My Interordnance Horror Story: G3 Kit -UPDATED-

[Tec 9]

8/31 I placed an order for a 'like new' G3 kit. I received it less than a week later, which was cool.

The kit was as advertised, except the bore of the barrel wasn't like new. The bore showed some light pitting. I figured it was just an oversight (it was externally refinished nicely). I called and talked to a woman there who was very nice and was going to allow me to ship just the stripped barrel back for replacement. I did so on 9/11 and it was received by IO on 9/13.

Now the HORROR part:

I patiently waited about a month, then started to get a bit worried. The week of 10/10 I called and they said it was received, and would ship out that week. No problem, I can understand them being a bit behind.

The next week I call and ask where it is. 'It was received and will ship out this week'. Wait, that's what you told me last week?! After some checking, they tell me that they're all out of the $249 G3 kits, and only have kits with the majority of the parts HK, at $300, and I could upgrade if I like. WTF. I explain that I just sent in a stripped barrel. By the end of the call, all is cool..it will go out this week pending 'owner approval'.

The following week I call again, and they tell me that it's still awaiting 'owner approval'. I ask to talk to him, and he's not in. I ask when he will be in next, and they don't know.."he's in & out all the time". It will ship when he has time to approve it.

So anyway..after intially being pleased with them (and I've ordered from them in the past and posted kudos), it's all gone down hill. Two months after my order, I still don't have a barrel. I already have my grip frame modified, so I can't send it back. I can't refinish it without the barrel, so I sit and wait. Never again! Apparently the entire company shuts down when the owner isn't available to approve a simple '1 to 1' RMA swap!

When you deal with IO, you will eventually be screwed. People told me that, and I didn't believe it. Don't be like me..avoid IO. I paid a premium for this kit thinking I was getting something extra (maybe a 'like new' kit or good service!?).

take care,
Tec

[ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: Tec 9 ]

[Bullet]

Apparently its like playing Russian Roulette with these bozos. I got one of their kits and the stock and hand guards were only good for fire wood.

[OODA_Loop]

If you purchased this with a credit card, you may have some recourse to the credit card company. You may also consider contacting the U.S. Postal Service Postal Inspectors, alleging mail fraud. Good luck.

Their ads always look so nice, their reputation is so sullied.

[marko16]

Not sucked in yet, but they should get awards for the best ads ever placed, especially on their ww2 german stuff.

[RMLamey]

thanks for the post, i will order my Imbel Fal kit elsewhere.

Matt.

[Fire Fighter]

Guess what happened when I sent back some broken parts from a $250 Imbel kit? They sent them back with the "owner" stating that 'those parts weren't shipped to you from us'. WTF?! I told them to keep their damn parts (small items worth probably $20 total), becasue I would tell the world what assholes they were. I have done so repeatedly ever since.

Sorry to hear you got burned too. For any other reads thinking of getting one of their "great deals", don't do it. It's like playing russian roulette with 1911!

FF

[Sumoj275]

Well when it is put like Russian Roulette with a 1911, I guess we should heed the warning.

Thanks for the head up, it is ashame because their ads are very tempting.

Thanks again.

[GreenFAL]

I bought a RPK kit from them, It was junk! Sent it right back and ate the 20% restocking fee. It's the last of my money they will ever see. Some places could go out of business and the parts world would be a better place. my 20% worth.

[armedpeasant]

They're scum. My "like new" M39 Sako Mosin Nagant, for which I paid them a premium, is mismatched, pitted, scratched, and has a broken cocking piece, so the safety doesn't work. Like FireFighter, I make a point of warning people about these thieves. They're a blight on the community of firearms enthusiasts, and it's a shame that they continue to rob people.

[Tec 9]

I filed a Better Business Bureau complaint and a Visa dispute. I'll keep you updated. I NEVER take being taken advantage of lightly. I urge you all to file a complaint online. www.bbb.org. (http://www.bbb.org.) Spreading the word only does so much..

take care,
Tec

[Tec 9]

Update:

The owner never called me back, but i got a call from 'Ulee' after I called again today(I'm probably butchering the spelling). Anyway, he said that they don't have any 'like new' bores in the warehouse, but he had one with 'light pitting' he could send me that he would rate as 'excellent'. I would never rate a pitted bore as 'excellent', but I don't run IO.

