Vendor Report

MikeP · 02-06-2002, 06:00 PM

Here is the final story on the Erfurt 1918 I questioned last week--Puchased From Simpson-gun was advertised as 95% blue and 70% straw. This was true-but-he advertises his guns matching and 100% original. Ths gun had a replaced firing pin and a replaced mag release. Also a cracked breechblock. Talked to him on the phone today and it was basically oops-too bad for you-we can't check everything--try again. I'm getting my payment back but am out $45-he charges $30 to ship it but it only cost $15 with insurance to return it--I would not complain except the piece was not matching as advertised-who would be stupid enough to keep it. People talk about how great some of these guys are-I now know two of the major players who will stick it as far up you as you are willing to let them to make a buck. If these are the good guys these days then it's time to switch to fishing. In my world anybody who adverises a gun as 100% original and matching should be man enough to back it up. I have better things to do with $45 than throw it in the air.

MikeP

02-06-2002, 06:13 PM

who's the other "player"?

Lonnie Zimmerman · 02-06-2002, 06:20 PM

Mike; for their false information, we pay freight both ways. Doesn"t seem right does it? Has happened to me a couple of times too.

Lonnie

02-06-2002, 06:30 PM

Why did you conclude that the firing pin was a replacement? As far as I know, Erfurt firing pins were unfluted and not numbered to the gun, but were marked with an imperial proof. What is the marking on the firing pin, and is it properly unfluted?

Dok · 02-06-2002, 06:54 PM

I guess it's a statement of the obvious, but when money is involved, particularly when that money is one's livelihood, it's sad to say that the primary responsibility rest with you.

As good as any dealer is... caveat emptor. I've heard horror stories about the best, so it happens, but that doesn't mean they're disreputable, but you're still out $45, and that would piss me off too.

Better luck next time.

Dok

Johnny Peppers · 02-06-2002, 07:42 PM

The order for marking the P08 which was first issued in 1910 called for the firing pin the carry the inspection stamp as well as the serial number. It appears that Erfurt fully complied with the directive, which DWM did not.

I certainly can't speak for every Erfurt, but mine have the serial numbered firing pin.

Uncle Mike · 02-07-2002, 12:15 PM

Hi,If you were selling him a Luger do you think he would"check everything".MC

Dok · 02-07-2002, 04:54 PM

Don · 02-09-2002, 08:02 PM

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago. I bought a shooter, for about $500, which was not as described. I talked to Bob Simpson, and he said, "send it back, it's a piece of junk." When I asked him why the description wasn't accurate, he said something to the effect of, "what do you expect for $500?" To me, that was a real copout.

Big Norm · 02-11-2002, 06:57 AM

You know, I would not be too hard on Simpson. What he did was pretty much the practice of vendors. I will bet that Shattuck also has the same policy as do others. I know that it is irritating but that is the way it is. These guys have a large number of guns that they buy and sell and occasionally a bad one slips through. Be happy that the guy graciously and promptly returns your money. I once bought a Luger off of a guy from "Gun List" magazine and the guy got nasty with me and it took me three months to get my money back. And that was only after "Gun List" magazine gave me the little help that they were able to give (which really was not much).

Big Norm

02-06-2002, 06:00 PM	#1
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Vendor Report Here is the final story on the Erfurt 1918 I questioned last week--Puchased From Simpson-gun was advertised as 95% blue and 70% straw. This was true-but-he advertises his guns matching and 100% original. Ths gun had a replaced firing pin and a replaced mag release. Also a cracked breechblock. Talked to him on the phone today and it was basically oops-too bad for you-we can't check everything--try again. I'm getting my payment back but am out $45-he charges $30 to ship it but it only cost $15 with insurance to return it--I would not complain except the piece was not matching as advertised-who would be stupid enough to keep it. People talk about how great some of these guys are-I now know two of the major players who will stick it as far up you as you are willing to let them to make a buck. If these are the good guys these days then it's time to switch to fishing. In my world anybody who adverises a gun as 100% original and matching should be man enough to back it up. I have better things to do with $45 than throw it in the air. MikeP

02-06-2002, 06:13 PM	#2
tom collins Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Vendor Report who's the other "player"?

02-06-2002, 06:20 PM	#3
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Vendor Report Mike; for their false information, we pay freight both ways. Doesn"t seem right does it? Has happened to me a couple of times too. Lonnie

02-06-2002, 06:30 PM	#4
Milton Guest Posts: n/a	About That Firing Pin......... Why did you conclude that the firing pin was a replacement? As far as I know, Erfurt firing pins were unfluted and not numbered to the gun, but were marked with an imperial proof. What is the marking on the firing pin, and is it properly unfluted?

02-06-2002, 06:54 PM	#5
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Vendor Report I guess it's a statement of the obvious, but when money is involved, particularly when that money is one's livelihood, it's sad to say that the primary responsibility rest with you. As good as any dealer is... caveat emptor. I've heard horror stories about the best, so it happens, but that doesn't mean they're disreputable, but you're still out $45, and that would piss me off too. Better luck next time. Dok

02-06-2002, 07:42 PM	#6
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Vendor Report The order for marking the P08 which was first issued in 1910 called for the firing pin the carry the inspection stamp as well as the serial number. It appears that Erfurt fully complied with the directive, which DWM did not. I certainly can't speak for every Erfurt, but mine have the serial numbered firing pin.

02-07-2002, 12:15 PM	#7
Uncle Mike User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My 2 cents! Hi,If you were selling him a Luger do you think he would"check everything".MC

02-07-2002, 04:54 PM	#8
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Gee, that's a tough one... (EOM)

02-09-2002, 08:02 PM	#9
Don User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 146 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Vendor Report I had a similar problem a few weeks ago. I bought a shooter, for about $500, which was not as described. I talked to Bob Simpson, and he said, "send it back, it's a piece of junk." When I asked him why the description wasn't accurate, he said something to the effect of, "what do you expect for $500?" To me, that was a real copout.

02-11-2002, 06:57 AM	#10
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Vendor Report You know, I would not be too hard on Simpson. What he did was pretty much the practice of vendors. I will bet that Shattuck also has the same policy as do others. I know that it is irritating but that is the way it is. These guys have a large number of guns that they buy and sell and occasionally a bad one slips through. Be happy that the guy graciously and promptly returns your money. I once bought a Luger off of a guy from "Gun List" magazine and the guy got nasty with me and it took me three months to get my money back. And that was only after "Gun List" magazine gave me the little help that they were able to give (which really was not much). Big Norm