Conman: The ratcatcher

[Unframed Dave]

If the rifle is only 4 months old, it should still be under guarantee. Even if the guarantee is limited to first purchaser, he should be able to get it sorted for you.

Does sound like an avenue worth investigating.

Ratcatcher?

[partner k1250]

Some times things do go wrong its life i sold a Ripley on
here a few years back buyer pm me to say it was leaking he took it
over to steve at ripley and the rifle was fixed at a cost of £130 which i paid for
end of problem for myself and buyer not a bad word was passed between us

[Rativity]

The fella hasn’t replied, he shut the conversation down after NO Refund.

Obviously he’s known something was not right, I did think why he was selling it after only 2 weeks, but that wasn’t the case. It’s 4 months old not 2 weeks! which I was told before I bought it, he then asked for bank tranfer.

Something isn’t right here very suspicious

If the rifle is as good as he says it is then why no to refund? Makes me think it was all planned which is obviously dishonest on his part.

He said it maybe be the scope which I said I’d try another (new scope landed today) which I purchased for this rifle looks like that was a waste of money too.

I’ve heard nothing from him, he hasn’t replied here just total shutdown!

He knew before sending it, he has until tomorrow to get in touch and come up with something to sort this bad deal out then I will have no choice but to contact fraud,
Police and bank which isn’t going to be nice for him..

[Mach 1.5]

I'd also drop brocock an email tomorrow for advice. Explain the situation and they might just help out by investigating what is wrong with one of their products? It's worth a go? Mach 1.5

[bongobango]

To clarify the police won't do anything, it's a civil matter between you and him not criminal.

If indeed he did purchase it recently, if I remember it was a local purchase maybe range and country in Sleaford?. It is unlikely to be an issue on sale as they check all their gear before it goes out the door, including the second hand stuff they sell on. In that case it may be worth checking with them, they won't have sold many of them. Maybe the seller tried to return it after fiddling with it?..if so they might be able to provide extra evidence, for your civil claim, if things dont get sorted to your satisfaction.

It certainly sounds a little suspicious....

Just an idea.

Bongo

[WebleyWombler]

He knew before sending it, he has until tomorrow to get in touch and come up with something to sort this bad deal out then I will have no choice but to contact fraud,
Police and bank which isn’t going to be nice for him..

I think you will be disappointed if you contact the police. they will simply refer you to Trading standards who will then tell you it is nothing to do with them as it is a private sale.
Not sure what action you can take with the bank but don't expect miracles.All your posts come through sounding very irate and if that was the tone of your contact with him? I can understand why he cut you off

Can't see any intimation of fraud at all, just possibly mis described goods

Be careful your actions don't backfire on you.

[Rativity]

I'd also drop brocock an email tomorrow for advice. Explain the situation and they might just help out by investigating what is wrong with one of their products? It's worth a go? Mach 1.5

Thanks for the advice. I have already called the shop that the rifle was purchased from. I was told that no it would have to be brought in by the original purchaser with proof of I’d, the shop are a train brocock specialist and take on all warranty work, which is what I’ve been told.

With over 3k posts I’d of thought the ratcatcher was a responsible genuine fella, he can’t even be bothered to reply to a MOD above!

I have his adress/details. The fruad team will shut his account down instantly while they get my funds returned… then he can drive the 3hrs and pick it up if he wants to play it that way, like I said I’m getting my cash back doesn’t matter what I have to do

[Unframed Dave]

In all fairness, we need to give Ratcatcher a chance to reply. I appreciate that this isn't a good situation, and emotions come into play, but he has sold very many items on here without problems. (Before anyone jumps in about lego, I am aware of that, but please bear in mind we are talking about something that occurred 8 years ago).

At this point for all anyone else knows, the rifle was sold in good faith.

Please allow a little patience in pursuing a response. I'm fairly certain the seller won't have appreciated being called a conman on an open part of a public forum.

Dave

[Unframed Dave]

Thanks for the advice. I have already called the shop that the rifle was purchased from. I was told that no it would have to be brought in by the original purchaser with proof of I’d, the shop are a train brocock specialist and take on all warranty work, which is what I’ve been told.

With over 3k posts I’d of thought the ratcatcher was a responsible genuine fella, he can’t even be bothered to reply to a MOD above!

I have his adress/details. The fruad team will shut his account down instantly while they get my funds returned… then he can drive the 3hrs and pick it up if he wants to play it that way, like I said I’m getting my cash back doesn’t matter what I have to do

I have had a reply, no new information has been given at this stage. Essentially it is one person's word against another.

I am hopeful of a win win situation to resolve this, but some cooperation on both sides will be needed.

If a mutually satisfactory solution isn't achievable, then indeed formal action outside of the forum may be your best recourse.

Dave

[angrybear]

While I can totally understand your frustration a thread like this isn't doing anyone any favours.

Did you ask him what accuracy & grouping he had got from it with what pellet, & try that yourself ? perhaps a mod could now do so on your behalf

I would hope the seller did not sell it knowing it would not group when he could just have taken it back for any fault to be investigated.

I actually had a very similar situation with my FAC Rapid .25, I think it was only sold because it was so inaccurate & had I tried it first, I probably wouldn't have bought it,
But
once I got some JSB kings it's pinpoint it just won't shoot any other pellet, quite possible this rifle is equally fussy.

First thing is it needs to go across a chrono to see if the muzzle velocity is steady, then if it is, have a serious pellet testing session.

Perhaps another member close by might give some help & a fresh opinion.

[harvey_s]

What I don't understand is why Ratcatcher didn't at the very least offer to get it repaired under warranty?
Seems rather odd...

[Rativity]

While I can totally understand your frustration a thread like this isn't doing anyone any favours.

Did you ask him what accuracy & grouping he had got from it with what pellet, & try that yourself ? perhaps a mod could now do so on your behalf

I would hope the seller did not sell it knowing it would not group when he could just have taken it back for any fault to be investigated.

I actually had a very similar situation with my FAC Rapid .25, I think it was only sold because it was so inaccurate & had I tried it first, I probably wouldn't have bought it,
But
once I got some JSB kings it's pinpoint it just won't shoot any other pellet, quite possible this rifle is equally fussy.

First thing is it needs to go across a chrono to see if the muzzle velocity is steady, then if it is, have a serious pellet testing session.

Perhaps another member close by might give some help & a fresh opinion.

I have had it over two chronographs.. 26fps extreme spread -9.7 dev (13 shots) like a shotgun at 15 yards, so bad I didn’t push the range in case it hit the fence at the back, as it is so unpredictable where the pellets are landing.

If he is a decent fella he would have replied and put this right, everything is pointing to the fact that he knew this was the case before he advertised it on here and sold it to me.

The lack of acknowledgment on his part speaks louder than words here

[Murphy]

He says he is not a shop but he has put 390 things in the for sale sections and 52 things for sale just this year.

[Rativity]

He says he is not a shop but he has put 390 things in the for sale sections and 52 things for sale just this year.

I contacted him the second I found out it was a shotgun. I explained why I wasn’t happy and would like a refund as the rifle isn’t fit for purpose

His reply and I quote

I gave you that gun in perfect condition shooting with 100% accurac. You could have done anything to it how do I know? I am afraid I cannot give you a refund on this. I am not a shop and have no funds available now.

Above is the last time I heard from him. He has not even bothered replying to a Moderator

[Unframed Dave]

I'm locking the thread now, he hasn't been on the forum since 4.48pm, I'll re open it when anything changes.

Dave