I bought an AK that was put together by lancaster arms from my local gunshop. the thing never worked. every malfunction possible. gunshop couldn't repair it. sent it back to manufacturer for repair. lancaster arms in sept of 2011. I have made hundreds of calls and dozens of emails. CHET DURDA and LANCASTER ARMS have done nothing but give me the run around. recently received a UPS tracking number after yelling at the guy over the phone. nothing has shipped yet. I am at a loss for the lack of decency of this company. suggestions?
Help. I sent my AK to lancaster arms for repair. never got it back.
- Thread starter hobgob
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fatcat4620
Member
Get a lawyer and demand your property back.
CapnMac
Member
If you have documentation, sale receipt from the LGS, the shipping ticket to send it back, the emails sent & received--you could try making a Small Claims Court case of it.
Trick there is to be dispassionate. Your case is that you bought an item, the item proved defective beyond the ability of the dealer to repair, so item was returned to the manufacturer. Said manufacturer then failed to either restore your property, or to recompense you for the loss of property.
Only tricky part is that you may be asked why you simply did not return the [lemon] to the LGS, and get your money back. Any documentation you have that the LGS felt that item was repairable will be to your advantage.
Second bad part is that the judge might order the factory to choose whether to pay you or to return your goods. In which case, you might only be paid the wholesale cost, or they might only return your item unrepaired, leaving you with a box of bad AK parts.
Full-up lawyer probably going to cost you as much as an AK. And, they might only be able to get you the wholesale value or a box of parts, and an "IOU" for compensatory damages (or a place card in any future Chapter 11 or 7 proceedings).
Which I had better to offer, it's definitely rock-and-hard place for you.
Trick there is to be dispassionate. Your case is that you bought an item, the item proved defective beyond the ability of the dealer to repair, so item was returned to the manufacturer. Said manufacturer then failed to either restore your property, or to recompense you for the loss of property.
Only tricky part is that you may be asked why you simply did not return the [lemon] to the LGS, and get your money back. Any documentation you have that the LGS felt that item was repairable will be to your advantage.
Second bad part is that the judge might order the factory to choose whether to pay you or to return your goods. In which case, you might only be paid the wholesale cost, or they might only return your item unrepaired, leaving you with a box of bad AK parts.
Full-up lawyer probably going to cost you as much as an AK. And, they might only be able to get you the wholesale value or a box of parts, and an "IOU" for compensatory damages (or a place card in any future Chapter 11 or 7 proceedings).
Which I had better to offer, it's definitely rock-and-hard place for you.
bushmaster1313
Member
How much did you pay?
You may need to stop throwing good money after bad
You may need to stop throwing good money after bad
A few years ago I bought a Lancaster AK through Atlantic Firearms (good people). During my first range trip the entire bolt assembly completely locked up on me and I had to send it back to Lancaster. The thing took months to get repaired and the only reason I ever got the rifle back was because I had Atlantic Firearms contact Chet Durda on my behalf. I promptly got rid of that rifle as quick as I could. Of course after taking a look at the AKs Atlantic Firearms sells they no longer offer any Lancaster products.
Save your money and your sanity...get a Saiga.
Save your money and your sanity...get a Saiga.
Kymasabe
Member
Sorry to hear about your problems with Lancaster. As another member mentioned, a Saiga is a good alternative that'll be reliable. I own a US made Inter-Ordnance AK that has proven to be as reliable as any I've ever owned. I'd recommend one to anyone interested in owning an AK.
Good luck in your fight and let us know how it ends.
Good luck in your fight and let us know how it ends.
I thought AKs could be assembled by
Via AK47.net
"The AK47 is a cheap POS designed to be assembled in third world <slums> by a labor force composed of knuckle dragging, booger eating morons. It was then to be handed out to an army of uneducated peasant retards who couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a map. Thats the true genius of the design and why it remains ubiquitous to this day."
So what does that make the Lancaster guys?
Via AK47.net
"The AK47 is a cheap POS designed to be assembled in third world <slums> by a labor force composed of knuckle dragging, booger eating morons. It was then to be handed out to an army of uneducated peasant retards who couldn't find their own ass with both hands and a map. Thats the true genius of the design and why it remains ubiquitous to this day."
So what does that make the Lancaster guys?
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I got one of their Bulgarian AK 74. It was one of those with pins bending out bec of poor quality. So i called and they had it labelled for shipment back. Mine got repaired in less than three weeks and they also replaced it with the original chrome lined barrel. Now it work like closework. I have no problems and is a keeper. So i think i was just one of the lucky ones to have it repaired and is working okey.
