AIM SKS is less than advertised...

[glocksman]

But AIM said they'll make it good and exchange the rifle.

I took advantage of AIM's $99.95 excellent condition SKS offer and the rifle I got was in less than excellent shape. I called AIM and they said to send it back along with a copy of the invoice, and they'd be glad to exchange it.

Problem is, I didn't get an invoice.

The guy on the phone said no matter, just send the gun back with a letter stating what's wrong with it, and they'll inspect the gun and if it doesn't meet the advertised condition, they'll send me a different gun.

Here's a copy of the enclosed letter listing the problems.

Sirs:
On Friday, February 13, I ordered a Yugoslavian SKS rifle for $99.95 that was advertised in your SHOT show flyer as being in ‘excellent’ condition. What I received was a rifle in less than excellent condition. The problems with the rifle are listed below

1. The bore is so rusted and pitted that when I ran a brush down it and pulled it back out, a cloud of red dust came out.
2. The bolt was coated with rust on the face and even after brushing it, there still are a couple of patches of surface rust.
3. The stock shows evidence of at least one repair patch and has several dings and scratches.
4. The gas piston was coated with burned powder and the tube was so corroded on the inside that the piston wouldn’t move. I polished the interior of the tube so the piston would travel freely and cleaned the piston up before I discovered the corroded bore.
5. No accessories were included nor was an invoice packed with the rifle.

I would like a replacement rifle to be shipped that is in the ‘excellent’ condition listed in the ad. In addition, I would like a refund of my return shipping costs in the amount of $7.83

In addition, tbe carton the rifle came in was cracked open right in the center.

AIM is supposed to have good customer service, so I'm not sounding the panic alarm just yet.

I just hope the replacement is in a little better shape.

 

[Chipperman]

I'm sure they'll make good on it.

 

[Third_Rail]

Wow. That rifle sounds like what my friend Jim does to his! Today at work I almost cried.... "You have to clean guns?" ".... "

 

[glocksman]

If the Yugos had chrome bores like the other SKS's, I would have kept the gun as I could have used my dremel to polish off the rust from the bolt and bolt carrier.

But there isn't a thing I can do about a corroded and pitted bore.

 

[DMK]

The guy on the phone said no matter, just send the gun back with a letter stating what's wrong with it, and they'll inspect the gun and if it doesn't meet the advertised condition, they'll send me a different gun.

You shouldn't have a problem. That does not sound like the excellent quality of any of the rifles I have recieved from AIM. I'm sure they will send you a suitable replacement.

I have only had to take advantange of AIM's customer service once and that was with ammo. However, they courteously made good for the mistake and made me a happy customer once again.

 

[liliysdad]

I just bought a shooter grade Yugo from Century, and it appears to be unissued. Excellent gun. Paid 90.00 out the door.

 

[swingset]

AIM has a terrific, and well deserved reputation amongst C&R folks. I've had a couple issues with orders and they always went above and beyond to fix their boo boo. Have faith.

 

[Guyon]

Yeah, that ain't an excellent gun. I just picked up mine a couple of weeks ago (from AIM, though I paid $109), and it was as advertised. So was one purchased by a friend of mine.

They should make it right.

 

[geojap]

AIM is a stand-up organization that will make sure that you are happy. They are probably the best C&R wholesaler out there.

However, if you don't have a legitimate complaint and return your firearm, they will charge you a re-stocking fee (I think it's $10 or so). Don't worry, I think yours is a very legitimate complaint.

Don't forget, these are surplus rifles. Even the ones advertised as "excellent" or "un-issued" will have dings in the wood from storage and handling, some flaking furniture finish and possibly a very small rust spot or two. It's the nature of the game when you're dealing with 50 - 100 year-old firearms. Also, most times they do not inspect every single firearm for it's complete condition. It is untenable as it would take too much time. They only make a few tens of dollars on each one of these, and they can't spend too many man-hours inspecting all their firearms. They do high-volume business (versus less volume, higher prices and more quality control), and that keeps the prices down for us.

AIM is a very good company though. They rarely let a real dog out.

 

[glocksman]

The wood dings I really didn't mind and I could have polished out the corrosion on the bolt, but there's nothing I can do with a bore that is so pitted that it shreds the patches I run down it.

The exterior of the gun looks near perfect.

My guess is that the Yugo who packed this rifle away may have had a little too much to drink as the only cosmoline in the gun was on the outside and the trigger group.

I'm not upset with AIM at this point because I do realize that they can't inspect every bore. It's how they make it right that'll affect my view.

Also, not only did I not get an invoice, I apparently wasn't charged for the gun as there are no withdrawals or holds for $99.95 on the debit card I used to order the gun.

I did mention this to them when I called to get their FFL# (so I could log it out of my book) this morning. I guess I'm too honest for my own good.

 

[armoredman]

Honesty is a very good thing. When I get my C&R, hopefully soon, I will try like hell to save enough bucks to buy exactly that, the AIM Yugo. Keep us posted, please.

 

[M4A3]

I tell you what.

AIM is really above the bar in my opinion.

They have been excellent with CS and product they sell.

(Yes, its a shameless plug)

 

[thefitzvh]

Anyone order the Albanians from them?

I'm getting one soon, and I wanna know how they're showing up

What would "Good" to "Very Good" condition be like, in terms of the metal and working parts.


Don't care about looks, I care about function.


James

 

[telewinz]

AIM is the greatest

I've done business with AIM several times, even drove 8 hours to get my Romak3 from them. If they say they will make good, you can bank on it. I bet what you end up with is a "hand select" like new rifle.