I think we are kinda beating around the bush here guys ! JMHO

The PGCA membership is composed of
1. Collecting individuals
2. Collecting individuals who are also occasional seller/ dealers
3. Gunsmiths
4. Gun repair materials suppliers
5. Gun store dealers

And I’m sure other categories.

So, you’re asking some members to start having public squabbles with other members? Nice
public name calling and squabbles on this PGCA owned communal forum that represents the entire Parker varied interest and business community ?

I view the forum as a place where folks can learn about this hobby (obsession?) that we have. It seems that we are more than willing to compliment someone for good work, so the community learns that, at least in that one instance, the poster was satisfied. Why shouldn't the saw cut the other way?

Yeah I’m not sure I understand why people seem so hesitant to post about a negative experience they’ve had.. This doesn’t seem to be an issue anywhere else. Maybe people just don’t feel as comfortble because several well known gunsmiths are members of the PGCA?

That is one of the eventual flaws, over time, of any type of group gathering. Objectivity is lost, giving way to always being polite, but not necessarily truthful.

Bill

That's part of it I'm sure Kirk - the other part is that not everybody (in fact, very few) have had negative experiences with (a particular) gunsmith and to post his name on a public forum paints his reputation with a very broad stain that may be impossible to undo even when the problem is remedied. It can be very damning to someone's livelihood.





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There are good gunsmiths on this forum who reap the benefits of being good smiths and being on this forum and PGCA members.

I seem to recall a previous post asking for feedback both good and bad about a particular company and those thoughts were shared by various members of this forum.

If you have a bad experience with a service provider either in the work contracted for, communications, problem solving ecetera then by not sharing the trials and tribulations your dealing with in regards to a certain shop then the rest of us may continue to regard shop X as a positive resource.

By sharing the problems your experiencing with shop X if someone wants to use their services they will have the upfront knowledge of your (or anyone else) bad experience and can address their concern and then decide if they want to move forward with that particular provider.

If this were a 'clothes collectors' forum and someone had a bad experience with Macy's, would there be hesitation to share the experience? Or is this more about not wanting to impact a small business owner (who may or may not be a member of the PGCA)

Dean is very near the essence here.

In fact, the entire rationale for the original post baffles me. If YOU have a bad experience, man-up and deal with it. Don't post your trepidations on the PGCA forum, secret the shop's name, and thereby cast a shadow of doubt on scores of good 'smiths, who might now suffer because of your urge to share indecision.

If you want to point fingers, or cast aspersions, do it on that other BBS, well known for its sewage.

PGCA should remain above all that.

This has been a very thought provoking thread with a lot of good points on all sides. I favor the no negativity side and here’s why: we are a very small fraternity that a few craftsmen have developed a relationship with to keep our guns in good repair. We shouldn’t use this public forum in a way that could harm their ability to conduct business with us. Every man on here is responsible for the guns in his possession. If, you’ve been around this game awhile you know who does work that you trust and can rely on. If, you’re not sure who to take a particular project to then there are plenty of experienced folks on here you can approach in a private, one on one manner messaging or phone or even face to face to get their input to help you make a decision. Relying on the comments in a public forum is not a good way to make your decision when better alternatives exist. Here’s why: everyone has a different tolerance level for what is acceptable as to good work. Some people have an axe to grind. Some people will never admit they made the mistake when they neglected to give proper instructions to a gunsmith. Some will chime in because it’s their buddy posting on the forum and they want to show support. And, some people just can’t be pleased. To say we should do it because it’s done on other forums and venues misses what I think is a very crucial point - We don’t need to do what people are doing on other forums to be successful. No one can or should try to stop anyone from talking about a negative experience. Trust me, there are a couple of people out there who have done work I consider less than acceptable. They have lost my business. If, I’m asked, in a serious discussion about who to send a gun to I’m going to try and steer them away from those people. I think that’s fair. So in conclusion, if you don’t know who to send a gun to then don’t send it until you have talked to someone you you have developed a relationship with that you can trust. Don’t rely on the internet to make your decisions. Don’t use the forum to lash out at someone who didn’t satisfy your demands. If, you had shoddy work done, don’t do business with them anymore and don’t recommend them anymore. Those guys rely heavily on word of mouth to stay in business. It doesn’t take long for word to spread amongst the connected as to who to go to and who to avoid. If, you aren’t connected then take the time to develop those connections. If you can’t or won’t do that then you’re probably going to struggle. I can see the wisdom of keeping the negativity off the forum. If, we help put these guys out of business who we going to send the guns to?