Am I being unreasonable? ** UPDATE **

[AFTII]

Thanks for the advice guys. The website only had the pay now option and I assumed since he was reputable there wouldn't be an issue.

I know some of you said to wait, but I don't work like that. He received full payment and provided the time frame. The thing that gets me is that they didn't provide any updates. I've always had to initiate communication.

I sent an email demanding a refund and currently awaiting response.

I'll let you guys know what comes out of this.

You'll probably get your gun back in about a week with the work done. At least that's been my experience with custom builders.

[Gryff]

Decide at what point you are not willing to wait any longer. Inform the gunsmith of that deadline, and that you would like the firearm and your money returned when that is reached.

[johnk518]

I'm wondering if you are being to nice in this situation. a year is a long time you can't get back. Maybe you should just be a difficult customer until you get your gun.

He actually should start to dread getting a call from you, or an email. Don't worry about burning that bridge, I think you gotta to light the way.

[MosinVirus]

I have never had Stan do any work on any of mine, but have talked to the guy both on the phone and online.

I am both not surprised that he is too busy to finish the work you requested in the "estimated" time, and surprised that he didn't follow through if the 6-7 months estimate was confirmed by him.

It looks to me like he is too busy. if you note the message here: https://store.chencustom.com/Custom_...ning_s/132.htm

Due to current work load, we will not be accepting any new Custom Machining work at this time. These services will become available again at a later date. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

So a part of me would say that you were lucky to get in.

Under Details in the Machining section, he states:

So, given that he doesn't accept new work, and your pistol is already there, I would be pretty happy.

As far as I remember, Chuck Rogers (Rogers Precision) stopped accepting work too. They are getting overloaded.

[DArBad]

The custom builder took the OP's WHOLE PAYMENT, pronto, did not communicate in 6-7 months.......because he is "busy"??? I would not consider that lucky, nor should he be " happy". More than anything, that is arrogance. Sorry, but I am less forgiving of what is clearly a case of mistreatment of a customer.

I special ordered a full sized custom Ford Van back in October 2001 as I don't like a van sitting in a dealer's parking lot and I couldn't find a full size van with the custom load, engine, seat arrangement, and color that I liked. I put in $600.00 at a local Ford dealer to special order my van. By the end of November 2001 the dealer politely informed me that my van is ready for pick up. It took approximately 6-7 weeks and through out the process, the dealer would call to let me know how my order is progressing. When I walked into the dealer, my van is parked at the front with all the seats and floor covered with protective clear plastic.

Get your gun back and money, OP. Get it back and send it to whoever would treat you fairly. Brett Cifaldi is a good guy.

[MosinVirus]

The custom builder took the OP's WHOLE PAYMENT, pronto, did not communicate in 6-7 months.......because he is "busy"??? I would not consider that lucky, nor should he be " happy". More than anything, that is arrogance.

I was just voicing my opinion and, perhaps, trying to lift OP's spirits. And I did say I found it surprising that Stan didnt deliver within a promised timeframe.

OP, as mentioned above, I would recommend finding out if any work as already been done to your pistol, if so what has been done and what is still remaining, and when realistically you can expect to have your pistol to be finished.

And, OP, just out of curiosity, what work have you requested to be done?

[deckhandmike]

The 1911 crowd is very “different”. You could get a custom race gun built quicker. I’m shocked at the patience for something that should be sweet to begin with.

[G. Freeman]

Top name smiths like Chen usually have backlogs in the years. Don't burn bridges. The pistol you will get will be perfect and something that will appreciate in time. If you wanted something quicker you should have just gotten a Brown, LB, or WC.

That being said, move on with your life. Check with him every few months. You chose a top name smith and the wait will be worth it in the end.

[SarcoBlaster]

Top name smiths like Chen usually have backlogs in the years. Don't burn bridges. The pistol you will get will be perfect and something that will appreciate in time. If you wanted something quicker you should have just gotten a Brown, LB, or WC.

That being said, move on with your life. Check with him every few months. You chose a top name smith and the wait will be worth it in the end.

[Yodaman]

[Win231]

There's the crux of your problem.
He's already spent your money and has to keep bumping your work back behind new work to keep the cash flow coming in.

^^^ Bingo. Much like paying a contractor in full for a home repair or remodel.

[Win231]

I feel for you OP. That said, most places for custom work wouldn't take full payment in advance. Usually a deposit or percentage of the total. 1 year isn't unheard of for VERY well-known 1911 smiths. They are a small community and somewhat of a dying breed. There are several here on the CG pages that are known to be excellent 1911 smiths and do excellent work with excellent reputations.

I would say 'known gunsmith' is code word for a guy in a garage armed with a Dremel? Doubt a reputable 1911 smith would do what you say happened.

I would firmly, but in writing, request that your money and your 1911 be returned. You do have paperwork on it right? A trail of e-mails? Date/time and details of all phone calls right? If you don't I would suggest building your case first and then contacting the gunsmith. It could get ugly.

The "known" gunsmith will say, "I can't refund your money because I've already completed half the work." (usually a lie, of course).

[Win231]

Unlike surgeons & attorneys, any tinkerer can hang a "Gunsmith" sign & take your money.
I worked for a gun shop like that. The owner rented a lathe & a few tools, hung a sign in front of the store "Expert Gunsmithing." He also offered commissions to employees who recommended him. After I saw him ruin guns, I quietly warned customers not to let him near their gun.

A police officer gave him his Sig P226 to install night sights. He damaged the slide. Then when the officer asked for a replacement, the owner actually argued with him, then the owner's wife joined in the argument, saying, "Listen...if you're rude, you won't get anything." They ended up buying him a new gun....only after the officer threatened legal action.

[MosinVirus]

OP, please update the thread once you have a response from Stan.

[nitroxdiver]