Harry Paget Flashman on Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:33 pm
I had filed a complaint to Proxibid Customer Service on the the 16th of March about non-delivery of two handguns (that are also costing me $55 apiece to ship). The only time I have had contact with the actual auctioneer, Z. Barfield, was when bidding, then promptly paying with my Mastercard on the phone and then getting my FFL guy to send his license and following up with emails about that to the auctioneer. Since then, nada. Barfield's doesn't answer their emails and you can only get a recording on the their phone which directs you to a mail box that is already full and not taking any new hate-calls.
But that's not the real problem. I called Proxibid Customer Service today, some 5 days after my official complaint, for which I had received a Complaint Reference #004174XX, and talked to the human lady whose name was referenced on the customer service email. As you might imagine she had a very pleasing voice and demeanor. I visualized a 5'1" Katy Perry baking an apple pie wearing a chaste apron.
"Katy" said she recalled my complaint (probably because it was so well written with the restraint interwoven in it that practically had a pulse...and it involved overcharges, late deliveries up to 4 weeks and tepid-to-no response from the sellers) and wanted to know how she could help me. I asked her for a progress report. Her response was that they had gotten my PM via their their Customer Service Support via their website. I asked her again for a progress report. She had none. Evidently receipt of my complaint and issuing a reference number completed their end of the bargain.
BULLSHIT! I told "Katy", now really eager to provide some customer service...more so than before, told her I was disappointed and had expected at the very least that a fire had been built under Z. Barfield Auction House. I reiterated that for my 2 handguns that went for $180 total and $315.20 total to ship they should be here now or at least have some shipping data provided. She said they would get right on it...that she'd see to it personally. I asked her why they couldn't have gotten right on it on the 16th when they issued me customer complaint reference number 004174XX. Her response was to issue me a brand new customer complaint reference number 10011754XX. Anybody notice the difference in the number of digits in the two numbers...what does it mean?
Anyway, with her sincerest apologies and most earnest remonstrations that were getting right on it we parted friends. She said to expect action (the phrase "some response"was implied) in 2-3 days. I told her I'd call back Monday if I hadn't heard anything but in the meantime to keep me informed via email. Further, I suggested some pitchfork & torch action by way of levity. Katy gave me a nervous laugh.
Other than a few lowball and some serious bids I have out through the end of the month with various Proxibid affiliates I am done with these people...this despite some nice auction houses under their umbrella. Proxibid is way up there on my list with Burger King, Church's Fried Chicken, Dodge and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
If anyone ever wants to do business with them please PM me with your phone number and I will do my best to talk you out of it. Failing that I will be here for you to do some quality grief counselling.
But that's not the real problem. I called Proxibid Customer Service today, some 5 days after my official complaint, for which I had received a Complaint Reference #004174XX, and talked to the human lady whose name was referenced on the customer service email. As you might imagine she had a very pleasing voice and demeanor. I visualized a 5'1" Katy Perry baking an apple pie wearing a chaste apron.
"Katy" said she recalled my complaint (probably because it was so well written with the restraint interwoven in it that practically had a pulse...and it involved overcharges, late deliveries up to 4 weeks and tepid-to-no response from the sellers) and wanted to know how she could help me. I asked her for a progress report. Her response was that they had gotten my PM via their their Customer Service Support via their website. I asked her again for a progress report. She had none. Evidently receipt of my complaint and issuing a reference number completed their end of the bargain.
BULLSHIT! I told "Katy", now really eager to provide some customer service...more so than before, told her I was disappointed and had expected at the very least that a fire had been built under Z. Barfield Auction House. I reiterated that for my 2 handguns that went for $180 total and $315.20 total to ship they should be here now or at least have some shipping data provided. She said they would get right on it...that she'd see to it personally. I asked her why they couldn't have gotten right on it on the 16th when they issued me customer complaint reference number 004174XX. Her response was to issue me a brand new customer complaint reference number 10011754XX. Anybody notice the difference in the number of digits in the two numbers...what does it mean?
Anyway, with her sincerest apologies and most earnest remonstrations that were getting right on it we parted friends. She said to expect action (the phrase "some response"was implied) in 2-3 days. I told her I'd call back Monday if I hadn't heard anything but in the meantime to keep me informed via email. Further, I suggested some pitchfork & torch action by way of levity. Katy gave me a nervous laugh.
Other than a few lowball and some serious bids I have out through the end of the month with various Proxibid affiliates I am done with these people...this despite some nice auction houses under their umbrella. Proxibid is way up there on my list with Burger King, Church's Fried Chicken, Dodge and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
If anyone ever wants to do business with them please PM me with your phone number and I will do my best to talk you out of it. Failing that I will be here for you to do some quality grief counselling.
