Aide!!

Subotai4Winds · 05/03/2004, 20h00

Sorry this is in English but I only know enough French to barely get by when talking to people and I need your help.

When I was in Normandy I went to a Army Surplus store and bought a 1944 deactivated Bren LMG. You dont need a liscense for this gun and its prefectly legal in the US because the firing pin has been removed, part of the gun has been milled so it cant be used, and the barrel was welded, etc. At least that is what I was told from lots of people and what I have read. Its a wall hanger.

Anyway I bought this thing 2 weeks ago. The guy said he was going to fedex it to me and he hasnt yet. I called him twice and each time he said the Fedex guy was coming the next day to pick it up and that he would email me the tracking number. I also emailed him once and got the same response.

When I called him I started the converstation in French and tried to be as nice as possible but now I am pissed and am wondering what is going on. Whats the best way to approach this problem? Since he is French and in a small town I wasnt really sure. But I dont want to get ripped off, and this "it's being sent tomorrow" crap sucks.

Is it hard to Fedex items over there? Is this pretty common with small French stores? Help!!

GdG · 05/03/2004, 20h35

Nmmmmm... Scam?

No, that's not usual, Fedex (well, never had a deal with them, but I guess that they perform as well as others) shouldn't take too long to get the package.

Do you have the bill? Did you sign papers for customs? (I guess that even if it has been neutralized, the gun must be verified by them, especially for anti-terror controls). The french gun law is rather harsh.

Maybe that's a crook who thinks that now he has your money and that you're far away, won't bother to sue him from oversea, or maybe that he really have problems to reach fedex. In this case ask him to contact UPS, TNT or Chronopost.

Subotai4Winds · 05/03/2004, 21h06

Do you guys have anything kind of goverment organization that protects consumers?

He has a website .... and I got his card and a receipt which I need to find. I dont think I need to do anything with customs since anyone can mail goods to the US and no one ever has to fill out any paperwork. Like if I order a game from a french store and they ship it to me I dont need to do anything special.

Athes · 05/03/2004, 21h11

The best solution for you is too find someone who speak french to call the guy and see what is going on. If you can't find anyone or if the guy just don't want to send the product and you paid with a card (visa, amex etc...) just call your bank and cancel the deal. The bank always give the benefit of the doubt to the consumer.

Subotai4Winds · 05/03/2004, 21h18

Yeah thats what I was thinking. I dont know anyone who speaks French though.

Would one of you guys I met at the mini-con be willing to call if I havent heard from him by Tuesday?

Wisper · 05/03/2004, 21h30

as you ask we a law that protect consumer in France and it is a very hard law for sellers. I know a little about it if you have some questions about it.

Subotai4Winds · 05/03/2004, 21h38

"as you ask we a law that protect consumer in France and it is a very hard law for sellers. I know a little about it if you have some questions about it."

If he wont ship it or refund my money is there anything I can do?

Wisper · 05/03/2004, 21h54

you have 7 day to refute the sell. He you ask him to payback he MUST give the money.
I'll follow in french as i dont know it in english someone could translate plz ?

En france un contrat est défini par certaines regles impératives dont l'une dit que les 2 parties doivent obligatoirement respecter leurs engagment. Dans ce cas tu l'as respecté en payant et le vendeur non en ne livrant pas la marchandise. Le seul fait de prouver la non livraison de la marchandise te donne raison vis à vis de la loi. De toute facon la loi est quasiment toujours du coté du consommateur dans un litige opposant un particulier à un commercant.

If you need exact law i cant tell you wich is article in french law. (only if you need to tell him why he have to send you what you buy)

Sorry to write it in french but my english is very bad...

GdG · 06/03/2004, 00h02

The official anti-fraud administration (french only): http://www.finances.gouv.fr/DGCCRF/

The EU one (also in english): http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health...r/index_en.htm

French legislation reguarding weapons: http://www.fusil-calais.com/shop/legal/legal_en.asp

http://www.tirsportif.com/LEGISLATIO...ntransport.htm

This website states that 1st category weapons (the Bren belongs to this category, even if neutralized, I'm afraid) can't be sold to you in France, but it says that a french shop is allowed to deliver it to you if you're living outside of the EU... Well, you bought it in France, but asked him to ship it to you... Not sure in wich category your purchase fits...

