Need a little help re: Colt DS Condition....

[GunNut]

Well, as of now i've decided that buying guns over the internet from a dealer is a no go. The last two guns that I have received have not been in the condition that the dealer said. The first was a HK P7M8 with a grind mark, but rust pitting too. Now I pick up a Colt Detective Special, and while it appears to not have been fired has rust spots all over.

So what do I do, I paid top dollar for a gun ($340 + $25 shipping + $15 Transfer = $380) and now am disappointed. I'd like to send it back, but then i'm out the original shipping and transfer plus return shipping.

Here is what the dealer said of the gun:

"Colt Detective 38 Special. S#ADXXXX. 6 Shot, w/2 Inch Barrel. Steel Frame w/Blue Finish. Bluing in Great Condition. Very light fading on right side of trigger guard. Mfg between 1993-95. Pachmayr Black Composition Wrap-around Grips. Cylinder Tight When Cocked. Cylinder shows slight marring from cocking. Bore Bright and Clean. From Apperance Not Much Tigger Time on this Weapon. Original Colt Blue Case."

First off the bluing is great, if you disregard the rust spots which he tried to cover by heavily oiling the gun. The light fading on the trigger guard was actually bubbled up rust when I received it, after a through wipe down it is now mostly bare steel. What he fails to mention are the rust on the hammer, the rust on the end of the barrel and numerous other places.

I'll try and take pictures later today, but i don't know how well the rust will show. I did notice last night when our power went out, that if i looked at the gun with a flashlight there were lots of rust spots.

So what should i do?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

That's a shame. All you can do is send it back and take the loss. It's a gamble buying on the Internet, but so far I've done a lot of it, and have only been disappointed once. Sent it back and he sent me another one which was closer to the one advertised. Can you believe he, at first, sent me a Browning High Power with a deactivated thumb safety. Not only that, someone had engaged it and fired it, so there was a huge gash where the slide pushed back on the thumb safety. He advertised the gun being in great mechanical shape. I sent it back, and he sent me one conforming to the ad in exchange, but I had to pay for both transfers. Thems the rules. If you don't like it, you can do as you say, and only buy in person.

 

[GunNut]

What's funny is that I have probably bought 30+ guns via the internet and only twice had problems, both with dealers.

Seems like us normal guys error on the side of caution where some dealers talk them up.

I've sent an e-mail to the dealer in question regarding my disappointment, i'm looking forward to his reply.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Old Fuff]

If the gun was misrepresented, I'd demand a full refund, including the cost of returning it. If the seller says, "no" I'd:

1. File a formal complaint with the auction site. That may or may not get you a refund, but it could stop him from getting away with something in the future.

2. If the gun was shipped by the Post Office, (USPS) file a complaint with them. Also do so if you used a Post Office Money Order to pay for the gun
I always do this because it gives me an additional club if the deal ends up to be bad. Most sellers do not want to go around with a U.S. Post Office Inspector.

3. Google a bit and see if the city/town he lives in has a Better Business Bureau, and file a complaint if they do.

4. Report what happened to the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office in the state where he lives.

If the seller sees enough potential trouble for him coming down the pike he may see the light.

 

[GunNut]

Update:

I just talked to the dealer and he was very apologetic and has promised to "make things right."

I will take a bunch of pictures(and post them) and then ship the gun back on Monday.

Hopefully things will work out.

Steve