Tired of people dumping parts guns as "working rifles" on the EE

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fonestar

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This is the second time in the past few months now that I have been sold a parts gun as a supposedly good, solid shooting rifle. Getting a bit fed up!

I don't expect an 80 year old military rifle to look beautiful, have a great bore or even matching parts (unless stated). I **DO** expect it to be fully complete with all of it's parts and screws! And expect it will:

- cycle properly
- fire 100% of the time
- extract 100% of the time
- eject 100% of the time

I actually kind of like fixing up these old guns but I like it more when I know I am buying a fix-it project and when I am getting a working rifle. I made the mistake of leaving feedback before fully inspecting and testing these rifles so while on the EE buyer beware! I've found a few odds and ends here and there with shipping, waiting, etc... you could have gotten a working rifle for less time and money wasted. I would have only bought these two rifles as parts guns.

Sorry for the rant, but maybe it will help others here. Ask the buyer if they've shot the rifle and ask them if it is all there, complete. Don't leave feedback until you've had it out to the range and put a few magazines through it.
 
Were they listed as never fired by owner by any chance ? People have a funny way of overvaluing their stuff cars, boats, trucks, guns etc. Everything has a value but when you are dealing sight unseen you are taking a chance on getting burned.
 
One Czech Mauser and one SMLE.

No, in both cases the owners said they had fired them and never bothered to say there were any problems. They are not big issues but they were still obvious ones that would have been impossible not to notice. Even if it's a small issue, if the rifle does not function fully it is basically a parts rifle and worth a fraction of what a working example is.
 
No I realize a missing screw doesn't.... but other things like bolt parts, ejectors, extractors, etc. And even if it's just one piece it should be mentioned in the sale.

I realize many people here have the tools, experience and know how to fix many things but it's still a case of...

(how much this rifle is worth if it was working) - (how much do I need to pay a competent smith to fix it)
 
fonestar said:
No I realize a missing screw doesn't.... but other things like bolt parts, ejectors, extractors, etc. And even if it's just one piece it should be mentioned in the sale.

I realize many people here have the tools, experience and know how to fix many things but it's still a case of...

(how much this rifle is worth if it was working) - (how much do I need to pay a competent smith to fix it)
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lets see pictures of the rifle, and if you dont mind how much did u pay for each rifle? and whats wrong with these rifles? And with the smith comment, replaceing parts isnt hard most of the time i cant see you needing a smith unless your changing barrel or something like that. But the seller should list what parts are missing
 
I buy dozens of guns with nary an "issue", and others get "screwed" on every other gun they buy.

It's not just sellers that warrant a "beware".
 
Hope I don't sound like a whiner or anything, but let's remember why many people are buying $100 - $400 milsurps in the first place. It's because they just want a grab-and-shoot rifle and don't want to pay big money. The last thing they want is to be calling all over the place looking for obscure parts (from places that may not ship to Canada) when they could be out shooting instead.
 
in-before-the-lock-3.jpg


Shawn
 
fonestar said:
Hope I don't sound like a whiner or anything, but let's remember why many people are buying $100 - $400 milsurps in the first place. It's because they just want a grab-and-shoot rifle and don't want to pay big money. The last thing they want is to be calling all over the place looking for obscure parts (from places that may not ship to Canada) when they could be out shooting instead.
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No you dont sound like a whiner, but buying a gun for around $100 i alway assume there something that must be wrong for it to be that cheap (sporter or has broken parts) but i personally love messing with old rifle and making them work and learn all i can about them, but i would love to see pictures of the rifle and whats wrong with them, hopefully its easy/ cheap to fix.
 
On two occasions I have purchased rifles that were not entirely correctly represented on this site, After a brief exchange of emails expressing my concerns I requested and received a partial refund in both cases. Always ask for a partial refund if things are not as advertised or an entire refund if entirely off base. There is no question that poor quality jpegs, poorly written or incomplete descriptions and a failure to communicate clearly and honestly only expose the buyer to greater risk. If a seller stands behind his product he receives positive feedback even if a prolonged exchange of emails is necessary. Oh, and by the way there is always small claims court especially if you get a friend, relative or fellow CGNer to represent you in a far away province. One or two demand letters will loosen the wallet of even the most strident rip off artist.
 
fonestar said:
I made the mistake of leaving feedback before fully inspecting and testing these rifles so while on the EE buyer beware!
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Unlike eBay you can change your EE feedback left -- can't recall the time period but long enough to do a range test. Little icon in your feedback profile "left for others".
 
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