Does anyone here live anywhere near Florence, SC?

Let me give you some background here.

I purchased an 1100 Youth model Shotgun off of Gunbroker for my wife so she could start doing some skeet and trap shooting with me.

You can find the auction here: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=37771956

As you can see, I won the auction over three weeks ago. I sent him payment and he recieved it over two weeks ago. Since then, he won't answer my phone calls, my emails, and my FFL hasn't seen hide nor hair of the shotgun.

Can anyone in this area help me out? The guy's name is James Blackmon. I won't post his address up here, but if you live in the area and want to ride by and ask him about it, I can PM it to you.

I know that's asking alot, but I am not the type of person that can lose $300 dollars and just walk away.

If you paid by postal money order (which I hope you did) then you can contact the Post office and they will an investigation.

Also, contact the local sheriff's office and inquire on your options.

I do, I'll be glad to ask around. That name does sound familiar, too....

I did pay by postal money order, but I lost the slip. However, I know the date I bought it on, and I paid for it with a debit card, so I don't think it would be too hard to look it up. The post office I bought it at is pathetically slow, I also had a delivery confirmation put onto the envelope I sent it in (Priority Mail), so I've got plenty of evidence.

It's not even the fact that I haven't recieved the shotgun yet, it's the fact that the guy hasn't answered my phone calls, emails, or anything.

Steve

I've heard the name too. We have a gun show in Columbia in a couple of weeks and I'll look him up if it is not resolved by then. PM me with any info you have, and I'll save the auction site too.

I really appreciate you guys checking into this for me. It may be the guy hasn't had time to respond, but I'd like to know for sure.

When is the gun show in Columbia?

When is the gun show in Columbia?
Nov. 12 and 13th at the jamil Temple off St. Andrews road.

How far away do you guys live?

Florence is about 50-55 miles from my house, 75 from Columbia.

Around 10 miles, I work in Florence.

How big of a town/community is Florence? Can someone give me the phone number for the Chief of Police, or a Desk Seargent, or someone that can help me in that area?

http://www.cityofflorence.com/police/important_numbers.html

The web site says 33,000 people. I've attached a link to the police numbers, maybe you can get a hit somewhere.

The city just basically told me that there is nothing they can do about it because it was an internet transaction.

What the heck am I supposed to do now? Just show up at his door demanding a gun or $300 dollars?

this not be a federal crime?
CT

this not be a federal crime?
CT

According to them it's a civil matter.

Or they're just too lazy to go knock on the guy's door and ask what is going on. :cuss: :fire:

Go to www.thestate.com and do a letter to the editor of the newspaper lambasting the Florence PD on their inaction of a crime in their area. Embarrass them, oh, don't forget to keep bugging the USPS inspectors and call the ATF while your at it.

I need to bring this to the top.

Have any of the people in that area found anything out? I'd be happy to pay you for your troubles.

I'm not sure how much help they'll be, but you might want to give the ATF a call.

I called them once and basically said "I'm not sure if the gun is legally mine yet, but I paid for it, so I don't know whether to report it stolen or missing or what. Can you please help me out?"

They said they could try to look into it. I never heard from the ATF again, but about 3 days later the seller finally contacted me and asked for another copy of my FFL because he lost it, and then the gun arrived shortly after that. This was after about 3 weeks of me trying to contact him with no luck. I'm not sure if the ATF actually did anything, but they might have given him a nudge or something.

I'm not sure how it would work, but if the guy has an FFL, I'd imagine they'd yank it in a heartbeat.

TTT, anyone else?

What the heck am I supposed to do now? Just show up at his door demanding a gun or $300 dollars?

That's what I would do, plus something extra for making me drive all the way over there.

Don't hassle the local cops YET! If one of us goes there and he's a buddy to a local LEO, things could get dicey. You could get a ticket of almost anything.
On the other hand, USPS inspectors don't even read him his rights if they want to talk to him.

Stay safe.
Bob

Status update?

I don't know if this is the same guy, but I did a google search and found this link. Take a look at number 4 on this list.

http://www.dppps.sc.gov/ppp_schedules/Pardon%20Hearings%2013%20April%202004_files/Pardon%20Hearings%2011-16-04.htm

It's the SC Dept. of Probation, Parole, and Pardon. Doesn't sound too good.

Rick

Edit : I looked some more and his pardon was rejected.

Oh happy day.

My FFL called me and told me the gun finally arrived. I'm going to pick it up in a few days.

I'm not sure if the hounding or the harassment worked, but I finally got it.

I want to thank EVERYONE who replied in this thread and was trying to help me out. Everything you did is greatly appreciated.

Now I finally have a shotgun that I can teach my fiance' and my nephew how to shoot with.

Thank you to everyone, once again!

GREAT! I can put that can of Whoop Ass away for another day now :evil:

Good to hear.