Dammit, Now I Have To Go To Starbucks
Jan 23, 201204:41PM
Category: Guns
Posted by: Michael Z. Williamson
http://www.pagunblog.com/2012/01/23/starbucks-appreciation-day-2/
The usual gang of idiots are boycotting Starbucks because Starbucks refuses to knuckle under to their whining.
I guess I'll be patronizing Starbucks for the first time.
Awesome Wildcat Cartridges We Should Have
Sep 26, 201111:11AM
Category: Guns
Posted by: Michael Z. Williamson
Wildcats are customized calibers, usually from existing cases with the dimensions changed.
I think the greatest thing about wildcats is the names.
.577 Tyrannosaur
.600 OverKill
But what about some others? The 12 Gauge Rifle From Hell http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=178655 reaches up to 18,000 foot pounds. I suggested it should be called ".729 Redneck."
So, one of the fora I'm on started a thread.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HANDGUN:
The .2 Pac. Used for drive by shooting of rap artists.
9mm Doubletap. A perfectly standard 9mm. We just wanted to remind you of that.
.357 Excedrin Headache. Cure yours by causing theirs.
10mm JBT. If they're going to do it, they need to do it right.
10mm Vasectomy. Because we all know someone who needs one.
.45 MRI. They need this, too.
.451 Fahrenheit. A .308 case necked to .45 and shot from a 6" barrel. The muzzle blast will take care of the paperwork.
.50 Cent. When you want to make sure you get rid of the rapper with one shot.
~~~~
ON TO THE RIFLES!
~~~~
.23 Skidoo. A necked down .30-06. For grandpa, who can't shut up about how much better things were 80 years ago.
.300 Spartan. For sniping Persians in a completely epic fashion.
.458 Darwin. For hunting endangered species the right way.
.499 Feinstein. a .50 BMG shortened 2mm to get around California's ban.
.6000000 Holocaust. Oh, we're going to hell for that one.
.666 Antichrist. For time traveling back to hunt dinosaur.
.729 Redneck. a 3.75" 12 gauge slug, brass cased, for rifled bores. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=178655
The Garand: Almost As Good As A Real Rifle
Jun 25, 201112:30PM
Category: Guns
Posted by: Michael Z. Williamson
Ah, I can feel that hate now. Fanbois always hate it when you inject facts into an argument.
Let me start by saying I have nothing against the Garand for what it was—a forward-looking design for the 1920s. John C. did a fine job with the technology of the time, and it's not his fault what happened after.
Mr Garand designed a stripper fed, gas operated self-loading rifle in a mid-sized caliber. It was very advanced, and the only advantage it lacked was a detachable magazine, which was still a subject of discussion at the time—the SMLE had it. The Mausers and Mosin Nagants did not. As designed, it had moderate recoil, and could be topped off by shoving extra rounds into the top of the action, as with every other battle rifle of the time.
Then the Army took a crap in it. I can't blame Garand for this, because the Army crapped in almost every weapon it got given in the 20th Century, then complained about the taste.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/african-village-vs-rape-cult/all/1
Better than no guns at all.
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show details 2:05 AM (8 hours ago)
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Dear Valued GPal Customer,
As some of our customers have been acutely aware of, GPal has been experiencing difficulties related to Credit Card banks holding of customer funds. These problems exist with funds from transactions prior to March 09, 2011. As a result, GPal suspended credit cards entirely on March 9, 2011, leaving us with only Checking Accounts to fund transactions.
Unfortunately, it appears that these Credit Card holds are not going to be resolved anytime soon, so GPal is taking pro-active action to raise funds to cover the entirety of the hold, fund customer accounts, and provide for future expansion.
Due to the difficulty of raising funds for a payments company in the firearm space, we are enlisting your help in this process. GPal is offering a $10,000 referral fee* to any GPal user who introduces an Investor (VC, Angel, PE firm, etc.) that leads to a deal in excess of $1million. Please send introductions to support@gpal.net with “Investor Introduction” in the Subject.
Please note that GPal is presently fully operational for checking account only transactions. Transactions originated on or after March 09, 2011 should now be processed within our 2-7 business day target.
GPal remains absolutely committed to providing the only pro-rights and non-discriminatory payment service in the world.
Sincerely,
GPal.
