My policy is that when I sell a gun, I sell it based on the described condition. I do my best to accurately describe the gun in detail. I encourage potential buyers to call me and ask me all the questions they want while I have the gun in my hands. I will do wall thickness measurements , whatever on the phone iwth them. I will weigh triggers etc. I will do all I can to give them the best idea of what the gun is because photos dont always do justice.
If the cusotmer agrees to buy it I give them 3 day return privilege, no questions asked; with one caveat: if they want to return it because they justy dont like it, doesnt fit them , whatever then they pay return shiping and I do not refund their initial shipping either. IF during their conversation about returning it, they indicate that there is something afoul that I missed, then I take it back and if i find the issue they stated I will refund their initial shipping.
I had a customer buy a Fox 16 through online auction from me. He asked loads of questions, I answered all of them. He bid and won the gun. He called me after getting the gun and said he didnt want it. I asked why because I want to know if I missed something. He said he didnt like the feel of the grip! I told him the grip was thicker than normal since it was restocked and indicated in the auction. He then said it didnt have an automatic safety. the push rod had been removed when it was restocked , I never thought to even look at that and he never asked. I asked if it was as described. He said yes it was just like I said it was both on the phone an din the auction description. I give 3 day inspection. I told him to send it back. It doesnt pay to try and tell the guy he owns it because its just as he asked and just as described. I refunded his money less the initial shipping. He turned around and went through his credit card company and filed a claim for the shipping charges that I didnt refund. I contested it and sent all of the documentation including the auction which showed the terms and conditions of sale and the terms and conditions of the Auction site. Needless to say I got charged back the amount of the initial shipping and ins.
I think I treated him very fairly and gave him a full refund on the price of the gun. of course the whole thing took longer that the relist policy of the auction site so I was also out the commission the site charged.
We all make honest mistakes on ocassion. I have found that for the one or two guns returned over the past 15 years that it is far cheaper to just take it back and give the money back regardless of what they say than to risk a reputation built over the years.
I could tell a story of a gun that was damaged in shipment and I didnt want it because it was damaged. I couldnt get a refund because "he didnt have the money". Then while we were trying to hash it out, he bought three guns on Gunbroker in the next month for more than the cost of the gun I bought. So much for not having the money to refund.
I have dealt with Steve Barnett in the past and have always had excellent experiences. I would buy from him again.
Last edited by Brian; 12/21/08 03:50 AM.
