Re: Buyers Beware!! Total Disgrace to our Passion
Ooookay. This has all gone on long enough!! Time to play hardball. Get ready for a long one!
First of all, just to remind everyone where Brad and I last stood – as of my post on 04/23/12 @ 01:04 AM – Brad had admitted to the fact that he messed up and sent me a completely disgraceful rifle. Brad claimed that he didn’t build the rifle, and in the sake of being nice, I was willing to let Brad save face and earn his reputation back; just so long as he tried very hard on his end to “make things right.” The first step was to send me the barrel he promised he would order back in January/February when he was at SHOT Show. (posted: 01/20/12 @ 01:49 PM) That being a Rock Creek M40 taper, 1/11 twist.
Jered @ APA had verified that the gun was not as described (posted: 01/08/12 @ 08:37 PM), and was completely useless as a “Precision” weapon. Not only was it useless, but it was in fact dangerous to its user and those around it. Those familiar with GunBroker know that the auction pages don’t stick around forever. I’m sure Brad and his “local buddies” are happy about this, but unfortunately for them, I printed off a copy of the Auction ; ) See Below for attached JPEG.
The Rifle was GunBroker Item# 251428216. I recopied the auction description verbatim in my very first post: 01/06/12 @ 12:45 AM. You can see by comparing my post to the JPEG I’ve attached that I did not lie or make things up. Besides, the fact that the gun did not match the description (and wasn’t even close!) was already verified by Jered @ APA before the auction page disappeared, just like other members (Daybreak / SteelVenom / Etc) have pointed out.
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After I made my last post inquiring about lead-times on Rock Creek barrels (posted: 04/23/12 @ 01:04 AM), I once again received helpful information / advice from some kind members here on the Hide. Just to remind the critics, THAT is why I created this thread: for help/advice. I did NOT just sign online and start bashing somebody’s name. I created a thread on the Hide to receive HELP and ADVICE from people in the industry who are more knowledgeable than myself; and that is exactly what I have received. Hell, if I didn’t post on the Hide I would have never even heard about Jered, and instead would have potentially injured somebody at the range with my “rifle” that I received from Brad. Also, I started this thread after TWO MONTHS of getting the runaround via email, text, and phone. All while Brad continued to remain active selling guns on GunBroker. This thread was a LAST RESORT. Not a first. Remember that critics!
Anyways, some helpful members on the Hide informed me that a 3,4,5,6,etc month wait time was pretty standard on Rock Creek barrels. So, I decided to hang tight and pray for the best. During that time I have been living my life and working 70-80 hour weeks helping to open a restaurant. Restaurant business is tough – especially opening one – and most fail in their very first year. Not only is the work hard, not only do you have personnel issues and equipment issues and issues with your suppliers, but you also have websites like Yelp.com and Urbanspoon.com where completely ignorant and uneducated "foodies" can sign online and ruthlessly attack your good name. Here’s an excerpt from a “review” of a very well-regarded, famous restaurant in the Princeton area: “All others were rookies, poorly trained, knew nothing about the food, were stupid arrogant dumbasses, and didn't know how to interact with human beings. You cannot retrain people who have not had proper role models in their parents. They are irreparably broken.” He gave the restaurant “1 out of 5” stars.
Wow. Harsh, isn’t it? That is a 4-star restaurant coming under attack from just one patron who happened to be unhappy with his service that evening. He did not spend over $1000 like I did on Brad's gun. He did not buy a weapon that could have exploded 6" from his head. He was ruthlessly attacking people because his soup was cold. Or maybe, his steak wasn't perfect. I don't know what world you live in (people on here treating ME like the enemy), but I live in a world where my restaurant's good name can come under fire at anytime from some 20-year old girl that's angry we don't serve Tofu. Go to Yelp sometime. You can spend WEEKS on there looking at people that personally attack servers and hardworking cooks, both of whom are making less than minimum wage. These types of people are so unhappy with their own lives, that they need to take their anger out on a complete stranger that they treat like a verbal punching bag! This is all over $20-$30 dinners... not $1100, like I gave Brad for a gun he promised would be a "shooter."
Anyways, this angry customer went on to write a 3-page rant completely BASHING the entire establishment. He personally attacked complete strangers by claiming they had horrible parents, bad role models, and came from broken homes!! Hahaha. Yes, these are the type of people I get to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Yet, for every asshole I have to deal with, I get 20-30 people who tell me that I “changed their lives,” or “helped give them one of the best meals of their lives.” I get people who hug me, and girls that flirt with me. I love what I do… despite the ignorant, arrogant, jaded assholes. I’m good at what I do… and that’s what allows me to keep doing it, day-in, and day-out.
When I get those assholes who accuse me (or my staff) of making mistakes - when in fact we were doing a very good job - I still have to swallow my pride, act as if they are correct, and offer them something else that would make them happy. That is part of owning a business. That is something called CUSTOMER SERVICE. Just ask Smith & Wesson. Just ask Springfield Armory. Just ask anyone who has earned a reputation for being “great” with loyal customers. Ask Jered @ APA!
