My rifle was lost while being shipped, now what

[six 4 sure]

Back in September I moved from Nevada to Alabama. Before I left I purchased a rifle from a local dealer (my neighbor). I left the rifle with him to glass bed and float the barrel. He said he would ship it to me when finished, but that it would be a couple months (he had a lot of stuff to get done before elk season). Over the next couple of months I called several times without reaching him (leaving messages) and sent an email with the address where I wanted it shipped (I decided to ship it to my mother’s address instead of mine, thinking someone should be home to receive it).

I finally contacted him a couple of weeks ago, and was surprised when he informed me he had shipped it in early November. But, it gets worse. He accidentally deleted my email before he could respond, and he claimed he had been unable to access messages on his business phone (cell) explaining why he hasn’t contacted me. And it still gets worse. He did not keep the UPS tracking number, and I never got it, so at this point there is no what to tell where the package is. It was sent signed receipt but still hasn’t shown up.

I did a fair amount of business with him before I left, so I’d like to think that the gun was actually shipped, but I have no way to find out, and I’m beginning to wonder. UPS claims it can’t help without the tracking number, but surely they have a record somewhere of everything he has shipped. He says he hasn’t shipped much in the last few months, but receives packages almost daily.

Any suggestions how I should pursue this? What law enforcement (if any) should I involve, and do you think that would help?

Thanks.

 

[Butch]

I must assume you filled out the yellow sheet . If so you definately need to report it to law enforcement if it turns up in a crime they will come looking for you!

 

[Mauserlady]

If he did the UPS label online either through the UPS software or through their online website then there should be no trouble finding the transaction and the tracking number.

 

[gryphon]

If I were you I'd spin around in a circle for a few minutes, fall over from dizzyness, then once you recover from that, jump in the air grab both your ankles and fall like a wet sack of concrete to the floor.

 

[Greg L]

I would certainly immediately report it as lost/stolen. One or two excuses I can accept, but the wide variety and quantity of excuses has my bs meter pinging. I'm not sure what you can do long distance (a factor he must have considered if there is something wrong here), but if he shipped it out there would be a record in his bound book of the date that it left his hands and where it went to.

Greg

 

[J Miller]

At this point, I would call the dealer. Forget that he was a neighbor, or a possible friend. He has made some major errors if he did ship your rifle.
I would politely tell him that I have exhausted all avenues of finding my rifle and tell him that I would becalling the BATF to report it stollen or lost. Then give him another chance to find the "lost" tracking number or other data that a dealer is supposed to keep in his books.
After that I would call the BATF and tell them the entire story.
I would also report the stollen / lost rifle to the police in your old state.
Cover your butt!!! Like Butch said, if it is used in a crime, the authorities will come looking for you.

Don't continue to be Mr. Nice Guy.

 

[six 4 sure]

Since posting this I've burnt up the phone lines. I have talked to the dealer him and requested a copy of the yellow form I filled out.

I mentioned that we don't seem to be getting anywhere with UPS (who I also called) and that soon I will talk to law enforcemt and insurance to report it missing. Therefore I need sn# etc for this to happen.

I also talked to a very nice and helpful man at UPS (maybe the words lost firearm helped get better service than my last conversation). He couldn't find anyting to prove it was shipped or received.

I'm hoping that if he's honest after I recieve my paperwork, the alphabet gang can get involved and I'm hoping my chances of getting the gun should increase.

If not, I'm hoping the request for sn#'s and the threat of the alphabet gang lights a fire under his arse.

In the mean time I'm trying to stay sane.

 

[six 4 sure]

I thought I give a little update for those that read the post. I'm sure it's no surprise to many that after discussing informing the authorities my rifle showed back up at his shop. The story given was that the rifle was lost in a UPS warehouse and the local driver found it.

I think I know the real story, but regardless it's now on its way and will soon be in my posession. This time I have the tracking number, and will keep close watch on the shipment.

Six

 

[pbman]

Thanks for the update.

Glad to see you will get your rifle back.

 

[Skyviking]

Man, I'll bet that rifle could tell some (elk hunting) stories!

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I hope the work that you wanted was actually done. Thanks for the update, and good luck.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[Marshall]

Dang, I was hoping to hear you got to go beat the crap out of him!

 

[M58]

The dealer is a thief!!

Report him to the ATF and sweat him the way he did you.:banghead:

 

[Waitone]

I'm not sure "live and let live" is appropriate. This dealer was up to no good and you were his fall-guy. Can you now say that this issue won't come up again at some point in the future and destroy you or your right to keep and bear arms? I'd find a second amendment lawyer because you are the one who stands to lose.

Dealers such as your friend are the one's who are used as an excuse by the anti-2 crowd to crack down on everyone.

Crooked lawyers ought to be run outta town by decent lawyers. Same for doctors, cops, and gun dealers.

 

[Bainx]

Scene #54: Enter the sleazy lawyer.

 

[J Miller]

six 4 sure,

I'm glad your rifle is on it's way to you. But as I read your story I noticed you said you had to ask the dealer to dig out the 4473 form so you would have the serial number to report to the appropriate authorities.
This is one big mistake.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR OWN RECORDS ON YOUR GUNS!
If you don't you may or may not get any numbers, or if the dealer is crooked he might give you a bogus number.
Years ago a friend of mine made up a form to keep all the information on all his guns. One sheet of information.
Dates, where it was bought from, description, notes, numbers, everything you need to know.
I mooched a copy and made made a hundred for myself. I have been the victim of two burglarys. Both times I hauled out the record book in front of the reporting officer and had all the info he needed to make out his report.

Just a little preperation can save you a ton of headache later.

 

[YodaVader]

"I also talked to a very nice and helpful man at UPS (maybe the words lost firearm helped get better service than my last conversation). He couldn't find anyting to prove it was shipped or received."

That would leave little doubt in my mind that foul play was at work - sad to hear. Sounds like a crook and bold faced liar. But I was also very glad to hear that the rifle suddenly "materialized" back into existence!

 

[Swamp Yankee]

So glad everything worked out eventually.
One point of curiosity, any gunsmith I've used always gave me a signed and dated receipt or claim check with the gun model, serial number and statement of work. Any dealer sending a gun back to the factory for warranty issues always did the same, without fail.
Did the dealer in your case present you with one when you dropped off or contracted the work on the rifle? Did he offer? If not that would certainly throw up a red flag and warrant a few phone calls.
Take Care

 

[Blackhawk]

You've already taken care of two of the most troublesome details in getting new neighbors and a new gun dealer.

I would still be concerned about how many guns this guy "loses" and where they end up....