What would you do? Kimber CS

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IMTHDUKE

IMTHDUKE

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I got a Kimber Solo right when they came out at $725. I really fell in love with the gun and I have a Kahr PM9 and a Robrbaugh R9. Only problem after 300 rds was the finish was rubbed off inside the frame where the recoil spring collar had evendently contacted it. That is not how it is supposed to roll.

Also, the mag release was hard to eject a full mag, but not an empty, but I felt that it should not be so hard you needed two hands to press. Of course, an empty was not an issue.

I explained the issues to Kimber CS. Was told they would pay the shipping both ways and would evaluate the issues. They received the gun back March 28th. On April 15th, I called back to get a status on the gun. Was told that they could not tell me, but were waiting for the manufacture of the mag release buttons. Was told that they would call me when they were ready to ship back. They said, they were running about 14 day turn around, of course it had been longer than that.

Now...as of May 20th, no word. I am getting concerned that it is an engineering problem or worse. Since then I have been told without verification that Kimber had ceased production of the Solo.

What would you do? Call and insist a new gun. Call and insist my money back. Call and get more info and hang on? I just don't like buying a new gun and sending it for a month or longer repair. Whata you think?
 
Its a bad situation.

I've been following your original range report and you sending it off to Kimber. I was really hoping the solo would be reliable. I'd call Kimber and demand they give you SOME KIND of timeframe on getting the gun back. If they can't tell you anything, insist on either a new gun or your money back.
 
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=314091

Post dated 4/18.

"Was told there is a running engineering and parts change for the magazine release and when the parts are available (no time line) my pistol will be sent back. It also got completley refinished. As was explained to me the Kim Pro II finish is very finicky and if not staged properly will not adhere as it is supposed to."
 
Now...as of May 20th, no word. I am getting concerned that it is an engineering problem or worse. Since then I have been told without verification that Kimber had ceased production of the Solo.
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Ummmm.........today is April 20th here in Eastern Colorado. Not sure where you're at.........

4-8 weeks is pretty normal for most manufacturers. Don't get too impatient until it actually is May 20th.
 
I Never buy a 1st year model of anything (I made an exception for an I Pad). I'm even leary of year two items...but that is just me.

BTW the Solo I tried took both hands to release the magazine.

Me, I would want a refund and perhaps revisit the product a couple years from now. You have two great concealable 9s as it is.
 
It's amazing to me that Kimber would release a product to the public with a seriously obvious FLAW that they are aware of. That tells me more about the company than the gun.

If I were you, I'd try and get my money back - tell them to keep the gun.
 
StrikeFire83 said:
I'd call Kimber and demand they give you SOME KIND of timeframe on getting the gun back. If they can't tell you anything, insist on either a new gun or your money back.
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Good advice, but follow the call up with a letter. You'll be surprised how fast they'll get back to you with answers once you put your questions down in writing. Also, in your letter, put the time-line in it as to what's gone on before, including each phone call you've made with the date you made it.

They will fall all over themselves getting back to you. :cool:
 
Keep it positive!

Sorry for your dilema. Kimber CS made it right for me when they paid shipping for me, after the 1yr time limit for free returns. I suspect their doing the best they can for you, just keep your conversations positive, and hope for the best. If you go demanding this or that, it may bite you in the a$$;)
 
^ So wait a minute, Kimber establishes an arbitrary no returns/refunds after 1 year, they've given IMTHDUKE absolutely NO timeframe, and your advice is to sit back, be nice, be positive, and everything will work out?

IMTHDUKE, forcefully advocate for your interests, my brutha.
 
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your advice is to sit back, be nice, be positive, and everything will work out?
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It wasn't my comment you replied to, but I'd like to point something out from the perspective of a business owner.

Now, I place extreme emphasis on my customer service, and will absolutely bend over backwards to always make things right. But..........If a customer calls me up screaming and yelling, making demands and threats/ultimatums, I am not inclined to be helpful, whether the problem is my fault or not.

You always try the friendly approach first, even project humility and an apologetic tone. That frequently guilts the other party, making them that much more willing to comply. Only become hostile if they meet your polite request with dismissal or aggression.

Sometimes it's hard to suck it up and exhibit that humble attitude when you're in the right, but it is almost gets faster/better results.
 
I gave Kimber three chances to earn my business.

I purchased a TLE, Stainless Target, and a Pro stainless. None of them worked properly. I paid all the shipping to and from Yonkers to get them fixed. Not one of them functioned properly, with any combination of mags or factory ammo.

