How to deal with a non-responsive gunsmith?

[300_whisper]

Funny that NOBODY really knows the whole story. The man in question has been "accused" of being a low life or even worse. Just like politics.
You make an accusation and that's it. Guilty till proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt. And as far as his business reputation, in the toilet!!
And guilty on social media, that's what this forum is isn't it??
Me? I'll wait for "the rest of the story".

Did anyone say that in the thread that he’s a scumbag? I didn’t read all the posts. Smiths do this all the time, though. Its not unheard of for builds to take 2-3 years. It’s not good, but it’s not a character attack either. A guy late on a build, I wouldn’t call him a scumbag. Just a poor planner.

 

[BW64]

I have no patience with professionals that have placed themselves on a pinnacle. Is a doctor’s time more valuable than yours? How many appointments have you had that you were told to show up 15 minutes early, and then wait 2 hours past your appointment time? Oh, and if you’re late, they will charge you $50. Doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers…it seems like they all believe they are doing you a favor to take your money. Deadlines and promises might as well be punchlines in a joke. This is why we have become a litigious society. At one time, if you shook a man’s hand, you could count on an outcome. Today? You better check and see if you still have your watch and wedding ring.

I give them 30 minutes. If they're running that late with other patients it's on them. Not once have I been charged. They tried but I said "not happening"!!

 

[hoz53]

Funny that NOBODY really knows the whole story. The man in question has been "accused" of being a low life or even worse. Just like politics.
You make an accusation and that's it. Guilty till proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt. And as far as his business reputation, in the toilet!!
And guilty on social media, that's what this forum is isn't it??
Me? I'll wait for "the rest of the story".

I didnt and wouldnt judge this guy in any way. I wouldnt do anything to hurt him. If i was OP id just realize things didnt work out and id want my parts/money back ASAP and that is it. we win some we lose some. dont ASSume everybody who posted on this thread is out to get this guy.

 

[Murray Brook]

I have no patience with professionals that have placed themselves on a pinnacle. Is a doctor’s time more valuable than yours? How many appointments have you had that you were told to show up 15 minutes early, and then wait 2 hours past your appointment time? Oh, and if you’re late, they will charge you $50. Doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers…it seems like they all believe they are doing you a favor to take your money. Deadlines and promises might as well be punchlines in a joke. This is why we have become a litigious society. At one time, if you shook a man’s hand, you could count on an outcome. Today? You better check and see if you still have your watch and wedding ring.

In most every thread there is post that stands out. One that just stands alone. This is one of them

 

[AICS308]

The only thing that throws a monkey in that wrench is he gave the action to the GS for work. The GS did not steal the action and parts. It's a business agreement plain and simple. Could be a simple case of the GS got covid and is ill. Car wreck, death of a family member etc. Many scenarios could be the case. That all said, he should have been in touch but it's certainly no law offense at this point.

Clearly it was not a theft of property. My interest in this comes from contacting 3 GS, all 3 on this forum. Each one told me upfront it would from 3 months up to 1 year before they could start the project if I wanted to wait. These were upfront and honest about the wait time. I chose to buy a used rifle based on their information.

I understand many on this forum are very hesitant to call out a GS with shoddy work and let projects run on for extended times. The OP has patiently tried to work with GS and now its been going on for 3 years.

When is too long? 3 years, 4 years, 10 years. Would any one give that much leeway to buying a car, a house. Would someone loan your car, boat, motorcycle or some other belonging out for 6 months only to told I'm sorry I will get it back in 6 more months. You don't hear from the person for another year. You try to contact but no return call. You wait another year and you still don't have your property back. How long is too long.

I just can't see covering for some one with that kind of work ethic and disregard for the customer and his property.

 

[ebb]

Even if his wife is deathly I'll all it would take to make this right is a phone call. That hasn't been made.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I give them 30 minutes. If they're running that late with other patients it's on them. Not once have I been charged. They tried but I said "not happening"!!

I will give them the benefit of the doubt when they tell you they we’re called out for emergency surgery. But in the back of my mind I have to wonder, was the emergency really the golf course.

 

[ND shooter]

I would like to clarify my previous "Amen" post. I was not dissing on gunsmith OP was referring to. Rather the doctor,dentist and other professionals in the post I quoted. I have 2 dentist horror stories to long to relay and off topic. My "Amen" was directed at them. Otherwise I too want to hear the rest of the story before I have an opinion. There may be circumstances beyond his control( even for a phone call). No dog in the fight makes me more patient then the OP also, otherwise I don't know where I would be on this.

 

[jimmymac]

My life would be a lot easier if I could do my job with super elastic time frames and lack of communication.

