Got screwed at the gunshow now trying to get unscrewed.
- Thread starter jsalcedo
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Jeff OTMG
Member
Give the guy the chance to make right on it. You don't mention if you 4473'd that rifle or not, but I know that there are a lot of private sellers at San Antonio. If he is one, do not say anything to him, but go across the street to the office building. That is where the San Antonio office of the BATF is. If he has been set up at a gun show every month for 3 years selling guns for a profit, that is dealing, and doing it without an FFL is a felony. File a complaint and let BATF do a sting on him, it will be all over. If they refuse tell them that you will go to the paper.
BluesBear
member
Now do we really want to get F-troop involved in this? That's all you need.
Get them snooping around even more than they already do and it'll all go to "spit".
Get them snooping around even more than they already do and it'll all go to "spit".
Redlg155
Member
Chances are he's exactly like one ol boy that attends shows here. He's alway at the show buying and selling under the premise of "Private Collection". I've seen the guy take more than one gun in and pass on information given from the seller as his own expericences. And yep...I've even seen targets brought in before.
Take the barrel back to him and let him know you got burned in the deal. If he refused to make it right I'd protest first to the gun show promoter. Then take him to small claims court. I'd be he tries to make it right when the promoter has a word with him.
Good Shooting
Red
Take the barrel back to him and let him know you got burned in the deal. If he refused to make it right I'd protest first to the gun show promoter. Then take him to small claims court. I'd be he tries to make it right when the promoter has a word with him.
Good Shooting
Red
2nd Amendment
member
Being a private seller I am assuming he had and kept diddly squat for records. As such it's also possible he sold you a gun other than the one he thought he was selling you. I know of at least one fellow who meant to sell his Chinese Wonder M1A1 at a gunshow. He grabbed it in the AM, went to the show and dropped it on a buddys table then went to do whatever. When he came back he collected his cash, as it had sold immediately at around $600.
When he got home he realized the Norinco was still in the corner and his Springfield Armory was gone...
When he got home he realized the Norinco was still in the corner and his Springfield Armory was gone...
Daniel T
Member
I'd be more concerned about having been sold a gun that could have been defective enough to permanently damage you than just getting a few bucks back.
Jsalcedo;
T'were me, I'd go to the promoter's first. Tell them the story, and yes it'd be a real good thing to have all the back-up info you can amass. If they are sympathetic, but can't do a whole lot for you; well, ask how much a table is & can you get it right across the aisle from you-know-who?
If that works out, the seller might be inclined to be reasonable, if you start off nice. After all, you just might very well ruin his weekend.
900F
T'were me, I'd go to the promoter's first. Tell them the story, and yes it'd be a real good thing to have all the back-up info you can amass. If they are sympathetic, but can't do a whole lot for you; well, ask how much a table is & can you get it right across the aisle from you-know-who?
If that works out, the seller might be inclined to be reasonable, if you start off nice. After all, you just might very well ruin his weekend.
900F
Jeff OTMG
Member
It depends on where the table was at the show whether or not Todd, the promoter, will be sympathetic. If it is in the first few tables as you turn to the right after you go through the door, that is his father, brother, and other family and friends. ATF has done stings there before, this wouldn't be the first.
Sunray
Member
"Should I take the invoice to the gunshow dealer and try to get him to pay for it?" Nope. You're screwed. You should have taken it back without having it fixed. Then taken him to court if he did nothing. Wouldn't hurt to talk to the show operators, but don't expect them to do much.
Matthew Courtney
Member
For a "non-dealer" to misrepresent a firearm in the manner described, it takes more then a "target search error". Either they guy is a dealer, or he lied about the condition of pesonal property.
Guys who buy guns to look at and shoot are firearms enthusiasts. Guys who buy and sell guns in the same day three weekends per month to enhance their collections are dealers.
Should the Feds regulate dealers? No. But they do. Give him a chance to make it right, then put the ATF on his tail.
Guys who buy guns to look at and shoot are firearms enthusiasts. Guys who buy and sell guns in the same day three weekends per month to enhance their collections are dealers.
Should the Feds regulate dealers? No. But they do. Give him a chance to make it right, then put the ATF on his tail.
I should get the repaired rifle and the old barrel back tomorrow.
Then I'll have to wait for the next gunshow 3 weeks from now on April 2.
Here is a pic of the fired shell. The brass is badly bulged and the wall of the
case was breached.
Whoa. The spent shell from Hell.
Gotta agree with most posters. Dealer, then Promoter. Then waste his Sunday if it'll make you feel better. Small claims prolly isn't worth your time. Even if you do get a judgment, what if he still refuses to pay? There are steps you can take to get your money judgment, but will it be worth the time and effort?
Good luck, and thanks for sharing.
Gotta agree with most posters. Dealer, then Promoter. Then waste his Sunday if it'll make you feel better. Small claims prolly isn't worth your time. Even if you do get a judgment, what if he still refuses to pay? There are steps you can take to get your money judgment, but will it be worth the time and effort?
Good luck, and thanks for sharing.
Just got the repaired rifle back from accuracy systems.
Looks like the did a great job.
Nice folks to deal with too
I asked them to stick a used barrel on my gun and all they had was Stainless steel. Was ok with me and the price was right.
