I don't think the VCR Act will have been a significant factor in Litts' case - airguns and airgun paraphenalia have only ever been a marginal part of their business at best - they are/were mainly into high end shotguns and sporting rifles, along with FAC/shotgun related kit.

I agree that service was generally bleedin' awful - I recently went in to buy some new boots (size 10), having checked beforehand that they were in stock - when I got there, the bloke behind the counter produced size 11 only and got the hump with me for having the gall to be fed up with having made a 50 mile drive for nothing...

Adam.