Bite my tongue?

[WHO]

Responding to the original post, I too have gone through such an ordeal. Living in Arizona, I don't have the luxury of living near good doublegun gunsmith. So, I needed work done on several double guns and read all the reviews on this site about recommended gunsmiths. I was driving across country close to one of the gunsmiths and dropped off 5 guns or parts of guns for repair. The gunsmith was highly recommended on this site as one of the best barrel men in the country. He even has an add in the Parker Pages. Two of the guns had internal barrel pitting which I wanted removed. My instructions were to not touch the chokes. Leave the chokes as is, even if pitted. He gave me a price for all the guns which I felt was high, but I don't mind paying for the best. When I received the barrels back the chokes were 1 1/2" long! I asked him why and he said he reams them until he sees the end of the reamer at the muzzle. I looked up on the internet the proper way to ream barrels and there was a Midway video showing the length of the chokes measured and a stop put on the reamer to prevent reaming any part of the choke. I sent this video to the gunsmith in anger. I am still angry but nothing can bring back the full length of the chokes.
I too wanted to bring this up to the group but knew I would get scolded for stating negative but true comments on this site. I am even blaming myself for not just leaving the guns as is.

[Marty K.]

Dean, That is a wonderful thought and I applaud it ....But if we were talking about a couple of mistakes or a miscommunication this thread wouldn't have even been started. There has been months of promises, poor communication, excuses, guns that have gone back and forth multiple times. There is incompetence even though some of the work is exceptional. Believe me I wanted this to be a happy experience and it has been nothing close ..but one of the guns did come back beautiful after much pain. I could go on and on as I believe Mark could, but I am not going to do it.

FWIW I have run my own business for 45 years dealing with the public and at times things can get out of control with a customer. Things can snowball and get ugly. It happens to every business but there comes a time when enough is enough.

[WHO]

Marty,
I totally agree with your comments. I also am currently experiencing similar problems with probably the same gunsmith. I am crossing my fingers that the gun comes back as requested.
Wayne

[Southpaw]

Harumph! Harumph!

I truly get Dean's point and his posture resonates deeply with me and I identify with what he said when possible. It is hard enough to find good people to work on stuff, much less do a real quality job at a reasonable price, but we should never settle for over-promise and under-delivery, that dog never will hunt. Gunsmiths that know how to work on old shotguns is truly a cadre industry in decline. True we have become far too much of a disposable society, but that point probably resonates here more than anywhere or we would not be talking about working on and maintaining old guns. Whatever happened to TV repairman? Its even worse if you have a good pair of s hoes that need fixing. Count yourself lucky if you have a good shoe cobbler or can find one that does good work at a decent price. BTW next time you see him go give old Brian and Brad and other favorite gunsmiths give them a big hug for working on your guns, they are not a commodity, but skilled craftsmen. Obviously some are different than others. Maybe like comparing Norman Rockwell to Picasso.

I also think we don't know all the facts to form an opinion or jump to a conclusion with question posed, but did notice Marty provided a little more followup insight to basis of qualifying his position to Mark's question. All I know is that obviously you have quietly tried to work it out but are feeling less than satisfied and still have a rebuke and lack of a reasonable restitution. So we here at the court of public opinion awaiting your testimony, or not. Again it boils down to how pissed you are and if we should break out the stocks and start collecting rotten vegetables.

[Ken Hill]

This is an interesting discussion and it is now on 3 pages. I understand Mark has an issue, but the work requested is not in the thread. The gunsmith or company must be well known, but not given.

Yes, there are different points of view between the customer and the shop. However, is the board too politically correct to not provide some details?

Ken

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Ken Hill

This is an interesting discussion and it is now on 3 pages. I understand Mark has an issue, but the work requested is not in the thread. The gunsmith or company must be well known, but not given.

Yes, there are different points of view between the customer and the shop. However, is the board too politically correct to not provide some details?

Ken

I would think if done respectfully, we are all adult enough and reasonably minded to handle what comes. P.C.card is now almost like a muzzle, or similar to pulling a gun on someone yelling some "ism" at you that does not exist. Nothing wrong with civil discourse if handled correctly, but a lot of people have lost an ability to communicate that way. Nothing wrong with treading lightly but doing it in way that makes a strong valid point without throwing someone under the bus, and that's probably the crux of the issue.

I think one of the the greatest gifts Jesus may have ever given mankind was his demonstration of empathy as the cornerstone of his teachings and miracles. Yup its a simple rule but tough to live by this loving one another business.

[LHBEAR]

Even the best craftsman have problems.
The fact is, it’s not the problem.
It’s how the craftsman handles/resolves the problem.

[WHO]

"Even the best craftsman have problems.
The fact is, it’s not the problem.
It’s how the craftsman handles/resolves the problem."

In my case it is the problem since nothing can be done by anyone to resolve it. That is why I thought I had "The Best" gunsmith doing the work and being charged like it was "The Best" quality possible. No excuse.

[BRDHNTR]

Mark, without calling out the name of the shop, could you detail for us what the scope of work was and the resultant issues.

[Chris T.]

Perhaps the best thing to do would be to post pictures of the work in question, maybe not give your opinions of the workmanship up front but let the discussion form its own opinion.

My philosophy on having work done by any craftsman is that I expect it to be done better than I could do it myself. That being said....I have sent Parkers to a large well known shop and paid a premium for work that I was immediately disappointed with. I got a quote for a proper fix, after I waited my turn and paid the high price, I received the gun to find a half assed fix and was told that was the best they could do. They went for the easy fix, rushed through other parts of the job, and failed to even address another issue. The only thing that was as promised was the price.

I'm glad to share my experiences with my friends, but I'm hesitant to announce it publicly. On the other hand, I would certainly like to know if anyone had a bad experience with a smith before I sent a gun to them.