Fellow FFls - What would you do?

[Tripper]

If you have proof otherwise as to the condition it was in when he left, it would mean he's actually committing a crime by making the claim, fraud of some type, dont recall the statute right now, but if you've ever returned an item you bouhght at some stores the receipt you sign references the statute. I think some type fraud.

Tripper

[GoingQuiet]

I have a customer who purchased a used Glock 23 from me with FS which he handpicked from a large selection. We completed DROS and he picked up on Friday. Upon pick up, he inspected the gun and raved about the excellent condition it was in, then took it home. Two hours later he called to ask where the front sight was and how come the rear sight was chipped. This gun was never touched again after he DROSed and it was put in a standard Glock box in the safe for the ten day wait...no issues whatsoever. I could probably throw that box in the air in my street with the gun in it and cause no damage to the gun.

Now he is accusing me and my partner of tampering with the gun or dropping it, causing the damage. I have offered to replace and install the sights, which as you know cost about $5 total (if that much), but he wants a refund. This thing doesn't make any sense and I feel something fishy is going on. My invoices say "used" guns are sold "as is" and should be checked by a certified gunsmith.

What are my options? What would you do?

If I do refund and take possession of the gun, how does it get logged back in. When can I sell it again to someone else? Restocking fees? DROS fee?

Thanks in advance!

I would offer to replace the sights - as the sights are cheap and that solves the problem at hand. If the customer dosen't want that and wants a refund - put the gun back onto your books just as if you bought a gun from an individual or took it in on trade and turn around and resell it.

My restocking fee is 25% - minimum of $100 on any firearm. I'd do my best to make it right but if he wants to walk away from the gun, thats the deal.

Every once in a while I get someone with buyers remorse - and they're roundabout about saying it. A recent example was "Well you had a zip tie on the gun since we were at the gun show and I couldn't get a good feel for the gun....."

The zip tie was around the cylinder and it was a revolver. Go figure.

I say he dropped it and/or the wedge in the tenon was already out and the front sight fell off. Either way, it is his fault. There's a reason why the new ones screw on like the aftermarket sights. However, one has to take into account several other factors, including the bad PR. Is he a regular customer? Friends with a regular customer?

I'd offer an upgrade on the sights in any event. Having said that, if he bad mouths you for this, regular customer of not, cut him off. If, and this is a big if, he were a regular customer, you believe that he isn't simply suffering from buyer's remorse/angry wife, AND he hasn't bad mouthed you all over the internet/to his friends, I'd buy it back less taxes and fees, perhaps offer a trade. This would all depend on his attitude/demeanor. If he called back sooner, I'd be willing to say he simply missed the damage and the front sight did fall off (the tenon thing), but two hours later? Does he have a good story why he didn't take it home and go over it with a fine toothed comb?

I've never bought a gun that I didn't shoot at the range or detail stripped the moment I got home. Can't imagine I'm unusual in this regard.

Robert

BTW, I too am not a Class 01 FFL. I do have my C&R and am getting everything lined up to be a Class 07 (Gunsmith who will also Manufacturer).

Just an FYI - Class 01 is an importer's class on an SOT. The phrase you are looking for is just generic "FFL" Classes refer to the classes of special occupational taxpayer. There is no class 07 SOT but there is a type 07 FFL.

Glock sights haven't had "wedges" or "tenons" - the front sight used to be staked on and now is threaded to accept a hex screw. The rear sight is a plastic with metal insert and a dovetail designed to be one time use only.

It is possible that the previous owner abused the gun or that it was dropped - causing the sight to come off. I've taken sights off a gun at IDPA just by catching the front sight on a barricade on the way up trying to haul *** to the next station and I shot the rest of the match with no front sight.

In any case - it's a $5 fix and anyone who wants more than that is where I draw the line.

[old-trapper]

I am kinda a worst case senario thinker when it comes to fishy stuff....my brain wonders what happened before it slid out of his belt as he went over the fence when I see damage like that.. So my 2 cents is, he bought it its his. New sights are a nice jesture. Only take it back as a new consignment. I have no FFL and dont envy anyone who does...but if I was on the other end, I would not expect anything else

[jtmkinsd]

All I keep thinking about is someone buying a car, driving it off the lot, and calling the dealer two hours later saying "hey there's this big dent/scratch on the bumper I guess I just didn't see...can I have a refund?"

[brazosarms]

I would show him the terms in writing, then offer to take it back for a restock fee that would cover the cost of repair.

[GetBulletsandBrass]

Something fishy going on there....sounds like he's up to something

For me:

All sales are final and the buyer accepts the condition of the firearm once they do the final sign off of the 4473 accepting the delivery of the firearm.

Restock fee is 35% on in stock items, no returns on special orders. All special orders are pre-paid and you are given an inspection period prior to starting the paperwork on the gun, receiver, etc...

If custom sights are ordered, the customer is required to inspect the firearm after installation and to sign off on an agreement form once the inspection is complete.

I hope you are able to resolve the problem with your customer in a manner that is beneficial to both of you.

[Capt. Speirs]

Did you have him sign a disclaimer with statements in regards to "the buyer inspected the gun prior to taking possession and approves its condition", or something like that? I dread the day it happens to me, I try to cover all the bases, but sometimes, one slips by. I say buy it back and change your policies. Pretty soon we are going to have a phone book size stack of disclaimers for every gun sold, should of opened a strip joint instead.