admit when you’ve made a mistake, but when it something this drastic and this poorly handled sometimes you have to take a bit of a hit to maintain your integrity. At this point I can only assume that Peter, the owner, is and was fully aware that they were misleading in their ads and that it was a direct attempt to defraud unknowing buyers with replica guns that were made to resemble the advertised models. Peter is rude, and clearly either needs some education on his product or to own up to unknowingly selling bad product represented as something it was not. Strong recommendation to avoid this sham operation, or at least ensure you have them verify the make, model and condition of anything you may spend your money on with them.