Going by that logic, they should fix it.
When you buy a business, don't you buy its assets and liabilities?
Disappointed in S&W
- Thread starter Sabre03
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Going by that logic, they should fix it.
When you buy a business, don't you buy its assets and liabilities?
As with most of the folks here I to believe it could go either way, that is why I said disappointed and not angry. I asked the sales rep to adjudicate it with his superior and he came back and said what the company position was; I promptly provided my credit card and thanked him for his effort.
I can afford it and it is a relatively minor cost, but it is not what I am used to when dealing with gun manufactures. I once bought a Weatherby Vanguard used and it grouped terribly, even after I glass bedded the stock, modifying the gun and voiding any hope of a warranty, the Weatherby folks promptly rebarreled the rifle, after chastising me for the bedding. I still have that gun today.
If interested here is what S&W says needs to be repaired:
Stop won't hold, replace cylinder stop and hand.
I can afford it and it is a relatively minor cost, but it is not what I am used to when dealing with gun manufactures. I once bought a Weatherby Vanguard used and it grouped terribly, even after I glass bedded the stock, modifying the gun and voiding any hope of a warranty, the Weatherby folks promptly rebarreled the rifle, after chastising me for the bedding. I still have that gun today.
If interested here is what S&W says needs to be repaired:
Stop won't hold, replace cylinder stop and hand.
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billdeserthills
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ExMachina1
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If that gun did not come with a lifetime warranty then why would you expect one? And anyway, even their current warranty policy states that it is only lifetime to the original purchaser.
Therefor, any way you look at it, the fault lies not with S&W but with the original purchaser who did not make sure the gun was good to go. S&W would have fixed it then, but he never gave them the chance.
I agree that it would be a good gesture to to do it for free, but you also have to figure in that it could become financially burdensome if S&W started doing warranty work on all their models of (old) guns.
EDIT: colt_saa's point below is good. i assumed that the OP bought this in "as new" condition. however, if the gunshop that he purchased it from received it from S&W back in 1981 then yeah, S&W should make good
Therefor, any way you look at it, the fault lies not with S&W but with the original purchaser who did not make sure the gun was good to go. S&W would have fixed it then, but he never gave them the chance.
I agree that it would be a good gesture to to do it for free, but you also have to figure in that it could become financially burdensome if S&W started doing warranty work on all their models of (old) guns.
EDIT: colt_saa's point below is good. i assumed that the OP bought this in "as new" condition. however, if the gunshop that he purchased it from received it from S&W back in 1981 then yeah, S&W should make good
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I am not sure that all of the facts are on the table here.
Did the OP buy a new gun? Is he claiming to be the original purchaser at retail? If that is the case and the firearm has a defect in materials or workmanship then I would say that there is basis for S&W to fix this and I would approach them that way.
However if the OP purchased a Previously Owned Firearm it is a USED GUN. It does not matter what condition it is in. It does not matter what paperwork was in the box. It does not matter if the previous owner(s) fired it or not, it is just another used gun. Under this situation the OP has no basis to expect a free repair. The OP would not be the person to whom the firearm is warranted.
Did the OP buy a new gun? Is he claiming to be the original purchaser at retail? If that is the case and the firearm has a defect in materials or workmanship then I would say that there is basis for S&W to fix this and I would approach them that way.
However if the OP purchased a Previously Owned Firearm it is a USED GUN. It does not matter what condition it is in. It does not matter what paperwork was in the box. It does not matter if the previous owner(s) fired it or not, it is just another used gun. Under this situation the OP has no basis to expect a free repair. The OP would not be the person to whom the firearm is warranted.
