Thanks for nothing, DSA

[MCRGO Exec]

Talk about customer service...

I ordered one of DSA's G-1 kits and I got it ok, but when I went to assemble it, the joint pin assembly would not go together. On close inspection, I found that there was a crack running down the side of the female piece which spead when I tried to screw the assempbly together. It was no good at all.

So I called DSA up to have them send me a new one. The young gal I spoke with on the phone seemed surprised that I expected them to do anything about it.
"We sell those kits 'as-is'"
I told her I wanted a new joint pin, and she tells me that since every G-1 kit they bought only came with one, that they couldn't replace it without shorting another kit.
"OK, so how do I get another one?" I asked.

"I can sell you one for $15.00"

SO you can't give me a free one to replace the busted one that you sold me because you don't have any extras, but you've got a bunch of extras sitting around that you'll SELL me?"

"That's right."

What kind of asinine BS is this? I was under the impression that DSA was fairly highly regarded, at least in regards to customer service.

All I can tell the rest of you is if you need parts, look elsewhere. I intend to stay mad at DSA over this for a while now and will now shop elsewhere for my FAL kids.

[gates]

i've got one of these stories too.

the facts:
1. i bought a used DSA carbine that fails to eject as it gets dirty (60-100 rds starting with a clean rifle)

2. DSA only warrantees their rifles to the first owner.

3. the rifle was brand new when i bought it second hand and NEVER WORKED FROM THE GETGO

Buuuut!

after some back and forth DSA agreed to take a look at it and if it was in factory they would fix it.

i sent it-they called and said they fixed it
(opened gas port-polished chamber) i told the guy i think the chamber may be too tight (a smith from this board TOLD ME that he has had many DSA rifles that were chambered too tight) but he said it functioned fine on 4.5.

took the rifle to the range and it did THE EXACT SAME THING! im gonna have to pay one of our smiths to fix what DSA didnt-its a load of crap.

ajgates@msn.com


aj

[Lance]

That is BS. As I recall, you bought a refinished G1 kit and while they are surplus kits, DSA represented them at least to me as the cream of the crop because as DSA told me, "Why would we bother re-finishing the junk parts?". Having said that, I had a minor problem with the BHO assembly where the spring in it was too strong to allow the mag follower to lift it. A quick call to Jeff (the only one I'll talk to at DSA) and he sent me a new BHO spring and the problem is now fixed. It would seem that maybe the less knowledgable sales people at DSA are not seeing this as the ridiculous situation it really is.


Lance

[ December 16, 2001: Message edited by: Lance ]

[ephv]

"As Is" is "As Is". It hurts because "As Is" means "Except for me" to you. There is nothing to complain about when "As Is" isn't as you want it to be. All of that said, check with TAPCO, they have those hinge pins for only $9.99. It's easy to get pissed off when something so simple seems to get so complicated but this is the Christmas Season. We do reap what we sow, so sow kindness and let them reap the whirl wind.

[ December 16, 2001: Message edited by: ephv ]

[dexguano]

" ... world wind"???

Whirled when?
Worled wen?
Whirled wind?

:D

[moses]

maybe whirl wind

[falover]

when i bought my g-1 kit, they forgot to send an extra mag i had ordered. while i had them on the phone about the mag i told them that the dust cover was messed up. they sent me a new dust cover with the mag they forgot, now problems or complaints. i spoke with a man ,do not remember his name though.

[ephv]

Picky-Picky-Picky. Is that better? Am I forgiven? I promise to try to do better next time. I will write "whirl wind" on the board 100 times just please don't make me stand in the corner.

[EMDII]

Hey, it's DexGuano spelling anyway!

(no offense, just LIGHTENING UP snapperheads!)

[GunHo109]

I got a G-1 kit from DSA a few weeks ago. I was missing a part and they shipped it to me no problem. However my Brother inlaw Got the repark option on his. And is haveing a few problems with broken and missing parts. So We will have to wait and see how things turn out there before we gripe. I was very pleased with my Kit from DSA. However TAPCO has outstanding customer service that I would rate unbeatable. I have had a few shipping, and billing problems with TAPCO, and Cynthia has always taken care of them quikly and cherfully. I have found that it's easier to get ahold of Cynthia @ TAPCO by E-mail, than by phone. She obviously lives on the computer. Again these things are a learning experience. Hopefully if you use the web board the way it was meant to be used. In the exchange of knowledge and of others personal experiences. These things won't be costly. My whole point about building FALs is that you can build a battle proven assault rifle, extremely cheap. :D

[FNMike]

I ordered a G1 Kit and it was shipped without the bag of small parts, mag release etc. I called and talked to a few people. They mailed it to me and the USPS lost it. With another phone call they sent me a claim form, I signed it and a few weeks later I recieved my bag of parts. I have ordered many things from them over the last year and they have always been helpful, nice and willing to help me out in any way. Just my experience with them. Hope it works out for you.
I will buy from them in the future.