I asked him to just ship my barrel back. He couldn't guarantee that I could get my original pitted barrel back, because it went into a pile somewhere, but he would send his 'excellent' pitted barrel to me.

Anyway, after we hung up, I called back and talked to Stephanie, who put me on hold after I asked, then verified that they have like new G3 kits in stock and could take my order for $249. Then I told her who I was, and asked to talk to 'Ulee' again. She put me on hold, then said he was in the backroom, but she was mistaken..they don't have any kits left with like new bores after talking to him.

I asked Stephanie if she would have taken my order if I hadn't told her who I was, and she said they would have, but probably would have caught the error in shipping (yeah right). Now I'm no idiot..she put me on hold intially to check availability.

I called BBB today, and it could take up to 6 weeks to resolve my complaint. VISA complaint forms re filled out. I will continue with my bitching.

This is kinda a fun game if anyone wants to play. Just call IO (704-225-8843) and ask to order one of their $249 'like new' kits, and if they don't have that, ask for their $300 like new kit. I'm just curious how many more orders they'll take! Post your results here.

take care,
Tec

Oh yeah, Ulee said that for $249, I'm not entitled to a like new kit..that's what their $299 kit is for. The SGN ad clearly states that the $249 kit is like new, and the $299 kit is for 'mostly HK parts'.

[radom11]

Tec 9

Welcome to "Ulis" Wonderful World of used Camel sales. :(

BTW... Uli of Tel-Aviv "fame" is rightly known as "Such a Deal all for YOU! Sweetheart" is the OWNER (camel salesman) of IO :mad:

Fear not your experience is mild in comparison to some that where screwed for big money, I believe that a individual ordered $6000 of "hand selected prime kits" only to discover that 90% of them where in reality classified as "serviceable" he sent them back and got hit for the IO rip off 20 % that's $1,500 on that deal.

I believe that the litigation is presently on going and that Tel-Aviv Uli is sneaking in and out of the office dodging the process servers. :cool:

Many have complained to the BBB and the local law, they just do not give a hoot because he is employing locals and "technically" he can charge a restock fee for a returned product one that was fit to start with that is.

One incident that was relayed to me was that some one extensively photographed a "Primo"
Kit before he sent it back to Uli and then when the BBB rep went to the site he was shown the "returned" kit, needless to say it was the pick of the litter.

When confronted with the pictures he made protestations that that the pictured kit was not from him and it was not sent from his company. end of investigation.

As some one said I guess he can make a nice amount just charging his restocking fee and keep circulating the shame shit from sucker to sucker.

If you want to by a Used Camel the by all means call Ulis IO shop, I am sure that he can make the right deal for you…. ;)

If you want Firearm Kits or parts LOOK ELSWARE. :D


:D radom11

[cheif61]

After reading this post I e-mailed IO on the 3rd. Here is a copy of what I sent and the answered received today, but I don't see that he has been here to the board.

Hello, Sir
In the past I've ordered some small parts from you which were ok. I'm sending you a link to a web site concerning your service. This site has a lot of members who spend considerable money on their gun hobby.
As my dad says to his customers "If your happy tell everyone, and if your not tell me so I can make it right" Not working with customers causes them to tell everyone of problems which may or may not be completely true but will definitely hurt your income.
If you were to address these statements with your side it would go a long way to repairing your reputation. If you ignore them it will only make things worse. http://www.l1a1.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=000437
DEAR SIR,

THANKS FOR THE LINK.
A LOT OF OUR COMPETITORS PLACE THESE COMMENTS.
IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED FROM US BEFORE WE TRY TO DELIVER BEST MERCHANDISE @ BEST PRICES.
MISTAKES CAN HAPPEN BUT WE ALWYAS TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
IF MY LADIES CAN NOT FIX IT, I AM ALWAYS THERE TO MAKE IT RIGHT IF THE CUSTOMER IS RIGHT.

THANSK AGAIN.

