TVM Woes! :(

[Mark Herman]

Dave,
I did not mean to imply that the buyer's reputation does not matter, it is as important as the builder's. Apparently the OP didn't make all the sites he originally posted on the results of the concern.

 

[smo]

Dave, that is my point exactly, it doesn’t appear too be a big issue.....
Maybe just file down a screw.... , or something simple like that.

Why Smokey hasn’t responded here is beyond me, not that, that matters.

I don’t frequent the ALR site, nothing against them . I just don’t visit there much.

Come on Smokey, tell us what’s going on with this one...

 

[AlanG]

How it left the shop that way is a wonder but unless the cock is actually bent, the fix would take me all of 30 seconds

Dave- when i saw that pick I was wondering if it could just have happened in shipping.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Allen,
I suppose it could but SP did not say anything about damage to the box, which likely would be apparent if the cock was damaged during shipping.

dave

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Hello, friends. I did not realize this thread was re-opened so did not think to post here. Yes, the rifle was returned from TVM last week. All issues were fixed with the exception of the sloppy inletting of the lock and sideplate, but a new issue emerged. As someone has mentioned, the cock on the lock is rubbing badly on the lockplate:

The cock bends to the right on its forward most travel, bouncing off the plate. It appears nobody bothered to function test the gun after it left the shop for the second time. My confidence in this investment is shaken. I report the facts and only then facts. I am glad if your TVM rifle is flawless. Mine has not been, and quite frankly I wish I had picked a different shop. The only impression I’ve gotten so far is that at present, TVM is much less concerned with producing a quality product than they are with pumping out as many units as possible and as quickly as they can.

I will be speaking with Matt Avance this afternoon on the phone discussing these issues and will report back. Thank you.

-Smokey

 

[hanshi]

Do speak with him personally; I have on many occasions and he does listen

Matt built a smoothbore for me years ago that I cherish. When I received it the cock was BROKEN OFF. It had to have happened in shipping. I called TVM and Toni said she'd take care of it and she did. I shortly received another lock (Chambers) identical to the first and perfect. I also received a rifle from another builder with damage - and he'd shipped it in a wooden crate! - The damage was minor and I was able to fix it. @&%#! happens to and by anyone and it's the willingness to correct problems that makes the builder great.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Alright guys, I spoke with Matt. He seemed a bit dubious that there was an issue other than a loose cock spring, which appears to be snug on my lock. Regardless, I’m sending the lock back to him for him to look at. Maybe he knows something we don’t and there is nothing problem with the lock, or maybe there is a problem. Who could honestly say at this point? Will update when I get the lock back. Take care gang, Smokey.

 

[Zonie]

Fixing the cock so that the stop that is built into the cock fully engages the top of the lockplate like it is supposed to do is a rather easy job.

TVM should agree to fix it and if they do, the only thing you will need to send to them is the assembled lock. You do not have to send the entire gun.

 

[Blogman]

I hear ya Smokey, that's a lot of dough and yes, TVM needs to do it right. Keep on em till you get your baby done.
Me on the other hand will never have that problem as I'm so broke I broke my last broke. How ever, when the rare chance comes along I grab it. I had an old boy in the area that dealt with guns and when he got an old smoker he'd bring it to me to clean and spiff it up. I love all curves, angles, smells, disdain of one beat up, amazed of a good cleaned and well kept one, all of em are dear to me. He brought me a cap lock derringer, all beat up, rusty, not an antique but asked if I wanted it for $50? I had the money so yeah. Worked it over and put it on the shelf. The next time he came by with a tower pistol and a Hawken rifle and wanted to know what I did with the POS. I showed it to him and he cussed me telling me that was a completely different piece, nope I told him and showed him. By the time he was done I had the Hawkens ready and he told me to keep ahold of the tower pistol and he'd see me later. He had a heart attack bout a week later. As soon as I could I asked the wife when I could bring the pistol and she told me to keep it.
So what I'm saying is yeah most of my stuff might not be expensive or flashy but it's mine and all the gals get to play. They shoot straight and if I play right, they hit their target.

 

[smo]

Smokey, Thanks for the update, keep us posted Please..

 

[jdw276]

Calling out a vendor twice on two different forums, the two most important forums in the business today before talking to the vendor both times, i have difficulty comprehending. The buyer is always right in retail, but this just does not feel right or fair to the vendor. I am sorry but this is fundementally wrong from what i have read on how this should have been handled personally and professionally. I have many other words i could say but i will leave it at that.

 

[EC121]

Boggles the mind!!

 

[jdw276]

Boggles the mind!!

Yes and his latest comment on the other forum is to threaten the vendor "everyone will know". Over 150 posts on this topic. Worked in retail over 30 years, there are customers you cant satisfy and you dont want. To threaten a vendor feels like they want the product for free and the only way to make them really happy is to then shut down the business as well. Then they can brag how they stuck it to them when they go to their dinner parties with their friends at the club. There is a saying you get more with honey than vinegar, when you are nice to a vendor they are nice to you. Call em out on two major forums before you talk to them is not the way to resolve a problem.

Very.........

 

[Kestrel]

Unless it's a one man operation, you call the owner first before you go spoutin' off! Is this day and age of fake news, its awful easy to trash someone instead of dealing with the situation like a man.
Pretty Chicken **** as I see it!

Zonie, could you please let me know how to change my forum name to Sailing Kestrel . I do not want there to be any misgivings as to who I am.

Thank you.

 

[S.Kenton]

Ill say this, then I’ll leave the topic alone, but if the vendor is going to send out that kind of quality then the potential paying customers should be alerted...I for one, would want to know what kind of company I’m about hand over my hard earned money to. I thank Smokey Plainsman for this post, it has been very educational.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
SP has not named the vendor on the other forum.

dave

 

[Gene L]

A hundred attaboys are negated by one Oh, S***. It would be interesting to study why negative coverage gets automatic acceptance by some as fact. The press found this out a long time ago.

 

[jdw276]

Agree....but if ya read this and other posts they seem to have about a 90% favorable rating, pretty good advertising to offset the complaints. All vendors screw up, seems we need to hear about resolution now.

Wonder if anyone remebers typing thIs?

 

[jdw276]

Always talk with the owner first. Still, if I were the owner I would be personally inspecting each piece as it was packed. Compared to the "build sheet" it would likely have not went out. I still looking at Kiblers for my "custom" when I get ahead again

One of my grandsons always says"hey, youcan't hold me accountable for what i say".

 

[azmntman]

I wrote that and I am still waiting on the resolution. Have you heard? Oh, I mean the new issue with the lock. And my PO of the vendor decreases as I read more. I wont have to decide if I vent or call 1st....my $$ stays here till I see a completed rifle. This is a more and more common thing? For years I only heard of Alton (where he go?) screaming about Matt now many more? Maybe he (Matt) grew too fast? I heard of a guy in my business that tried to take advantage of a natural disaster....accepted 2 years work in a month, turned off his phone and fax and went to town (seeing dollar signs). Well I was called to redo stuff he did that he didn't send (and couldnt be called for a update) in cuz he was too busy? Its best not to take an order than to take an order, not follow through, deliver it late and wrong and then correct it wrong (if on time?). Or whatever. Been 20 years and I still getting his work.

If I screw up really bad I either discount the invoice or delete it. That right there a good rule to not screw up real bad by!!