Author Topic: Bullberry Service Question (Read 4090 times)

Tim50 · « **on:** December 04, 2006, 07:32:18 AM »

Has anyone else expierenced issues with Bullberry Custom Barrels service? At Fred's request I returned a 300 WSM barrel I owned. He is having a recall on any WSM barrels he produced. His offer to replace my WSM with a simular barrel of my choice was acepted by me. I wanted to keep my WSM barrel for Pennsylvania Bear (11/20/06) but He assured me if I sent the barrel in he would get me my barrel in time for my season! The first two barrel/calibers I chose he said he did not have the blamks in stock and if I wanted to have the barrel by bear season I would have to choose a blank he had! Seemed fair!! Numerous e-mails went unanswered! When I got thru on the phone he said there was some machine problems but I would have it by 11/28 in time for the last week of deer. As of 12/4 no barrel! I returned this barrel to Fred per his request!! If he could not meet the self imposed deadline he should have stated that upfront. When machine problems poped up he should have contacted me to let me know he would not be able to uphold his end of the bargin. He started this transaction NOT ME!!! I know the rep of Bullberry Barrels for quality but his service & customer relations leave MUCH to be desired! Now I settled for my third caliber choice for NO REASON! This is a bad deal all around!!!!

5Redman8 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 08:58:35 AM »

One of the problems with his shop is they are extremely busy. Fred is a bit hard headed and almost always right. You should have gotten your replacement in you CHOICE of caliber. Otherwise, I would ask for the WSM back for the season and them have him get the blank you want......or a refund. Or maybe Fred can loan you a barrel to get you through the season.

Good luck,
Kyle

For what it is worth, I have always been a Virgin Valley Guns guy....now Match Grade Machine.

Tim50 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 09:46:39 AM »

Kyle,
I just got my first Virgin Valley last week! It's a stainless 500 S&W rifle barrel with the factory Virgin Valley brake. I have not gotten a chance to get out with it yet!! I sent a FAX today and asked for my 300WSM back! As usual NO RESPONCE!! I think if I receive the 358 barrel with a factory brake I am going to see if I can swap it off for another Custom barrel!! I'm just a hard headed Irishman!!!!

5Redman8 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 10:19:22 AM »

Tim,

I think you will fing the VVGC barrel is a wonderful shooter. Every barrel I got from them was amazing. IF you have some tiem or need any other barrels, look at Match grade Machine. These are some of the same people from VVGC.

Let us know how things turn out with Bullberry. They are great barrels but I never developed an appreciation for Fred.

Good luck,
Kyle

Davemuzz · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:25:55 PM »

Fred is a crackpot. Perhaps Bipolar, I dunno....I'm not a doctor. My one and only (and last) experience with him was:

I ordered a .223 rifle barrel for my Contender (I think a 24") . I got the barrel and it "wiggled" from side-to-side....about 3/4" at the barrel end.

I put the barrel on my buddies Contender frame. Same wiggle. I put by Buddies Bullberry (E-bay buy) barrel on my frame...locks up like a tick on a dog!

Fred said "send in your frame...I won't do anything to it....I promise". Five weeks later, after many call's I finally get hold of Fred and he tells me my frame is junk.

I tell him about the "wiggle" on my buddies frame. He ignores my statement. He goes off the deep end and screams at me that I know nothing and he knows all. I hang up.

I call the next day and he agrees to refund my money and send my frame back.

I get my money.....and when my frame comes it has major scratches from that a%$hole trying to actually bend it so the shake would go away.

I wouldn't buy a jar of spit from this guy.

But hey, that's just me.

Dave.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:51:43 PM »

Service at Bullberry is SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW........ They promise a date but don't even come close on delivery. I'm talking MONTHS, not weeks.

They don't even have email.

I can't stand talking to women who know nothing about rifle barrels when I call the shop.
You get an attitude when you ask to talk to someone else.

I'll be trying the former Virgin Valley guys for my ML barrel early next year.

Just my opinion.

Tim50 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:57:10 PM »

Dave,
He told me he was doing me a favor replacing the barrel! HE ask me to send it back in I had NO issue with my barrel other that the lack of markings. He also stated that even though he admitted it was his barrel he had no liability because his name was not on it! I asked him to return my WSM and this will all be over! He states he destroyed it as soon as he received it! I TRIED to explain I was upset because he promised the barrel & did no live up to his part of the deal! I said a call or e-mail would have been all it took to explain why its late! His attitude is "to bad" you'll get your barrel! I have heard good things about his barrel, this is my first Bullberry( and last!!!) He just happen to put it in the mail TODAY!!!! Imagine that!!!................He'll never see any of my money if tht's how he treats customers!!!!

Tim50 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:05:04 PM »

Sandy,
The woman I spoke to at Bullberry was VERY knowledgable! She knew the entire operation and answered any & all questions I had! She was a true professional! Fred on the other hand has on idea how to talk or treat people! He lost this customer & I'll tell anyone that wants to know just the type of guy he is!

nomosendero · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:55:51 PM »

Bullberry has a strong "position statement" against any WSM, RUM or Wea. mag. & will not chamber those. I was not aware that he did in the past, but I did not ask them that. When was your barrel made?

