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Problem with gunsmith: What to do?
salzo
Member Posts: 6,396 ✭✭
Last deer season, an in law borrowed my shotgun. The bozo plugged the barrel, and the barrel busrted at the tip. The in law bought a new barrel for me. He then went out and bought himself a shotgun, and I told him my gunsmith would could cut the burst barrel down for $65, plus "a little more" to put on a sight. I figured the burst barrel was his, since he bought me a new one, and it might benefit him to cut the bursted barrel so he could have a rifled barrel, without having to pay all the money for a new one. When I told him the price, he said GREAT. He was going to buy a deer barrel anyway, and this would be alot cheaper.
My gunsmith called me today, to tell me the barrel was ready. I asked him what the total price was, and he told me with the sight it is $150. He did not tell me exactly how much the sight would cost, but that appears to be a bit more than the "a little more" than he originally quoted. I figured "a little more" might be at the most $50, and certainly not $85, which is more than twice the amount of the original $65 dollar amount quoted.
When I told the new owner that it would be $65, plus a "little more" for the sight, he figured he would have the sight put on, even though he is planning on using a scope.
I do not think my in law is going to want the barrel at that price. And I think he is justified in not taking it. He had it cut down so that he would not have to pay alot of money for a new one. For twenty dollars more, he can buy a new barrel, so what is the point?
But I am the middle man, and I want to do what is right, but I do not think I am going to buy the barrel and take the loss. Again, the price seems alot higher than originally quoted, and therefore, I am not sure whether the "right" thing to do is buy the barrel myself, and take the loss, or tell the gunsmith it is way higher then expected, and I do not want it.
What is the right thing to do?
Happiness is a warm gun
My gunsmith called me today, to tell me the barrel was ready. I asked him what the total price was, and he told me with the sight it is $150. He did not tell me exactly how much the sight would cost, but that appears to be a bit more than the "a little more" than he originally quoted. I figured "a little more" might be at the most $50, and certainly not $85, which is more than twice the amount of the original $65 dollar amount quoted.
When I told the new owner that it would be $65, plus a "little more" for the sight, he figured he would have the sight put on, even though he is planning on using a scope.
I do not think my in law is going to want the barrel at that price. And I think he is justified in not taking it. He had it cut down so that he would not have to pay alot of money for a new one. For twenty dollars more, he can buy a new barrel, so what is the point?
But I am the middle man, and I want to do what is right, but I do not think I am going to buy the barrel and take the loss. Again, the price seems alot higher than originally quoted, and therefore, I am not sure whether the "right" thing to do is buy the barrel myself, and take the loss, or tell the gunsmith it is way higher then expected, and I do not want it.
What is the right thing to do?
Happiness is a warm gun
Comments
Tell the gunsmith that he missed his estimate by more that is acceptable for a professional, unless he's a professional crook. Again, stright up, he has to know you're not happy with him. He can take it.
Deed is done, and it's not your fault. Bozo started it, let him pay.
Clouder..
Those words can save a lot of grief. (And make sure it is a "quote" and not an "estimate".)
As for now, what did the smith say when you said, "But I thought you said..."?
We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -
I just talked to the inlaw, and he is not happy, but wants the barrel nonetheless. He did tell me a smith in VA put a bead on his smooth bore for twenty dollars. I do not know how much it costs to put a sight ramp on, but I do know that the final price is "alot more", and not "a little more", as originally stated. The problem I am havinfg is the subjectivity of the whole thing. Who am I to decide what "a lttle more" means.But I do feel that my assessment of "a little more" is better than the Smiths.
Happiness is a warm gun
"It'll run $65.00 plus a little more" tells me that the $65 is the BULK of the cost.
We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -
Not a good idea. Salzo did not cause the problem. If there are bad feelings on the in-laws part you will only add 'sucker' to the list of adjectives they use to describe salzo when he's not around.
Stand your ground, salzo. It's not your fault, don't make it so.
Clouder..
Edited by - whiteclouder on 04/25/2002 11:34:44
If, on the other hand, it turns out to be way to high, then go ask the original gunsmith why so much when he originally quoted you it would be $65 and "a little more" for the sight. Tell him that 2.5 times the original cost is not what you considered to be "a little more" for the sight, and then see what he says. He may have made an honest mistake, or maybe forgot what he had told you to begin with. That happens to us as we get older. I always give a person the benefit-of-the-doubt before I get in their face. If his answer is neither satisfactory nor reasonable, then tell him that you are disappointed with his business practices. Also tell him this is the last business you will ever do with him, and that you will be advising all your friends to not trade with him either. Then walk away.
By all means keep your cool, it never pays to loose your temper. It gains you nothing, and makes you look like a jerk.
