Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/11/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 6/13/23, I bought an antique Winchester rifle using an on-line auction (GunBroker). I sent a certified check for $2007.17 to cover price, shipping, and auction fees on the following day, 6/14/23.I received instead a junky WW1 German Mauser. I immediatel notified the company of the error, and have been checking eith them weekly ever since. My emails have either been ignored, or answered with the info that the item is packackaged and will be shipped "first thing tomorrow". Phone calls have elicited the same claim. My last call, about a week ago, and my last email both produced the assurance that the item would be shipped out the next day. Obviously, the item is either lost or sold to another buyer, and 2 months is an unreasonable time tohave not straighted the matter out.Earlier on, I even offered to cancel the sale and all claims if I could obtain a full refund. This offer was ignored also.I'm over 90, and no hand with computers. I can forward emails to you as supporting documents if needed.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/17/2024

  This customer purchased a rifle "as is" on Gunbroker. The item had numerous pictures and a description as well. (All of which is documented) When shipping out orders that were purchased online, we mistakenly shipped this customer the wrong item. Upon understanding he received the wrong order, we then immediately shipped him the correct rifle, to ******, using expedited shipping. We also included a prepaid shipping label to ship us the original rifle back because this was obviously our mistake. Once this customer received the correct item, the customer tried saying that it wasn't the same rifle in the pictures, which it was. We informed him that once he ships us the original rifle that was mistakenly sent to him back, we would then work to resolve his issue with the rifle he purchased. We explained that he can't just keep any firearm that doesn't belong to him because he "wants to". He refused. Even after letting him know he was technically breaking the law by keeping an item that didn't belong to him, he still refused. 
  
  This customer has tried every avenue to soil our reputation and has gotten nowhere. Even ********* considers this issue irrelevant until he returns the item that isn't his. We have a near perfect rating amongst all of our review sites with hundreds and hundreds of happy customers. 
  
  This customer is not only not truthful, but potentially one that is unstable as well. As we have told him from the beginning, ship us the rifle that doesn't belong to you back using the prepaid label we provided and upon receiving it, we will gladly address any issues he may have. Until then, we refuse to spend any more time on this matter. 
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/02/2024

  I am sorry I was late in replying to the two messages regarding my complaint. To reply, I had to click a link, and a clickable link was not to be found in either message.
  I have no hope of resolving the issue with this merchant; I had a friend who lives in Phoenix drop by Strapt's store and discuss the matter. He reported to me that it was obvious the man would not give an inch--he had received about $2000 for a rifle that wasn't worth more than $500, and it was obvious that there was no incentive for him to give in.
  
  I will outline the events as well as an old man's memory, bolstered by retrieved emails, can be trusted.
  
  On 13 June, 2023, I bought a collectable Model 1892 Winchester rifle on GunBroker, an on-line auction.
  
  On or about 14 June, 2023, I sent the dealer a cashier's check for approximately $2000 for an 1892 Winchester 44 carbine.
  
  On 29 June, some two weeks later I inquired by email as to shipment date and tracking number.
  
  On 30 June, I received a message that the rifle would be shipped that day.
  
  On 10 July, having received nothing, I inquired again.
  
  On 12 July, I received a badly packaged Mauser military rifle. This rifle was delivered directly to my door in contravention of Federal law. A Mauser army rifle resembles a Winchester carbine about as much as a WW2 Jeep resembles a Lincoln Town Car.
  
  On 19 July, after getting no reply to my questions regarding the Winchester, I asked to cancel my original order, and that I would return the Mauser and he return my payment.
  
  On 24 July, I repeated my request. I received no reply.
  
  On 27 July, I was answered with the statement that the Winchester would ship the next day.
  
  I hold in my hand a shipping invoice printed by Strapt. It states that the gun was purchased on 18 June, 2023. The date printed on the shipping invoice is 8 August, 2023.
  
  I should add that this rifle was also shipped directly to my home, a direct violation of Federal law. The serial numbers were unreadable, all but the final two having been filed or polished off---another violation of the Federal Firearms Act.
  
  I cannot say that the rifle was not the one advertised, as the pictures have not been available to me since the auction. I can, however, say from memory that the pictures were taken from an angle, and at a distance, that the broken receiver, damaged muzzle, badly refinished metal, and defaced serial numbers were not discernable. Otherwise, as a knowledgeable collector, I would certainly not have bought it.
  
  I might add that I had no interest in the Mauser, worth at most $500. I kept it as a lever toward getting some sort of settlement from the seller considering the long intervals between replies to my questions. His definition of "immediate" obviously differs from mine, as you can see by checking the dates of the various actions I described above. I am convinced that had I returned the Mauser at once, I would never have heard from him again.
  
  As to my preferred settlement, we should have jointly called off the transaction back when I suggested, before his finally getting around to shipping the Winchester.
   At this point, however, I would be willing to return both rifles at my own expense if he returns $1250 of my money.
  That should be advantageous to him as he will not have to "doctor" his books to cover his error in shipping firearms directly to a non-licensed person.
  
  ****** ****