FFL Jerking Me Around?

[Jubb]

Skip to the bottom for the tl;dr...

Ok so I'm a young gun enthusiast, just turned 22 and I'm trying to get into the world of AR's.

Checked some local shops and I felt that their prices were a bit exorbitant.

A local private FFL was recommended to me by a couple of people - two of which recently purchased complete AR's from said FFL.

I picked up a Spikes upper from aimsurplus, and decided to go with this private FFL for the lower receiver.

Went to his place of business back in late Feb, discussed the finer details... I felt he knew what he was doing so I ordered a fully built AR-15 lower (not sure what the proper lingo on this is... but by fully built I mean a plug-and-play lower receiver).

Placed my order, floated $330+ to him and walked away with a receipt and the notion that my lower would be finished by the time my 10 day waiting period was over.

I felt satisfied and eager to get my first AR finished and ready to run.

10 days later, called him. He informed me of a little setback on some parts... understandable.

Gave it another week, sent a text - same deal. No parts yet.

Another week later I sent him another message saying that I'd be happy to build it myself if he could just set me up with the parts, saving him the labor of assembly... no response.

At this point I was getting frustrated, but one of my friends just bought ammo from the guy and he explicitly said he was backed up on his AR orders.

Okay, so I give it several weeks at this point. Call, no answer. Text, no response.

Its now been over two months and I sent him a message 4 days ago wondering whats up.

No response.

So, I have the receipt in hand... what should I do at this point? I've been extremely cordial, trying to be a good customer, given him his room, etc.

Now its reaching the point where I'm afraid if I don't do something soon I'll pass my statutes of limitations and end up with no gun and no refund.

I floated several hundred bucks to this guy with the impression that he'd be a stand-up guy and hold up his end of the bargain - or at least keep me in the loop.

I payed by debit card so I have a transaction on record with my bank.

I still have the receipt too... but I'm not sure how a refund would work with a sticky item like a firearm - considering IF he did put me in for a background check my name is now linked with that serial number, correct?

Should I take it to small claims court?

Never been put in this situation before so I'd appreciate some input.

Thanks.

Too long; didn't read...

Bought an AR lower from a private FFL 2 months ago, FFL has stopped responding to inquiries and is still holding my money. What should my next action be? If the serial number has been linked with my name, a simple refund from the bank would leave this firearm floating out in the stratosphere with my name stamped in the receiver.

What to do?

[ckprax]

If you want to cut ties call your bank and get your money back. I would first go speak to him face to face. There is no serial number connected to your name. A lower is DROSed like a long gun and serial numbers are not recorded. If he ran the DROS when you paid you will be out the $25 and have to re-DROS the lower if you want it.

Hopefully this gets sorted out. 2 months is too long to wait for a lower, stripped or complete.

[stitchnicklas]

you are being screwed over.

go to him and say lower or money now,if he rebukes you call the bank and get the money back that way.


when done with the matter....OUT THE GUY

[robcoe]

you are being screwed over.

go to him and say lower or money now,if he rebukes you call the bank and get the money back that way.


when done with the matter....OUT THE GUY

Yep, unless you ordered some seriously exotic parts(not likely if it's your first AR) that have yet to come in, it does not take that long to assemble a lower(hell, my first try I managed it in one night, and that was with triple checking everything to make sure I did not screw up)

[cabinetguy]

did you start DROS? if so you have 30 days to pick it up, complete or not

[Bruce]

you are being screwed over.

go to him and say lower or money now,if he rebukes you call the bank and get the money back that way.

And on your way out the door, tell him you're calling the ATF and Cal DOJ.

[RazzB7]

you are being screwed over.

go to him and say lower or money now,if he rebukes you call the bank and get the money back that way.


when done with the matter....OUT THE GUY

You've been patient enough with the guy. He needs to find a cure for the anal-cranial inversion syndrome he's suffering from. Once you get it resolved, out him here on CalGuns. I'm especially interested since you're local to me. Just tell me it wasn't Don Gussler.

[Jubb]

did you start DROS? if so you have 30 days to pick it up, complete or not

I believe so.

Its been 2 months. I filled out all the legal paperwork, but didn't do my thumbprint. He said we'd do that when I come to pick it up.

Does that mean I'm out of luck then?

Edit - No, it wasn't Don Gussler.

[alfred1222]

Ok so a couple things, where are u located and who is the FFL. These are things that members like to know and keep track of so we can either recommend more accurate help and stay away from ourselves. Next, i would go in there tomorrow and demand your lower, in hand, or your money. failing that, call the bank, get the cash back, and than call the ATF and the DOJ. this guys trying to screw you out of your money. even if he was backed up with a 50 AR lower builds that he had to do personally, it wouldnt take 2 months.

[ChaneRZ]

FFL name please.

[Yugo]

it took me 48 minutes to build 3 complete lowers tonight. Like said above demand money or lower tomorrow then tell us who this guy is.

P.S. Lots of vendors are out of stock on certain parts but he should have at least answered your calls/texts and kept you informed, no excuses for not doing that.

[Intimid8tor]

I probably wouldn't demand the lower at this point as DROS would have to start again. Demand money back and go to different place to get lower. Order LPK and get it build.

[Chaos47]

Ok so a couple things, where are u located and who is the FFL. These are things that members like to know and keep track of so we can either recommend more accurate help and stay away from ourselves. Next, i would go in there tomorrow and demand your lower, in hand, or your money. failing that, call the bank, get the cash back, and than call the ATF and the DOJ. this guys trying to screw you out of your money. even if he was backed up with a 50 AR lower builds that he had to do personally, it wouldnt take 2 months.

I totally agree with all of this!

[fighterpilot562]

You are a patient man Op, i give you credit. Demand lower or money back, be aggressive(but not threatening) and if he refused. Tell him you will just call ATF and DOJ and hope he enjoys them going through his stuff. and Yes OP please out who ever this is. Help out your fellow calgunners so we dont make a similar mistake

[tenpercentfirearms]

You are a patient man Op, i give you credit. Demand lower or money back, be aggressive(but not threatening) and if he refused. Tell him you will just call ATF and DOJ and hope he enjoys them going through his stuff. and Yes OP please out who ever this is. Help out your fellow calgunners so we dont make a similar mistake

Stop listening to these guys. The ATF and DOJ do not care that this guy has not delivered your parts, especially since you have been so patient and have not been pressing the issue. You could try scaring him with this, but if I were ever to decide to be a douche bag dealer, I would laugh in your face at this empty threat. I know the alphabet agencies are not going to be concerned with this case, especially at this point.

You would additionally be wasting your money with small claims at this time as well.

You need to tell the dealer that he has exactly ten days to deliver a complete lower or a single lower (if he started your DROS a long time ago, it expires after 30 days, so he might need to start a new one or the original, either way you should not be paying two DROS fees because of his shortcomings). Any failure to do so will result in your demanding a full refund for failing to provide the promised goods. If he says there will be a restocking fee or any other such nonsense, then you need to make sure you didn't sign anything stating such and if you didn't, let him know there will not be any such fee charged to you and that a simple chargeback on your credit card will take care of that.

I have so many lowers and parts kits and buttstocks in stock there is no way I wouldn't deliver over 11 days. So I am not sure what is going on with this guy. You definitely should not be waiting that long and you could easily have procured these items elsewhere by now.