A bit OT: What do you do with a bad gunsmith?

1

100W_Warlock

New member
All,

I won't say who or where, but, I have had one of my .357s into a gunsmith now for quite some time.

He gives NO feedback, unless I bug him 2-3 times a week. And even then, his responses are not helpful.

He is in another state, so, its not like I can drive over to his house/shop and stomp the crap out of his scull. (nor would I even if i was that close...poor manners)

Suggestions?

If I don't get my revolver back in the next week, I will post his name and buisiness and all of you can decide if you want to deal with his services.

I have had good luck and bad with different smiths. But, this one really takes the cake.

Regards,

-Warlock
 
Suggestions? Get it back from him as soon as possible, by whatever means necessary. Hopefully he has not 'worked' or your property.

There are many kinds of craftsmen. One kind takes pride in his work, is obsessive in the details, does fine work, and loves his job.

You got his opposite. He's a mess, hates his job, probably has some kind of substance abuse problem, and does crappy work when you can convince him to work. His kind also tend to be compulsive liars.

Hopefully he has not done more than shelf your gun somewhere. Get it back, but quick.
 
Is the first name Mark? I would contact the SAG and tell them the story. I have called BATFE in extreme cases. I believe you should also send a registered and a certified letter requiring receipt to prove attempts to contact. If you don't hear anything, report the firearm as missing or stolen, you are NOT in physical control or custody of the weapon. You don't want it to show up at a homicide and traced back to you without documentation. Priority is to establish a paper trail of attempts to contact.
 
now I am getting scared...

Overman,

Your scaring the crap out of me now... :confused:

I figure, the only thing I can do if he chooses not to return my revolver is report him to the local law enforcement in the area and hope they get on him.

The guy really seemed like a good egg over the phone and via email. Lots of pretty pictures on his website.

Lets hope he gets his act together and gets me my handgun back ASAP.

-Warlock
 
Your scaring the crap out of me now
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OK, sorry. I was just going on past experience. Not with your guy, just making generalities.

I mentioned just two of the kinds of craftsmen. There are many. Here's another, and probably the guy you got.

He is a genius. His shop is a mess to the outside observer, but he knows where EVERYTHING is. He tends to be forgetful. Likable, and incredibly down-to-earth, but an airhead in everyday life. But get him in his shop and he can work magic. Has a true mechanic's touch. Probably can't remember his own phone number, but knows the exact fitting screwdrive bit that fits the sidecover screws for your particular piece from memory, and he uses it. When you can convince him to exercise his world-class skills in his shop.
 
If I don't get my revolver back in the next week, I will post his name and buisiness and all of you can decide if you want to deal with his services.
Click to expand...

Well, I understand your reluctance to divulge any personal information, but consider this, YOU don't like the situation you're in... why wait abother week ?

Maybe if you give us a few specifics, it MIGHT prevent another Member from sending their gun to this 'smith without a lot of assurance/commitment.

I doubt any 'smith worth their word, would be concerned if you aired out a problem. Sounds like you have given the guy several chances and you are getting blown off.

Overman makes a great point. Too many of these guys live on reputations built in years past, but have turned into substance-abusing has beens who won't do anything unless pushed and prodded.

Jeez, how long can it take to do ANYTHING to a revolver ? The last one I sent out, the 'smith took my contact info and called me a week ahead of the time he promised to do the work. I sent it overnight, he worked on it and I had it back in about a week.

Don't let it happen to someone else, if you know this 'smith is potentially a problem. If he comes thru for you, does what you need and you are satisfied, GREAT ! Post and tell us about that too.

Do the right thing, identifying a problem 'smith can save others the grief you are going thru.

BigSlick
 
Alls well that (almost) ends well

I got a call back from the smith today. (yeah!)

He felt bad about taking so long and me being on the recieving end of all the delays. So, he threw in some extra services he normally charges for and is FedEx'ing out my revolver next week.

(I told him it would be ok to ship on Monday instead of Friday)

He's been busy, which I understand. And he cleared up some of my other issues.

I'll let everyone know what the FINAL outcome is, but, he said it boxed and ready and he gave me the tracking number for when it ships on Monday.

A month late...

-Warlock
 
Sounds great, but why isn't he Fed-Xing today, if he has performed the work! Maybe he looks in on TFL and wants to delay you in posting his name. Anyone competently engaged in gunsmithing, should have been able to tell you the wait time for return when you called them the first time! Hope it works out and your not back on the phone again next week! :mad:
 
Sounds great, but why isn't he Fed-Xing today,
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Maybe because FedEx doesn't pick up until Monday. Even at that, the tracking information may not posted on the FedEx site until just before it is received.

The fact he gave you a tracking number now puts the responsibility in FedEx's hands... So you can breath a little easier... :)

Sturm, I was thinking the same thing about him reading the TFL post... :eek:
 
If this turns out to be yet another delaying tactic I'd send him a registered letter telling him to return the gun within X number of days or you'll report it stolen and tell the police where it is.
 
My next step...

Dusty,

If I don't get it by Thursday, I might very well do that.

I'll cust him some slack since he was out with the flu for 2 weeks.
(I was out of work as well during the same period with the flu...10 days)

As long as I get it back in working condition, with the extra service thrown in, I'll be happy.
 
100W_Warlock, sorry about that! Somehow, I missed the part about you having a FED-X tracking number. FED-X, can now tell you everything you need to know. Probably with your PC! Hoping for the best! ;)
 
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