Learnings from buying a gun abroad

[Rare Breed]

I thought this might be beneficial to anyone buying a rifle out of the US. I bought a beautiful Westley Richards. I had a great experience with the auction house Delorc & Delorc and with my importer. This should take from 4-6 weeks. I am going on week 12 and still no gun. Here are my learnings:
1. Stay on top of everything…never assume “it is being handled”
2. My importer told me the gun had not even been shipped from France when it was already here…the exporter dropped the ball.
3. This is a once in a lifetime DR…I had the choice to accept $600 in storage charges due to this screw up…I readily accepted them versus this causing more delay.
4. Please trust me…I rarely complain about anything but I communicated I wanted my money back if this was not resolved ASAP…within one hour after my message my importer is now personally picking up the gun tomorrow for me!!!

happy once again

 

[Randy F]

Will be waiting on the pics.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I thought this might be beneficial to anyone buying a rifle out of the US. I bought a beautiful Westley Richards. I had a great experience with the auction house Delorc & Delorc and with my importer. This should take from 4-6 weeks. I am going on week 12 and still no gun. Here are my learnings:
1. Stay on top of everything…never assume “it is being handled”
2. My importer told me the gun had not even been shipped from France when it was already here…the exporter dropped the ball.
3. This is a once in a lifetime DR…I had the choice to accept $600 in storage charges due to this screw up…I readily accepted them versus this causing more delay.
4. Please trust me…I rarely complain about anything but I communicated I wanted my money back if this was not resolved ASAP…within one hour after my message my importer is now personally picking up the gun tomorrow for me!!!

happy once again

So the exporter had shipped it but did not notify the importer?

Definitely sounds like a Charlie Foxtrot.

 

[Rare Breed]

Correct!!!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Seems the exporter owes you some cash, but guessing that’ll not likely happen. Time to likely move on and enjoy the rifle. Look forward to the pictures!

 

[Rare Breed]

Exactly…I just want to get the gun and move forward!

 

[BeeMaa]

Agree with @PHOENIX PHIL, cut bait and learn from your experience. Hope you enjoy the rifle.

 

[OldnLazy]

I have never bought a gun from another country. This should be very interesting and i am willing to learn how the process works. Good thread.

 

[buck wild]

Once gun is in your possession then I'd press Exporter or Importer for recovery of the storage fees. These fees are certainly becoming a bone of contention lately. Good luck!

 

[Nevada Mike]

In buying guns abroad I have found that it pays to provide the seller/exporting dealer with explicit, written instructions for shipping, follow up with e-mails to exporter and importing dealer to check status. I also alert my receiving FFL holder and ask them to call when the gun arrives.

All the guns I have bought abroad were purchased in the UK. While I have done a lot of business in France, I never bought any guns there, so it may work differently there.

 

[sierraone]

Have bought one SxS in London in October 2016. Had it in my hands (in Little Rock) before Christmas 2016. Import costs were pretty pricey but no big surprises.

 

[cajunchefray]

Thanks for sharing your experience, as well as the 'watch outs". I have been eyeing a few guns from Europe. Sounds like it's very important to have a good exporter, that communicates well, as well as a seasoned importer. Looking forward to pictures.

 

[Rare Breed]

The auction house already came back and said they would pay the extra storage fees…good on them!!!

 

[mdsalern]

That is very upstanding of them. Congratulations on the new rifle.