returning a Hesse receiver

[heartland41]

Here is my problem. Over a year ago, before I found my way to the true love of a good Fal, I was into building AR15's. While digging thru some old parts I came across a Hesse cast AR receiver. The only problem is that the hole for the selector detant is drilled off center by 5mm makeing it useless. Any suggestions what I should do with it? Send it back with a nice little note or use it for a paper weight?

[ September 09, 2001: Message edited by: gary.jeter ]

[FWRA]

Originally posted by heartland41:
Here is my problem. Over a year ago, before I found my way to the true love of a good Fal, I was into building AR15's. While digging thru some old parts I came across a Hesse cast AR receiver. The only problem is that the hole for the selector detant is drilled off center by 5mm makeing it useless. Any suggestions what I should do with it? Send it back with a nice little note or use it for a paper weight?

As long as an "install" was never attempted, send it back with a note (and a copy of your receipt. If no receipt, get one from the FFL that transfered it to you and have HIM send it back) to Hesse to either repair (doubtful if that far off) or issue a refund. Why it sat around for a year before you "remembered" that it was defective may be an issue, but you should try. Heck, if I get a bad part, it goes back same day I find it to insure my valuable money back.

Of course if the $89 or more that you spent for it isn't important to you, the paperweight is a viable option. :-)

Give him a chance to make it right. You'll just have to deal with the "one year since" issue if/when it comes up.

Mark Powell
FWRA

[gunplumber]

So mark, lemme see if I understand this. If a product is physically manufactured in a way that is obviously and irreparibly wrong, and the company is still in business and still manufacturing the product, you suspect a problem because of a time lapse? Why would that be? Why would it matter if The gentleman assembled it before discovering the gross error in machining?

I'm sure if the gentleman can demonstrate that the product was manufactured out of spec, that Robert will GLADLY replace it with a correct one. I am sure he would be SO EMBARRASSED that a bad, no quality control checks product with his name on it "slipped through" that he would go WAY OUT OF HIS WAY to make sure that customer was satisfied. I suspect he'd then track the serial number back through the manufacturing process and find out how a bad part like that could have gotten through his intense quality control system. Because thats simply what any company would do - because its the RIGHT thing to do.


------------------
T. Mark "Gunplumber" Graham
gunplumber@arizonaresponsesystems.com
Arizona Response Systems
5501 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013
623-873-1410 http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com

[This message has been edited by gunplumber (edited January 25, 2001).]

[FWRA]

Originally posted by gunplumber:
So mark, lemme see if I understand this. If a product is physically manufactured in a way that is obviously and irreparibly wrong, and the company is still in business and still manufacturing the product, you suspect a problem because of a time lapse? Why would that be? Why would it matter if The gentleman assembled it before discovering the gross error in machining?

I'm sure if the gentleman can demonstrate that the product was manufactured out of spec, that Robert will GLADLY replace it with a correct one. I am sure he would be SO EMBARRASSED that a bad, no quality control checks product with his name on it "slipped through" that he would go WAY OUT OF HIS WAY to make sure that customer was satisfied. I suspect he'd then track the serial number back through the manufacturing process and find out how a bad part like that could have gotten through his intense quality control system. Because thats simply what any company would do - because its the RIGHT thing to do.


Mark,
You are preaching to the choir, my boy. I did not build it nor do I warrant it. You are 100% right in what you say here, but Hesse states in his ("his" is the key, here) advertising that the receiver can be returned if no assembly ever took place. Not how you or I would handle it for sure, but facts is facts. He also warrants to the original purchaser (the dealer according to him) and wants it returned through that dealer. Why? I have no idea.

I make sure MY customers are satisfied at whatever cost, so do you. What others choose to do is entirely up to them. I just brought up the potential "issues" that may/will crop up during that return process. The "paperweight idea" is probably the easy way out....

Don't preach to me, preach to Robert Hesse.
You can reach him through his web site.


[This message has been edited by FWRA (edited January 25, 2001).]

[heartland41]

Just for the record the receiver was never assembled. As far as sending it back, it perplexes me that a manufacturer would require that it be send back by the FFL that it was transfered to. Seems to me just a way to keep shoddy workmanship from being returned in a quick and efficient manner. A hoop, as it were, to jump thru that some people like myself; find unwarrented and possibly not worth the time. This should be a lesson on HESSE. You get what you pay for and the bargains in the short run will only cost you in the end. From now on I will stick with a quality manufacturer that stands be hind it's goods in a professional manner.

[W.E.G.]

btt

[Hootbro]

Originally posted by gary.jeter:
<STRONG>btt</STRONG>

Hey Gary,

Why bump up a topic that has been dead for 9 months?

[W.E.G.]

Lotsa new folks with new Hesse receivers. Few will dig into the barrel to read the history unless it bubbles up now and then.

...and if Hesse's return policys have changed, I guess it is news after all.

[ September 09, 2001: Message edited by: gary.jeter ]

[ricochet]

Old news helps.
Sometimes we do not know where we are going, unless we know where we have been.

With old news being a help, I can say that today I used a new generation Hesse Stainless receiver, and it was not bad. While this does nothing to help the less enthused pre-stainless buyers, it impressed me. Hesse seems to be improving, in mid 2001.

[FAL TAP]

Contacted Hesse about my 1XXX FAL Receiver and got a reply last night from him with "what is the receiver number"? I don't really expect him to fix it or replace it. I don't even expect him to refund any money. I just wanted to see what he is going to do. What is he going to do? Anybody want to start a bet or a wager?

I wouldn't feel to bad heartland41 because I too have had my receiver for along time with $1300.00 invested into roadkill!

I just cooked a whole plate of Buffalo wings in my new Dutch Oven and the receiver made a good Lid Lifter after a Mig weld or two, my buddy did it for me. :D

I guess I've been playing with the Ham Shank for far to long. :mad: :eek: :mad:

[Viking Warrior]

Amen, Thanks Gunplumber

[Munster30]

I really don't see how Hesse stays in business. A few years back, on these boards there were numerous problems with them and their "phantom" FAL receivers.
I do know that companies like FAC purchase Hesse products for resale.
:rolleyes:

[TooTech]

How does Hesse stay in business?

Because there is no shortage of people willing to gamble $150 for the chance to save $50!!!

;)

[FWRA]

Here is Hesse's statement regarding his receiver return policy (off his website and unchanged since day one). Makes it kinda tough to dispute. http://hessearms.com/receivers.htm

It says:

Hesse Receivers

Hesse Arms is a federally licensed manufacturer of firearms and parts. We are proud to offer these 100% made in the US receivers to gunsmiths. Because these are receivers, an FFL is required to order. Hesse receivers come with a full 30 day money back guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with the receiver you ordered, for any reason, simply return the receiver within 30 days of the date of purchase with a letter explaining why the receiver is unsatisfactory, a copy of the receipt, and an RA number on the OUTSIDE of the package for a refund. Please note, the receiver must be returned IN THE SAME CONDITION RECEIVED! No modification or fitting! Please check your receiver carefully before doing any work. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Just reporting the facts here, and not taking sides on this issue. Once these return policies are fully understood, only then can the customer make an informed decision on whether to buy Hesse receivers or not.

HTH
Best Regards,
Mark Powell