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sued over a 40 year old gun

44mutley44mutley Member Posts: 108 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in General Discussion
sold a 40 year old 22 rifle to a guy out of state in oct., his ffl got it , guy seen it and said everything looks great, 2 weeks later got an e mail from him saying he wanted his money back, would'nt hold a good group, i told him i do not take returns, i am not a dealer, fast forward to today, 6 months later, get a summons from court, and his attorney, being sued for 5,000.00 frickin unbelievable, better watch out people, people are crazy

Comments

  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you described it correctly and can show proof of that, you're clear. If you sold him a 22 caliber sewer pipe and knew it, you're gonna get what you deserve. I hope it's the former case.

    Clouder..
  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,697 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What a crock; good luck!

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Respond back that you will countersue for $10,000 for breach of contract, wrongful persecution, your legal costs, etc, whatever YOUR attorney can suggest. Filing a lawsuit is one thing, and quite easy. Winning is totally another. He is hoping to scare you into settling early out of court. Don't fall for it.
  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Common law considers all personal sales "as is" unless you knowingly made a major misrepresentation or gave an express warranty. However, you do need to respond or he may get a default judgement. That might be what he's hoping for.

    Did you sell it on GunBroker? What's the auction number?
  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,925 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What a nightmare.
  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What Spider said is true about ignoring it. There have been numerous news stories about people winning outlandish lawsuits by default simply because the other guy didn't take it seriously and failed to respond.
    Of course, collecting on an out of state judgement is pretty darned hard too.
  • 44mutley44mutley Member Posts: 108 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i hunted squirrel with the gun and would always get several of them with it, bore was clean and shiney, was sold on a local forum, thanks guys
  • dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 32,026 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 44mutley
    was sold on a local forum, thanks guys



    Too bad, if it had been sold here, ROAD TRIP!!!! Don
  • legearlegear Member Posts: 6,716
    edited November -1
    This is something that comes down to the shooter at times.

    Its like trying to sue ford cause you cant get the same 1/4 mile time as their test driver did with your new Stang GT.

    Like above, file a counter suit. Tell his lawyer you will need proof of a group shot by the buyer and one by a pro, to rule out user failure. Also be careful on that forum not to slander the buyer, he will be looking for anything to jump on. If he slanders you, then return the favor.
  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    did he file small claims? If so, how much was the gun? He has to prove damages of what he is suing for. If he just maxed it out for no reason than to do so, it will make him look bad. You can also petition the court to move the case to your county because the transaction happened in your county. It doesn't do anything, unless they move the case. If he already suing for max, you can then wear him out with delays and make him spend the $5K before he ever sees a dime and then after 4 or 5 appearences, tell the judge you will buy the gun back to settle.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't have any clue how it is in Ohio... But.. if you want to sue me in SC for a small claims.. You will do it in MY state.
  • CbtEngr01CbtEngr01 Member Posts: 4,340
    edited November -1
    talk about bs. From your post I can tell you are suffering from severe mental anguish. Another counter suit
  • nutfinnnutfinn Member Posts: 12,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by 44mutley
    was sold on a local forum, thanks guys



    Too bad, if it had been sold here, ROAD TRIP!!!! Don


    I would just send Don [:)]
  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,914 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    dont lose any sleep
  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    $5K? What did that rifle do (or not do) that caused such damage?
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wouldn't hold a good group... variables.. wind, ammo, shooter, temperature.
  • Oso2142Oso2142 Member Posts: 2,940
    edited November -1
    As far as the details, we know nothing about what happened. No doubt, the seller could be a turd. If the seller's a turd, as in, always a piece of crap of a person, too bad if the sky comes falling down on his head.

    Anyway, the advice (legal) you get the Internet, is, most-likely, worth what you pay for it. And, I would go so far as to say that it could be worth far less than you pay for it, as it could get you in trouble.

    Personally, I would love to see the auction that you speak of.
  • TooBigTooBig Member Posts: 28,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    With all the jake leg attorneys a person can sue anyone for under a Hundred bucks[:(]
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    It doesn't read like a small claim to me. The plaintiff has an attorney, which is unnecessary in a small claim suit. The plaintiff is asking for $5,000. That is within the limit of small claim jurisdiction, but as a general rule a suit in the small claim court can only sue for ACTUAL damages.

    I don't know how this will play out across state lines. Generally, local courts have jurisdiction in their home counties and home states. Suppose the defendant does not respond, and the plaintiff is granted a default judgement for $5,000 in whatever state he is in. How does that affect the defendant in another state?

    I don't know. It is a civil matter, way different from criminal.

