Samco, Samco what is going on?

[Cement Man]

I might be a little off on the dates, but I don't think by much. and certainly not on purpose.  Anyway, about 5 or 6 weeks ago I just had to have a Swiss K31 after reading numerous posts about them.  Samco was advertising them in excellent conditon for $139.95.  I asked my local gunshop to order one for me, which he did right away.  After a week or two he informed me that he thought it would be arriving soon because he had been charged for it by Samco.  After one or two more weeks went by, he called Samco to inquire if it had been shipped or not, and he was informed by a lady that it would probably be "next week".  Now that was at least 2 weeks ago, so we are beginning to wonder what is going on.  Maybe they are taking their time and picking me out a real cherry.  I hope so.

[rockbilly]

:shock: Some of these folks are advertising and taking orders before they even sign a contract to obtain the guns.  What it boils down to, they are using your (and other customer) money to make the purchase, thereby, avoiding tieing up their money.  I understand this practice is illegal in some states, but when dealing by mail it is a little different.

I understand Military Surplus out of Ft Worth, TX does this quite often.  I have a deal worked out with my FFL where I order and pay for the guns, they are shipped to him and transfered to me upon arrival.  When ordering, I make it a point to ask, "Do you have this gun in stock, and how soon can it be shipped."  If they tell me it is not in stock, or that it may be a few weeks before it can be shipped, I say "Thanks", and hang up. :roll:

[Cement Man]

rockbilly,
Thanks for the info.  It's not like I need this rifle in a hurry, or at all, for that matter, but it rubs me the wrong way if that is what they are doing.  I acquired most of my milsurps in the 80"s and never got burnt before, in fact, got some real treasures.  Getting near retirement, I have a renewed interest and hopefully more time to tinker and shoot.  By the way - you "got me".  On another thread you mentioned the M44 Russian as being a good shooter.  I have never even looked at one, although I remembered my local dealer had a few in his rack.  Anyway, after reading your post I looked up these weapons on a number of informational sites and learned quite a bit about them.  I was impressed.  I guess all I ever looked at before were Mausers, Enfields, and Springfields.  I checked my local dealer's website and he has a number of unissued copies for $129.95.  I have always been able to haggle a little with him, so tomorrow I guess I'll pay him a visit.  See what you started? :-D

[qajaq59]

Another guy had that same problem with Aims about 6 months ago and it turned out that the shipping dept was the screw up. Sales charged his credit card but the rifle never got shipped until he called and raised the roof about them getting his money without actually shipping it. Maybe a call to Samco is in order?

[Cement Man]

Went to the gunshop this morning.  The dealer called Samco again while I was there.  My dealer said it has been two months and this is his third phone call.  Anyway, whomever he talked to said that they didn't understand why it hadn't been shipped, they would check into it, and for my dealer to call back this afternoon.  So..........  maybe will find something out this afternoon. :?

[S.S.]

I can sum up the probem with three words
"SAMCO GLOBAL ARMS"
I have never been impressed with their service.

[simonkenton]

rockbilly,
Thanks for the info.  It's not like I need this rifle in a hurry, or at all, for that matter, but it rubs me the wrong way if that is what they are doing.  I acquired most of my milsurps in the 80"s and never got burnt before, in fact, got some real treasures.  Getting near retirement, I have a renewed interest and hopefully more time to tinker and shoot.  By the way - you "got me".  On another thread you mentioned the M44 Russian as being a good shooter.  I have never even looked at one, although I remembered my local dealer had a few in his rack.  Anyway, after reading your post I looked up these weapons on a number of informational sites and learned quite a bit about them.  I was impressed.  I guess all I ever looked at before were Mausers, Enfields, and Springfields.  I checked my local dealer's website and he has a number of unissued copies for $129.95.  I have always been able to haggle a little with him, so tomorrow I guess I'll pay him a visit.  See what you started? :-D

I would definitely begin raising hell with Samco. Two months is too long.
I have bought a couple things from them, and have gotten good service.
Cementman, that M44 is a great llittle carbine. Mosin Nagants are weird rifles, if you are used to the elegant Mauser. They are a little ugly and the bolt is not too smooth. But they are fun to shoot. Very reliable and rugged.
If you like that M44, check out the premier Mosin Nagant, the Finnish M39.

