How long is too long to wait?
Maybe this belongs in general discussion but it is gun related. How long is too long to wait for gunsmith work to be done. In July, 2012 I sent payment for a barrel and extractor. In August, 2012 I sent additional payment and the action since gunsmith headspacing would be easier. I have sent 2 emails- One in October with the response that orders were being completed in the order received. Another sent the first of this year received NO RESPONSE. The 'smith also did not respond to "I have received your payment" (Check was cashed) or "I have recived your action" (Check was cashed. So tell me, am I impatient or is 6 months with no contact normal?
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In my limited experience that could be how long it takes a busy, one man operation to complete the work but the no response issue is unacceptable. Not knowing the backlog makes it hard to judge the timeline but no response to a customer is never acceptable, particularly when the check has been cashed.
Just my take on it
Dan R0 -
Often really good gunsmiths are poor at the paperwork end of the business. You have half a year invested now what is a few more weeks/months.
Perhaps a phone call to inquire, with a friendly message left on the answering machine. A prepared checklist of options in a self addressed stamped envelope with a pen.0 -
I guess my deal is how long did the gunsmith say it would take? I waited a year for a barreled action that had to get cerakoted. It was a lot longer than what he said.
I don't mind a bump in time as long as they communicate. But it pisses me off to no end when they don't communicate.
Most of my time in Minnesota I was spoiled by my gunsmith there who always got things done in very quick time in comparison to what I hear others going through. If he said two weeks, I usually got it back in less than that time. The only thing we ever waited for was bluing or a big cerakote job. But, he always communicated. He also let the guy doing that know he wasn't happy if things weren't happening in a timely manner.0 -
A local gunsmith has a backlog of months, but he is up front about the situation and has large signs up that state that he will take in no new work until the backlog is well on its way to being cleared.
If your gunsmith accepted the work but did not tell you that you probably would not see the work until the second coming, he was remiss. Cashing a check up front, and then providing nothing while not even communicating, is well off-center. Business needs to be attended to, no alibis.0 -
Over 2 decades ago, I had a problem like this and ended up filing a complaint with his state's Attorney General just to get my action and barrel returned. Never did get my money back but at least I got the pristine condition Springfield action back. 0 -
I too agree that communication is key to success in any line of business. I am a mechanical engineer and have my own shop. I am currently attending gunsmithing school. I do know that owner operator shops that are buisy can take longer than a shop with multiple employees. They even sublet some jobs they can not handle in house. I don't know the situation, but maybe a call ( without sounding upset ) just to check on the progress will get you more than an email. Hope all turns out well and you end up with a great arm. 0 -
A gunsmith's concept of time is surpassed only by that of an archeologist's. [;)] 0 -
IMHO Any smith with LESS than a 9 month backlog isn't worth going to.
My regular smith (before he had any health issues) ran a 3 year backlog, my back-up smith is somewhere on the long side of a 2 year wait.
Why so long? The guys worth going to are thin on the ground, and anyone who wants the work done right is sending them work.
Now Bubba the gun plumber (got 2 pipe wrenches and a cordless drill, and can chamber your gun in a couple of weeks), is a whole 'nuther story.0 -
7 to 8 hours shop time, 1 hour for paperwork and business. There is no excuse for not responding in a timely fashion. Your business evidently isn't important enough to him to get back to you. He needs to readdress priorities a little. 0 -
I agree, the issue in your case is not the time with me, it is the comms. 0
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