That is not at all what happened here, however! I did NOT just sign online and start bashing Brad. On the contrary, I have been as patient as a saint. I have given Brad THREE chances to make things right, and after almost 12 months of giving me the runaround, he is still refusing to fix his mistake. I guarantee you that if Jered sold somebody a crappy rifle, shipped it to them, and then disappeared for 2 months – as Brad did with me – not answering emails, phone calls, etc… that he would come back ASAP, explain that an emergency had just happened, publicly apologize profusely, and do everything he possibly could to make things right. Why? Because he’s passionate about what he does, has integrity, and prides himself on his reputation. People would forget all about the thread that somebody started, and instead only remember that Jered had a rough break, came back and did everything he possibly could to keep his customers happy.
What has happened to me is nothing like that. There was NO customer service offered. Not ever. Only lies and empty promises. And those only AFTER I waited several months and started this thread. I have been lied to, given the run around, promised retribution, lied to again, promised retribution AGAIN, and then lied to AGAIN… Now I'm getting taunted by Brad’s “local buddies,” who have signed onto the Hide (in his stead) to protect his bruised ego?? And then, they had the AUDACITY to accuse me of being the bad guy here??? Daring me to give "proof," or publicly air out all our dirty laundry like teenagers? Claiming I’m a nobody and have no credibility and I’m a jerk who’s just trying to be mean…?
OK. So be it.
Here is a timeline:
- I bought my “gun” from Brad back in October of 2011. Here’s the email:
From: LONG RANGE PRECISION <
[email protected]>
To:
[email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 7:54 AM
Subject: YOUR PURCHASE HAS BEEN SHIPPED
Good Morning Mr. Sxxxxx,
Your purchase, Remington 700 .308 Tactical Custom Built Rifle has been processed for shipping with the following information:
SHIP DATE; 10/05/2011
SHIP TO ADDRESS; EATON INDST., LLC / FLETCHER ARMS
C/O FRANK
1441 E MAIN ST.
WAUKESHA, WI. 53186
SHIPPING METHOD; UPS GROUND SERVICE
TRACKING #; 1Z 13W 33V 03 9423 5295
DELIVERY DATE; GUARANTEED BY END OF DAY
FRIDAY, 10/07/2011
We at Long Range Precision wish to thank you once again for your business and look forward to serving you again in the future.
In Appreciation,
LRP
Have a great afternoon!
Debbie~LRP
- I still have the USPS Money Order Stub that I can supply as verification of the purchase!
- The DAY that the “rifle” arrived at my FFL, the man working the counter that day (Mike) – and who was logging my rifle into their books – looked at the gun and said, “why isn’t the caliber marked on the barrel? That’s a big no-no! What caliber is this?” To which I responded, “.308 Sir.”
- So, I immediately went home and started this thread:
https://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2835115
- At that point I learned that it was the smith’s job to mark the barrel, even if it was a “custom job,” and immediately emailed Brad to see what the deal was. This is also the time that I learned about Jered @ APA. Brad never got back to me, but somebody named “Debbie” did, and she emailed me saying that “Brad was not around, and that he would get back to me as soon as he got back.”
- No one from LRP ever got back to me about this issue. Not after MANY attempts of trying to reach them. Here’s the email I sent to Brad:
“From: <
[email protected]>
To: LONG RANGE PRECISION <
[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, October 8, 2011 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: YOUR PURCHASE HAS BEEN SHIPPED
Hello,
I picked up the gun today…
I'm looking forward to mounting a scope on it and taking it to the range to see if it's as accurate as I've heard!
I had a couple of questions with the barrel, however. There is no marking on the barrel anywhere - doesn't say the caliber, rock creek... nothing. Is this normal for his barrels?
Also, do you know what the specs of the barrel are - as in the contour?
Best Regards,
Jxxx.”
- Regarding the whole “accurate as I heard” line in the email above, that was in reference to these emails that Brad sent me verifying that the gun was ready to shoot (this is just 3 out of the 10 or 12 emails I sent/have):
From: LONG RANGE PRECISION <
[email protected]>
To: <
[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 251428216
Good Evening Mr. Sxxxx,
This Remington 700 308 has had less than 20 rounds through it. These were for break in purposes on the barrel. The action was brand new and had never been fired either.
Thanks,
Brad @ LRP
From: LONG RANGE PRECISION <
[email protected]>
To: <
[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 10:49 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 251428216
Hello J.S.,
This stock will accept several different types and brands of the detachable magazines. One of the easiest to install that I have found is the one from AcurateMag. In most cases you can install them yourself. This rifle does have a custom after market barrel on it, so it will definantly out shoot and factory Remington 700.
Have a great afternoon!