[Cement Man]

I got an email yesterday from my local gun dealer.  He talked to Samco yesterday (again) and was told it did not go out yesterday, probably will be shipped today.  He indicated that he did not have much confidence in the information. :roll:  
I looked at his M44s the other day.  I like 'em! "Unissued" though, are arsenal rebuilds with mismatched numbers - mostly dated durng the war.  I do not care for the attached bayonet.  I found one 1947 specimen with matching numbers but a poorly repaired stock that didn't match.  Nonetheless, I do think these are pretty neat carbines, and it seemed that these aging eyes could get a pretty decent sight picture with the sights on them.  I think I will continue to look for a nicer one, and one of the models without the hubcap tool, frog gig, screwdriver/bayonet (M38).  I didn't have time to look through all of what he had - maybe I'll find one.

[qajaq59]

The only good thing I can see in your having to wait like this is that you will end up with a K31. And they shoot like a dream with either the GP11 military ammo or hand loads that you do yourself. I love shooting with the open sights on the 200 yard range with mine, and if they had a 600 yard range, I'd be using that one.

[Cement Man]

:roll:

No K31 yet..................  

[qajaq59]

Oh boy, that has to be frustrating. Any chance you could order it somewhere else?

[Cement Man]

I am a patient man. My wife would attest to that......... :-D

I hope it will be worth the wait.  I just feel bad for the local gunshop owner.  I asked him to order it for me, and they charged his credit card right away for it.  He is the most exasperated because his numerous phone calls, e-mails, etc. have not been answered honestly, if at all.  I told him a couple of weeks ago that as far as I am concerned he can deal with it any way he chooses.  He is very frustrated.  There is no need to do business that way.  Be honest about the delivery time up front and neither he or I would mind the wait - except don't charge the card until you ship the goods!

[qajaq59]

I could be wrong, but isn't it actually illegal to charge a card "before" shipping. And this problem has risen before. I wish I could remember the thread.

[Cement Man]

I honestly don't know.  I have had it happen to me twice.  I bought a WWII reconditioned helmet - paid for by PayPal, debited my account immediately.  The website I purchased through indicated 2 week shipping.  A couple of months later, and still no helmet, I called the guy who was selling the helmets(left a message).  No return call.  Got his wife the next time and politely asked what was going on.  She contatcted her husband.  He called me back from his OTR truck - he was behind on his helmet painting and I'd get it "someday", but he needed money so he needed to drive his truck for awhile.  He said most of his customers didn't mind waiting. I told him I guess I'm not like most of his customers.  He cursed me out but did refund my money.  I ordered a borescope recently, card was debited but no scope.  After a reasonably long wait I contacted the vendor - the imported scopes were delayed.  I know these people to be honest and reasonable so I waited, even though they offered a refund.  I got the scope a couple of weeks ago.  I don't really think it is against the law, maybe certain states regulate these practices differently.  Sellers should be up front about shipping times and not charge your card until they can ship - a little honesty and communications goes a long way.

[S.S.]

Get in touch with your credit card company and see if they can reverse the charge.

[qajaq59]

Something is very wrong. I ordered from them and had no problems. Someone in their shipping dept has got to have messed up pretty bad because you ordered that quite a while ago. At this point I'd call Samco and get explanation myself. Or else just call your card company and have them retrieve your money, and order the K31 from someone else. They are NOT all that rare yet.

[Cement Man]

It isn't my credit card, nor is it my order with Samco.  I asked my local gun shop to order one for me. He did order it, and of course, I will pay his markup or transfer fee + cost. He chose to order it that way. I've told him all along to deal with the situation however he sees fit.  There's no pressure on me, nor do I pressure him over it.  He is frustrated because he has made a lot of attempts to get accurate information and he keeps getting the runaround, and it was his credit card that was charged.  Like I said, I told him to do whatever he wants to do over the situation.  He's a big boy, when he gets aggravated enough he probably will cancel the order and/or go through his card company to get this thing credited back, and then we'll have to find a K-31 somwhere else. Until then, it's up to him.  It makes me think that someone is waiting on a new shipment.

[qajaq59]

Oh ok, that is a totally different situation.

[Cement Man]

I got it today!

My K31 arrived Friday June 2, and I picked it up today.  I noticed on the corner of the sales slip that it had been ordered on March 28.  I have only spent about two minutes looking it over - so far it looks real good.  Advertised as excellent - I believe it lives up to that rating for a milsurp.  Metal finish, bore look excellent.  Wood has the usual milsurp handling dings but not bad at all, butt plate is clean and bright.  From what I see here, no complaints at all.  I am going to order another one.  This is a nice rifle.  Handles nice as well.  Hope Samco doesn't take 2+ months on the next one.