Did you insure your gun when you sent it? You should automatically have done so if it was a firearm. Go that route, if they are saying they never got it , or sent it but you never got it, Call the postal athority in, they will do an investigation of their own. Perhaps the feds becoming involved, will make your gun suddenly re-appear.
brnmuenchow
Member
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- 612
I have heard of many problems with Lancaster Arms, I have a Milled AK-47 I purchased from them back in 2010. It so far seems to work just fine, other than the hanguards have come loose and need to get fixed. I was planning on taking it to a gunsmith to get it done and not involve Lancaster at all due to all the complaints. hopefully everything turns out well for you.
Leveraging social media may be more cost effective than lawyering up. If you can find people with similar problems, light these fools up on YouTube. Show the world that these people are hacks and deny them of sales.
If you do a good enough job, they'll happily repair your rifle just to be rid of the bad press.
If you do a good enough job, they'll happily repair your rifle just to be rid of the bad press.
dprice3844444
member
dprice3844444
member
http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/...feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+azag/news+(News+Room)
December 12, 2011
Press Release
For immediate Release
Contact: Amy Rezzonico (602) 542-8019
www.AZAG.gov | Facebook | Twitter
HORNE ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT ACCUSING PHOENIX-AREA GUN DEALER OF DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS
PHOENIX (Monday, December 12, 2011) -- A Phoenix-area firearms dealer is the subject of a consumer fraud lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court by Attorney General Tom Horne.
The suit contends that Lancaster Arms, LLC, which is owned by co-defendants Chester and Marsha Durda, defrauded consumers by failing to provide promised merchandise and services to dozens of customers between February of 2009 and September of 2011.
“Protecting consumers is one of the most important jobs of this office,” Horne said. “Businesses such as the one named in this lawsuit cannot be allowed to make promises to customers and not deliver on those promises. The problem is made even worse when, as in this case, some customers made advance payments with the expectation that they would get either merchandise or services in return, and instead they got nothing. The legal action requests that the court order the business to make restitution, pay penalties, and prevent it from defrauding additional consumers.”
According to the complaint, Lancaster Arms claimed to consumers, some of whom worked in law enforcement and the military, and to some weapons dealers, on the internet and through personal contact by Chester Durda, that the company sold weapons, parts and accessories and that it provided weapon kit assembly services to consumers who sent their kits to the company. Additionally, Lancaster Arms represented that some of its weapons were subject to its “Limited Life Time Warranty”. The lawsuit alleges that Lancaster Arms failed to ship merchandise that consumers had paid for, failed to repair weapons under warranty, and failed to provide refunds. The lawsuit also alleges that Lancaster Arms failed to assemble weapons kits sent to it by consumers and failed to return the un-assembled kits to the consumers or to provide them with refunds. The complaint asks the court to enter an injunction prohibiting the defendants from engaging in any further unlawful acts, require the defendants to restore money and property to consumers, order the payment of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and to reimburse the State’s court costs and other related expenses.
The case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Cherie Howe.
A full copy of the complaint is attached.
http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/dec/2011/LancasterArmsComplaint.pdf
December 12, 2011
Press Release
For immediate Release
Contact: Amy Rezzonico (602) 542-8019
www.AZAG.gov | Facebook | Twitter
HORNE ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT ACCUSING PHOENIX-AREA GUN DEALER OF DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS
PHOENIX (Monday, December 12, 2011) -- A Phoenix-area firearms dealer is the subject of a consumer fraud lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court by Attorney General Tom Horne.
The suit contends that Lancaster Arms, LLC, which is owned by co-defendants Chester and Marsha Durda, defrauded consumers by failing to provide promised merchandise and services to dozens of customers between February of 2009 and September of 2011.
“Protecting consumers is one of the most important jobs of this office,” Horne said. “Businesses such as the one named in this lawsuit cannot be allowed to make promises to customers and not deliver on those promises. The problem is made even worse when, as in this case, some customers made advance payments with the expectation that they would get either merchandise or services in return, and instead they got nothing. The legal action requests that the court order the business to make restitution, pay penalties, and prevent it from defrauding additional consumers.”