5Redman8 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:15:57 PM »

Nomo....shhhhhh....but he did at least several WSMs.....shhhhhhh....but my buddy still has one

Don't let Fred hear...I am sure my buddy does not want to wait for a NON-replacement of Fred's choice.

Kyle

nomosendero · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:32:38 PM »

southern utah · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2006, 06:13:14 PM »

I had one of his WSMs in 300. I had the same offer but just had him shorten barrel and chamber in 308. Their shop is only 20 minutes away and I have know Fred for years. They are months out in orders and their CNC was down for repair a few weeks ago.Add to that Fred is recouperating from back surgery and can't spend all day on his feet. His daughter is running the office and she does know about barrels and knows more than most on T/C repairs.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2006, 12:58:39 AM »

Quote from: southern utah on December 04, 2006, 06:13:14 PM

His daughter is running the office and she does know about barrels and knows more than most on T/C repairs.

Hmmmm......How is she on convincing her dear 'ol dad that he should'nt hack up other peoples guns and then send them back with a 'blase attitude? Prozac maybe?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00472.jpg

southern utah · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2006, 07:05:37 AM »

Maybe so, They are not the only ones there working. I think fred wanted all the WSM he made back. All his production is set in stages. I have been there at different times and the mills are set for what step they are working on. There is usually a rolling cart filled with barrels in the same step. There are certain steps Fred does himself and when his back gets to bad he has to take a break. THere are othes on the CNC and woodwork.

Tim50 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2006, 07:29:25 AM »

Utah-There are things that happen that are out of our control. Fred should NEVER be allowed to talk to a customer the way he did to me! He made a commitment to a specific date with me! This was ALL his doing! He produced a barrel he wanted back! I was doing HIM a favor not the other way around! All I needed was a phone call, an e-mail a post card telling me there was a problem & I could have delt with it! He had TOTAL disreguard for me as a customer! He will NEVER see a penny of my money and I will tell anyone that listens that if you have a service issue with a Bullberry barrel your in trouble! There are too many good custom makers out there that WANT my business and treat me that way!

southern utah · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2006, 02:07:40 PM »

You have some good points. You can only take a man at his word. I hate to see bad dealings with anyone. If it played out the way you said I would be pissed to no end.
I bought a scope on ebay and sent the money on Nov 6th. Still no scope and barrel is getting cold without it. Wearing a hole in the carpet waiting.
Hope you get what you were promissed, even late and it is a tac driver.

TC2 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2006, 07:24:02 PM »

I love my Bullberry Barrel. That said I probably will never buy another one or reccommend ordering one from Bullberry.
I don't like being lied to over and over. The truth would have thourghly pacified me.

I order my barrel in the early spring. I read the web site and did not email them. I also believed that it would take 4 months as stated on the web site. Lie 1.

They were very helpful in reccomending a barrel for my 6.5x55 caliber. I order the barrel, butt stock and forearm. Five months later I called asking the status of my order.
I was told it was just about ready and would ship in the next 2 weeks. Lie two!
I call again after the 2 weeks passed. Once again I was told that it was just about ready they were finishing up the forearm and would ship middle of next week. Lie three!
Two weeks later I called again this time told that they had forgot to install the sling swival stud and it would ship that week. Lie Four!
Two weeks later it shipped and I got it the next week.

When I talked to a friend of mine he told me he had the same problem with a barrel he had ordered many years before 2006. Good thing I didn't talk to him before ordering; Fred would most likely not got my order.

Leslil223 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:17:40 PM »

thanks for the info everyone, Iknow where not to send my cash

flinthead · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2006, 03:53:41 PM »

I ordered a 7 mag barrel today from match grade machine...very nice people! I hope it will be a shooter!! Peace

657e · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2007, 02:35:16 PM »

I wish I had read this in Sept.I was told 2 weeks ago my barrel should ship last week.And theyve had my money for 2 months.I cant decide what to do with them.Ive been nice and patient.But my patience is waring down.

Keith L · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2007, 11:01:17 PM »

There are lots of folks who are happy with their barrels when they get them. You have waited this long, I guess I would be inclined to give it a little more time. I don't know how much.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2007, 08:20:35 AM »

Quote from: 657e on January 18, 2007, 02:35:16 PM

I wish I had read this in Sept.I was told 2 weeks ago my barrel should ship last week.And theyve had my money for 2 months.I cant decide what to do with them.Ive been nice and patient.But my patience is waring down.

657e,

The only thing you will accomplish if you call and start complaining is either have Freds daughter (she answers the phone) hang up on you, or worse yet, have Fred yell at you and stick your barrel in some dark damp corner for another month. So, I wouldn't advise the call-'n-b$tch method.

You could opt for the call every Monday and just be so darn pleasant that it could make even Mother Theresa puke. If you did this every Monday that would probably get your order done. But .....you have to remember....SO NICE THAT IT WOULD MAKE MOTHER T. PUKE!

That is a true excercise in disipline!