 

[coldboreshot]

I have no patience with professionals that have placed themselves on a pinnacle. Is a doctor’s time more valuable than yours? How many appointments have you had that you were told to show up 15 minutes early, and then wait 2 hours past your appointment time? Oh, and if you’re late, they will charge you $50. Doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers…it seems like they all believe they are doing you a favor to take your money. Deadlines and promises might as well be punchlines in a joke. This is why we have become a litigious society. At one time, if you shook a man’s hand, you could count on an outcome. Today? You better check and see if you still have your watch and wedding ring.

This ^^^^^^^ And re-read if necessary.

 

[coldboreshot]

This gunsmith does outstanding work his whole life and one hiccup shouldn't cause him a bad reputation. Just my opinion.

This is beyond a hiccup...its an irresponsibility to the clients. The time frame the OP speaks of is unacceptable.

 

[284winner]

This is beyond a hiccup...its an irresponsibility to the clients. The time frame the OP speaks of is unacceptable.

It's obviously frustrating to a customer not getting a response and not knowing what's going on. It's easy to look at only your worries and not consider the gunsmith could have personal health issues or out of state family issues. My point was, it doesn't make the gunsmith a crook or someone that should be considered untrustworthy because on this occasion he doesn't do what's expected. I can't read dozens of great experiences and judge off one bad one. Kinda tells me something else is the problem. It's worth waiting on long enough to see what the problem is IMO. Granted it's not my rifle but I'd like to think I'd be the same way given it was. I've dealt with one particular smith that took my money and never responded or sent me my products. Read reviews and they were 90% very bad. My fault for not doing my homework. I finally got in touch and tried being nice and had to wait for a real long time for my items. He made up numerous excuses. Never dealt with him again AND gave him a less than good review. If this gunsmith starts this trend, maybe he'll need the same. Just haven't seen anyone have a bad experience reading about his service.

 

[coldboreshot]

It's obviously frustrating to a customer not getting a response and not knowing what's going on. It's easy to look at only your worries and not consider the gunsmith could have personal health issues or out of state family issues. My point was, it doesn't make the gunsmith a crook or someone that should be considered untrustworthy because on this occasion he doesn't do what's expected. I can't read dozens of great experiences and judge off one bad one. Kinda tells me something else is the problem. It's worth waiting on long enough to see what the problem is IMO. Granted it's not my rifle but I'd like to think I'd be the same way given it was. I've dealt with one particular smith that took my money and never responded or sent me my products. Read reviews and they were 90% very bad. My fault for not doing my homework. I finally got in touch and tried being nice and had to wait for a real long time for my items. He made up numerous excuses. Never dealt with him again AND gave him a less than good review. If this gunsmith starts this trend, maybe he'll need the same. Just haven't seen anyone have a bad experience reading about his service.

I did not refer to him as a crook, my reference states, irresponsible businessman. I have to agree with another statement made here among the responses, If it were your equipment (not you in general) would the same sincerities be given. Folks can hide or cover there "feelings" about it but I'm pretty sure everyone in this situation would have the same concern.

 

[coldboreshot]

I did not refer to him as a crook, my reference states, irresponsible businessman. I have to agree with another statement made here among the responses, If it were your equipment (not you in general) would the same sincerities be given. Folks can hide or cover there "feelings" about it but I'm pretty sure everyone in this situation would have the same concern.

Again, we're not discussing the repair of a toaster, we are discussing the responsible handling of a serial numbered FIREARM COMPONENT and associated components, not to mention the $$$ value of said items. I'm not readily familiar with PA's legal limit when it comes to $$$ cap for felony theft. What I find interesting is all the individuals who have contributed to this ongoing forum topic who say they know who this GS is, have any of them contacted this person to give the said benefit -of -the doubt. Have not heard from them. If that is the general concensus, then why has no one made the attempt yet?

 

[hogpatrol]

Check the local obituaries.

 

[Tom Murtiff]

What a load of BS... I was in the gun building for 20 years. About 500 guns. Worked with many good guys. If I did this to another man I hope he would tell the world who I am. this gun maker is bad for ALL...PUT HIS NAME OUT THERE AND LET HIM FIX THIS. IF HE DONT HIS FRIENDS MAY..... DONT PUT A NEW SHOOTER IN YOUR SHOES..

 

[Ccrider]

However, there no proof that a crime has been committed.It’s not a crime to be non-communative.Unless there’s proof that the GS no longer has in his possession the action the the OP dropped off, this is a civil issue.

If he holds it after demand to return, assuming you owe him no money, that would be theft in my state. I represented a gunsmith that was arrested and charged with a felony based on this allegation. It was totally baseless but that did not stop the local guys from charging him.

 

[NorCalMikie]

The man in question has been "accused" of being a low life or even worse. Just like politics.

Lets change that to "it has been insinuated". Make anybody feel better??
Once it has been "insinuated", you're toast!! Look at folks in politics that are "up and coming", once it's "insinuated" by the other side, .... they're done.

 

[Ccrider]

Check the local obituaries.

You never know what a person is going through. I would exhaust all efforts to talk to or reach the guy before I took my next step.

 

[338 Mollett]

I'm so glad I do my own work !