While I can understand anyone not wanting someone else's guns being prioritized over theirs, I can see the other side of the coin and have been in that position.
In October of 2008, I bought a new Remington Model 700, one of a special run of .257 Weatherby Magnums in a version of the 700 that was discontinued that year (the LSS). On it's second shot, the extractor spring broke and I had to use the cleaning rod I fortunately had with me to remove the fired casing. I learned from Remington's website that the closest warranty repair station was a gunsmith about 90 minutes away, so I called and made arrangements to drop the rifle off the next evening for a repair that literally takes 10 minutes.
When I asked the shop owner, who had the personality of a glass of ice water, when I might expect my rifle back, his reply was, "I'll call you when it's ready." Even when I asked if we were talking days, weeks or months, the reply was unchanged and equally as cold. For someone who spent 38 years kissing the backsides of the American public, it was real hard to refrain from telling him what I thought of his service but I held my tongue.
I was speaking with my media relations rep at Remington two months later arranging for a test gun to be shipped to me (I write for Shotgun Sports Magazine) and at the conclusion of our conversation, she asked if there was anything else she could do for me. I said, "No, unless you can fix the extractor in one of my Model 700s." She asked for the details and when I told her how long it had been at a Remington warranty repair station thus far, she called the gunsmith. Two hours later, I received a VERY chilly call from his wife telling me my rifle was ready.
As I told the girl at Remington, I have over two dozen Model 700s, so having that one was not critical. But what if I was a young man who had just purchased his first new rifle and had planned to use it in the upcoming deer season? Since that season had ended a week before she and I were talking, it's obvious I would not have had my gun back in time. How likely would such a hunter be to purchase another new Remington firearm?
I'm like everyone else - I want my stuff done as soon as possible but if I was told that my work was delayed because of a new gun that had to be returned for repairs, I think I would understand.
And while we're on the subject, I emailed Smith & Wesson on Tuesday about returning a Model 686 no-dash for the "M" update. I received a reply yesterday telling me that my gun's serial number doesn't exist, so I sent them a photo of it this morning. Anyone ever have that happen?
Ed