[gunplumber]

I ordered 30 of the kits.

One barrel meets my standards, 10 barrels ar okay, the rest I'm cutting up into sandblaster tips.

20 of the stocks and pistol grips went right into the fireplace.

all 30 of the recoil spring assemblies I threw away.

All the handguards are for sale. 4 sets for $25 delivered. Rate NRA Fair

Lost 3 front sights on removal

discarded all carry handle plastic

etc etc etc.

With an EXC condition StG kit bringing $300+, I wonder what your expectations were? I bought these kits EXPECTING to add new furniture, springs, and barrels, and still thought it a good deal.

I understand your disappointment, but objectively, didn't you get a more than fair value for your money?

[dexguano]

ephv - I appoligise if I caused offense. It wasn't my intention. I just found the use of the words amusing. If you look back at any of my posts you will find that I am the worlds worse at spelling and I refuse to waste my time on the speel check option if the writing isn't for my job.

Once again, sorry.

[dexguano]

Originally posted by EMDII:
<STRONG>Hey, it's DexGuano spelling anyway!

(no offense, just LIGHTENING UP snapperheads!)</STRONG>

You know, I was over on another thread, struggling with the spelling, when it finally hit me what you were saying here. Not only can I not spell, but it appears that I'm kind of slow too ... and all I can say is ...

HEY!

Dex Guano
Who can spell "spell" even if its wrong up there in the other post ...

[Lukejt]

DSA forgot to ship the bolt and all related parts (firing pin, springs etc.) I called them up and they said they would ship a new bolt ASAP. I get the bolt, but it's unfinished. I call back and complain. I say I paid $40 extra for refinished, this isn't refinished. They tell me the finish will wear off after four or five rounds anyway (kinda rude huh?). Well, I don't know about that, but I kept it anyway. Less trouble that way. The wood looked bad at first, but after using the wifes iron and refinishing it looks great. The barrel is almost perfect. The extra handguards, carry handle and charging handle are all new. I think it was a great buy. Just wish they would have sent me a refinished bolt. I guess it's no big deal. A few of the screws in the stock need to be replaced too. Maybe recrown the barrel, I'll know if the accuracy sucks. The bore and chamber are excellent.

Lukejt

[Mad Dog 7.62]

I have two refinished DSA kits sitting in the shop, they'll be probably my next two projects. The bores are great, and the finish job is darn good. Reading this post made me nervous, so I just checked and it sure looks like all the pieces are there. No complaints here, heckuva deal for about $180 each!! :D

[nvcdl]

I got one of the first DSA refinished kits.
Got distracted by 9-11 but after more then a month sent them an email asking for a replacement sling swivel as the one in the kit was in poor shape. I also asked for a stock ferule as my kit didn't have one.

I received an response in a couple days and the requested parts in about a week. DSA's customer service is fine by me.

[FalDan]

My DSA G1 kit would not fire more than one round without the case jamming so tight in the chamber that you need a jack hammer to get it out. Upon closer examination to find a cause my smith noticed that the chamber was so pitted that the cases where embedding into the chamber walls. All attempts to polish the chamber failed. I called DSA to see if there was anything they could do for me but was told by the young lady on the phone that the kits are sold as is. I can understand that to a point but I think DSA should have done a little inspection into what they were selling instead of just trying to make a quick buck. I own other DSA rifles and accesories and have always been happy with their service. I must say I was a little surprised at the quick brush off. :(

[ce]

Dex Guano, isn't that the guy from "The Adventurers", with the royal purple...

[dexguano]

Originally posted by ce:
<STRONG>Dex Guano, isn't that the guy from "The Adventurers", with the royal purple...</STRONG>

To tell you the truth, I don't even remember if I just made up the name or heard it somewhere. I've used Dex Guano off and on since 1992. Can't use it without getting this mental picture of Robin saying "Holy Guano, Batman!"