I wanted to pass on my first experience with a gunsmith this weekend.
I posted up a couple days ago about a squib load i had (bullet lodged in barrel)
I couldn't tap it out myself, so i sought out my trusty gunsmith, Carl Kunath here in san angelo. He was out of town jeeping in Moab, but i really wanted to get this fixed asap. So, i brought my rifle to Smith Gun on Chadbourne st.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE... here's the play by play. avoid this place like the plague.
approximately 2pm friday, i go to the shop. met by a very very nice older lady. I tell her i have a bullet lodged in barrel, and after a couple wise cracks she says "when do you need it ready?" i reply "well, i was hoping to use the rifle tomorrow..." she states, "come back at 530... i'm sure he can get it done".
i reply "how much do you think it'll run?"
she says "should be less than 50$"
i lay my rifle on the counter, and leave.
i come back at 530, as instructed...
gun smith is there..me: "i'm here to pick up my rifle.. i had the squib load".
smith "uh yeah, that'll be 287$ and it'll be ready in 3 to 4 weeks... i'm backed up." (very rude... almost like i was bothering him)
me: "woah. that seems kinda pricey on a 379$ rifle. how much will a new barrel cost?"
smith "Well, i've got to take off the scope, use a special tool to remove the barrel..."
me: (trying to lighten the mood... he was irritated that i questioned his price) "if it'll save me some money, i can remove the scope myself... even the barrel. "
smith "no, it's going to be the same price"
me :"well, i'll have to get another estimate"
Smith: " i'm the ONLY LICENSED GUNSMITH IN SAN ANGELO!" (literally yelling)
me: "umm, cark kunath has worked on my guns for 5 yrs. he's a licensed smith.. been one for over 40 yrs.... i'll just bring it to him when he's back in town"
Smith:" i've been in san angelo for 30 years! i'm the only gunsmith here!"
me: (feeling kinda weird... this guy is literally yelling at me like i'm his son or something) "sir, i appreciate your time, but i'm going elsewhere"
Smith: " that'll be 65$"
me "for what??"
Smith :"diagnosis fee! 65$ per hour, minimum one hour."
me "ummm, your WIFE told me it would be less than 50$ to fix... if you have a 65$ minimum charge, why would she quote that? and what exactly did you "diagnose"? i told you a bullet was lodged in the barrel. furthermore, my gun hasn't moved an INCH since i dropped it off. it's still sitting on the counter here where i left it? it's not even on the gun rack with the other drop offs yet"
Smith :"well, she was wrong and that's my charge"
Me: (picking up my rifle) " i'm not paying you for nothing. the gun clearly hasn't been touched since i dropped it off, i told your wife the issue when i dropped it off. there was nothing to diagnose as you say. ya'll have a fine day."
and i walked out.
WORST SERVICE EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD. i don't know how this guy is in buisness.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.
I posted up a couple days ago about a squib load i had (bullet lodged in barrel)
I couldn't tap it out myself, so i sought out my trusty gunsmith, Carl Kunath here in san angelo. He was out of town jeeping in Moab, but i really wanted to get this fixed asap. So, i brought my rifle to Smith Gun on Chadbourne st.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE... here's the play by play. avoid this place like the plague.
approximately 2pm friday, i go to the shop. met by a very very nice older lady. I tell her i have a bullet lodged in barrel, and after a couple wise cracks she says "when do you need it ready?" i reply "well, i was hoping to use the rifle tomorrow..." she states, "come back at 530... i'm sure he can get it done".
i reply "how much do you think it'll run?"
she says "should be less than 50$"
i lay my rifle on the counter, and leave.
i come back at 530, as instructed...
gun smith is there..me: "i'm here to pick up my rifle.. i had the squib load".
smith "uh yeah, that'll be 287$ and it'll be ready in 3 to 4 weeks... i'm backed up." (very rude... almost like i was bothering him)
me: "woah. that seems kinda pricey on a 379$ rifle. how much will a new barrel cost?"
smith "Well, i've got to take off the scope, use a special tool to remove the barrel..."
me: (trying to lighten the mood... he was irritated that i questioned his price) "if it'll save me some money, i can remove the scope myself... even the barrel. "
smith "no, it's going to be the same price"
me :"well, i'll have to get another estimate"
Smith: " i'm the ONLY LICENSED GUNSMITH IN SAN ANGELO!" (literally yelling)
me: "umm, cark kunath has worked on my guns for 5 yrs. he's a licensed smith.. been one for over 40 yrs.... i'll just bring it to him when he's back in town"
Smith:" i've been in san angelo for 30 years! i'm the only gunsmith here!"
me: (feeling kinda weird... this guy is literally yelling at me like i'm his son or something) "sir, i appreciate your time, but i'm going elsewhere"
Smith: " that'll be 65$"
me "for what??"
Smith :"diagnosis fee! 65$ per hour, minimum one hour."
me "ummm, your WIFE told me it would be less than 50$ to fix... if you have a 65$ minimum charge, why would she quote that? and what exactly did you "diagnose"? i told you a bullet was lodged in the barrel. furthermore, my gun hasn't moved an INCH since i dropped it off. it's still sitting on the counter here where i left it? it's not even on the gun rack with the other drop offs yet"
Smith :"well, she was wrong and that's my charge"
Me: (picking up my rifle) " i'm not paying you for nothing. the gun clearly hasn't been touched since i dropped it off, i told your wife the issue when i dropped it off. there was nothing to diagnose as you say. ya'll have a fine day."
and i walked out.
WORST SERVICE EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD. i don't know how this guy is in buisness.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.
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