Do they have to do it - of course not. BUT, I still recall many years ago I bought a Remington shotgun. Every six months or so I would take it out of the safe and wipe if down. Each time I would get what looked like rust off of the barrel. No other guns and only on the barrel. The darn thing could have an oil film on it the size of Texan and I would still get the rust like film. After several years the bluing started looking thin in spots and generally nasty. The warranty was long expired. I sent a letter to Remington and they said that back then they had a problem with the bluing on some barrels and they would fix it under warranty, the warranty that had expired years ago! They did fix it and I am still talking about it. Something to think about is that the gun left the factory with the problem. Did they / do they have to fix it, of course not. But I would fix it if it was my company. Would I be mad if they did not fix my gun, no not really. Would I be happy if they did, OH YES. This happened over 10 years ago and I am still talking about it. That is inexpensive advertising.
There is really no way of telling; the gun shop said it was unfired but I don't remember them saying new. It could have passed from dealer to dealer for 30 years, but it is unlikely.
Couriously it came complete with everything including the warranty card which I filled out and provided when I returned the firearm. I even had to chuckle when the salary demographic question on the warranty card only had 2 choices over or under $10,0000 a year. Now I wish I hadn't filled it out because the gun is probably worth more as a package with the warranty card.
Couriously it came complete with everything including the warranty card which I filled out and provided when I returned the firearm. I even had to chuckle when the salary demographic question on the warranty card only had 2 choices over or under $10,0000 a year. Now I wish I hadn't filled it out because the gun is probably worth more as a package with the warranty card.
More than likely, this is a used gun that was either traded in or sold to the gun shop in "new in the box" condition so it was then sold as new in the box. This does not mean new! This is still a used firearm. I am personally very tired of reading posts on this and other firearms forums whining about the big bad gun companies that don't give them a new gun or a free fix on a gun they bought second hand or used regardless of condition. Your 1981 model 36 was used and not under warranty. You state you are just disappointed, not angry. I say you should be neither and instead be happy that the company still has parts to work on a 30 year old weapon. If people want a full warranty with all the bells and whistles then they should not buy used guns. Stick to new from the factory and then you won't be "disappointed."
Hey Sabre, your post count is 4, all in this thread. Welcome to the home of some of the most knowledgeable and cantankerous folks ever owned a sidearm. You acquitted yourself nicely in post #22 and that $80 you spent will yield a nice and "factory gone over " firearm. Enjoy. Joe
Thanks for the welcome. I don't know why I haven't spent much time here but I agree the folks here are knowledgeable and freely express their opinion. I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve; 23 years as a cavalry officer cured me of that.
I am not new to forums and have learned much from THR, 1911 Forum, Defensive Carry, the Firing Line and others. I will look to this forum more often in the future.
I am not new to forums and have learned much from THR, 1911 Forum, Defensive Carry, the Firing Line and others. I will look to this forum more often in the future.
Welcome, It's always a pleasure to have a new member start off by slamming S&W for not repairing his used gun , out of warranty that he just bought. Seems like the few used guns I have bought always come with a "just a few rounds fired through it" or "never been fired"... Just picked up a new used gun today I bought, well, I spent 2 hours cleaning the barrel and cylinder.. still coming out black.... so much for only shot a few times..
gr7070
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So you're saying when something is bought the contracts in place need to be honored. Like expired warranties should be recognized as expired and no longer applicable. Sounds about right.
An expired warranty is not a liability.
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Bullseye Smith
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First, 1989 has been a rule for years, the person that told you they would fix it could have been a new hire?????? OP didn't know about 1989 or the service person, So it seems that you got free shipment - if that is so they meet you half way. So pay to get it fixed and write it up as a learning thing.
turbo38gn, I apologize, I didn't realize that this forum was only for those people that consider S&W a company that can do no wrong. I will try to only post glowing reviews in the future.
I really like S&W and I own many of their products; will this stop me from buying S&W in the future, not likely. It does raise the risk of buying the products that I prefer, pre ILS, but I have been buying guns since 1979 and I will just have to take my chances knowing that I have no recourse with S&W even if they agree the gun is in new condition and the defect was caused by them.
Thanks for all the time providing your thoughts both positive and negative.
