How to deal with a non-responsive gunsmith?

[bobinpa]

I think that is a pretty good idea and one I didn't think about.

I'm not sure you can get a signature. For a while, because of COVID, they were just scanning the letter when they delivered it. There was no person to person contact, so I would check with the post office before I bothered to write the letter.

 

[brxbrad]

If you take a road trip, make sure you take someone with you as a witness. You never know what may happen.

 

[Jr solocam]

I’d leave him a polite message stating you’ll be picking your stuff up and expect to be reimbursed for part of the work so someone else can finish it.

Most likely he’ll respond.

I had to do this once on a simple build, 3 years 9 months.

 

[AckleymanII]

Road Trip, something is very wrong. We all go through life's twists and turns.

 

[shortgrass]

Have ya' "Googled" his name. I tried to contact a friend a few states away without success. Finally "Googled" his name and found His and His Wifes' obituary on-line. Both had died in a car crash......

 

[LuvDog]

Send a certified letter explaining that you need a response within x number of days, and if you don't get that response, then you will visit in person and contact authorities (ATF, local LE, etc).

It sounds like you've been more than patient, so even that's above and beyond, but it also sounds like you are a very understanding person of personal issues.

 

[KMart]

Road trip from IN - ugh.

A trip from IN to PA is not considered a road trip if you are from West Texas. Folks out there drive that far for lunch.

 

[pirate ammo]

A trip from IN to PA is not considered a road trip if you are from West Texas. Folks out there drive that far for lunch.

I can verify truthfully that KMart WOULD drive that far for lunch, I've seen him do it.

 

[KMart]

I can verify truthfully that KMart WOULD drive that far for lunch, I've seen him do it.

And a damn fine lunch, I might add!!!

 

[butchlambert]

ATF and the local law will tell you that it is a civil problem. My one and only gunsmith problem happened several years ago. I had 2 previous jobs with him that were top notch. He was a wood stock person. I contacted the ATF and they said that it was a civil problem. I decided to contact the local law enforcement in Dodge City. No, it wasn't Marshall Matt Dillon, but a young detective took the case after I filed a theft report. They found him living in a storage building. He went to jail. He was convicted and put on probation. I did get my metal work back and he paid the court about $25 a month to the court and they sent it to me until my monetary loss was repaid.
This was my second contact with the local law before they would work the case. I was going to his trial, but they allowed him a plea deal.
I disagree with bothering your chosen craftsman or driving to his shop to look over his shoulder. If you will do your due diligence and get your patience out of your pocket it will end well.

 

[DiffEQ]

What, are you in Gary and he's in Lehigh?
I'd have road tripped a year ago.

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I suggest you contact the board member who first recommended this fellow---maybe this member still
has some relationship with the smith and can give you
some information and maybe even intervene for you.

There have been other suggestions that probably are effective but might hurt the guy. Avoid hurting him until the last resort----you don't know what's going on in his life.

If it comes down to it---if you're have to be a bear, might as well be a grizzly.

Good luck.

A. Weldy

 

[pirate ammo]

Avoid hurting him until the last resort-

I think of it this, a fat lip goes away quick, but a big chunk out of the pocketbook hurts more.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

If you take a road trip, make sure you take someone with you as a witness. You never know what may happen.

I’m ready to “Roll”!

 

[fx77]

Similar problem years ago with out of state smith

I was aggressive. Had the lawyer send a letter threatening to sue in federal court. Gun or money back were the terms.
Received a check a week later which covered all my costs. Told him he could keep the work and try to sell it as a spec. build.

 

[Forum Boss]

Another option is to hire a process server to deliver a demand letter. In some communities this may be an off-duty Sheriff. That gets people's attention. Could cost $100 to $150 though.

If you hire a process server, ask for a LEO off-duty -- even if they are not in Uniform, the demeanor will speak volumes.

 

[Old Navy]

I see one poster had good results with the ATF but the last person I want helping with my gun problems is those guys. Especially now with the new guys in town. If they walk in his shop, and they can do anytime, and find any number of violations they can shut him down. Maybe even confiscate what ever they want.

 

[MQ1]

I see one poster had good results with the ATF but the last person I want helping with my gun problems is those guys. Especially now with the new guys in town. If they walk in his shop, and they can do anytime, and find any number of violations they can shut him down. Maybe even confiscate what ever they want.

There are alot of very decent ATF guys out there. When I called from out of state and explained my difficulties with the agent, I found him to be a reasonable and decent person. He literally took it upon himself to pay a visit and ensure that the gunsmith was ok and not a scammer. Yes, he could have probably shut him down, but that was not his purpose, nor what he did. His purpose was to ensure that the smith was legitimate, and to ensure nothing illegal was going on. I’m sure the visit scared the hell out of the smith who had neglected to do what was right. In the end it was a lesson he needed to learn the hard way, and it was far better that the ATF agent paid him a visit. If I went in person it would not have been very business-like or professional

MQ1

 

[Kracken McGraw]

View attachment 1261143I’m ready to “Roll”!

I hope some of you have watched the TV show Airplane Repo and are not taking me too serious!

 

[hoz53]

There are alot of very decent ATF guys out there. When I called from out of state and explained my difficulties with the agent, I found him to be a reasonable and decent person. He literally took it upon himself to pay a visit and ensure that the gunsmith was ok and not a scammer. Yes, he could have probably shut him down, but that was not his purpose, nor what he did. His purpose was to ensure that the smith was legitimate, and to ensure nothing illegal was going on. I’m sure the visit scared the hell out of the smith who had neglected to do what was right. In the end it was a lesson he needed to learn the hard way, and it was far better that the ATF agent paid him a visit. If I went in person it would not have been very business-like or professional

MQ1

I was thinking much the same. I have no reason not to be upfront with ATF. In my experience they are not out to bust the law abiding. And think of this. If I send my gun to an out of state gunsmith and it is stolen or sold for cash and then used in a crime it’s traced back to me. i have to prove I didn’t do anything illegal.