    Let's say you committed a misdemeanor theft, and a case was filed against you. Before the warrant was issued, you moved to another state. The warrant will remain active, but it is highly unlikely that anyone will serve it, unless you return to the state where it was issued.

    Lots of jurisdictions won't extradite even on a felony, and some specify that they will exctadte from contiguous states only. We run across people all the time like that. Just the other day, I checked a guy that had a warrant for armed robbery in Florida, but the notes on the NCIC hit stated that the issuing jurisdiction will not extradite. I guess they figure as long as he stays out of Florida, all is well.
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,162 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tsavo303
    dont lose any sleep
    Yes this, but since you've been servrd, I'd stop beating my gums on the internet. Lawyer up, and stuff a stick in that guy's *. I'd spend 10 grand making sure it cost him 15 grand to lose.
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,083 ******
    edited November -1
    At the very least, spend $100 or so and consult with a good attorney for a half hour, and get his opinion and advice.

    There aren't many lawyers here.
  • nemesisenforcernemesisenforcer Member Posts: 10,513 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    At the very least, spend $100 or so and consult with a good attorney for a half hour, and get his opinion and advice.

    There aren't many lawyers here.


    Not any good ones, that's for sure.
  • 44mutley44mutley Member Posts: 108 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    all this just happened today,plaintiff is in another state, will have to get a lawyer to see what all i have to do, i just got papers today, 6 months after the sale, says you have been named defendant in a complaint filed in my city court, you are summoned to send an answer to the complaint to the court within 28 days, and a copy to plaintiff attorney, attorney is claiming breach of contract, warranties, consumer sales practices act and bad faith, all i know is i sold a 40 year old 22 rifle that i used to squirrel hunt with, always hit the squirrels, guy says it wont hold a group
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,521 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like he is fishing. Cost him a pretty penny just for the lawyer. What kind of contract did you have with him??? What did your sales ad say???
  • MrGunz22MrGunz22 Member Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How much did you sell it for?
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This might help but get one of those free first visit consultations from a local attorney.

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2040759_file-out-state-small-claims.html

    I liked this part

    Tips & Warnings


    Check with the court clerk to confirm jurisdiction. You may usually only sue an out-of-state defendant in your own state if he or she owns property or runs a business in your state. It is often not enough that the dispute arose in your area.
  • shootuadealshootuadeal Member Posts: 5,294 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Usually when people don't want to share any of the pertinant details, its because they are hiding the facts in a biased attempt to sway an audience...

    With that being said lets have some of the details:
    What make and model was it that you sold
    How much did it sell for
    Why did you decide to sell it
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,890 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    And, don't muddy the water with irrelevant facts:
    1) No one cares if the rifle is 4 days old or 40 years old.
    2) No one cares if you always hit the squirrel you aimed at or not. (If you provided a test target at a standard distance, THAT would be worth discussing.)

    Did the buyer have photos provided by you? If so, why did you not post them for us?

    What state does the buyer live in? Many states have implied warranty laws. (Common law is fine for marriages, not much else.)

    Neal
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My bad.. Looks like in Ohio you can get out of state service.


    Civil Process Instructions for Outside the State of Ohio
    When documents are filed outside the State of Ohio and you are requesting service in Allen County, Ohio law requires a certification form to be completed for "Out of State" service. The original of the signed certification form will need to be mailed to the Allen County Sheriff's Office - Civil Process Section at the address listed below.
    Along with the certification form that is required to be mailed to our office, please send a complete set of the summons / subpoena / order / other documents to be served and a copy to be used for a return with our affidavit for service. See link for the "Out of State Certification Form".
    Please provide Instructions for Service indicating "personal or residential" service.
    "Personal" service is defined as "being served "in hand" only to the person/company to be served.
    "Residential" service is served to anyone of suitable age or discretion residing at the service address who can sign in receipt of the document.
    Include your money order, certified or cashier's check (a law firm check is also acceptable) in the amount of $45.00 for each person to be served. Make your check payable to "Allen County Sheriff's Office". Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
    We will attempt service, and complete the return along with an "Affidavit for Service". Please allow up to 3-4 weeks for service and return.
  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The MOST he would get back in court is the cost of the gun and possibly shipping costs...seller would get the gun back....he is pulling a power play to get you to take the gun back and refund his money...my 2 cents
  • e3mrke3mrk Member Posts: 1,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Threaten to counter sue Him for time and Money and for damaging Your good Name.
  • kannoneerkannoneer Member Posts: 3,401 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tell him to return the rifle and all will be well. When he returns it, keep it. Then go shoot some more squirrels.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by 44mutley
    was sold on a local forum, thanks guys



    Too bad, if it had been sold here, ROAD TRIP!!!! Don
    Tough Luck Don... Your skills are never appreciated. [:(]
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