SANFORD, Fla. — The owner of a Sanford car dealership launched a controversial new campaign Friday: Buy a pickup truck and get a free AK-47 rifle.
After 33 years in the car business, Nick Ginetta will admit to a gimmick or two to bring in customers.
"We've given away free gas for a year. We've given away televisions. We've given away trips to the Bahamas," Ginetta said.
But at Nations Trucks in Sanford (see map), he may have outdone himself. If you buy a truck, the buyer can get a voucher for an AK-47.
The weapon made famous by the Soviet Red Army and terrorists everywhere is part of the deal on the lot.
"Well, I know all about the AK-47. I was in Vietnam," truck-buyer Don Zeis said.
Zeis is not a big fan of the promotion or the rifle.
"I heard it, very distinct sound, because they pointed it at me and they were firing at me," he said.
But he bought a pickup truck anyway.
"Do you want the gun?" WFTV reporter Berndt Petersen asked.
"I don't want the gun," Zeis replied.
Ginetta said Zeis doesn't have to take the gun.
"If you want $400 in cash, that's what the voucher is worth to me. I'll give you that and you can go Christmas shopping for the kids," Ginetta said.
One look around the dealership will show you the place caters to sportsmen. Ginetta says his sales pitch has triggered a flood of phone calls, 30 percent of them negative.
"AK-47s have a reputation in people's minds. So, I came up with that to be a little controversial, to cause a little buzz. And I think I've accomplished that," Ginetta said.
Any truck-buyer who wants to use the voucher at a local gun shop would have to go through the state and federal application process.
The AK-47 is the most manufactured product in the world. More than 90 million have been made.