I convinced my father to send a part of his rifle in to a VERY respected gunsmith who is a hide supporter for some basic machining work. Turnaround time was not discussed, but historically a week or two in general for similar work from the same shop. Fast forward about 4 or 5 weeks and he got a call from the smith. Apparently his part was destroyed in the machining process. The smith apologised, and let him know that a replacement would be provided and the machining would be completed as soon as the new part arrived. Estimated time on the new part= 1 1/2 weeks. Two weeks went by and I called and emailed because I had sourced a replacement and wanted to see if he needed it or if he had it taken care of. He stated in a PM that the replacement had arrived several days prior. Great. Two more weeks went by and my father called to see what the deal was. He hadn't gotten around to it yet. My dad told him that he couldn't wait any longer and was upset. My dad offered to take the replacement part back unfinished or finished, it was the smith's choice. He gave him an "out" if he didn't want to deal with it any more. The smith told him he could do the job. That was a week ago today. No email, no phone call. My dad's check remains uncashed. The job in question at this point is a 15-30 minute affair. Shipping between the smith and my dad is a two day deal, they are close. What is really steaming both of us is the smith is actively soliciting more work. I am really dissapointed and upset for my dad. This is a new rifle and I convinced him to send it in. He doesn't have a lot of money and he had to save for a year to get this rifle. This is the third minor fiasco he has went through since he bought it. Due to scope rings that were the wrong size, a new scope that was broken on arrival, and now this, he hasn't been able to shoot the rifle since he purchased it in January. My dad is now just pissed, the gunsmith seemed pissed when my dad talked to him last week... I just am not sure how to proceed at this point. This is not acceptable service. I don't care what other jobs need completing, family issues, broken machinery, or if you cut your damn fingers off. If you can't do the job or don't want to do the job, send it back. Am I wrong to think this??? What to do?
Gunsmithing Opinions for a resolution
- Thread starter Shortdraw
- Start date
Re: Opinions for a resolution
I dunno, good smith's aren't always great at customer service, which is OK with me. I know a few that will have your stuff for six months and that is normal and acceptable. I lost count of how many weeks the guy had the replacement part before your father was upset, but it did not seem like too many to me. Sounds like he made an effort to do right, more than I can say for some. Sounds like your dad had a string of bad luck with his gun before the smith had anything to do with it, and maybe dad's patience was a little too thin by the time part was ruined and time ran on.
I dunno, good smith's aren't always great at customer service, which is OK with me. I know a few that will have your stuff for six months and that is normal and acceptable. I lost count of how many weeks the guy had the replacement part before your father was upset, but it did not seem like too many to me. Sounds like he made an effort to do right, more than I can say for some. Sounds like your dad had a string of bad luck with his gun before the smith had anything to do with it, and maybe dad's patience was a little too thin by the time part was ruined and time ran on.
Re: Opinions for a resolution
Cant tell you how to take care of this situation
But afterwards, find a new smith
Cant tell you how to take care of this situation
But afterwards, find a new smith
Re: Opinions for a resolution
We are on week 9 for a pretty basic job. Other customers have sent the same work in and had a finished product back in less than two weeks. The smith has had the replacement part 3 weeks today and my dad was told that it would be done as soon as that part arrived. It's just a shame the way it has been playing out.
We are on week 9 for a pretty basic job. Other customers have sent the same work in and had a finished product back in less than two weeks. The smith has had the replacement part 3 weeks today and my dad was told that it would be done as soon as that part arrived. It's just a shame the way it has been playing out.
Re: Opinions for a resolution
The truth is that shit happens in this game and it happens usually when you least need it. Im not backing anyone here but it might not be as plain and simple as you might think, and since you havent told us what the problem is I can only assume that theres probably a lot more involved that 15 minutes. Theres no smith on this site that wont identify with this type of nightmare situation and the terrible reality is that we're smiths but we're also only human. That said, I dont know too many that find themselves in this position that wont literally drop all to get the client sorted rapid. Perhaps your being a little unreasonable with your smith or maybe not.
The truth is that shit happens in this game and it happens usually when you least need it. Im not backing anyone here but it might not be as plain and simple as you might think, and since you havent told us what the problem is I can only assume that theres probably a lot more involved that 15 minutes. Theres no smith on this site that wont identify with this type of nightmare situation and the terrible reality is that we're smiths but we're also only human. That said, I dont know too many that find themselves in this position that wont literally drop all to get the client sorted rapid. Perhaps your being a little unreasonable with your smith or maybe not.
Re: Opinions for a resolution
You mentioned that this is the third "minor fiasco" that has happened. I take it that the other two were not related to your gunsmith's issue. Why be so short with the gunsmith? You said it yourself, <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">minor</span></span> fiasco.
Not knowing how long it took for your job to get to the top of the queue, then having an issue that destroyed your part can happen. Also, sometimes it takes time to get replacement parts in. I ordered a part from a supplier in late November and still don't have it. It can happen. It's a 15 second repair just screw in but it's been 7 months. Things happen. I am not defending the gunsmith just saying occasionally shit happens. It's like stacking of tolerances. Each item is in spec but when its all wrapped together, it's not good enough. Good communication is the key.
I do think that your job should have gone to the top of the queue when the replacement part came in though. Maybe free return shipping, or some other peace offering by the gunsmith?
It does sound like there are some communication issues that could have mitigated the hurt feelings. I can see where the gunsmith did not want to advertise they screwed up a part, but things happen.
You mentioned that this is the third "minor fiasco" that has happened. I take it that the other two were not related to your gunsmith's issue. Why be so short with the gunsmith? You said it yourself, <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">minor</span></span> fiasco.
Not knowing how long it took for your job to get to the top of the queue, then having an issue that destroyed your part can happen. Also, sometimes it takes time to get replacement parts in. I ordered a part from a supplier in late November and still don't have it. It can happen. It's a 15 second repair just screw in but it's been 7 months. Things happen. I am not defending the gunsmith just saying occasionally shit happens. It's like stacking of tolerances. Each item is in spec but when its all wrapped together, it's not good enough. Good communication is the key.
I do think that your job should have gone to the top of the queue when the replacement part came in though. Maybe free return shipping, or some other peace offering by the gunsmith?
It does sound like there are some communication issues that could have mitigated the hurt feelings. I can see where the gunsmith did not want to advertise they screwed up a part, but things happen.
Re: Opinions for a resolution
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mikki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can only assume that theres probably a lot more involved that 15 minutes. </div></div>
You are correct. This was not your typical Remington 700 part. There was a lot of special setup involved and he was quite gracious in even taking the job in the first place. The hard work is esentially done, the part just needs to be machined, boxed, and shipped. The promise that it would be taken care of right away when the new part arrived is really the only issue. My dad has never dealt with gunsmiths before so he was under the impression that work is completed in the order received. Most of us know that this is not the case. This shop is losing a good deal of money on this job so I hope they aren't just putting it off on purpose. Time will tell.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mikki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can only assume that theres probably a lot more involved that 15 minutes. </div></div>
You are correct. This was not your typical Remington 700 part. There was a lot of special setup involved and he was quite gracious in even taking the job in the first place. The hard work is esentially done, the part just needs to be machined, boxed, and shipped. The promise that it would be taken care of right away when the new part arrived is really the only issue. My dad has never dealt with gunsmiths before so he was under the impression that work is completed in the order received. Most of us know that this is not the case. This shop is losing a good deal of money on this job so I hope they aren't just putting it off on purpose. Time will tell.
