Narragansett Arms

Does anyone know how to get hold of Terry McClain of Narragansett Arms? His phone hasn't been working for at least two weeks, he does not respond to email or regular mail. He is way past due on a gun I ordered from him and he has $515.00 of my money! I fear the worst. :curse:

 

[musketman]

This is all I could find, and his wep page is no longer working... :hmm:

(859) 371-1918
Terry McClain
3996 Thomas Dr.
Erlanger, KY 41018

 

Thanks, that was his "home" phone and neither it nor his "business" phone are working numbers any more. As you noted his web page is down. I sent him a registered letter early last week and have received no communication from himyet--and doubt I will. I last talked with him in late April when he promised me the gun would be finished by 9 May--but that was the 5th date he has given me since Sept of 2004 and none of them turned out true. It was originally supposed to be a Christmas(2004) present to myself, but it looks now as though I have thrown away $515.00 upfront payment. :curse:

This is all I could find, and his wep page is no longer working... :hmm:

(859) 371-1918
Terry McClain
3996 Thomas Dr.
Erlanger, KY 41018

 

[musketman]

Too far for a road trip?

 

If I thought he was still there I'd consider it. I am worried he's skipped out....anyone live near him? Its a long drive for me (three states away).

Too far for a road trip?

 

Holy Cow! Just when my patience had run out, Terry just called me and claimed that he had just shipped my gun! Claims he has had all kinds of family problems....we'll see when the gun actually arrives, I'll let you all know....my letter had been a little pointed, but as of a few minutes ago his phones still were not working....it is a Tulle fusil de chasse and I will give a full report on it! eace:

 

[Rebel]

Maybe he saw your post here?

 

[Stumpkiller]

Whew! A friend has a club-butt fowler on order that is past due and I was sweating on his behalf.

They always seem to take longer than expected. You'd think they'd factor for that.

 

[squirejohn]

Mike if you receive your gun I'd say your're fortunate. See the current discussion on the Historical Trekking MB about Narragansett Arms.

 

OUCH! I read them and got the chills again....just have to see if it shows up....sounds like Terry is under pressure from alot of sides now... :shake:

Mike if you receive your gun I'd say your're fortunate. See the current discussion on the Historical Trekking MB about Narragansett Arms.

 

[Rebel]

Just read the posts over there. Good luck Mike.

 

[hentird]

Good luck getting ahold of him. He doesn't respond to the BBB, the Ky Atty. General or the CT Atty General. The KY Atty. General has sent him TWO copies of my complaints and he has yet to answer them. He is full of excuses!! if you buy a gun from him it may be made with someone elses parts. Any one bought a gun from him with a Colerain 42" 36cal. "A" weight barrel??? I shipped him one and in over a year have yet to see it or any of my deposit. call 1-800-USA-LAWYER

 

[Eric/WV]

I'm having the same problem with Terry. I ordered a rifle in April of 2004, and he told me it would be done in 6 months. Well, I still don't have it 13 months later. I finally talked to him in March, and he said that he was having problems with his stock supplier. He told me to call him back in 2 weeks, but he never answered his phone after that. I tried to call him today, and his phone is disconnected. I'm a reasonable person, and I understand that they get behind on orders. However, I don't appreciate getting the run around. I only live 3 hours from him, so I will drive to his house if I have to. Please keep me posted about this issue. I'm starting to get very nervous. Especially since he has $600 of mine.

 

[Tahquamenon]

Makes me appreciate my non-custom production ML's all the more.

Really sorry to hear about this.

 

[Hoyt]

Anybody thinking about ordering a gun to be built ought to read this post by Jackie Brown


Jackie Brown Post

 

[Tahquamenon]

Very good tips indeed.

I would not agree with the parts in Jackie Brown's post about not mentioning on a public forum that folks are having issues and should just wait for word to "get around".

Easy to say if you are not the one that is out money and/or product or service.

Treat folks fairly and honestly and you will not have to worry about getting flamed on a forum or having the law chase you down to fullfill your obligations or pay restitution or penalty.

If this builder is having personal issues even to the point of not being able to redily refund money, he has an obligation to inform his customer base of any situation that can impact the business agreement.

Business deals are for customers and suppliers. Welfare is what you get from the government.

I'm thankful for this information because I am in the market for a semi or custom ML.

Too harsh? Not in my book.

 

....well, I did receive my fusil from Terry (Narragansett)yesterday evening. In general I am pleased with it, although I could nitpick a few things. At least I GOT it! And I hope the rest of you get your orders too. Terry apologized for the delay. I think he is honestly trying to catch up, but obviously he is under a lot of pressure from many fronts. Good luck to the rest of you.... eace:

 

[Eric/WV]

I'm glad that everything worked out for you. Just out of curiousity, when did you order your gun from him? I am sending him a registered letter today, and it is also "pointed". I hope this works for me.

 

I am not sure that "when I ordered" is the key point here. He may (and I'm guessing) be doing those guns first that he (1) has all the parts for and (2)are quickest to put together and only (3)are the oldest ordered or promised...I'll say that my gun was verbally promised for Dec 2004, then changed to Jan 2005 when I got the receipt for my prepayment. I got it nearly end of May 2005. That is really only 4 or 5 mos late depending on when you start counting. I have had another experience with a noted maker in which the rifle was over 6 mos past due--and I eventually got it, also. At least he kept me informed. I don't like to say bad things about people when I don't know all of the facts. Terry seems like a nice guy who has obviously gotten into trouble with his business and who is now under extreme pressures. When we order any handmade items from any of the numerous one-man or small artisan shops we cannot expect them to be like big companies with inventories and exact time schedules. Stuff happens. There is no back-up artisan/builder to step in when the other gets sick or has other problems....etc...Terry has not done a good job of communicating, but I think he is trying to do right...I hope so anyway. :imo:

 

[Eric/WV]

Mike,

I hope that you are right. Each time that I spoke to him, he seemed like a nice guy. I totally understand that they get behind on their work, and I don't really mind waiting a little longer. However, it would be much easier to swallow if he would be up front with everyone. My gun was promised for October of 2004, and I didn't call him about it until 5 months later. As of now, it is 7 months overdue. If he will contact me with a reasonable completion date, I would still like to get my gun from him. I sent him a letter today, so I will wait a few days to see if he calls me. If not, I'll have to try something else. We'll see.