Anyone heard from Roy Stroh?

[Homesteader]

I commissioned a smokepole from Roy Stroh back in early 2011, and paid for the entire thing quickly. He told me for a long while that he'd be shipping it right out to me. That never happened, and now I can't get him on the phone or to respond to any of my attempts to contact him.

It's been months since I've been able to get ahold of him, though I have talked with him since he moved up to Maine. (I commissioned this, my third flinter from him, well before he moved from Georgia).

Hate to ask this in open forum, but I can't figure any other way to get ahold of him. If any of you have heard from him or know something I don't, I'd sure appreciate any info you could pass my way. Maybe some of you Ancient Ones could help me out on this.

As y'all know, custom smokepoles ain't cheap, so I don't wanna just write this off!

Thanks

 

[bpd303]

Might check with Bagman. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/291599/

 

[Rifleman1776]

Your post illustrates a valid issue among the ml community. There is a lot of trust involved in long distance deals. e.g. I just sold something and shipped before being paid. I have no concerns, ml'ers are invariably trustworthy. But, 'stuff' does happen. I recall ordering a book from George Schumway years ago. Now, George was one of the finest gentelmen you would ever have the honor of knowing. But the book never arrived. Letters (pre-computer days) were not answered. The phone was usually not answered and when I got him he promised prompt shipment. As you know, Schumway books are expensive but I had just about written this off when, unexpectedly, his wife called one day. She explained that George had Alhziemers disease and didn't remember anything. She did not know he was still receiving orders (pre-paid by check). Very sad situation. She finally filled the orders and, of course, I forgave George. I currently have a fowler 'in progress' for over 12 years. I know the circumstances. I'm not angry but am very frustrated. I hope your rifle order works out or you get a refund. Let us know.

 

[Katahdin]

The Ancient Ones Of Maine have a web sight!!Might try there...

 

[Vaino]

Below is a situation that enforces my "don't take orders" rule, although this particular LR was a spec build.

Tim Adlam who does my engraving called on a Thursday and asked if I had a LR that he could display on his table at a gunshow in Ohio. I had just finished a Lancaster w/ his engraving and he said he'd pick it up that evening. Off the LR went to the gunshow....he's done this a few times because it engenders some interest at his table.

I had rec'd some non-serious inquiries on the LR and late Friday evening rec'd a call from a man who said he would buy the LR at the stated price. He wanted to know the payment method and procedure. I told him that a bank check in hand would "seal the deal" and then the LR would be shipped.

Saturday AM I rec'd an excited call from the soon to be buyer's wife who asked if her husband "had" the gun because he was at the Ohio gunshow and while visiting tables, came upon Tim Adlam's table which had "his gun" for sale. He went into a state of shock but Tim told him that he was only taking inquiries on the LR that would be forwarded to the builder.

Monday the bank check arrived and the LR was shipped that same day and the buyer was notified that the LR was "on the way".

All my customers have 10 days to either accept or return the rifles w/ no explanation req'd....although a telephone call would be appreciated as to their decision.

Waited 16 days w/ no response, so called the buyer and asked if the LR had arrived w/o damage and does he want to keep it. "No damage and yes I'll keep the LR". I then hung up. I thought he must still be mad at me for supposedly trying to sell the LR from under him, although a full, detailed explanation had been told to him...which he evidently didn't believe. A few minutes later he called to apologize and said he'd call back in a couple days and get more details on the LR...he never called back since then.

This is the 2nd customer that went "bonkers" after buying one of my builds and both situations had nothing to do w/ my LR.

Sorry for this long, true story......Fred

 

[Roy]

Hey I am back on my feet.. will post pics soon. Been a nutty couple of years..

 

[Homesteader]

Good to hear from you, Roy. Give me a call.
~Bill in SC

 

[MSK]

Out of curiosity Homesteader, has this been resolved? Even Abe Lincoln the lawyer refused to accept full payment for his services prior to the completion of a case; he knew too well the trappings of human nature.

 

[Homesteader]

No, not yet. I'm still trying to get Roy to get in touch with me. For whatever it's worth my first two deals with him were great. Sadly, this one isn't.

Roy, if you read this, just get in touch and be straight with me. You know me. I'm far from unreasonable. I just want to know what's going on.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I'm afraid this descibes your situation.
http://youtu.be/D3jxdGZshpo?t=50s

 

[Homesteader]

Couldn't get the video to load, but I'm guessing I know the gist of it.

Actually, I'm really not trying to hurt Roy's reputation. He did me well on our first two deals, and he's a very talented builder. I'm proud to own two of his smoke poles. Something has obviously happened and I want to give him the chance to make it right. He's been known and respected in the ML community for a long time.

I don't want that to change. I just want him to do what's right.

Roy, please get in touch.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I understand what you are saying.
His reputation isn't what I am talking about, but rather his current ability.

 

[Homesteader]

That's a very fair question, my friend. I'm hoping the answer is something I want to know. :shocked2:

I will keep everyone posted.

 

[Bagman]

My 2nd post here. But my namesake and club... I come from have been brought up.

Two builds and you are well satisfied.

Roys guns sell at many times the price of what he asked for those early builds. Last two I saw offered at Track sold really damned fast.

Some others came up for sale for a lot of money. They went quick.

just sayin... :thumbsup:

Give him time... it's all we've got.

 

My 2nd post here. But my namesake and club... I come from have been brought up.

What the hell does that mean?

Are you defending Roy or WHAT?

 

[Bagman]

Better question.

Who are you Jack? You seem to be some alter ego of a Moderator judging by you post history.

To answer your question...

I continue to do trade with Roy. He is has always been honorable in his dealings with me. Life happens to us all. :v

 

[Roy]

Sorry haven't been on the computer very much.. Really do not get on the forums that much at all anymore.. I will be out for the most part of the day, but I will call tomorrow Bill :thumbsup:

As far as excuses we all have them.. but I would rather not turn out work that is below me.. I have had several major changes in life. This really affects my work and had affected my quality of work. This is not as some would believe as easy as building fences or going to clock in at a factory daily. Can't do this sort of work well, being mad, or upset or frozen lol.. or at least I can not apparently.

As most probably know here anyway.. I went from being a homeowner (as in debt free no payments) put a lot of time and money into a shop, living in GA... to renting a small house in ME. For me the GA to ME move was good, just not the circumstances behind it or the set backs that I thought would have been well dealt with by now. I now work out of a unheated shop that is 10'x12'(maybe) that has all my tools in it that use to be in a 8'x 53' shop.. Due to the recent past I refuse to add to the value of a home that I do not own on land that I do not own. Especially when one is looking to buy. All y'all that think that living in tiny homes is a cute idea and would love to do it.. try it sometime with no closets.. :haha:

Good news is that I have been extremely busy here of late. I am extremely happy with what I am doing and how its coming out. Although still not as productive as I could be with more room to work and heat. There are still a couple big set backs that I have to deal with yet. But things are getting a lot better and more productive.

The better news is that I should be a home owner again soon. Hopefully I will have a more functional work shop set up before it gets too late with the weather.

 

[Roy]

cozy huh? :haha:

and here is the house on the first day of Spring

 

[Rat Trapper]

Is Roy the guy who was talked about here who put
out a pair of rifles that were no good and one blew up when shot?

 

[flintlock50]

No that definitely is not Roy Stroh.