I was treated with disdain by some moron named "Dennis" in CS. Told me I was limp wristing :rolleyes: and should allow for a 1500 round "break in" period for each pistol!!

I dumped all of them at a loss and was glad to be rid of them.

Never again. Hamburger, no matter how fancy the wrapper is still hamburger. TJ
 
^ So wait a minute, Kimber establishes an arbitrary no returns/refunds after 1 year, they've given IMTHDUKE absolutely NO timeframe, and your advice is to sit back, be nice, be positive, and everything will work out?

IMTHDUKE, forcefully advocate for your interests, my brutha.
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The OP asked a question, and I relayed to him what worked for me dealing with Kimber. You got your way, I got mine:)
 
It wasn't my comment you replied to, but I'd like to point something out from the perspective of a business owner.

Now, I place extreme emphasis on my customer service, and will absolutely bend over backwards to always make things right. But..........If a customer calls me up screaming and yelling, making demands and threats/ultimatums, I am not inclined to be helpful, whether the problem is my fault or not.

You always try the friendly approach first, even project humility and an apologetic tone. That frequently guilts the other party, making them that much more willing to comply. Only become hostile if they meet your polite request with dismissal or aggression.

Sometimes it's hard to suck it up and exhibit that humble attitude when you're in the right, but it is almost gets faster/better results.
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It's true that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. I guess my issue is that I've been following IMTHDUKE's situation since his range report, I have my own negative experiences with Kimber, and he was calm and polite when he sent in his gun and now they're playing games with him. Also, I was interested in the Kimber Solo as a stablemate for my PM9, and now it appears they've halted production.
 
What evidence do you have they have halted production on the Solo? I have heard that but the gun is still on their website.

And yes, I have been positive and respectful when calling....but my tone will be firm as in, "you gota be kidding me", if they tell me that they can't tell me anything. Going to wait till Monday and give then another call.
 
But..........If a customer calls me up screaming and yelling, making demands and threats/ultimatums, I am not inclined to be helpful, whether the problem is my fault or not.
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So, two wrongs do make a right?


You always try the friendly approach first, even project humility and an apologetic tone.
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I definitely agree honey beats vinegar, but I'm not real big on shuffling my feet while looking at the floor mumbling, "Please suh, boss." If direct remarks bother someone in the CS field, they should consider another career.
 
What evidence do you have they have halted production on the Solo? I have heard that but the gun is still on their website.
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Yesterday, after I talked to the a local shop owner who has stopped carrying Kimber products altogether http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=588482 I went to another local shop, they have an incredible selection but horrible prices and an entitled attitude, so I use them simply to browse. Asked a clerk about the Kimber Solo and he said they got one, a display model that they were instructed not to sell, and since then they've received exactly 4 pistols that have been sold to customers. But for the last 4 weeks, Kimber's sent them nada. Apparently, a higher-up at the shop called Kimber to find out what's up, and he was told production had ceased on the pistol while they deal with a magazine release issue. Again, this is 3rd hand, so take it with a grain of salt, but this shop's experience seems to be about on par with everything I've been reading across the net.

Anyhow, keep strongly advocating for your interests and you'll get somewhere, whether that ends up being your money back or a working pistol, who knows at this point.
 
So, two wrongs do make a right?
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You misunderstand what I'm saying.

If a customer calls me with a concern and is courteous and unassuming, I'll help them immediately, and often take care of things for free that had nothing to do with the work I performed. Example: A BMW I did a head gasket on a few months ago. Just last week, the upper radiator hose plastic section blew up. Not my fault, just is what it is, but she was very polite, so I replaced both hoses and warrantied the thermostat, no charge for my labor or the coolant. She only paid for the hoses themselves at $64

On the other hand, if she had been hostile, rude and demanding, she'd have been charged in full for all parts and labor ($233), and it would have taken an extra day, rather than me driving to get the parts after hours and working late to wrap it up.

Her being respectful and courteous saved her $170 and got her car done a day earlier.
 
Are guns of this type designed to be shot hundreds of times? It's little defensive carry pistol like old time Walther PP.
 
What would I do?

Sell the Solo to one of the kool-aid drinkers around here that will pay top dollar for it

Then spend your hard earned money on something that will function properly
 
I am not inclined to be helpful, whether the problem is my fault or not.
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No, I got it.

You missed my point. If you replace the muffler bearing on my M5 and a month later it's rattling, I'm not going to rant and rave demanding a complete refund and immediate repair. I will be polite, but direct, but I won't be asking or saying please.

How you handle the problem determines if I will return. In Kimber's case, I elected to have it repaired elsewhere (rather than deal with them again) and move on the greener pastures.
 
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