Dave.

retrieverhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2007, 03:43:44 PM »

Is there a "real" problem with WSMs in Encores? I have a VVCG 300 WSM barrel and love it, but if it is dangerous in any way, I would like to know.

657e · « **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2007, 01:04:34 PM »

I called last friday and the man in the bluing room said my barrel had some blemishes on it and he had to reblue it.I tild him i only had 2 weekends of deer season left and would really like to have it.He called me back that afternoon and gave me a tracking number.As of this afternoon it has made it to memphis tenn.So I should have it tomorrow or thursday at the latest.I hope it is as good as everything I hear about them.Thank you folks for listening at me.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #24 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:17:27 PM »

Hey...that's good news. Put it on your frame and run a few rounds down the range. Then go out and whack that deer! Good luck!

Dave

encore58 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2007, 08:46:18 AM »

I ordered from Fred several years ago (.44 mag bull barrel for my Encore) and would do it again. His barrels are the best and worth the wait. I personally called and talked to him at least 6 times and he was always professional and courteous with me.

ourway77 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:34:33 AM »

Just bought 2 Bullberry barrels off another sight, the person stated the barrels are tried and true, and said they are real shooters. I am so glad to read of the problems with the service from Bullberry I hope I never need it. There too many great barrel makers to have to put up with that kind of abuse from anyone. I only have a few custom barrels, and have had no problems, one example Paul at Coyote Barrels, a gentlman to talk to and outstanding service and his barrel are great shooters, and his prices are also great. Lou

Gdbyrd · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:53:51 AM »

God..After reading all of this I now feel sick...I ordered a "ready to ship" barrel from Bullberry Monday..I was told "it'll be shipped out today after I finish it up." Ugh.....Man this sucks...Lol, I knew I should have ordered a stock barrel from Midway or Midsouth : / How long should I wait before giving them a call? I tried for a whole three days to get ahold of them on the phone to place my order...I should have taken the hint.

I had a similar problem ordering some poison dart frogs. I ended up calling my bank and having my money refunded....was a huge mess but I got all my money back...so I guess I have an option

pdh · « **Reply #28 on:** July 19, 2007, 04:49:16 PM »

OH BOY........I am new here....and I see this post?

?? .....Not even sure I what to go into this ...butttt...........
Yea......I had powerful issues with Bullberry.......
Wellll.......I ordered a 243AI barrel off Bullberry....always heard how great and wonderful they are. So I waited over 4 months to get my custom barrel. When it did finally arrived....I was just like a little boy in a toy store. Loaded up some fireforming loads...headed to the range to fireform some brass...To make a long story short on this....Fred stamped on the barrel.....243 Improved...well he chambered it for the 243Win!!!!!!!!!!!!
I call Fred...told him...he said " I am human...I make mistakes...send it in..I will rechamber it for the 243 Improved." I send it back. Turn around was not to bad...but the barrel was minus the extractor. Called Fred...got the extractor about a week later....headed for the range....WHAT THE.........After firing the first load....I did not know what the heck I had!!!!!!! The shoulder was moved some forward but halfway down the shoulder...there was a small step or bulge.....I took my encore to my smith...My smith's opinion was Fred did not run his remear in far enough.....Called Fred....he said send it back.....I requested a new barrel...he said before he will do that...he will send me back...with my barrel ....some cases that he fired through it. If it did not meet my approval...he would then make me a new barrel. Got the barrel back....minus roll pin for the extractor....but the fire formed cases looked ok to me.....but WHEW...................................

But after the rechambering from the 243Win to the 243AI....the chamber was out of spec for the 243AI because Fred did not set the barrel back because of the lug!!! Chamber is a tad longer than the offical 243AI diminsions ......I was worried about head\case separation problems......................I did not want to mess with Bullberry again!!!! A buddy suggested I call a Gent by the name of Lonnie Humell from Hornaday to talk to him about making me custom dies off the chamber of my barrel. After talking to Lonnie...he said I "may" have a problem with the case stretching...giving me case/head separation. He told me to fireform 3 cases and send then into him.....he will check them and if no problems...he will make my dies.......Thank the good Lord....the cases were all right......I should be getting these dies in a couple weeks......

I ordered a eacbo accuracy barrel last march...will be getting it in acouple weeks also....No more Bullberry Barrels for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fordisto · « **Reply #29 on:** July 19, 2007, 05:25:31 PM »

I didn't order a barrel, but...

after seeing the big sale posted on this forum for forearms, stocks, etc., I called to order a composite foreend for my Contender. $18.00 you can't beat that. After looking at the website and deciding on my order, I noticed the Military/ Law Enforcement discount (10%). I called and placed my order and asked for the discount. I asked if I needed to send proof of affiliation and I was told that if I was a big enough a@&hole to ask for it I would be given the discount without sending proof.

After gritting my teeth and thinking this was possibly just some dry humor I replied that I supposed the discount was for a@&holes, Military, and law enforcement, and I fell into 2 of those categories. I realize that I was asking for a 10% discount off of $18.00, and not a custom barrel, however, this will make me think twice before I will ever order anything else from them.