Speedy Gonzalez Contact?

[Dave M.]

I see your frustration but Speedy is a good friend and a great smith. I’m certain that if you reach out to him by phone and text again, he will make this right. Speedy is a true gentleman and frequents this site so I’m certain he will read and reply to your message.
Dave

 

[Kirk]

Dave, I noted above that shortly after I posted this, he did indeed text me that the gun will be ready this Sunday. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Kirk]

Quick update - I picked the rifle up at Speedy's shop yesterday. I had a good visit with him but couldn't hang around much as I had to get on the road. I'm extremely pleased with the rifle. Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[SHarvey]

Rome wasn’t built in a day, you have one of the best in the business built rifle. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. He's a really good guy, and a book of information that is second to none. Any time I’ve ever had a question about something he’s always responded, maybe not right away, but he’s human and has a lot going on as well. I’m glad you got your rifle, hopefully you can post some results of how it shoots

 

[209jones]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

 

[LHSmith]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

I can accept this business model to a degree......BUT 3-1/2 YEARS wait is WAY beyond acceptable -regardless if a loaner rifle has been provided. In my case, with another well known smith, I realized that going in but had I been informed the build would take more than twice as long as other renown smiths, I certainly would have sought another top tier smith. SG had the parts, all he had to do was chamber, bed, and do his "proprietary" action tweaks. In my case it changed my perspective of BR competition from trying to make as many matches as possible to a more nonchalant attitude.....the enthusiasm level dropped drastically. So much for the moniker of goodwill ambassador of the game-it's situations like this as one reason that is causing the drop in competitors.

 

[L.Sherm]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

Then what happens if the other 20% get pissed and never come back

 

[DGP4]

Many businesses have way more demand than the means to meet it. If such a business makes you aware up front that it might take X months or years to complete your job, that is Ok as far as I am concerned. The problem is only with businesses that promise completion in an allotted time frame knowing up front that will never happen. I had such experiences when I was restoring cars. Some shops were so popular, they told you that the wait was going to be very long. So, if you wanted the best, you knew you'd have to adjust to that reality or accept a lesser quality service.

 

[ISS]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

I think you are in error. Honest businessmen do the work in the order it is received, the buddy system only applied to firefights when I was in Vietnam in the Army. This is a way to really promote your business IMHO.

 

[ISS]

Then what happens if the other 20% get pissed and never come back

And they make sure to tell everybody, like on here. That way everyone knows who not to patronize...

 

[L.Sherm]

And they make sure to tell everybody, like on here. That way everyone knows who not to patronize...

Flint Rasmussen ( rodeo clown) just spoke at my grandsons college graduation and left them with a quote " be careful of the toes you step on they may be hooked to the ass you have to kiss".
You never know when you might need that 20%.

 

[M-61]

Then what happens if the other 20% get pissed and never come back

That’s right. Take it a step further. That 20% is gone. Now you have 80%.
Now when 20% of them disappear due to that great business practice, you have 60%
See what I mean?
Going out of business, in many cases, is by dividing your customer base up.

 

[M-61]

I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important

No.
Every customer is important.
There’s no such thing as as an ‘unimportant’
customer.

 

[Jayplace]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

I don't think I agree with your business model. Every new customer is a potential long term big money customer. Disrespecting a new customer who has entrusted you with parts that doesn't get put together in a reasonable length of time is a forever lost customer who will convey to others their experience. One unhappy customer can do a lot more harm than one pleased customer will do good. (Old sales advice)

There are always exceptions. A good customer that has experienced a problem and needs immediate repair may deserve priority over work that can wait.

 

[D Coots]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

Curious as to what you've done for a living?

Thanks
Dave

 

[rayporter]

he must be one of the 20%

 

[ISS]

I don't think I agree with your business model. Every new customer is a potential long term big money customer. Disrespecting a new customer who has entrusted you with parts that don't get put together in a reasonable length to time is a forever lost customer who will convey to others their experience. One unhappy customer can do a lot more harm than one pleased customer will do good. (Old sales advice)

There are always exceptions. A good customer that has experienced a problem and needs immediate repair may deserve priority over work that can wait.

Not three and a half years! I wrote for Precision Shooting Magazine for three decades. Editor Dave Brennan would have made this his front page article/editorial. And named the smith. Do not EVER take on more work than you can complete in a timely manner.

Biden had not taken office yet when this customer turned in the parts for the job...

 

[M-61]

Seems to me that were I a gunsmith, I'd prioritze the customers that give me the most work, not that the onesy's and twosy's aren't important, just that to do business, 20% of your customers will give you 80% of your work, and have to be taken care of.

What a fabulous run-on sentence. Should be titled:
‘How to go out of business without really trying.”

 

[rwj]

Seems pretty easy… be direct and tell customers the queue time. Some will be willing/able to wait others won’t and will pursue a differ path. This permits all parties to move on in life without anyone being butt hurt!

 

[Larry Koch]

Quick update - I picked the rifle up at Speedy's shop yesterday. I had a good visit with him but couldn't hang around much as I had to get on the road. I'm extremely pleased with the rifle. Can't wait to shoot it.

Looking forward to some target pic.