*= This email is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell shares or securities in the Company or any related or associated company. Any such offer or solicitation will be made only by means of the Company's confidential Offering Memorandum and in accordance with the terms of all applicable securities and other laws.
Referral fee of $10,000 will be paid to the registered GPal user’s GPal account. Must be a GPal account holder in good standing. Investors referred must be an Accredited Investors. Deal size must be in excess of $1million. Subject to SEC and State approval and eligibility restrictions. Fee is for Referral only, and referrer must not act in any capacity as a Broker or other regulated activity without the proper registrations and licenses.
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
Wait, so after you promised to handle firearm and other transactions Paypal wouldn't, you screwed up and ran into problems. You never got properly licensed in 49 other states to do money transfers. You had trouble making payouts to customers, tried to blame this on our banks, and now on "Credit Card banks," not doing transfers in a timely fashion (All of them?!?). There are customers reporting they're out hundreds or thousands of dollars. Credit card processors won't deal with you. Customers are fleeing left and right. There are photos of the CEO on calguns.net in fancy cars and planes (someone joked about him being a valet). Now you want ME to help find operating capital for you?
How about I introduce you to some Nigerians?
PS: If I could arrange for a mil in capital, why would I want to give it you for a 1%, one time stake, when I could invest in my own development?
You get points for determination, though. You're determined to make this work no matter how much of other people's money you need, it seems.
How about I introduce you to some Nigerians?
PS: If I could arrange for a mil in capital, why would I want to give it you for a 1%, one time stake, when I could invest in my own development?
You get points for determination, though. You're determined to make this work no matter how much of other people's money you need, it seems.
The Awesomeness and Idiocy of Gunbroker Sellers
Oct 13, 201004:16AM
Category: Guns
Posted by: Michael Z. Williamson
I like to spend money on guns. Since there’s no point in hanging out on ArmsAmerica anymore, that means I spend a lot of time on Gunbroker.com. There’s some great stuff there, and sometimes it even coincides with me having money.
The downside is that some sellers are…stupid.
Not just stupid, but world class morons.
The stupider they are, the ruder they get.
Here are some examples:
~~~
“We don’t play the C & R game.”
That’s unfortunate. My C & R license was issued and is recognized by the ATF, and we don’t regard it as a “game.” Any firearm over 50 years old automatically qualifies. Modern ones can be hit or miss, so if this was modern I could see the caution, but, since you describe this as…here we go: “1928 Colt Special Police,” I’m pretty sure we can figure it’s over 50 years old. Like many “Crufflers,” I have crap tons of disposable income to throw at my hobby. Dissing me just means you’ll never see any of it, because I don’t play the conceited cockbag dealer game.
~~~
“According to ATF, this has to go through a dealer not c&r.”
Here’s the relevant text from the ATF’s website. It’s over 50 years old, so requires no listing because anything over 50 years old is C&R. Signed: ATF.
“I talked to some guy at the gun show and he said no.”
Well, if you’re the kind of person who takes legal advice from “Some guy at a gun show,” we have nothing to discuss.
~~~
“FFL required.”
You describe this as 1896 mfr. That means it’s outside the definition of a firearm and can’t go through an FFL, anymore than a barbecue grill or a saddle. This makes it very complicated, because you’re asking me to pay a dealer money to conduct a transaction he can’t legally conduct.
“Anything that fires a cased bullet has to go through an FFL by law.”
Nope. Nothing originally manufactured before 1899 is a firearm, by US law, and most state laws, too, and most foreign Western national laws.
“It’s policy. Everything goes through FFL. No C&R.”
Understood. It’s my policy not to deal with idiots, especially if they want me to pay money to engage in an unnecessary and potentially illegal transaction. Please take the gun and insert it somewhere painful.
~~~
“This is an 1895 Chilean that I shortened the stock on and scoped.”
Why did you do a stupid thing like that? However, I’m still interested if the price remains fair.
“Yeah, I know it was an antique, but I modified it, so that makes it a C&R.”
Um, no. An antique never becomes a firearm unless you turn it into an NFA weapon. Even if it did, ATF gets to make that determination, not some guy with a hacksaw. Perhaps you shouldn’t sell firearms, because I’m certainly not going to buy one from you.
~~~
“I don’t know what this is. It says either 1888 or 1893 under the barrel. I can’t really read it.”
It’s an 1893 Turk. You know, if you’re not sure what it is, maybe you should find out before you decide to sell it. However, your price is fair. Box it up and ship it.
“No FFL no rifle.”