I really like S&W and I own many of their products; will this stop me from buying S&W in the future, not likely. It does raise the risk of buying the products that I prefer, pre ILS, but I have been buying guns since 1979 and I will just have to take my chances knowing that I have no recourse with S&W even if they agree the gun is in new condition and the defect was caused by them.
Thanks for all the time providing your thoughts both positive and negative.
Ok, another twist of reality, very good. So you came here to slam S&W for not warrantying an out of warranty gun... you start off by asking what we think of that situation, we tell you some say yes some say no... Now, you don't like my stand and take your shot.. ok, thats fine but here is my response to that sarcascm, much like my first tongue in cheek. More BS, I'd be the 1st to share a dislike if it occurred and I thought it was helpful overall.. this was not, it was simply an attempt to give S&W a black eye for not warrantying an out of warranty situation where, no doubt , there was some miscommunication. Does that mean S&W must honor your out of warranty gun, no it doesn't. Where does a company draw the line.. when do they say no.. I suspect there is a detail or two missing here... and thats all I have to say.
Now back to your welcoming here, I do mean to say welcome, sorry how it began but... SH sometime, we move on from there. Hope to be more positive in the future, by the way did you share your story on the other Boards you frequent.. you know pass that valuable info around..
kbm6893
Member
All I know is that i have sent in quite a few pre-1989 guns to S&W for repair, and I have never paid a dime, and I have never even bought a new S&W. One time, they added a free magazine to the package when I forgot to send one in with the gun. Technically, the company is in the right, but if the gun is new and unfired (how's that happen, by the way?), and they admitted a defect, they should fix it. Something tells me someone bought it, never used it, then sold it (I did that once with a Glock 26). Gun was still used when I sold it. is the $83 really worth them losing a customer who spends thousands on their products? Not to mention him passing along a bad word about them to his friends, or even on an internet forum!
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This about sums it up.
Manufacturer defect...manufacturer should make it right. It's as simple as that.
nofishbob
Member
I am unclear on the issue of is this a "new" gun.
If the gun was shipped from S&W to the distributor, and then on to the dealer that sold it to the OP, I would consider it to be "new" and S&W is obligated to provide warranty service for however long it was when the gun was made back then.
If the gun was sold at retail and just never shot, it is used and no warranty would apply.
There is a difference between hoping that S&W will cover a claim that they are not legally obligated to in an effort to please a customer, and expecting that they must and then complaining when the letter of the warranty is followed.
Bob
If the gun was shipped from S&W to the distributor, and then on to the dealer that sold it to the OP, I would consider it to be "new" and S&W is obligated to provide warranty service for however long it was when the gun was made back then.
If the gun was sold at retail and just never shot, it is used and no warranty would apply.
There is a difference between hoping that S&W will cover a claim that they are not legally obligated to in an effort to please a customer, and expecting that they must and then complaining when the letter of the warranty is followed.
Bob
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Can't believe it took 18 posts to come up with the winna!!!!!!!!!
If you compare this to a car, you bought a Ford in 1980 and parked it in the garage. You never drove it. Lets say it came with a 50,000 mile OR 5 year warranty. Would you still expect Ford to fix it if you moved it out of the garage to clean and a wheel fell off? It was probably a defect from the factory? In 1980 S&W did not offer a lifetime warranty. They have no obligation to fix the gun now, fired or not. I believe back then their warranty was between one and three years.
OTOH, cs did say they would cover it. Maybe they should train their cs reps better from now on. Seems like your only option at this point is to pay the bill, get your gun back and write a letter explaining the situation to the president of the company. I've done this kind of thing before and you might be surprised at the response you're likely to get.
OTOH, cs did say they would cover it. Maybe they should train their cs reps better from now on. Seems like your only option at this point is to pay the bill, get your gun back and write a letter explaining the situation to the president of the company. I've done this kind of thing before and you might be surprised at the response you're likely to get.
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