Even gave me a empty shell from the test fire
Looks like the did a great job.
Nice folks to deal with too
I asked them to stick a used barrel on my gun and all they had was Stainless steel. Was ok with me and the price was right.
Even gave me a empty shell from the test fire
orca
Member
While there has been some VERY good advice given on this subject, I think I would have to decide if I wanted: 1.) money, or 2.) satisfaction. They are usually mutually exclusive. Me, I'll take "satisfaction" every time. (There's been some good advice on the satisfaction side of the house too!!)
Small backpack, the brass, photos of the rifle, bottle of water, thermos of coffee and a stool to put right in front of his table. Ahhh.....
Small backpack, the brass, photos of the rifle, bottle of water, thermos of coffee and a stool to put right in front of his table. Ahhh.....
I've got news for you guys, the buyer is screwed. I was cheated at a gun show last year in WPB, Fl (the dealer bait and switched me) and complaining to the promoter did NOTHING. Gee, I wonder who the promoter is going to side with, me, or the guy who has been giving him steady business for the last three years...
And I was told that I was NOT going to stand at the dealer's taable and cause trouble. They even called over the cop working the show.
And I was told that I was NOT going to stand at the dealer's taable and cause trouble. They even called over the cop working the show.
sumpnz
Member
I bought a Winchester 190 at a gun show. When I took it out to fire it the next day it would only go bang aon about every 5th trigger pull. The gun show was still going on, so I found the guy I bought it from (private individual) explained the problem, and he exchanged it for another 190 he had (it was actually in better shape than the one I bought initially - it fired properly, and looked better). He also offered to refund my money if I preferred. He was very fair and reasonable.I'd do business with him again if he had something I was interested in.
I took the mini 14 out today with the new barrel and tried it out at 50 yards.
With PMC and wolf ammo it functioned flawlessly it also chunked brass
35 yards to my right.
At 50 yards open sights I put a had a couple 40 shot groups that could be covered with a playing card.
I think with a good scope I could cut those in half.
Got all my ducks in a row and will still confront the seller and see what he plans to do if anything.
With PMC and wolf ammo it functioned flawlessly it also chunked brass
35 yards to my right.
At 50 yards open sights I put a had a couple 40 shot groups that could be covered with a playing card.
I think with a good scope I could cut those in half.
Got all my ducks in a row and will still confront the seller and see what he plans to do if anything.
brookstexas
member
Call the BATFE and the newspaper?
Sad some of the comments I see of a firearms and freedom forum.
Sad some of the comments I see of a firearms and freedom forum.
macavada
Member
You know, the funny thing about this experience? If you hadn't bought an unsound Mini14, you would have probably had just another run of the mill, inaccurate Mini14 that would have been right in line with their collective reputation. With this unfortunate experience, you'll actually have a Mini 14 that I think you're going to end up enjoying - kind of a blessing in disguise. Hopefully the guy will cooperate. Maybe you can at least get him to pay for half of your expense? (I'll probably get flamed for such a suggestion.)
Yeah you are right, I'm feeling screwed and more proud of being resourceful and getting a good deal on a replacement barrel.
It turning out to be a learning experience, shipped my first gun, dealt with a great company (accuracy systems) and learned a valuable lesson about buying at gun shows.
PigPen
Member
I know that this is not what you want to hear but I have a some what unique attitude with gunshow dealers.
I by 2 or 3 firearms per year at gunshows. They are usually everything that I expect but occasionally I get hosed. Now take the deal that you have mentioned; You will likely have what you thought you had when you paid for the rifle.......only for $125.00 more than you figured. Divided the 10 or 15 firearms that you purchased over the preceding (or following) 5 yrs., into that 125.00 and it adds between $12.50 and $8.33 to each gun that you purchased...........If you can keep that up you have done pretty well.
Unfortunately (in my view), too many people think it is a big game to palm off firearms that you are displeased with onto some unsuspecting individual.....frequently at gun shows.
Never buy from this guy again! Average your loses! Be glad that gun shows exist so that you can find unusual firearms that are not available at your trustworthy local dealer! Look carefully and try to learn not to be taken next time! And never, never, never become like these people who cheated you. It is not a good joke!
You will learn from your experience..............and look down the barrel next time.......we've all been there.
PigPen
I by 2 or 3 firearms per year at gunshows. They are usually everything that I expect but occasionally I get hosed. Now take the deal that you have mentioned; You will likely have what you thought you had when you paid for the rifle.......only for $125.00 more than you figured. Divided the 10 or 15 firearms that you purchased over the preceding (or following) 5 yrs., into that 125.00 and it adds between $12.50 and $8.33 to each gun that you purchased...........If you can keep that up you have done pretty well.
Unfortunately (in my view), too many people think it is a big game to palm off firearms that you are displeased with onto some unsuspecting individual.....frequently at gun shows.
Never buy from this guy again! Average your loses! Be glad that gun shows exist so that you can find unusual firearms that are not available at your trustworthy local dealer! Look carefully and try to learn not to be taken next time! And never, never, never become like these people who cheated you. It is not a good joke!
You will learn from your experience..............and look down the barrel next time.......we've all been there.
PigPen
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