We’ve been through this before. THAT’S NOT A @#$ING RIFLE, IT’S A @#$ING ANTIQUE. Sigh. Okay, let me call a friend, make sure we all agree this is an 1893 Turk, you send it to him, I’ll drive halfway across town, and he’ll just hand it to me sans paperwork, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A @#$ING FIREARM.
~~~
“This is a 1923 Smith .32 snub. Surface corrosion, bore dark, lockup loose, hand doesn’t engage on two chambers, noticeable barrel gap, cracked grips. Great project gun. I don’t ship overseas or to APOs, FPOs, NJ, IL, CA, NY, MD, CT, DE. I only accept US postal money orders. Do not write anything other than the transaction number in the box. If you mention firearm or rifle or gunbroker or anything else, I’ll return the MO and give you non-paying feedback. I only transfer through my FFL who charges $30, so you’ll have to pay that, and $40 shipping, and $10 insurance, and $10 handling fee, and I’ll need a mailed paper copy of the FFL, no scans or emails. I expect to receive all this within 15 days. I ship every Monday so if your payment arrives Tuesday it will take another week before I ship.”
This means with all your fees and my FFL’s fee I’ll be paying $110 plus whatever the MO costs, have to do a lot of paperwork, and wait three weeks or more to get my gun, and you’ve ruled out half the population. This is for a gun worth possibly $75. I suppose I should be glad you didn’t claim it was pristine, NRA 98%.
~~~
“This is a .44 Bulldog. I think it fires .44 Russian.”
Sweet JEEZUS, no! It fires a .44 Bulldog, a bit weaker than a .25 auto, at 80 foot pounds. If you fire a .44 Russian in that, at 310 foot pounds, you’ll have a grenade. Ah, I see you didn’t post my correction on caliber, because advertising it as weak would reduce the sales odds. So, you’re okay with your customers getting blown up, eh?
~~~
“Opening bid 98 cents. Reserve price, $1600.”
You know, the whole point of a reserve price is lost if you tell me what it is. Why not just post $1600 as your starting bid, instead of wasting my time? I mean, you’ve allowed me to bid $5, $200, $1000, none of which will buy the gun, AND, you’ve told me so in advance. They also charged you for the privilege. What was the point of this? See the “Starting bid” block? Just set that to “$1600.00.” There. Wasn’t that easy?
~~~
“This is a barrel band for an M1 Carbine, and I’m desperate to sell, so $3.”
Great. Thanks. Most of us like to get $25 out of ours. So you screwed yourself out of money, and us. Much appreciate it.
You know what Gunbroker really needs? A button you can push. Votes are tallied. Enough votes results in someone driving to your house and inserting the full length of a Garand barrel into your nether regions.
I volunteer.
The downside is that some sellers are…stupid.
Not just stupid, but world class morons.
The stupider they are, the ruder they get.
Here are some examples:
~~~
“We don’t play the C & R game.”
That’s unfortunate. My C & R license was issued and is recognized by the ATF, and we don’t regard it as a “game.” Any firearm over 50 years old automatically qualifies. Modern ones can be hit or miss, so if this was modern I could see the caution, but, since you describe this as…here we go: “1928 Colt Special Police,” I’m pretty sure we can figure it’s over 50 years old. Like many “Crufflers,” I have crap tons of disposable income to throw at my hobby. Dissing me just means you’ll never see any of it, because I don’t play the conceited cockbag dealer game.
~~~
“According to ATF, this has to go through a dealer not c&r.”
Here’s the relevant text from the ATF’s website. It’s over 50 years old, so requires no listing because anything over 50 years old is C&R. Signed: ATF.
“I talked to some guy at the gun show and he said no.”
Well, if you’re the kind of person who takes legal advice from “Some guy at a gun show,” we have nothing to discuss.
~~~
“FFL required.”
You describe this as 1896 mfr. That means it’s outside the definition of a firearm and can’t go through an FFL, anymore than a barbecue grill or a saddle. This makes it very complicated, because you’re asking me to pay a dealer money to conduct a transaction he can’t legally conduct.
“Anything that fires a cased bullet has to go through an FFL by law.”
Nope. Nothing originally manufactured before 1899 is a firearm, by US law, and most state laws, too, and most foreign Western national laws.
“It’s policy. Everything goes through FFL. No C&R.”
Understood. It’s my policy not to deal with idiots, especially if they want me to pay money to engage in an unnecessary and potentially illegal transaction. Please take the gun and insert it somewhere painful.
~~~
“This is an 1895 Chilean that I shortened the stock on and scoped.”
Why did you do a stupid thing like that? However, I’m still interested if the price remains fair.
