“Gunsmith” non-responsive… WWYD?

[urbanrifleman]

Honestly this practice by these gunsmiths that basically says that if you want me to work on you rifle you have to leave it here like it's sitting in line is just genuinely bizarre. There is literally not another skilled trade that I can think of that says if you want me to work on your whatever you have to leave it here with me and if I decide to work on it I will.

My Jeep needs frame repair. The frame shop has been backed up really bad but I can't imagine them calling me and saying well if you don't bring your Jeep here and leave it in the garage or we won't work on it. And we'll let you know when you're going to get it back. That's just genuinely bizarre and strange and no one else does it except gunsmiths. And I've thought that for 25 years.

 

[Dave M.]

This is literally for a guy I like who I see at matches randomly. (Not a Doc, I have a “friend” with this growth on his <name that area>… what could it be?)

Friend dropped off parts (receiver/barrel) with a “known” gunsmith almost 2 years ago. From the version of the story I have got, guy slow walked him for a year and now is just non-responsive. He has a sign outside his “business” (don’t know what kind of store front, stand alone, garage) that states appointments only. He doesn’t return phone messages or email.

Before the “storm in there and get my crap” people respond… this is a first world country and you are the trespasser just bum-rushing someone at their house or where ever.

I gave him a couple avenues to pursue but none are really effective unless you spend money and or the guy is averse to having a judgement (small claims) against him.

”supposably” the guy isn’t dead…

I thought I’d throw this out to a larger audience because I am sure this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

This is in the San Antonio/New Braunsfels area if it matters….

Any ideas?

Man they must handle shit like this different in Texas than we do up here in Detroit….lol. Maybe someone needs to have a little chat with this guy in the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly.

 

[Tesoro]

I had an issue some years back with one of the 2 main smiths who did Marlin Guide gun conversions. Once rifle recd wouldn't ans phone, return messages or emails for months. They never answered phone for that reason and just returned calls for new biz. Talk about getting fuming mad. But he was in Idaho and me in sw Oregon. A registered letter got action. Work was great but never again...

 

[Trophied]

Texas has a Deceptive Trade Practices act and it can be filed in small claims court (used to cost $65) and carries an automatic "treble damages", no exceptions. This is from a past explanation by an attorney, and I'm not one, so things may be different. That's just my understanding of it.

 

[Dave M.]

Texas has a Deceptive Trade Practices act and it can be filed in small claims court (used to cost $65) and carries an automatic "treble damages", no exceptions. This is from a past explanation by an attorney, and I'm not one, so things may be different. That's just my understanding of it.

Small claims court is worth about as much as a condom with holes poked in it.

 

[BP1]

This is literally for a guy I like who I see at matches randomly. (Not a Doc, I have a “friend” with this growth on his <name that area>… what could it be?)

Friend dropped off parts (receiver/barrel) with a “known” gunsmith almost 2 years ago. From the version of the story I have got, guy slow walked him for a year and now is just non-responsive. He has a sign outside his “business” (don’t know what kind of store front, stand alone, garage) that states appointments only. He doesn’t return phone messages or email.

Before the “storm in there and get my crap” people respond… this is a first world country and you are the trespasser just bum-rushing someone at their house or where ever.

I gave him a couple avenues to pursue but none are really effective unless you spend money and or the guy is averse to having a judgement (small claims) against him.

”supposably” the guy isn’t dead…

I thought I’d throw this out to a larger audience because I am sure this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

This is in the San Antonio/New Braunsfels area if it matters….

Any ideas?

Contact the ATF and tell them this man has your stolen rifle at this location.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Contact the ATF and tell them this man has your stolen rifle at this location.

Tell them theres a bunch of dogs outside too

 

[Catfur]

Contact the ATF and tell them this man has your stolen rifle at this location.

Tell them theres a bunch of dogs outside too

ATF is too busy harassing lawful gun owners and FFLs to bother with law breakers.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Tell them theres a bunch of dogs outside too

And tell them it's a church. With a bunch of kids inside. I'm sure they will bring the flame throwing tanks.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And tell them it's a church. With a bunch of kids inside. I'm sure they will bring the flame throwing tanks.

With tear gas explosives on the end of the barrel so they can catch it on fire

 

[jackieschmidt]

He’s in the same area too! How soon folks forget.

Yep. Pack up, leave town, leave multitudes of people hanging, only to show back up later in a new town and start all over again with a new line of bullish-t.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yep. Pack up, leave town, leave multitudes of people hanging, only to show back up later in a new town and start all over again with a new line of bullish-t.

Different disciplines though. Its like working in a police dept, getting arrested and fired only to pop up as a county sheriff a few towns over where nobody remembers.

 

[tangocharlie]

There is an old adage about squeaky wheels and grease…If you’re too timid or concerned to take face-to-face action, use every resource, every avenue available. Yelp reviews. Do they have a Better Business Bureau listing? Are they members of the local Chamber of Commerce? Facebook or Instagram page? Send a registered letter stating the facts; let the non-responsive individual know that in 72 hours (provide clear contact info) you will be reporting your firearm stolen to ALL appropriate authorities and agencies. Lots of time and trouble caused by bad business practices and behavior.

 

[K22]

Wow, just getting around to reading this thread. Never had this kind of issue with the smiths I've used basically because I know them very well. Something just doesn't sound right because how would any smith hope to stay in business acting this way.

Anyway, I like the option of reporting the incident to the police so your buddy can go on the record that he no longer possesses these parts. This I think is important and the minimum that should be done.

Besides the obvious issue of property loss, he can use, I believe with some leverage, that this a firearm issue and he has no idea what happened these firearm parts and doesn't want to be held liable for any misuse of this firearm / parts. That might motivate the police to knock on the smith's door.

However, sometimes you have to weigh the benefit against the effort and determine if it's worth his time and money to try and recover these items.

 

[BlueWater]

Call the police tell them he has your property and will not return it, have them knock on his door.

I'd do the appointment thing, first. But, yeah, then I'd call about the "stolen" property and request police or sheriff make contact. Two years, including half that without contact, is quite enough.