According to the complaint, Lancaster Arms claimed to consumers, some of whom worked in law enforcement and the military, and to some weapons dealers, on the internet and through personal contact by Chester Durda, that the company sold weapons, parts and accessories and that it provided weapon kit assembly services to consumers who sent their kits to the company. Additionally, Lancaster Arms represented that some of its weapons were subject to its “Limited Life Time Warranty”. The lawsuit alleges that Lancaster Arms failed to ship merchandise that consumers had paid for, failed to repair weapons under warranty, and failed to provide refunds. The lawsuit also alleges that Lancaster Arms failed to assemble weapons kits sent to it by consumers and failed to return the un-assembled kits to the consumers or to provide them with refunds. The complaint asks the court to enter an injunction prohibiting the defendants from engaging in any further unlawful acts, require the defendants to restore money and property to consumers, order the payment of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and to reimburse the State’s court costs and other related expenses.
The case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Cherie Howe.
A full copy of the complaint is attached.
http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/dec/2011/LancasterArmsComplaint.pdf
Thanks for the help! I just filed a complaint with The BBB bureau and sent an email to the ATF. I sent an email to the aft in the hopes that other customers have done the same so that maybe when it comes time to renew FFL's, they would deny chet durda or any company he associates with. I have read about that lawsuit, i also read in the comments that the suit did not stick. he got away with it.
jonnyc
Member
I bought a friend's Lancaster AK and it has been nothing but perfect. He got it a good few years back when Lancaster had a quality
reputation.
PS-I wouldn't go back to AK47.net if they paid me. I'm sure there are a few quality people there, but most of the posters I read were total azzhats.
reputation.
PS-I wouldn't go back to AK47.net if they paid me. I'm sure there are a few quality people there, but most of the posters I read were total azzhats.
gatorjames85
Member
Wish Lancaster was in Florida, I would help you out with some lawyering (yes, that is a legal term of art
). FWIW, a strongly worded letter sent via certified mail might not be a bad idea.
). FWIW, a strongly worded letter sent via certified mail might not be a bad idea.bluethunder1962
Member
I have had a lot of luck with BBB. They don't have to be a member for them to get involved.
ApacheCoTodd
member
I'd contact the Maricopa County Attorney's office and inquire as to how to proceed and ask if they'd send a letter to L.A. on your behalf. The County Attorney's office will probably need something in writing with relative dates and actions first.
Another perspective is, if you owned the firearm and can track shipping to them and they will not make good on the property you're edging into the area of theft.
Another perspective is, if you owned the firearm and can track shipping to them and they will not make good on the property you're edging into the area of theft.
FWIW, the main problem with Lancaster is they received a BIG shipment of Bulgarian AK-74 parts kits but instead of building them in-house, they outsourced them to a company that didn't know what they were doing.
That company used 5.56 barrel blanks instead of 5.45 which led to serious keyholing at short range. Then a number of the 5.45 barrels they used had oversized gas ports which caused excess recoil, which eventually bent trunions and even wallowed out the rivet holes, which caused dust covers to no longer fit.
I suspect when the avalanche of complaints hit, Lancaster could not keep up with warranty repairs, stopped answering their phone, and closed down the business. Then the criminal charges were brought.
Before all this mess started, I bought a '47 from Chet at a Phoenix show (he was selling them without any mags). I had some reservations when I got home and couldn't get but a few of my E. German mags to fit right. Most of them were way too tight. I went back to see him at a subsequent show and he reassured me, "too tight is not a problem, too loose is..." Apparently they were having problems with some of those, too.
Sold that AK at the next local show without even firing it.
I seriously doubt he will recover from this disaster. Good luck to all you folks who are affected.
M
That company used 5.56 barrel blanks instead of 5.45 which led to serious keyholing at short range. Then a number of the 5.45 barrels they used had oversized gas ports which caused excess recoil, which eventually bent trunions and even wallowed out the rivet holes, which caused dust covers to no longer fit.
I suspect when the avalanche of complaints hit, Lancaster could not keep up with warranty repairs, stopped answering their phone, and closed down the business. Then the criminal charges were brought.
Before all this mess started, I bought a '47 from Chet at a Phoenix show (he was selling them without any mags). I had some reservations when I got home and couldn't get but a few of my E. German mags to fit right. Most of them were way too tight. I went back to see him at a subsequent show and he reassured me, "too tight is not a problem, too loose is..." Apparently they were having problems with some of those, too.
Sold that AK at the next local show without even firing it.
I seriously doubt he will recover from this disaster. Good luck to all you folks who are affected.
M
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theautobahn
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2012
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- 280
I'm not an attorney, but to the best of my knowledge, if you willingly give somebody an item and they don't return it, it's generally a civil matter, not a criminal one (not theft).
Where I'm from, the small claims process is very simple and straightforward. The hardest parts would be serving him and taking the time off to appear in court. Actually, the hardest part would be collecting, even if you got a judgement.
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