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Post by ermont0825 on Mar 15, 2012 13:30:57 GMT -5
I sent an old model Ruger SBH out in May of 2010 to a well known smith to have some work done to it. No caliber change - extensive action work, barrel and sights. I was told the work would take a year. Gun was sent along with deposit. Along about April I started inquiring about status. I was told it would be a few months. I started inquiring again in September. I was told it would be another month and was given a final amount to pay. That money was sent. The gun was sent out for a particular finish I wanted and was told it would take a month. I finally get paperwork in the mail saying my gun is complete but due to changes in price for components from when it was quoted in 2010 to now the gun is completed in 2012, I still had a balance which had to be paid before the gun would be shipped. I just sent the additional payment today but I am not happy. 23 months for a using gun not a collectors piece by any means.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,425
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Post by JM on Mar 15, 2012 14:10:21 GMT -5
Hmmm... That's a tough one. Personally I think the final payment due to price increases is a bit shady. You have certainly waited long enough. Maybe when you open the box it will exceed your expectations & all will be well.
Please post up some pics when it arrives.
Good luck ~JM~
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Post by albundy on Mar 15, 2012 14:41:21 GMT -5
You're a lot more patient and giving than I would be. The additional amount due is not correct and you did not need to pay it. A legal issue that would be easily remedied if need be.
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Post by mindustrial on Mar 15, 2012 14:49:47 GMT -5
I think you should disclosed the smith's name... I just contacted someone about having some work done, and would prefer to not have my chain jerked. That's not how I would like to be treated.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,836
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Post by cubrock on Mar 15, 2012 15:24:51 GMT -5
The wait dragging on and on is fairly typical with the good custom smiths these days. Aggravating, but it is reality. The price change thing wouldn't sit well with me, though.
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Post by Boge Quinn on Mar 15, 2012 15:35:49 GMT -5
Unfortunately, this sort of thing happens all too often.
I would give a shout-out here to Alan Harton - he's done a few projects for me, and he always quotes a very reasonable time frame and cost. Most importantly, he always comes in on-time and on-budget. I've never had any surprises when dealing with him.
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Post by albundy on Mar 15, 2012 15:56:59 GMT -5
This is great info to have.
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Post by jeffquinn on Mar 15, 2012 16:02:22 GMT -5
Work should be done on time and on budget.
If there is to be a delay beyond the quoted time period, the 'smith should have called you and explained the delay. You should not have had to call him.
If there was to be a price increase, the 'smith should have called you before doing the work.
He is supposed to be a professional. He should behave as such. You are his customer. Expecting good service at the quoted price is not too much to ask.
Unless you changed the specifications of the work to be done from the original work order, you were wronged.
However, there is no need to dwell upon it, or you will never fully enjoy your new custom gun.
Jeff
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Post by Thunderjet on Mar 15, 2012 16:44:10 GMT -5
Post his name. Smiths like this should be exposed so the rest of us know what to consider before sending out checks for potential work. Unfortunately this has become all to common in the custom gun business. Over charging along with excessive wait times above and beyond what they originally quoted are unacceptable. Late deliverys accompanied by reasonable explanations in advance are one thing. But negative experiences such as this should be shared so consumers can make better choices.
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Post by Bowenbuilt on Mar 15, 2012 17:04:57 GMT -5
I have some advise. Don't post the name or you will unleash a smack down you won't soon forget. About 10 years ago I had one of the Elite ruin a gun for me and I mean RUIN the gun. When I complained about it to try and keep it from happening to someone else I was all but tarred and feathered. The gun sat in my safe for 10 years until finally one day I sent it to Hamilton Bowen to have it repaired. The damage to the gun was so bad he refused to work on it initially. After spending about $1500.00 dollars with him I finally have the gun I always wanted. The amount was not Mr. Bowen's fault but attributed to the so-called Elite Smith it was first sent to. Everything on the gun was rendered un-useable and had to be replaced, the only thing original now on this gun is the frame. It was a costly mistake but for the 1.5K I got what I wanted, the only 2 things about this ordeal I regret, sending it to the first smith and then blowing the whistle on him. I was treated very badly by the online gun community for disparaging his fine name. If you are not careful the same will happen to you.
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Post by targetshootr on Mar 15, 2012 17:41:19 GMT -5
I have some advise. Don't post the name or you will unleash a smack down you won't soon forget. Truer words ....
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Post by ermont0825 on Mar 15, 2012 17:57:49 GMT -5
I have no intentions of releasing the name. I am glad you confirmed my suspicions that I would get hammered for it. Funny how the victim usually winds up having to defend himself. I was just wondering if I had it all wrong and maybe this was SOP for this kind of business. I've never had a full up custom done. I've bought several that were second hand. They are awesome. This was my first try at building what I wanted. I hope to see it next week but to tell you the truth even if is is gold plated with diamonds in all six cylinders, I will always have a sour taste in my mouth.
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Post by bigbores on Mar 15, 2012 18:06:28 GMT -5
I think if your post said something like "I sent this gun to____and ask for_____and was quoted this amount of time and money and it ended costing me this amount of money and took this long all the work was done without a phone call and he won't return the gun until I pay the extra amount now due!... Do you guys think I was treated fairly?"
I for one would read your post and might even be upset over it.
If on the other hand your post said "so and so overcharged me and took two long to complete the work then wouldn't return my gun until payed in full"
I wouldn't give it a second thought other than maybe laugh.
Bottom line, I like to here the pro's and con's when dealing with a gunsmith, then make up my own mine.
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Post by Thunderjet on Mar 15, 2012 18:22:31 GMT -5
I'll agree with you if you post a negative review and you will most likely receive a royal smack down. This happened to me last year as I posted a negative experience about a very expensive firearm. This is the main reason we have so many corrupt and unethical business people in the firearm business. People will post glowing reviews but shy away from being truthful when things go wrong. Each of us owe it to ourself and our fellow sportsman to post honest reviews, good and bad. Otherwise more people will suffer in the long run.
I'll stand up and be open and honest reguardless of any internet bickering. But others are certaintly free to stay quiet, afterall we have freedom of speech.
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Post by nolongcolt on Mar 15, 2012 18:45:00 GMT -5
I had a similar experience some years ago when I ordered a custom, I'll just say buffalo rifle from one of the two big makers. When I ordered the gun with deposit, the price was X. Some time later the price went up before my gun was completed and I was informed that the price at time of deposit was no longer valid. I flipped a bitch as there was never any mention that the price would increase while waiting for an ordered gun on deposit. I canceled the order. A couple years later, still being on their mailing list I noticed they had changed their order policy to reflect that prices may in fact increase while waiting for a gun. Knowing this going in I ordered again and in fairly short order received my rifle as ordered. A rifle I still have and will likely never sell, its that good.
As to your question I dont think you are being overly sensitive at all. I would be unhappy as well.
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