doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Non-Responsive Gunsmith

I hesitate to post this but I really don't know what to do next.

A while back...quite a while back...after a discussion concerning work to be done and price I sent several guns (including a graded Lefever sideplate 16 and a Fox B grade 12) to a well-known gunsmith for some work. Payment-in-full was sent along with the guns. Previously, I had always received fast, responsive service and therefore did not inquire or even ask about turn around time. I just assumed it would be reasonable. Some time (months) later I called for a progress report an was told they were all ready or nearly ready to be shipped back to me, which was fine. Nothing happened, more time passed, and I called again...and once again received similar assurances.

To make a long story short, now, after numerous unreturned phone messages, emails, faxes, and postal mail (including a certified letter) this individual has become totally non-responsive. After this amount of time I'm less concerned with losing my payment than I am getting my guns back.

At this point, I really don't know what to do. It's too far away to go knock on his door. None of the options I can think of to escalate this are appealing to me, but I may not have an option?

Any ideas? I would REALLY appreciate any helpful suggestions.

Bill

Hey Bill,

I have had trouble in the past with some specialized 'smiths. There will be nothing "appealing" to any outcome. The last time I had this happen, I contacted the local police in his area and the local ATF office. I filed a complaint with the police department of a theft of property thru failure to provide service. The ATF was most enthused to take up the case. This is one of the biggest complaints they field.

Good luck.

I like BigHorn's idea about the police and ATF. Firearm theft is usually a big deal with law enforcement agencies. If you used U.S. Postal Service, "mail fraud" may be another avenue.

Why don't you post his name and address and maybe a member here can help you? It appears you're way past the point where either libel or slander should be any concern.
Most of us here rely upon a smiths reputation and recommendations from our fellow members before shipping expensive shotguns out for repair/restoration. I think you're doing a diservice to our community by not identifing the individual involved here.
Jim

Chuck and Bighorn:

Thanks for the tip...several of my pals are law enforcement types including one ATF agent, that may well be the way to go here.

I've read about these things happening to other folks and try to deal with either people I know personally or who have great reputations (the latter is the case here). It's surreal to me that this is happening.

Unfortunately, the guns were shipped UPS and not USPS.

Bill

What is his name? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Fellas:

I don't want to wreck anyone's reputation, I don't want to get into a public hissing contest. I just want my guns back.

For a fact, I know that others have gotten and continue to receive good service from this individual.

Bill

For a fact, I know that others have gotten and continue to receive good service from this individual.

Actually the "fact" as I see it is you are NOT receiveing good service from this individual and if the "facts" you stated above are accurate you should have No problem in revealing his name.
Why would this create a "hissing contest" if the "non-service" you are receiving is accurately described. Is there something here you are NOT disclosing that's relevant to this situation?
Jim

Wow! An intelligent reply. Thanks, italianguy.

This is not the first time this type of thread has come along.
I can never understand why if someone has ripped you off and you ask for help,why in the world you would want to hide who he is so the same people you ask for help from can get screwed too????