You’re Advise on Working with "Builders & Providers" (Yes I'm A "Rookie")

[LA50SHOOTER]

I've been involved now for about 2 1/2 years in having custom rifle project provided. (A total of 5 to date). At this time the "providers" will remain un-named as I don't want to be accused of "flaming" someone.
I don't know if it's just me & that my expectations are not "aligned" with the "reality" of the folks who provide the parts & services or what. - I find myself to date some-what unsatisfied in one aspect or another of most the dealings that I've had. - I find that it's either delivery or quality or both that I'm unsatisfied with. Infact I'm contemplating getting out of this as a hobby.
I enjoy having the guns and the shooting & reloading that goes with this but I find that the people who are involved in this business as "providers" don't keep their word when it comes to delivery on time. And some have provided less than what I expected for the money paid. And one has even "marked-up" on an item or so after a quoted price.

- Now, I realize that someone out there might say "You’re a pessimist & a cry-baby" - I don't believe that asking for Honesty & Integrity is pessimistic or being a cry-baby.


I see what I percieve as a hugh amount of experience here on this forum and I'd appreciate some feedback on "what is the best / most satisfying way" to work with these folks who provide the parts & services in the "accuracy world"

- Thanks - Ron

 

[NorCalMikie]

Ron: If it was me and things wern't "exactily" as I liked or someone bumped up the price after you got a quote, I'd take my $$ and go elsewhere.
Too many "reputable" and experienced builders out there will will back up their work "and reputation" to not be satisifed with what you get for your $$.
And being a "Rookie" has nothing to do with it. Business dealings use to be done with a hand shake but now you find yourself keeping folks at arms length and your free hand on your wallet. Stick to your guns till you get things the way "you" want them. With some folks, their word doesn't mean much anymore.
After all, it is " your" money you're spending. JMHO, Mike.
And I might add, I've had dealings with one guy in particular on this forum that I wouldn't hesitate to give him a blank check. He backs his work with his word,. There out there but you have to hunt for them.

 

[artbosco]

Re: Your Advise on Working with "Builders & Providers" (Yes I'm A "Rookie")

Look no further than here: http://www.stevensaccuracy.com/ You'll be glad you did.

 

[whiskey08]

i think its a classic deal of some people getting to big and busy, Ive ordered stuff and got the wrong stuff, and other stuff badly done and unusable. I think there's alot of drinking the coolaid by some of the users here. People letting people off the hook cuz they made it right after more money for shipping and the inconvienence of it all. After lots of research and and asking around I managed to find a gunsmith who has done a great job. He always delivered sooner that agreed on and his work is top notch. As for ordering stuff, Ive ordered lots of stuff and have had lots of orders wrong. The one place who i have absoulutely no complaints is Midway USA. I order my barrels, triggers, scopes etc and have always recieved what was promised. Bottom line is keep asking around and find you that good gunsmith.

 

[shortgrass]

Good communication is the key. Before buying a bunch of parts talk to the 'smith, after all, he does this for a living and, hopefully , knows what parts are compatable and which to avoid and which can be had in a given amount of time and which ones you'll have to wait on. The good custom stuff isn't sitting on a shelf somewhere, unless you don't mind paying a premium for it, and then sometimes what you want just isn't there either, it has to be made. A reputable 'smith will, sometimes, have a sample or two, so you can see the quality of the work he does, or references at the very least.

 

[Scott Harris]

The custom firearms industry consists mostly small shops where QC is often not professionally controlled. Also, note that its much more difficult to control quality on custom items than mass-produced products. Bottom line is you will find quality and consistency hit or miss. Like you, I've used the "very best" as rated by this website and others, only to be disappointed. But, I have learned a few things and my experiences are getting better, now that I am a grizzled veteran of the custom world A few tips:

1. If you have any inkling of concern about the workmanship of a product, alert the "provider" immediately. I received a rifle from a builder that had done fantastic work in the past. This particular rifle had so many problems I could not believe the same shop did the work. I contacted (and emailed everything for a record)them with my long laundry list and asked for them to fix it all and pay for shipping both ways. They did so and the returned rifle was perfect. I will continue to give them my business.
2. Talk to the owner, not the workers. Small businesses live or die by their reputation and the owner is most concerned about this. Ultimately, everything is the owner's responsibility. If he doesn't care about your problem, take your business elsewhere.
3. Educate yourself. It's not your gunsmith's responsibility to inform you of all the ways of doing something and what the ramifications are: it's your responsibility. If you don't want to figure this stuff out, why are you going custom?
4. Be loyal to the manufacturers and builders that earn your trust. It may take a little sifting to find the best folks and fire the bad ones as soon as you identify them. But, once you figure this out, give the good guys all your business. Your loyalty will be rewarded when/if problems occur.
5. Veer away from an experts specialty at your own risk. Asking a benchrest gunsmith to build a tactical rifle would be one example of this mistake.
6. I am very unforgiving of hardware manufacturers: they should know how to control quality. So, if I receive a bad sample, chances are I"m looking elsewhere. There are not many equipment makers that meet this tough test: but some do ... Nightforce, Warner Tool, Defiance, BAT, Krieger, etc.
7. Be suspicious of any new players. A topnotch reputation takes years to build and many fancy new companies fail during the first few years......especially in the quality control area.