SINCERELY YOURS

ULRICH H WIEGAND
PRESIDENT

[radom11]

cheif61

Thanks for posting Tel-Avi's Uli's inspirational message, I guess he has not figured out how to shut off the caps or he is shouting at you.... :)

I wonder whom the so-called competition is that he is referring to?
When you are in his league it must hurt bad when the competition stick it to you! :confused:

I for one got screwed on a Mosin-Nagat deal by him,with the phone calls (6) and the 20% restocking fee,FFL cost and the shipping for the POS rusted/pitted M-39 cost it ran up to $75 bucks for my education from this shiste koff :mad:

I do like this statement:

IF MY LADIES CAN NOT FIX IT, I AM ALWAYS THERE TO MAKE IT RIGHT IF THE CUSTOMER IS RIGHT.

Please note the OPERATIVE WORDS!!!!
" IF THE CUSTOMER IS RIGHT"
:rolleyes:

Can ANYONE actualy remember when this parting of the red sea last occured? :)


:D radom11

[Tec 9]

That's a total crock. The guy basically lied to me flat out, and has no regard for what is clearly stated in the SGN ad.

take care,
Tec

BTW, he did ask 'are yout he guy from the internet', which I kindly told him I was and 'it was all true'. He said nothing more about it.

[Timber Wolf]

This seems to be standard mode for IO. I have read several posts saying the same type thing so NEVER would I buy a kit from IO. Having said that I have ordered mags from them three times and have been completely satisfied each time. Order from Harlan (FAC) if you want a accurate description of condition and contents and NO SUPRISES. My biggest suprise order came from TDW, complete rip-off and then they (RAV, JAY) lied about it. Did not give a damn if I was happy or not. Another example is Hesse, he shipped crap, I sent it back, he made it right. So, make informed decisions about where you spend your money.

[Ctrot]

Doesn't SGN "police" its advertisers? Would complaining to SGN put pressure on IO?

[Dan at VOW]

Ctrot, have you counted how many pages IO buys in each SGN? It won't hurt to try, but I would bet that SGN won't say anything to them. Dan.

[gunhead]

Hey Tec 9;
The SGN has a "Blurb" in thier pages about keeping its advertisers in Line with complaining to them(SGN) about your complaints. They say they will intercede on your behalf, giv'em a try, it might be worth it.

[Hootbro]

Originally posted by Ctrot:
<STRONG>Doesn't SGN "police" its advertisers? Would complaining to SGN put pressure on IO?</STRONG>

Contrary to what SGN and others say, they will not pull a advertiser that puts 2-3 full page adds in every issue. SGN knows where there bread is buttered. Like most periodicals, SGN just breaks even or maybe post a very little profit from subsciptions. Advertisers is what makes the bacon for SGN. So I would bet a dollar to a cold dog turd that nothing would happen if 100 people complained to SGN every week. The only ads SGN would even consider pulling is the 2-3 liner classified type ads that run between the pages of the full page adds like IO takes out.


Hootbro

[radom11]

gunhead
The cutting oil fumes must be finaly getting to you ! :D

Hootbro is 100 % on target about SGN and what cranks them.

A example is this funny story that was relayed to me about Tel-Aviv ULI and SGN, it looks like about a year or so ago Uli finally crossed the line about his rip-offs and bait and switch tactics and other BS to the point that SGN contacted him about all of the subscriber complaints. ;)

HIS reaction is classic ULI, he ordered two times his normal add space for the next six issues then he called the SGN contact and wanted to know if she will inform her manager that "she" was pulling his adds. :p

Needless to say we all know the result, as a clincher the actual adds are designed and composed for him by SGN, they always include the famous "Starting @" line with 3-four prices for the same item this gives Uli and the "ladies" the ability to pick the magic number ($) that you will be paying for what shiest they decide to send you. :mad:


When it comes to IO or Tel-Avi ULI the word is "CAVET EMPTOR' BiG TimE


:D radom11

[terral]

its very tempting to order from them after seeng their adds and also recving fliers from them. but there is no way in hell they will play games with my hard earned money! and anyway what the hell kind of name is uli? sounds osama to me! :cool:

[terral]

i apologize for the statement i previously made. i didn't mean to offend anyone named osama.