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Have you ever had this experience?

The PatriotThe Patriot Member Posts: 59
edited April 2002 in General Discussion
I was looking over one of my Military rifles today (1917 Eddystone) after picking it up from the guy i use as my FFL source. The auction item was described to a tee except the bottom floorplate was newer and it is missing the flaming bomb that was described on it. I e-mailed the seller back and he sent more detailed pictures of the rifle including the floorplate that indeed had a flaming bomb stamped into it. The FFL holder also collects military guns (old). Could it be that he replaced it with another he had to enhance his own rifle? Has anyone else ever had an experience where it appears something has been changed out? I have bought guns through this FFL a number of times and yes there have been times when a cleaning rod comes up missing, or a sling. I am very reluctant to jump to conclusions,I want to trust, but things are getting out of hand. What do you think?
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    AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,064 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Print out the photos that the seller sent. Take the gun and photos to the FFL holder. Ask him to explain the differance between what was sent and what arrived. Give him a chance to explain. Then either take your business elsewhere, telling every one you know this person is a thief. Or let him provide the correct floor plate, for free or let a small claims judge order him to provide correct floor plate.
    Just my .02 cents worth.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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    KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,270 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the gun came straight from the seller to the ffl holder to you, it doesn't leave a lot to figure out. Especially if he collects older military guns. Tell the ffl holder you would really like to have a floorplate with a flaming bomb on it. You might tell by his expression if he switched it or not. Of course it is possible the seller switched it before he sent it. I don't see much you can do here except be glad you got what you did. Maybe find another ffl to deal with.
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    offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The auction dealer should provide you with the item pictured or expect an unhappy customer and negative feedback. Too many sellers think it's acceptable to picture a gun "just like" the one they're selling, which is not the same thing at all. It's an auction site, and I expect to see the very item I'm bidding on.

    You have the right, if you are willing to make the effort, to insist he send you the correct buttplate BEFORE you return the wrong one. Otherwise, you can ask him if he'd like to buy the gun back from you. That would mean, by auction rules, he sends you your money and THEN you send him his item by return shipping. I've had several good sellers do this for me over the years when they screwed up.
    The 2nd Amendment is about security, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member.

    Edited by - offeror on 04/14/2002 16:49:46
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    offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I should add that it COULD be your local dealer. This is why I ask my dealer to wait until I arrive to open MY package. It's not his stock. He's just doing a transfer. Why should he open the box in my absence??? In fact, you could ask your auction dealers to address the mail to you in CARE OF the dealer, making the mail yours, and in the case of US Mail, a federal offense for someone else to tamper with.
    The 2nd Amendment is about security, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member.
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    The PatriotThe Patriot Member Posts: 59
    edited November -1
    I appreciate all the feedback. I still feel had. The people we are talking about are 1 ex-vet and 1 active,the advice from Offeror about having it addressed to me "in care of" makes good sense. I might still be in a bit of denial as far as some one doing this. I'm still curious though if anyone else has had this kind of experience or have I just been to trusting in the way I conduct business all this time.
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    FUBARFUBAR Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would say a little to trusting on your part, don't mean that to harsh but "let the buyer beware counts all the way until you receive" I very seldom buy through auction because i want ot make sure of what i'm buying and getting.

    Guns! Guns! Guns!
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    The PatriotThe Patriot Member Posts: 59
    edited November -1
    Too trusting is probably right. I have thought many times about getting my own FFL. I am in my late 40's and have always wanted to excercise a little more latitude in the dealer pricing and shipping direct to me.
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    The PatriotThe Patriot Member Posts: 59
    edited November -1
    I still feel like a bit of a minority when it comes to this type of experience.
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    FUBARFUBAR Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How many guns and what type to do you collect?

    Guns! Guns! Guns!
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    offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Actually, this was one of the first problems I thought of when I thought of picking a dealer to receive a Gunbroker purchase. Once the box is open, the dealer sees the gun, magazines, and any accessories laid out, and knows I haven't seen them yet (except hopefully in pictures). Once they've taken your buttplate it would be too embarrassing, probably, to admit it and give it back. But if you are satisfied your seller didn't screw you, I'd go elsewhere and tell these guys why -- that the seller promises he sent things you didn't receive, and you have pictures of the gun to prove it.

    I think the best and easiest way to avoid this temptation is to instruct your dealer beforehand not to open your package until you arrive. Don't settle for one who won't agree to this. He doesn't even need to know what's in it until you get there -- just the dealer's name that sent it to you, etc. I have also heard it is a good idea when sending your payment for a gun to enclose a self addressed stamped envelope and request the invoice be sent to you, not in the box with your gun. That way you have the receipt, the "bill of lading" and the serial number when you go to pick it up. And it wouldn't hurt to print out a color picture from the auction and take it with you. It should show included accessories. Then tell the dealer what you're expecting and give him an out -- he can say, "oh, sorry, I left that in the back when I accidentally opened the box thinking it was part of my order" or some BS like that.... [;D]
    The 2nd Amendment is about security, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member.
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    airborneairborne Member Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'd buy the seller an airline ticket, and put the seller and FFL receiving dealer together face to face, with myself being present.

    Guarantee the truth would come out.

    B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze
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    The PatriotThe Patriot Member Posts: 59
    edited November -1
    Airborne; That really is not a bad idea! I believe the seller anyway! I probably will look around and try to find another floorplate though, if you know of any places that keep individual parts like that I would appreciate info. from anyone. This is a nice rifle and deserves parts that were "as manufactured" for it.

    "Stand and be counted"
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    jastrjastr Member Posts: 463 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would believe the seller over yuor ffl holder. How well do you know him? And you say this kinda thing has happened before. I would trust my instinct on this one. I may be young, but im not dumb

    lets all be responsible! shoot a criminal!
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    The LawThe Law Member Posts: 2,287 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have to agree go with your gut feeling!

    "What we have here... is a Failure to Communicate"
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