Problems getting MY money from Lawton Machine...HELP PLEASE!

[LoneWolf81]

Before I post this I would like to make it very clear that I am NOT a trouble maker nor do I EVER get involved in causing any problems or stirring the pot on any forums. I am also doing this as a last resort after exhausting every other avenue I know and before I have to pursue it through legal channels. Not only do I hope to resolve this matter with any help/information I can get here but I also hope it will help my fellow shooters avoid this same kind of problem in the future both with this company and others who are willing to take advantage of their customers in this manner. I will try to keep it as short and to the point as possible as I certainly DO NOT enjoy this and I hope everyone will understand I am ONLY posting this after trying in EVERYTHING else possible to resolve this issue directly with Lawton Machine. With this said, here is my problem. Back in March of 2009 I commissioned Lawton Machine to build a centerfire barreled action for me use in NBRSA matches. After finalizing all of the details of this barreled action I received an email from Lawton Machine stating they had the beginning stages of this same action already started and the approximate build time of my project would be 2-3 weeks if I wanted to go with it. Knowing how long it usually takes to get something like this custom built I just all over it because the timeframe was VERY important to me as I planned to get it in time to compete in the 2009 season. So I immediately agreed on it, signed the necessary paperwork and sent them a $1000 deposit. Well, 2-3 weeks past and nothing, not even any updates from them so after about a month I decided to send an email to see if I could get an update, I even told them in my first sentence I was not trying to rush them in any way, just trying to get an update. I then received an email telling me it was going to take slightly longer and would be a couple more weeks. Finally, after 4 months they still had nothing for me nor gave me any ideas when they would have it for me. In the meantime, I had some issues with my medical insurance which was putting me in a financial bind. So, with this and when I saw I would not get the rifle in time to shoot any matches with it during the 2009 season I emailed them back, explaining the situation with my insurance and asked them if they would just refund my deposit. They said they would and that was 6-7 months ago, they still have my money they do not even make excuses any more about when they are going to send it to me. I have now even told them I was going to have to turn it over to my lawyer if they don’t send it and this hasn’t even phased them. Now I am in the process of having to try to recover my own money using legal means, which I REALLY hate to sue ANYONE, especially a fellow shooter, but I feel they have let me no choice. I feel this is a REALLY sorry way for them to treat a fellow shooter and customer and also feel this would have NEVER, EVER happened if Barney was still alive. If anyone else has had any problems with Lawton Machine or has ANY ideas how I can recover my money from them without taking them to court, PLEASE let me know. Again, I apologize for having to post something like this but I REALLY need my money and I also hope it helps someone else from making the same mistake with them or anyone else. Any help or advice concerning recovering the money Lawton Machine owes me would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks very much for your help with this matter…
Bryant

 

[hedditch]

You are out $1000 and now you want to hire an attorney? To go to court would cost you BIG bucks. I would say the best thing you can do is find a local shooter to talk with Lawton Machine and find out what is going on. An attorney will get into your pocket for a lot more than a thousand dollars. In my opinion, you committed to buying. Proceed with the purchase then put it on the market. Lawton Machine comes out and you come out.

 

[LoneWolf81]

David...
I would have been MORE THAN HAPPY to purchase the barreled action...the problem is they cannot seem to come up with it EITHER! I also do not want to go to court and as I mentioned, it will be my last resort and this is why I am trying everything else first. If I have to hire an attorney the attorney fees and court cost will be added to what they already owe me. The way I see this is it is already a NO WIN situation for both of us because NO ONE wins when you treat your customers this way because I lose money and they lose customers.
Thanks for your opinion...
Bryant

 

[Rustystud]

1. Did you pay by credit Card or by Check.

2. If by check did you send it through the U.S.Mail.

If you paid by Credit Card contact the company and have the charges reversed. Tell then your story. It also falls under the jurisdiction of the secret service/treasury and the amount is below their threshold to investigate/and prosecute . They will advise you it is a civil matter.

If you mailed them a check. Get the canceled check or a photo copy from your bank. Tell the bank what you need it for. If it was mailed then it falls under the jurisdiction of the Postal Inspectors office.

Send Lawton a Certified Mail letter notifing them of your intent to file a civil action against them if you have not received yout refund by the return of the mail receipt.

Go contact the state/county clerks office (civil division/small claims) in the county where Lawton is located. Request the forms to file a small claims action. It will cost you about $40.00 to file a small claims action. You or a lawyer may have to appear if they don't default by not showing themselves. You then can get a judgement against them. You might check the civil docket and judgement book. You may just be getting in line with others who are ahead of you.

At the same time file a complaint with the consumer protection of the Montana Attorney General's Office. This cost nothing. They will investigate your complaint. They can close a business for unethical or unlawful activity.

File a complaint with the US Postal Inspectors Office in the Montana Federal District. You may have enough to get a warrant or indictment for mail fraud charge against the Lawton corporation and/or its managers.

These are some of your options. Pissing and moaning on a public forum usually doesn't get you much results or satisfaction.

You are not the first to get screwed.

Nat Lambeth

 

[LoneWolf81]

Nat...
Thanks very much...this is very good information and gives me a great starting point. I very much appreciate it. I also realize I am not the first to get "screwed" and I certainly did not mean to make it sound as though I was pissing and moaning and instead I was hoping to find information to use like you just listed here. I was also under the impression this is one of the many reasons for the public forums, to keep other members and fellow shooters advised, both good and bad, as to dealings/experiences with the folks in this industry who are providing the products/services used in our sport. And, since most everyone in this hobby uses these public forums, I am VERY MUCH HOPING that my post here on the forums will keep other fellow shooters from getting the same screwing as it appears I did. I am and have been a member of many of the forums for a long time but because it seems that no matter what a member post in a thread, whether their intentions are good or bad and no matter what the subject is, there is always someone waiting in the wings to pounce on everyone who post something when they don't see eye-to-eye with them so to avoid causing this problem, I VERY RARELY ever post anything. But, in this case, I REALLY need to recover the money they owe me and I also REALLY HOPE it will help someone else to avoid the same problem.

Thank again for the great information...
Bryant

 

[skeetlee]

I have a couple lawton actions and my experience with them was somewhat a good one. I have a close friend that just went through the ringer with them over getting an action that was supposed to be in stock. He did finally receive it but his experience wasnt good. That's a shame this is the way things seem to be going over there. I really like there products but to be real honest i dont think i will take a chance with them again. There is a big post about similar problems active on sniper hide at the moment. Again its a true shame! They make good stuff, it just sounds like the management needs addressed. Sorry to hear of your troubles. 1000 bucks is a lot of cash for us working class fellas, and i hope you get your issues resolved. Best of luck to ya, hope all ends well. Lee

 

[LoneWolf81]

Hey Lee...
Thanks very much for your support and the additional information. You are right buddy...that is a heck of a blow for me and it was really a stretch for me to be able to afford it anyway but like you said, I was so impressed with what Barney accomplished and the quality of his products. It is going to be a real shame if they destroy something he worked so hard to create.

Thanks again...
Bryant

 

[blawton]

Bryant. I very sorry for this problem. I was in control of this untill i was told not to involved any more. Well that guy was fired yesterday and wont be coming back. Now that i can get something done in this case i suggest you call me and we can either get you your money back promptly or send you a finished product for the money you put down. I sent you a email so if you would reply or give me a call we can get this very sorry matter cleared up.

bobby

 

[watercam]

Not a bad way to start...

 

[NorCalMikie]

Looks like posting the problem here did get a little action. Hope things work out for the good.