Need advice, have I been scammed?

[Bruce J]

I have (had) a Century G3 that needed some work (e.g. replace barrel and muzzle thing). I posted a few places seeking advice on someoone that woudl be able to do it quickly. Most 'smiths were booked up and said it woudl be a few weeks.

I offered to pay a premium for a faster turn around. I recieved a message from a 'smith in Texas, Brian H. who wrote:

Bruce

I have just open my services to the public. I have been doing wholesale repairs for years. I am an Hk expert. I am located in North Texas. I could fix your gun in Two to Four days. Let me know if you need help.

Thanks
Brian


I called him and sope to him in person and it sounded legitimate. I sent him off the rifle and shortly therafter, the cash via PayPal.

It's been a month and a half of phone tag and stories about how one thing after another has delayed things. Now, I'm not getting any return calls or emais.

How long would you guys give until you consider it a problem? I don't want to irritate him needlessly - especially while he still has my rifle and my money!

[crffl]

.

I would have considered it a problem as soon as it went over the quoted turnaround. I have no problem with waiting for something as long as I'm told upfront, hate being jerked around after the fact.

I'd be wanting it back now:mad:

His FFL checked out right ?

.

[jaybob]

Since he has now stopped returning your correspondance. I would now get the police involved. I know there are alot of Falers here from Texas, I'm sure someone local will be able to help you out.

[Hebrew Battle Rifle]

Definately time to get the legal system involved, though I would not hold my breathe waiting for them to get it resolved.

[W.E.G.]

You paid him for the work up front? That's unusual.

Out of curiosity, how much did you pay? Was he supposed to furnish any parts?

How long has it been since he failed to return your calls or email? How many attempts?

Too bad you used Pay-Pal. I hope you at least used the US Mail. No postal money order, and no US mail makes it hard to get the Postal Inspector involved in it. Use the Postal Inspector if possible. Otherwise, notify the police in the jurisdiction where he operates. A sheriff's car in the driveway can often provide some motivation.

[dino1]

You're also not very far from north texas, how about a road trip.

[Bruce J]

Originally posted by dino1
You're also not very far from north texas, how about a road trip.
I would, but I dont' think my wife and three young kids would appreciate an 8 hour road trip (one way) just to pick up my rifle.

My wife would probably be grateful if he never returned the thing to me!

[Insider]

Doesn't sound good. Tell him the ATF will pay him a visit. See what kind of response that brings.:fal:

[Michael64]

Where is this guy located?

[mp]

I corresponded with this guy too. He would not give me his address to check out his shop, so I quit corresponding with him. Thought something might be fishy (perhaps no FFL?)

Bruce J

E-mail me off line with any info you can provide. I am in North TX (Dallas) and might be able to help track him down with the info you have. I would love to show up at his shop in person.

[DJL]

What's his e-mail address, I might be able to track him down. I'm in the DFW area lso.

[Para Driver]

yeah,
give us his name and phone number, and we'll investigate..

[Bruce J]

Thanks guys and also thanks for all the help and info off the boards as well.

This guy is in Aubrey TX. I have his phone and mailing address.

I spoke to his son last week and his son said the rifle was done and was to be shipped off soon. Still no rifle though - I have the feeling this guy means well and is pleasant to talk to, but is just a habitiual procrastinator.

If I dont' get resolution tomorrow via telephone, I'll send a registered letter giving him 5 bussiness days to return my property, then I'll send the locals after him - You Texans are pretty good about policing your own so I know that'll get satisafaction in the end. I hope it doesn't come to that.

I know I've brought this on myself - afterall - I strayed from the FAL... everyone knows FAL people aren't like those HK type people. Them FAL people are good folk. ;)

Thanks guys,

[slash-5]

So, what happened with this? The suspense is driving me crazy!!!!!:redface:

[DABTL]

Bruce J

I live about five miles from this guy. Give me an address and I will send photos etc.

[RMLamey]

Never do business with anyone that claims to be an expert.

[Para Driver]

Originally posted by Bruce J
Thanks guys and also thanks for all the help and info off the boards as well.

This guy is in Aubrey TX. I have his phone and mailing address.

I spoke to his son last week and his son said the rifle was done and was to be shipped off soon. Still no rifle though - I have the feeling this guy means well and is pleasant to talk to, but is just a habitiual procrastinator.

If I dont' get resolution tomorrow via telephone, I'll send a registered letter giving him 5 bussiness days to return my property, then I'll send the locals after him - You Texans are pretty good about policing your own so I know that'll get satisafaction in the end. I hope it doesn't come to that.

I know I've brought this on myself - afterall - I strayed from the FAL... everyone knows FAL people aren't like those HK type people. Them FAL people are good folk. ;)

Thanks guys,

Keep in mind the Southern way of doing things, is multiplied by the gunsmith way of doing things...

My 'smith is good, but he ain't fast...

[Bruce J]

Originally posted by Para Driver


Keep in mind the Southern way of doing things, is multiplied by the gunsmith way of doing things...

This must be it. I should have used Southern math and taken his two to four days and multiplied them by 10 to get a minimum number of days in Northern time.

I got this message from him on 10/7:
Bruce

Your Hk is packed an I will get off to you on 10-8

Thanks
Brian

We'll see, despite a couple of phone messages and email, I never received a tracking number - but maybe this is the Southern way as well ;)

Us Jayhawkers here in Kansas are very impatient, and my neighbors to the East in Missouri have a need to see things to believe them (the "show-me state").

As curious as I am, I'd sure like to take a few of you good Texans up on the offer of pictures and other PI type work - I only wish the pictures would be of this guy leaving his house with a long brown box on his was to the UPS office to retrun my rifle!

For now, I'm going to try to be hospitable and give him this week.

On a positive note, at least the Southerners I've met drive like a bat out of hell - maybe the only thing they do fast! Hopefully, the UPS driver won't take his time! I hope to see a big brown UPS convertable Cadilac with horns tied to the grill pull up in front of my house to deliver my package soon!

[Southern Raider]

On a positive note, at least the Southerners I've met drive like a bat out of hell...
And you thought "The Dukes of Hazard" had no basis in reality?:tongue: