Every time we publish a "New Stuff" list we invaribly receive emails
from subscribers grumbling because many (or most) of the items on the
list are marked SOLD by the time they check their email. Indeed we
have been accused many times of listing items that have already sold
or that we never actually had. . . both scenarios could not be
further from the truth (in fact, this is the very reason why we now
take photos of nearly every firearm we offer).

The latest spate of spite seems to emanate from those of you who (for
whatever reason) subscribe to our "New Stuff" list using "FREE" email
address such as hotmail, netzero, Yahoo, etc. Maybe they are afraid
that we will sell their precious email address. . . I don't know (we
wouldn't, of course), but I *DO* know that nothing in this world is
truly "free".

I just received several complaints accusing us of intentionally
sending our "New Stuff" emails to some of these folks LATE, as much
as 24 hours later than we did everybody else. Why the HECK would we
do that??? The simple fact is that "free" email services get your
email to you whenever it is convenient for THEM and are in no hurry
to do so (essentially you are getting your money's worth, since you
pay nothing for the service).

When we send out a "New Stuff" email EVERYONE on our mailing-list is
sent the message at the EXACT SAME TIME. We often start receiving
orders within a minute or two of sending it out, and normally within
an HOUR over half of the items listed have sold. It is ALWAYS "first-
come, first served" and (aside from an auction scenario) there is no
other way we can possibly do this. Every effort is made to ensure
that we are fair to every one of our customers (or potential
customers). . . we continually vary the timing (and even the days)
when the "New Stuff" list is sent out so that, no matter if you get
your email at home or at work, or even whatever time-zone you happen
to live in, you have as good a "shot" and anyone else at seeing a
list with nary a SOLD sign on it.

Having said that, there ARE some customers that have figured out how
to "better their chances". . . it is a simple matter to arrange for
your email-client to sound an alarm whenever an email from
empirearms@... (or with the phrase "New Stuff" in the
subject-line) lands in your IN-BOX. Some advanced collectors have
rigged their computers to even dial their pagers or send a text-
message to their cell-phone when this happens. Doctors have been
known to ask their nurse to "close" during an operation in order to
take an "important call", and judges have been known to call a recess
during a trial for the same reason. :) These "lucky" folk
DEFINITELY do not utilize a "free" email service! Get my drift?

One thing that will *NOT* happen is we will never give a "heads up"
to anyone before putting out a "New Stuff" list, and we will never
list anything that has already sold before the list comes out. We
also discourage anyone from posting a "New Stuff" link on any
internet forum or bulletin-board.

We recommend that you always subscribe to this service using your
most direct and reliable provider (one that you PAY to get your email
delivered on time). EMPIRE ARMS cannot change your email address for
the EMPIRE ARMS "New Stuff" list. . .you must do that yourself (this
is an anti-SPAM measure).

If you wish to change your email address surf to
http://www.groups.yahoo.com and click on "Account info". You can
then change your email address ("member information") for one or all
Yahoo Groups that you are subscribed to.

We will *NEVER* divulge your email address to a third party, of that
you can be certain!

Also PLEASE give complete information when ordering anything. . . we
have over 60,000 people that we have done business with over the
years, and many of you have similar (or the exact same) names. Do
not simply ASSuME that we are going to know who you are from
your "handle" or first name alone (or even identify you from an email
address).

If you have a FFL (or are transferring your incoming guns through a
dealer), please remember that they EXPIRE every three years, and if
you just got yours renewed (or if your dealer did), make SURE you
sent us a copy of it before you order (or prepare to pay to send it
to us overnight if you haven't). We ALWAYS send a confirmation email
when a FFL has been received (even if it's a renewal) or we mail you
a letter with that info if an email address was not provided with the
FFL. NOBODY ELSE DOES THIS!

Sorry for this interruption, but I just had to vent a bit and wanted
to alleviate some misconceptions that apparently some of our
customers have and hopefully avoid having to answer several hundred
unnecessary emails about our policies in the near future.

We want to be your FAVORITE dealer!

I'm now off to TULSA to attend the World's Largest Gun Show and will
not be back in my office for nearly a week (and CERTAINLY, will be
bringing back more "jewels" to offer in upcoming lists).

This email does NOT require a response, so please do not respond to
it. . . just take this info in the spirit it was intended and have a
nice weekend.

Dennis Kroh, owner, Empire Arms
e-mail: kroh@...
95 Seminole Ave, Ormond Beach FL 32176
(386) 677-7314 FAX only (386) 677-7324
web-site: http://www.empirearms.com
<> our exclusive "new stuff" e-mail-list:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/empirearms/