Try to contact the US ambassy in Paris: http://www.amb-usa.fr/

GdG · 06/03/2004, 00h07

Citation :

En france un contrat est défini par certaines regles impératives dont l'une dit que les 2 parties doivent obligatoirement respecter leurs engagment. Dans ce cas tu l'as respecté en payant et le vendeur non en ne livrant pas la marchandise. Le seul fait de prouver la non livraison de la marchandise te donne raison vis à vis de la loi. De toute facon la loi est quasiment toujours du coté du consommateur dans un litige opposant un particulier à un commercant.

If you proove that he didn't deliver the Bren, the justice will be on your side. Anyway, most of the time the justice is always siding with the consumer when he's confronted to a trader.

Give me his URL, I'll check if he's registered to the chambre du commerce (sort of tribunal where traders are registered), and if he's 'clean'.

You can call the Europe1 radio station too, they got a Robin Hood specialized in pwning traders opposing consumers

sab · 08/03/2004, 08h02

Hi Subotai,

Did you get news on your LMG ?

If you give me a bit more details (by mail) I could call the guy and to get informations about the status of your LMG.

Leclerc · 08/03/2004, 09h16

Yep, same here. If you need help, give us through a PM your name IRL, the name of the guy and all the elements thatyou have in hand. I can call him and check out things.

Some french Bas****s think that they can screw people because they live overseas, so if we can be of any help putting these guys back in the right track!

foxbob · 08/03/2004, 10h24

Same here,

If you need him to be "called frequently", I'll be one of your support

Angelor · 08/03/2004, 12h32

Citation :

Provient du message de foxbob
Same here,

If you need him to be "called frequently", I'll be one of your support

Let Foxbob try to call the guy. After earing him he'll bring your LMG himself swimming through the ocean...

Subotai4Winds · 09/03/2004, 02h00

Thanks for the offers. But I got something better!

My mom works for a law firm that has a couple international offices. Tomorrow a lawyer is going to call them and speak to them in French. Muhahahaha

Subotai4Winds Prophète / Prophétesse	Do you guys have anything kind of goverment organization that protects consumers? He has a website .... and I got his card and a receipt which I need to find. I dont think I need to do anything with customs since anyone can mail goods to the US and no one ever has to fill out any paperwork. Like if I order a game from a french store and they ship it to me I dont need to do anything special.
05/03/2004, 21h06

Athes Alpha & Oméga	The best solution for you is too find someone who speak french to call the guy and see what is going on. If you can't find anyone or if the guy just don't want to send the product and you paid with a card (visa, amex etc...) just call your bank and cancel the deal. The bank always give the benefit of the doubt to the consumer.
05/03/2004, 21h11

Subotai4Winds Prophète / Prophétesse	Yeah thats what I was thinking. I dont know anyone who speaks French though. Would one of you guys I met at the mini-con be willing to call if I havent heard from him by Tuesday?
05/03/2004, 21h18

Wisper Prophète	as you ask we a law that protect consumer in France and it is a very hard law for sellers. I know a little about it if you have some questions about it. __________________
05/03/2004, 21h30

Subotai4Winds Prophète / Prophétesse	"as you ask we a law that protect consumer in France and it is a very hard law for sellers. I know a little about it if you have some questions about it." If he wont ship it or refund my money is there anything I can do?
05/03/2004, 21h38

sab Alpha & Oméga	Hi Subotai, Did you get news on your LMG ? If you give me a bit more details (by mail) I could call the guy and to get informations about the status of your LMG.
08/03/2004, 08h02

Leclerc Oracle	Yep, same here. If you need help, give us through a PM your name IRL, the name of the guy and all the elements thatyou have in hand. I can call him and check out things. Some french Bas****s think that they can screw people because they live overseas, so if we can be of any help putting these guys back in the right track!
08/03/2004, 09h16

foxbob Oracle	Same here, If you need him to be "called frequently", I'll be one of your support
08/03/2004, 10h24

Angelor Alpha & Oméga	Citation : Provient du message de foxbob Same here, If you need him to be "called frequently", I'll be one of your support Let Foxbob try to call the guy. After earing him he'll bring your LMG himself swimming through the ocean...
08/03/2004, 12h32

Subotai4Winds Prophète / Prophétesse	Thanks for the offers. But I got something better! My mom works for a law firm that has a couple international offices. Tomorrow a lawyer is going to call them and speak to them in French. Muhahahaha
09/03/2004, 02h00

Aide!!

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