Gunsmith won't return guns

[Oil Ridge]

I was wondering what the best way to get guns back from a gunsmith would be. The gunsmith said he would have the work done in 30 days. After 90 days I called and he said they were done but he had written my phone number wrong and that's why he hadn't called. He said they were complete and ready to ship, and he would send them to me the next day. I had paid half up front, so he asked for my cc info again to charge the second half and I gave it to him.

That was two weeks ago and they haven't arrived. I called him after a week, and he said he hadn't gotten around to sending them yet. I've been calling almost daily but he doesn't answer the phone and voicemail is full; he said he has a small operation and answering the phone would keep him from getting any work done. Should I call my credit card company and try to get the charges reversed? It still wouldn't get me my guns. Is there a particular procedure I should follow? I've never had this problem with any other gunsmith, so I'm not exactly sure what the best course of action would be.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Be cool and patient, things in the industry are crazy right now.. if gunsmithing isn't that shops work emphasis, it might become backburner. If you are unhappy with the service, don't frequent them again.

 

[LeonCarr]

Have you thought about sending him a letter by certified mail?

That might get his attention, especially if the words "legal action" are mentioned.

Also, disputing the charges with your credit card company would get his attention, but I would call him first and let him know for one more piece of evidence that you are the good guy in this transaction.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[bluethunder1962]

Where is he. Maybe somebody on here lives near him and can "pay him a visit"

 

[BullfrogKen]

I'd wait another week or two before I did something like that.

 

[Shadow 7D]

legal action is one thing, call him and ask nicely, tell him how you have a thread on some pretty heavily trafficked board, and you really need your guns back for pics, and well, you are tired of wait. If you still get blown up, then send the legal letter and kindly mention that you will post his information on many boards to warn other of his service. That generally will get a response.

 

[243winxb]

I've been calling almost daily but he doesn't answer the phone

Call the police department for his area/business. Tell them the story & request a "well Check" He might be laying dead on the floor.

 

[A-FIXER]

It really flames me on those so called gunsmiths, do a normal job and do smithing on the side I also offer services to customers I would say they are THE WORST IN THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY.... next to cable tv installers co's or a & e appliance service/Sears waiting 2 week just for service and you have to be home 8-5 on that day or forget it... I done venting I just know GREAT GUNSMITHS are hard to come by that keep there word, I would say its common in todays world, the thought is Just shutup and wait until I am ready to do you a favor, even though your paying me.

 

[Bio-Chem]

seems to me you've waited long enough. he charged your CC then he can return your property. I'd pull out all the stops to get my gun back. There is patience and then there is piss poor service. you've received piss poor service

 

[dprice3844444]

notify the credit card company

 

[Nullcone]

These here are what we call clues:

he had written my phone number wrong

He said they were complete and ready to ship, and he would send them to me the next day

The gunsmith said he would have the work done in 30 days. After 90 days

he doesn't answer the phone and voicemail is full

I had paid half up front, so he asked for my cc info again to charge the second half and I gave it to him.

This person is a bald-faced liar, and he's lying to what should be the lifeblood of his business... you, a (pre!) paying customer.

If the charge for the 2nd half went through, here is his only excuse:

He might be laying dead on the floor

If he had time to punch in your CC numbers, he had time to push out a UPS label (or have it shipped on his way home... or before work... or at lunch... or...).

This sounds good, if they will do it:

Call the police department for his area/business. Tell them the story & request a "well Check"

You need to send him (registered receipt) a polite, firm letter summarizing the details of your dilemma and what you want done as well as what you'll need to do if your conditions aren't met.

What you want:

Shipment within 1 business day from receipt of letter, with tracking information immediately emailed/texted to you.

If you don't get the above/no response/no delivery:

Contact CC company and start immediate charge-back on 2nd half of payment; inquire about charge-back on initial payment but at 90+ days I think that's out the window.

Contact ATF branches local to both you and the liarsmith; see if anyone will talk to you about this. I don't know if they can/will do anything... but they'll know his name and this poke may be what's needed to get the trash taken out.

At this point, I'd have to consider it a case of someone having your firearm against your will. Some will consider these steps an overreaction, but 30 vs 90+ days plus the bull<deleted> is too much.

Lastly, PM me his name/company name so I never accidentally do business with him.

[If the smith is truly deceased... his family has my condolences, but he was still a liar]

 

[stan rose]

I'd have to agree with with Nullcone. No one wants to be the bad guy, and no one wants to risk a gunsmith sabotaging their firearms out of spite, but enough is enough. Some times in life firm and definitive action is required. Posting of his information to avoid accidental transactions from others would also be nice.

 

[EMC45]

I too would recommend a call to the ATF.

 

[Keb]

Send him a post paid mailing box, and some flowers for his wife.

 

[RhinoDefense]

ATF can't and won't help. It's a private business affair and they stay out of it. It's not an NFA or GCA thing.

 

[tyeo098]

ATF can't and won't help. It's a private business affair and they stay out of it. It's not an NFA or GCA thing.

No, but he does have an FFL for his gunsmithing license correct?
I'm sure the ATF just doesnt hand those out willy-nilly and not check up on people

 

[45_auto]

I'm sure the ATF just doesnt hand those out willy-nilly and not check up on people

Nothing in the ATF regulations that requires good business practices.

 

[The War Wagon]

WHAT Nullcone said! You've had ENOUGH of this ---> :banghead:

 

[MtnCreek]

Nothing in the ATF regulations that requires good business practices.

Except record keeping. If you do manage to get ATF interested in this guy, not so sure that would speed up the process if AFT is there looking at tons of firearms and no A&D entries...

IMHO, if you send a formal letter, make the requests reasonable (like 24 or 48 hrs; not same day kinda stuff) and send standard mail and certified. Some people will flat out refuse certified mail.

Good luck!

 

[Shadow 7D]

Then you post his Name, business name, contact info in EVERY gun forum "wall of shame"
or DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH
so if someone googles him, the first thing that comes up is a warning

just post the facts, you can be liable for libel if you lie, just the facts, and he will have some overcoming to do for the next distance customer.

 

[BullfrogKen]

How about we let things transpire before we call the ATF out to do a Waco raid on this fellows house, shall we?


Closed until Oil Ridge comes back in a Private Message to me with a status update to post.