“Yeah, I know it was an antique, but I modified it, so that makes it a C&R.”
Um, no. An antique never becomes a firearm unless you turn it into an NFA weapon. Even if it did, ATF gets to make that determination, not some guy with a hacksaw. Perhaps you shouldn’t sell firearms, because I’m certainly not going to buy one from you.
~~~
“I don’t know what this is. It says either 1888 or 1893 under the barrel. I can’t really read it.”
It’s an 1893 Turk. You know, if you’re not sure what it is, maybe you should find out before you decide to sell it. However, your price is fair. Box it up and ship it.
“No FFL no rifle.”
We’ve been through this before. THAT’S NOT A @#$ING RIFLE, IT’S A @#$ING ANTIQUE. Sigh. Okay, let me call a friend, make sure we all agree this is an 1893 Turk, you send it to him, I’ll drive halfway across town, and he’ll just hand it to me sans paperwork, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A @#$ING FIREARM.
~~~
“This is a 1923 Smith .32 snub. Surface corrosion, bore dark, lockup loose, hand doesn’t engage on two chambers, noticeable barrel gap, cracked grips. Great project gun. I don’t ship overseas or to APOs, FPOs, NJ, IL, CA, NY, MD, CT, DE. I only accept US postal money orders. Do not write anything other than the transaction number in the box. If you mention firearm or rifle or gunbroker or anything else, I’ll return the MO and give you non-paying feedback. I only transfer through my FFL who charges $30, so you’ll have to pay that, and $40 shipping, and $10 insurance, and $10 handling fee, and I’ll need a mailed paper copy of the FFL, no scans or emails. I expect to receive all this within 15 days. I ship every Monday so if your payment arrives Tuesday it will take another week before I ship.”
This means with all your fees and my FFL’s fee I’ll be paying $110 plus whatever the MO costs, have to do a lot of paperwork, and wait three weeks or more to get my gun, and you’ve ruled out half the population. This is for a gun worth possibly $75. I suppose I should be glad you didn’t claim it was pristine, NRA 98%.
~~~
“This is a .44 Bulldog. I think it fires .44 Russian.”
Sweet JEEZUS, no! It fires a .44 Bulldog, a bit weaker than a .25 auto, at 80 foot pounds. If you fire a .44 Russian in that, at 310 foot pounds, you’ll have a grenade. Ah, I see you didn’t post my correction on caliber, because advertising it as weak would reduce the sales odds. So, you’re okay with your customers getting blown up, eh?
~~~
“Opening bid 98 cents. Reserve price, $1600.”
You know, the whole point of a reserve price is lost if you tell me what it is. Why not just post $1600 as your starting bid, instead of wasting my time? I mean, you’ve allowed me to bid $5, $200, $1000, none of which will buy the gun, AND, you’ve told me so in advance. They also charged you for the privilege. What was the point of this? See the “Starting bid” block? Just set that to “$1600.00.” There. Wasn’t that easy?
~~~
“This is a barrel band for an M1 Carbine, and I’m desperate to sell, so $3.”
Great. Thanks. Most of us like to get $25 out of ours. So you screwed yourself out of money, and us. Much appreciate it.
You know what Gunbroker really needs? A button you can push. Votes are tallied. Enough votes results in someone driving to your house and inserting the full length of a Garand barrel into your nether regions.
I volunteer.
http://www.thedealershowroom.com/
We placed an order with him. In February.
Of 2009.
Finally got a shipment in November.
And then the rest of it in September, 2010.
Yeah.
Now, I don't mind waiting a long time. I have a few orders myself that I'm waay behind on. The thing is, I tell people they can have their money back--and will do so at once--or, I tell them exactly what status is.
This guy kept insisting, "I will personally take care of this today," and "You didn't get that yet? Weird," and, "I'll get it or a refund to you by Friday."
Now, what I got was very good for the price. But 18 months of multiple calls and emails is just a wee bit too long to make it worthwhile in the future.
Not recommended.
We placed an order with him. In February.
Of 2009.
Finally got a shipment in November.
And then the rest of it in September, 2010.
Yeah.
Now, I don't mind waiting a long time. I have a few orders myself that I'm waay behind on. The thing is, I tell people they can have their money back--and will do so at once--or, I tell them exactly what status is.
This guy kept insisting, "I will personally take care of this today," and "You didn't get that yet? Weird," and, "I'll get it or a refund to you by Friday."
Now, what I got was very good for the price. But 18 months of multiple calls and emails is just a wee bit too long to make it worthwhile in the future.
Not recommended.
