16ga.com ~ View topic - 16 ga Model 21 arrived today....back it goes.....

Member Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Oregon

Duncan, sorry to hear about your experience with Connecticut Shotgun. Up until now I always assumed they were asking top dollar for their used guns because they were probably some of the best that could be found.

There's just no excuse for what happened. If there is someone there that incompetent or apathetic Tony needs to know about it. I'd try to send an email or letter directly to him describing what happened. If he wasn't grateful for the heads up that would be the last time I dealt with his company.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It doesn't have to be an indication of his personal dishonesty or lack of integrity to ruin his business. He could be the most honest man in the world and still lose his business if he allows idiots to work for him.

Larry

Member Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 258 Location: Nordern MN

Given that unaffected people are saying they will never buy from Galazan again or ever, I'd say that counts as trashing.

Mistakes happen to the best of us. As previously mentioned, the important thing is how the return is handled by the company - if they accept it satisfactorily, then it ought to be water under the bridge.

you play with fire, you get burned. You buy guns unseen, you will have to send some back, and some will be grossly misrepresented.

Better deals ahead!

NR

Member Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 524

Which is why I've never bought a gun online. And if i did, it wouldnt be from "them". Taint no excuse to be made for what occurred. Taint no excuse for having to write no letter, or have one more conversation about it withem. At this point, the ball's in their court. Whoever has received the correspondence from Brit, either by phone or email shouldda already handled this for their customer. They are business that is all about the customer's interests. If not, they should go into something else like crime, payday loans, loan sharking etc. Who's minding the store? This is scary and very bad business. Even if they do come around and make things good, its a bit too late. But better late than never

Member Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Oregon

I don't agree that's it's too late. Obviously there is someone working there in a high enough position that is adversely effecting the reputation of Connecticut Shotgun Co.. What has happened to Duncan is simply not acceptable. For all we know the same idiot that described the gun could be the same idiot who refused to pay for the return shipping charges.

I tend to believe that Tony would be shocked if he knew the discrepancy between the description and what Duncan actually got for his money. The bigger the company the harder for the owner to be aware of everything that is going on. It's doubtful Tony has the same "hands on" influence that Duncan was able to exert with his much smaller and obviously much more customer friendly shop.

It's time to take it to the top and let Tony know what is happening in his used gun department. If there IS an idiot working there he will be trying to cover his own ass.

Larry

Duncan, maybe you should forward these 5 pages to Tony Galazan, and offer him an opportunity to defend himself here.

I for one, would be curious to hear him out.

I don't know "Tony" or anything about his business, but I'd bet these 5 pages of discussion would be upsetting to him. Someone who knows how to e-mail him should just e-mail him a link to page 1 and let him read it for himself.....If it were my business, I'd want to know, because the issue is no longer the petty shipping charge....

JT

Member Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 110

I'm going to stand up for Galazan. I've never purchased a gun from them (or from anywhere else sight unseen), but I've ordered plenty of accessories. Most of which are practically impossible to find elsewhere. And for these the prices are fair (that is if determined by the products' scarcity).

Let's exercise some restraint, for the present. We're all going to wait until Brit hears back before going negatove any further, right?

Next, I'm gonna stand up for Dewars. Ahh....White Label...

In fact, this forum is perfect for a Tommy Dewar quote: "when a man asks for advice, it's usually to endorse something foolish he's already done..."

Member Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 524

Since I don't drink and its Sunday, I'll just pray.
My drinking consists of about 4 beers and 4 glasses of wine annually.
Until further notice, I still think the world wide web is a "sellers market" and may the the "buyer beware". In the end let's just hope its all a case of mistaken identity, and the vendor just got there gun's mixed up - probably all it is. I agree that there is a window of allowance for them to do something on this, but its closing fast. Hope in the end they don't take the easy way out such as maybe "the ol we'll give you store credit in such and such an amount to compensate for your trouble" retail song and dance.

Kind of the ol "now that we have your money routine".

Fin the Highland is nice, at leat the 12year that I normally drink when it's Highland. Started on that flavor 5-6 years ago in a carbiou camp, and we ran out of the 3 bottles of Balviene(sp) the outfitter flew us in 3 bottles of that and it was gutt. Recently the local sellers have gotten proud of it. Went from upper 20's to pushing 40 a bottle. I'm scared to try the 15 and the 18 cause of a even bigger price jump.
Don't have a bottle here to confirm, but I'm pretty sure the Johnny black that is my main "drinking" (as opposed to sipping) is a blend. And as I've brought up Johnny, I like the green, but as far as my palate goes the Blue is WAY over priced crap.
16 16 16 16

Hun,

Yep, the Johnny black is a blend, albiet a damned good one; I even like the red when we're talking blends. Frankly, I've been a Glenlivet man since asking for single malt could put a quizzical look on the face of most any midwestern bartender, but it's kind of fallen out of favor with "the crowd"; too common, dont'tcha know! Still, there's always a bottle in the cabinet. The new adventures come and go, but The Glenlivet is forever Very Happy

. Here's to ye...

Fin

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

That all sounds good, Johny, single malt etc. I'll just sip a bit of Old No7. Wink

After the hunt and the guns are put away of course. Very Happy

Mr. Tony Galazan March 26, 2007
Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company
100 Burritt Street
P.O. Box 1692
New Britain, CT 06053

Dear Mr. Galazan,

I am writing to inform you that I purchased and returned your inventory item No. 9770, a consigned 16 gauge Winchester Model 21. The shotgun did not match up with the item description (please see enclosed printout of your description).

The description states that this gun is a “….completely untouched, original gun….” Having owned and operated a fine gun shop myself for 5 years, I can assure you that the description is untrue. Either dents or bulges had been repaired in both barrels near the muzzles, and the barrels restruck and reblued. I urge you to check this for yourself, as the gun will be back with you by the time you receive this letter.

The distortions as a result of this work are extremely evident when looking down the barrels from the muzzles, and that fact alone, not to mention the rebluing, renders the description a misrepresentation of the gun. The action is loose, also, with the forend off.

Lou was very fair with this deal at the outset, and we had negotiated the price down to $7150 from $7750, plus he was kind enough to pick up the shipping, and to enclose a period Winchester pad, and a leather hand guard (though for a 12 bore instead of a 16, as it turned out). I naturally have returned both these items with the gun.

When Lou rang me back after I had called and left him a message, I explained to him what I have written to you about the description compared to what I had actually received, and politely asked him to compensate me for the return shipping, due to the misrepresentation of the gun. He declined.

I had come to associate the highest quality firearms, accessories, and reputation with your name, and your company’s name. I truly believed the gun’s description without batting an eye. I was indeed surprised and sad when the gun arrived as I have described.

I met you in Vegas back in 1999. I used to have Hill Rod and Gun. We are a small English game gun “boutique” shop located in Montana, 98% mail order.

The amount of the return shipping was $70.00. Thanks for your consideration.

Kind regards,

Duncan Hill, 7200 Springhill Rd, Belgrade, MT 59714 (406) 539 5820

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Nicely done Britgun.