Good luck, Boomer
Protect our Constitutional Rights.
Edited by - Boomerang on 04/25/2002 12:05:11
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
Good luck!
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"Benj. Franklin, 1759
The second issue is the in law. While he bungled and plugged the barrel, he did replace it, and Salzo tried to help him out with a less expensive rifled barrel for the in law's new shotgun. While what happened with the gun smith is not Salzo's fault, the in law may or may not be able to see that, and Salzo will have to live with the perception as well as the facts. If he doesn't, offering to pay half the over run may be a small price to pay for peace in the family. If the in law agrees that Salzo is not responsible for the overrun, then getting with the gun smith to resolve the issue is all that is necessary. In that case, I think Boomerang nailed the negotiation with the gunsmith. In the end, if the smith is not reasonable let him keep the barrel and eat the costs.
Additionally, there's some chance the barrel may not shoot well because of the accident.
It is wise just to walk away from the whole deal. Bad news is that this jerk of a Gunsmith just got himself a nice new barrel.. FREE. He'll keep an eye out for the next opportunity to screw someone else. To keep this from happening, first reason with him. Tell him why you think the price is too high/it's WAY over bid etc. If he refuses to lower the price, ask to see the barrel. Next take a 2-lb. Sledge and hit it right in the middle. Tell him you don't want it. You're out of a barrel, but he doesn't get one for free...
NIKLASAL@hotmail.com
"Respect your Tools"
"Freedom is not Free"
Steve
Go in to smith write him a check for full amount then leave. Put a stop on the check. now you have the barrel in your possesion,
Sawz,
In this state what you describe is a crime. I know, I have
nailed people for doing it. The JP had no sense of humor about it all.
You made the deal with the gunsmith. You made the mistake of letting him proceed without knowing exactly how much he would charge. Your inlaw had nothing to do with that. He should bear no part of "your" mistake.
Be a gentleman. Go to the gunsmith and pick up the barrel. Pay the $150. After doing so, politely tell him you had not expected it to cost that much, but do not get into an arguement with him.
Let your inlaw pay no more than $65 for the barrel. This way he will be beholding to you. Family harmony is priceless--it's sure not worth jeprodizing over a few bucks. Your objective is to be seen by the family as the man who rises above petty issues.
Tell others who ask for gunsmith recommendations that you had a less than positive experience with this guy, but also tell them you are partly to blame. If he did a quality job, admit it. But recomend to others to get quotes up front.
Consider it a cheap $85 lesson learned and move on. Put this situation behind you.
That's my 2-cents.
There was lots of good advice posted, but Rafter, yours is some of the dumbest I have ever read-but I appreciate it.
Happiness is a warm gun
No shortage of advice here, and most of it might be good, BUT!!
What is your own personal experience with this smith? You referred to him in your original post as "my" smith. If you are happy with the other work he's done for you and would like to continue using him for your future needs, then maybe you need to swallow hard and share in some of the pain.
If you don't care about using the man in the future and good smiths grow on trees in your neck of the woods then walk away and let the guy do what he wants with the barrel.
I use an auto mechanic who's bills exceed his verbal estimates 1/2 the time. Fortunately, the other 1/2 the time he charges less than his estimates. He knows my vehicles and does quality work, so I put up with his bad memory.
I agree that from your description of how this whole thing unfolded, you got bit in the * trying to do a favor for somebody! And, I don't know about PA, but in this part of the country, IF I could find a decent smith, I'd wash his car and mow his lawn for the pleasure of leaving my firearms in his care.
(just my two cents worth, good luck.)
And whatever you do, don't take me serious on that. :-)
IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
Tell him that is all it is worth to you. (In a nice way)
He can take the 85 or keep the barrel.
Let him choose.
If he takes the 85. Done deal.
If he dont. Find another smith next time.
"Not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it is enough."
Given the human factor, I would get it committed to paper -- trouble is, most of us don't think of that until it's too late, and then its his word against mine. Whereupon, of couse, the customer is always right, but gun shop owners have a funny way of thinking it's the opposite case, even more than most.
-- Life NRA Member
"If dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -
I told him I did not think the person who wanted the barrel is going to pay for this, but I would give him your phone number and he will discuss it with you.
My suspicions were confirmed, the smith was trying to soak me.
Happiness is a warm gun
V35, I don't think he'll have any legal recourse. If he had a quote in writing, he would. But, not with an obscure, verbal 'a little more'.
We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -
Id reccomend reporting this guy to the better buisness bureau, or atleast telling him you will if he doesnt give you an honest price.
Happiness is a warm gun
"Respect your Tools"
"Freedom is not Free"