How will this impact GunBroker Auctions
I have made dozens of purchases on GunBroker over the years that have added significantly to my personal collection. I often use the credit card when the seller is an FFL as a means of expediting the transaction and establishing instant good faith. If this type of transaction denial by credit companies spreads I will miss out on a lot of deals for lack of being able to get to a bank for a money order during business hours.
quote:January 7, 2007
CREDIT CARD PROCESSING COMPANY REJECTS FIREARMS INDUSTRY
REFUSES TO PROCESS TRANSACTIONS . . . Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. are refusing to process any credit card transactions between federally licensed firearms retailers, distributors and manufacturers -- a move which will severely limit available inventory of firearms and ammunition to military, law enforcement and law-abiding Americans.
The first company to be affected by this decision appears to be firearms distributor CDNN Sports Inc.
"We were contacted recently by First Data/Citi Merchant Services by a June Rivera-Mantilla stating that we were terminated and funds were being seized for selling firearms in a non-face-to-face transaction," said Charlie Crawford, president of CDNN Sports Inc. "Although perfectly legal, we were also informed that no transactions would be processed in the future, even for non-firearms. I find this very frightening."
To voice your concern to Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp., please contact June Rivera-Mantilla at 631-683-7734 or her supervisor Robert Tenenbaum at 631-683-6570.
quote:January 7, 2007
CREDIT CARD PROCESSING COMPANY REJECTS FIREARMS INDUSTRY
REFUSES TO PROCESS TRANSACTIONS . . . Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. are refusing to process any credit card transactions between federally licensed firearms retailers, distributors and manufacturers -- a move which will severely limit available inventory of firearms and ammunition to military, law enforcement and law-abiding Americans.
The first company to be affected by this decision appears to be firearms distributor CDNN Sports Inc.
"We were contacted recently by First Data/Citi Merchant Services by a June Rivera-Mantilla stating that we were terminated and funds were being seized for selling firearms in a non-face-to-face transaction," said Charlie Crawford, president of CDNN Sports Inc. "Although perfectly legal, we were also informed that no transactions would be processed in the future, even for non-firearms. I find this very frightening."
To voice your concern to Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp., please contact June Rivera-Mantilla at 631-683-7734 or her supervisor Robert Tenenbaum at 631-683-6570.
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This may not be an all negative move. It may get rid of a lot of credit card companies who already don't much like guns and gun owners. When this happens it will create a vacuum for other companies (not necessarily even credit card companeis) to move into that vacuum and create more business for them and to create a friendlier gun buying/selling atmosphere.
Heck, maybe even the bigwigs here at GB.com could branch out and start their own credit card company dealing solely in firearms sales.
JMHO0 -
Thats just crazy, it will get to where you cant purchase a firearm with a credit card.[B)] 0 -
Make the call! Citibank has absolutely no right to monitor, track, accept or deny purchases made on their cards (with YOUR CREDIT!)for any item at all, including firearms!
These pinheads are trying to cut the throats of gun dealers and suppliers by denying access to money through their card holders who have made purchases of personal goods and services; they have absolutely no right to interfere in commerce!(only Congress may screw up commerce!)
Be sure to mention that you are cancelling your Citibank card, and requesting that Experian, Equifax and Transamerica all note on your credit report that YOU are the one that closed the account, and for what reason!0 -
I don't have a citibank card. I have an NRA Visa from National bank of Omaha. and a Discover card 0 -
I'm reading this as January 7, 2007 not January 7, 2008. Has any of this affected anyone for the past year? I would question the validity of this - might be another reason (financial) CitiCard discontinued it's relationship with CDNN. 0 -
It won't affect me at all. I don't accept credit cards. If I need to order something new, I have open accounts at two major distributors. If I need to put something on a card, I have a card from a bank other than Citibank. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by neacpa
I'm reading this as January 7, 2007 not January 7, 2008. Has any of this affected anyone for the past year? I would question the validity of this - might be another reason (financial) CitiCard discontinued it's relationship with CDNN.
Good eye.. I could use you Dove hunting..[:D]0 -
I just turned down a job offer at Citi. Now I am double glad I did. 0 -
Just beat the system. Ask Citi to send you a balance transfer check, fill it out so that you transfer the balance to yourself, then cash the check, go to the gun store with the cash in hand or buy a cashier's check/money order with it, and that's it. [;)] 0 -
Something isn't right here.
The Vector Arms AK I bought a number of months ago was charged to my Citibank card from a dealer in Colorado.
No issues whatsoever on my transaction.
I will now purposefully use that card to see if I get any grief,.......if so, CANCELLED!0 -
Wife and I cut up our plastic years ago. Funny, when you do that the brainless idiots just keep sending offers for more cards. Get some in the mail almost every day. The next one from CitiBank will result in a phone call from me -- but not what they were expecting. 0 -
I have used credit cards and also PayPal to buy firearms,no problems except for the greedy ones wanting to charge for their own fees[B)] 0 -
I severed all ties with citibank a long time ago for various reason, this being one of them. I almost wish I still had a citibank card so I could cut it up and send it back. 0 -
I believe the 07 was a typo meant to be 08. 0 -
Going to call and cancel my citi card right now! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bhale187
Going to call and cancel my citi card right now!