Debbie~LRP
From: LONG RANGE PRECISION <
[email protected]>
To: <
[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 1:13 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding GunBroker.com Item 251428216
Hello J.S.,
This rifle has one of the original 700 style triggers in it that has had a trigger job done. I do have the junk X-Mark triggers if that is the trigger you prefer. It has a factory BDL floor plate, not the detachable magazine.
Thanks,
Brad @ LRP
- Note!! Brad / Debbie replied to my emails about 12 times before I gave them my money. Then, after they had my money, Nothing. Not even a SLIGHT effort to get back to me. That doesn't smell fishy to you critics??? Come on. You can't be THAT naive ; )
- After receiving the gun, emailing Brad about the Barrel, and receiving no reply… I then (literally the same week that I received the gun) mailed it down to Jered @ APA to install a Little Bastard brake.
- As we all know, Jered is a busy guy, and he informed me there was a queue of guns, and he’d get to mine ASAP.
- THAT is why there was a month delay before I realized how bad the rifle was. I did NOT “wait” to inform Brad anything. On the contrary, I contacted him THE DAY I RECEIVED THE GUN (as proven by the email above). The only “wait” was for Jered to inspect the rifle. Again, I informed Brad on October 8th that there was an issue with the rifle, as indicated in the email above.
- Jered contacted me in November and explained my “gun” was actually just a dangerous paperweight.
- I then called/emailed/and did everything I could to contact Brad… all to no avail.
- Again, despite being very communicative before I gave Brad my money, I heard NOTHING afterwards. Yet, during this whole time of me trying to contact him, he was still selling guns on GunBroker!
- AFTER many, many attempts to get Brad (or “Debbie”) to resolve this issue, I started this thread on SnipersHide for HELP (January).
- Maybe if Brad cleaned out his Voicemail box, opened his emails, and answered his phone, he would have heard from me sooner than the “six months after I received the rifle,” like he had his “local buddies” try to claim for him on this thread in his defense. But I have a STRONG feeling that he CHOSE to not respond to me.
- Finally, Jered currently has the gun at his shop and can supply any pictures of the gun, demonstrating that what Brad said has all been a big fat lie, and my "rifle" is a useless piece of junk!
- This leaves absolutely no room for “argument” or “debate.” Just the fact that Brad is in the wrong. That Brad made a mistake. And that Brad has made it VERY hard for me to resolve his mistake.
So, what do I want?
At first I wanted to handle this like civilized men and just get the barrel I paid for... allowing Brad to save face...
But now,
First, I want an apology from Brad for WASTING MY TIME!
Second, I want him to give me the Rock Creek Barrel he promised me (as retribution for the original lie) back in January.
Third, I want my $1100 back!!
I will put that money towards Jered building me an actual “rifle” that I can trust my life to.
Finally, I want to keep the pile of junk Brad gave me (the action and the stock), and give it to Jered as something he can make into a backup rifle. At this point, after what I've been through, I think that is MORE than a fair deal for Brad.
Only if Brad does that, can I recommend him to future patrons. I think that at this point that is what is necessary for him to prove that he’s a credible vendor and a man of his word. Especially after screwing me over THREE times now. Making me wait almost 12 months to get only a PORTION of what I paid for (a Rock Creek barrel), when I still have to pay Jered out of pocket for the action to be blueprinted, the stock bedded, the barrel threaded, etc etc etc that was all listed by Brad in the original auction description.
Finally, I was buying this rifle for my father, so that he and I could enjoy it together. My father recently retired, and I have been trying to spend a bit more time at the range with a man that I hardly got to know. I man that was always working 2 or 3 jobs, 70-90 hours a week, trying to put food on the table. I was really looking forward to a gun that was promised to work… that is why I emailed Brad close to A DOZEN TIMES BEFORE I BOUGHT THE RIFLE FROM HIM. Instead of receiving what I paid for, I have wasted a year of my life sucked into drama, instead of spending that time with my aging father. This has turned into a pathetic stream of pointless internet debates with people defending a man who can’t seem to take ownership for his own mistakes. My father has no “fun guns.” Only hunting rifles that start to overheat after only 3 or 4 shots of 30-06. This rifle was going to be our toy, so that we could spend Sundays on the range popping off 50-100 rounds of .308, while he would hopefully open up to me about the days he was younger and sent to Vietnam, or when he met my mother. I hope to resolve this soon so that my father and I can become closer friends. If you still have doubts after reading this post, if you still can’t take ownership for your mistakes and say,” I’m really sorry man, I fucked up. But I’m going to make sure I fix it…” Well, then that’s pretty messed up!
Godspeed, brothers here who have helped me, or tried to have my back!! It means the world to me!
To the others, well, I’ll just pray that you learn how to behave before it’s too late! Because I’m sure there are people close to you who are suffering, and you don’t even realize it because you’re too busy being angry at the world.
-Bebop
