new fowler

[jim m]

:surrender: have a 20ga ordered from Caywood and now I'm begining to wonder if that was a big mistake. ordered and paid in advance the 1st of nov. 06, and Danny said it would be ready in 3 months. called him mid Feb. and he hadn't even started it yet. according to Danny he had gotten in a large barrel order so he set mine aside and has been building other guns so he can offer them for sale. said he needed the cash flow. he's already got my money so I guess I'm not a priority. well another month has gone by and still haven't heard from him. I can't help but feel that I've been royaly screwed!!!!!!!! :nono:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Yeah, seems they've let things slip recently. Several similar comments on the muzzleloading boards the last month or so. Too bad, they had a good thing going.

 

[Cpl.Parker]

Jim, I would be p/o too. I wouldn't deal with someone who said that me work would have to wait while he made some cash!

 

[MikeC]

I would demand my money back and look elsewhere. It's a real shame how so businesses treat customers.

I just deleted their website from my favorites, never to be looked at or considered again for anything.

 

[Gemoke]

same thing happened to me different builder but same story, he said 8 months took 14 months and when I got the gun I had to send it back, to have the carving I had paid for done. live and learn

 

[richardn]

Get your money back (easier said than done even if they have broken promises). You are definitely not important to them. If they needed to interrupt the delivery schedule they should have called you so you can change your expectations. Simple and the considerate thing to do. Toni and Matt at TVM do this well - Caywood seems to subordinate the importance of customer service - which could be a signal of bigger problems looming.

Its all about quality and service together - never one should be absent the other.

 

[RiverRat]

Jim, I am really sorry that you have to go through this. In this age of internet communication, I don't understand how anyone would allow a customer to feel ripped off. I handled and shot one of their fowlers and it was a beautiful and great shooting gun however, customer perception is everything! This can't be good for future business. Good luck!

 

[Iron Jim Rackham]

I'll sell you my Caywood 12 gauge!

Ironically I had an unpleasant but memorable encounter with them about the same time you placed your order. Received a damaged rifle from them, and when I returned it for a refund the "sparks really flew"

To make a long story short when I got the repaired gun back it was missing the tang bolt, and a month elapsed before they shipped me one. Danny had other things to do than send me my tang bolt as promised, and couldn't be bothered to put a dollars worth of hardware in an envelope. Danny has a very high opinion of his talent and can't fathom why someone would be disappointed by a long lead time, damaged products, and missing parts. It's a Caywood! Be quiet and go away!

It was easier for Caywood to repair the gun than the relationship. By the time I got the tang bolt, I had no interest in using any Caywood product. My dealings with Caywood were so negative
I could never enjoy shooting the gun, as it was just a memento from a bad relationship. I sold the rifle for a few hundred dollars less than I paid for it, and was simply glad to be rid of it.

I'd purchased a 12 gauge fowler from them previously and was very happy with it.The fowler performs flawlessly and I have no complaints with it, other than who made it. If you want a 12 gauge, let me know. You'll save a few hundred dollars and can have it quickly.

 

[No Deer]

Wow, your experience as well as others that have been noted on various boards about dealing with big name custom builders is enough to make someone stop dealing with the big names. Almost appears like they start believing the "press clippings" and get swelled egos and figure they are more important than their customers.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

No Deer, there are many first rate gunmakers out there, and some are here on the forum. They make excellent guns and treat customers with great respect. Sadly, there are a few whose arrogance or indifference is legendary .

 

[rabjr]

I've only delt with one custom builder first hand and I can tell you without a doubt he is absolutely first rate in every way. It's been an absolute pleasure for me sense the first day I sent the man a PT.

You want a pleasurable no BS hassle free build give Roy a shout. :thumbsup:

 

[spudnut]

I had a similar adventure with a now defunct gunmaker..After paying full price I read many articles about paying in full up front...My advice to anyone is make the down payment and the remainder on delivery and acceptance..Sorry......... I feel your pain.mark

 

[RC]

I've only delt with one custom builder first hand and I can tell you without a doubt he is absolutely first rate in every way. It's been an absolute pleasure for me sense the first day I sent the man a PT.

You want a pleasurable no BS hassle free build give Roy a shout. :thumbsup:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :hmm: ---------I want'a hear Roys side! PROBABLY THE BIGGEST PAIN HE'S EVER DEALT WITH! CUSTOM CARVING,CUSTOM INLAY, CUSTOM SIGHTS,CUSTOM STAIN,PICTURES, EMAILS, PT'S, INSULTS,NAME CALLIN' ((Snail!!!!) and then the Ultimate .....he wants another gun! it's a wonder the poor boys got enough patience left to build a gun!!! i feel fer ya roy! (can I be next! :winking: :winking: ) RC sorry swampy,ya gotta tell the whole story! BUT! YA GOTTA SEE THIS PIECE! AWESOME!

 

[Roy]

:redface: awe thanks :grin:

Personally as a builder I feel more comfortable only getting the down payment for parts or all of the parts sent to me. As a customer I would only be willing to pay that. Remember anything at anytime can happen to anyone to delay a build or worse. I try to give roundabout times when I can get something finished, I'm either early or late with completion times (here lately its been on the late side :redface.

I hope Jim that everything works out well for you. Caywood does build some really nice looking firearms. :v

 

[Roy]

(can I be next! :winking: :winking: )

no :blah: :rotf: got a few lined up now

 

[RC]

(can I be next! :winking: :winking: )

no :blah: :rotf: got a few lined up now

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ........... :hmm: IS DADDY BUSY?

 

[jim m]

thanks for the replies everyone. I understand there can be delays, but what really burns me is when Mr. Caywood told me the reason he wasn't working on mine was because he needed to generate some cash flow. me thinks this speaks volumes for his character.
Jim the greatly dissapointed in Mo

 

[rabjr]

There RC, that'll give ya time to save yer pennys. :winking:

 

[Roy]

Yeah thats not the greatest of responses.

 

[Stophel]

Well, I would have said be patient, give them some time. Everyone gets behind some times (I had gotten about 4 months behind where I should be recently, and am just now catching up. Fortunately, everyone has been real nice and patient with me). BUT, if this is what they told you, that they were putting you behind because they needed "cash flow", I would have immediately demanded that my cash flowed right back to me.