Find out if it is true first,.......if so I will be doing the same.0 -
James: givette here. You personally had a run-in (firearm related) with Citibank. Can you tell me (us) what transpired? Thanks, Joe
EDIT: Tks, JRK. Joe0 -
I don't know the details, but this may have a beef with that one dealer and not all firearm related sellers.
My card is a Citi and I have never had any trouble making gun purchases.
This will be a costly mistake if they really are dropping all FFL business.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
I just turned down a job offer at Citi. Now I am double glad I did.
Do you live in India? [;)]0 -
I was just in the process of setting up a merchant account and was told that I could only sell firearms if I swiped the card. Had to be face to face. I told them I was not interested in their service. It was not citibank by the way.
They don't seem to care what you buy, just what you sell.
Mike0 -
quote:Originally posted by jethro
I was just in the process of setting up a merchant account and was told that I could only sell firearms if I swiped the card. Had to be face to face. I told them I was not interested in their service. It was not citibank by the way.
They don't seem to care what you buy, just what you sell.
Mike
How would they know what you were selling? Or were they saying that they were going to completely restrict your account to swiped transactions, due to the nature of your business?0 -
Here's the link to the letter CDNN Sports received.
http://www.nssf.org/share/images/letter.jpg0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
James: givette here. You personally had a run-in (firearm related) with Citibank. Can you tell me (us) what transpired? Thanks, Joe
No, I never had a problem with a gun transaction which involved citibank. citibank has been anti-Second Amendment for a long time. That's just one of the reasons I don't do business with citibank. I just don't like the way they do business in general.0 -
That is why my credit card is through a pro gun outfit backed by worlds formost bank. 0 -
Has the NRA made a statement about this issue? 0 -
For the folks who don't see the tiny print to well, here is a copy of the letter:
Citi Merchant Services
Provided by First Data Merchant Services Corporation
1307 Walt Whitman Road
Melville, NY 11747
12/26/07
CDNN Sports Inc.
Mr. Charlie Crawford
3602 S Treadaway
Abilene, TX 79602
NOTICE OF TERMINATION
335200137883
Mr. Crawford:
Citi Merchant Services ("CMS") provided by First Data Merchant Services ("FDIMS") has been processing the bankcard sales of CDNN Sports Inc under the Merchant Card Services Agreement ("Agreement") dated 10/2/2007.
Given the inherent risk in bankcard processing and our recent review of the CDNN Sports Inc account, you were formally notified on 12/20/07 of our intent and reason for termination of the Agreement. We hereby provide notice that effective immediately the contract is terminated. Although the Agreement allows for immediate termination, City Merchant Services will continue to process transactions through 1/28/2008, so that you may make other processing arrangements.
We discussed with Mr. Crawford said termination due to the sale of firearms in a non face-to-face environment. Keep in mind that a violation of the Gun Control Act when a gun offered online is sold to an individual in another State; the act prohibits selling a handgun to a resident of another state. Shipping across state lines is also banned, yet guns for sale online reach people across the country. We at Citi Merchant Services are unable to monitor or track adherence to these Gun Control Laws.
Consistent with the terms of the agreement we will establish a termination reserve for seventy-five thousand ($75,000) dollars. The reserve will be funded from deposits effective immediately. These funds will be held for the greater of six months, or longer, as is consistent with VISA/MasterCard rules and regulations. The funds will be used to fund potential chargebacks. If, in the allowed period, there are no chargebacks we will return the funds less fees, if any, within ninety days from the date we fund the last transaction, upon your request.
We regret having to take these actions, however they are necessary to manage our risk associated with processing in the bankcard industry. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 931-683-7734.
Sincerely,
June Rivera-Mantilla
Periodic Review0 -
So they are holding 75 grand of his money interest free for three months less fees? They make the IRS seem reasonable...almost. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bigdaddyjunior
So they are holding 75 grand of his money interest free for three months less fees? They make the IRS seem reasonable...almost.
I read it to be at least nine months. They hold it for six months or more, then return it ninety days after that if he requests it. I could be wrong.0 -
quote:We discussed with Mr. Crawford said termination due to the sale of firearms in a non face-to-face environment. Keep in mind that a violation of the Gun Control Act when a gun offered online is sold to an individual in another State; the act prohibits selling a handgun to a resident of another state. Shipping across state lines is also banned, yet guns for sale online reach people across the country. We at Citi Merchant Services are unable to monitor or track adherence to these Gun Control Laws.
Since when is it the duty of a credit company to monitor legalities?
I guess the moto at Citi Merchant Services is "Guilty until Proven Innocent"0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
quote:We discussed with Mr. Crawford said termination due to the sale of firearms in a non face-to-face environment. Keep in mind that a violation of the Gun Control Act when a gun offered online is sold to an individual in another State; the act prohibits selling a handgun to a resident of another state. Shipping across state lines is also banned, yet guns for sale online reach people across the country. We at Citi Merchant Services are unable to monitor or track adherence to these Gun Control Laws.
Since when is it the duty of a credit company to monitor legalities?
I guess the moto at Citi Merchant Services is "Guilty until Proven Innocent"
I bet Ms. Rivera-Montilla wouldn't have said a word if CDNN was shipping guns to Guadalajara. [:(!]0
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