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Your reputation is only as good as your last deal...my story


R.L.

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As some of you may know, my start in sales here on Sturm dates back in the 90's selling NOS USGI 1919 Browning parts. During the next 16 or so years, I met a bunch of some really great folks here, and a few goobers too. But mostly solid people and I enjoyed my run.

I decided at one point to give up parts sales about 6 years ago so I sent 4 or 5 USPS flat rate boxes of parts to someone who used to post here I had known for abut 20 years. I still do good faith business and have sent many a part/s to people before their money ever arrived, since we developed mutual trust over the years.

This guy who dicked me over was someone I knew for 20 years 

Mike Todd warned me about this guy after the fact, but it was too late.

Now I'm absolutely positive this post will generate some negative responses, as every M.G. hero/dealer/manufacturer etc has it's own following and peanut gallery.

Personal attacks in support of their hero's are predictable. But before you supporters of this guy say one word, listen and read this post first.

There are no other extraneous circumstances, secrets or deals concerning this situation other than the fact I was never paid for these parts plain and simple. I pains me greatly to "out" this guy, but I think ya'll should hear this story directly from me instead of the peanut gallery over on the 1919A4 board.

The "guy" in question is Rollin Laufdahl, know to many of you as lucky 13. I considered Rollin to be a good friend and have sold parts to him for years. Some very rare and difficult to find 1919 parts too.

I don't know what happened to this guy, but his word is absolutely worthless to me now. He has promised on more than 3 occasions to pay me for the parts, and the bottom line is he has not paid me a dime or attempted to pay me. It's been over 3 years. Bullshit excuses and more promises he never keeps. P.F.S!

He has ducked phone calls and left my emails unanswered. Unfortunately, I've lost all respect for this guy now, but refuse to just walk away without exposing this out and out rip off.

Rollin, if you're reading this, please no more lame excuses or bullshit stories please. I sent you my new Maine address by text which you refused to acknowledge to date. The only thing I want, is to be paid for these parts at this point.

Once you have paid me I'll post an update here on Sturm, we both walk away and we're done as friends. No calls, no emails, just send me money for these parts I sent you.

A sad day in Maine,

R.L. 

Edited by R.L.
typo
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To Bob and all who see this, I am not here to make excuses. I owe Bob money, in a situation that has gone on far too long. All the parts Bob sent me are still boxed, I merely inventoried them, photographed and listed them so we could agree on a figure, and Bob left it to me to pay what I thought was a fair value. I know he has given up on me and, while am not fond of the public shaming, I do not blame him for doing this. My struggles to keep my shop and home are not his problem, but the situation is not one of my deliberately not wanting to pay. It's a matter of me saying yes when I was not in a position to pay, and just never getting caught up. No one has to believe me here, but I will make good on this before the year is out. 

I don't have a clue as to why Mike Todd would say anything bad about me. I never had any bad dealings with him, and last time I saw him we took a picture together, all smiles and I had not heard from him since, maybe about 4-5 years ago. I just heard that he had passed, but I don't know what or why he would have said anything bad about me. I never owed him money or anything like that. 

Anyway, I am not going to tell anyone here how to read this situation, and Bob is doing what he believes is right. I am just not going to hide and pretend I am not at fault here. 

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Glad your owning up to the issue, but being over 3 years is more than enough time to pay.. 

Return the parts if they are still boxed up, or just get it over with and pay the guy. I'm sure you have enough money to ship the stuff back.

Edited by Ryo
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17 hours ago, Rogue Island Arsenal said:

 

 

17 hours ago, Rogue Island Arsenal said:

 My struggles to keep my shop and home are not his problem, but the situation is not one of my deliberately not wanting to pay. It's a matter of me saying yes when I was not in a position to pay, and just never getting caught up. No one has to believe me here, but I will make good on this before the year is out. 

 

Three years and no pay is bullshit. Its always "poor me"

You could pick up cans or give blood, fuck anything to pay the man.

Excuses are for losers.

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On 11/11/2020 at 2:09 PM, Rogue Island Arsenal said:

To Bob and all who see this, I am not here to make excuses. I owe Bob money, in a situation that has gone on far too long. All the parts Bob sent me are still boxed, I merely inventoried them, photographed and listed them so we could agree on a figure, and Bob left it to me to pay what I thought was a fair value.

Maybe the best course of action would be to mail Mr. Leyshion's parts back to him? 

Sometimes shit happens that is beyond your control. Maybe you can't control the economic slowdown, family problems, health issues, etc. But you can apologize and mail him his property back and walk away knowing that you still have a little shred of integrity left. Eating crow sucks; delaying the meal only makes it that much worse. 

My opinion only, worth exactly what you paid for it.

-KristopherH

 

Edited by MontanaRenegade86
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On 11/11/2020 at 2:09 PM, Rogue Island Arsenal said:

To Bob and all who see this, I am not here to make excuses. I owe Bob money, in a situation that has gone on far too long. All the parts Bob sent me are still boxed, I merely inventoried them, photographed and listed them so we could agree on a figure, and Bob left it to me to pay what I thought was a fair value. I know he has given up on me and, while am not fond of the public shaming, I do not blame him for doing this. My struggles to keep my shop and home are not his problem, but the situation is not one of my deliberately not wanting to pay. It's a matter of me saying yes when I was not in a position to pay, and just never getting caught up. No one has to believe me here, but I will make good on this before the year is out. 

I don't have a clue as to why Mike Todd would say anything bad about me. I never had any bad dealings with him, and last time I saw him we took a picture together, all smiles and I had not heard from him since, maybe about 4-5 years ago. I just heard that he had passed, but I don't know what or why he would have said anything bad about me. I never owed him money or anything like that. 

Anyway, I am not going to tell anyone here how to read this situation, and Bob is doing what he believes is right. I am just not going to hide and pretend I am not at fault here. 

It takes moral courage to admit fault and confront public opinion. For this i commend you.  

Now you know exactly the right  path to take,  do the right thing. 

 

 

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Let me offer a suggestion.  I think the correct reply is "parts were sent back today, here's the tracking number, I apologize for the hassle...".  End of discussion. 

The only reasons to not send that reply is that you a) already sold the good stuff and don't have the money, b) you really have no intention of paying or sending back any parts.

Everyone makes mistakes.  How you decide to move forward is what defines your character.   This one is a "no-brainer"...

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Guys, my original and "ONLY" intent posting this was to make others here aware of the true story and to place this problem square in the presence of Rollin's peers in an attempt to recover what was owed, since I was basically being ignored otherwise.

Believe me, I get no pleasure in doing this whatsoever. Having lost a good friend here last month, Mike Todd & now having a lost another friend over money no less, has saddened me greatly.

****Rollin has just responded by text to me that he is sending funds now and would send more later. Please, I'm not trying to destroy the guy, I just want to get paid for the parts. I really do appreciate the support though, thank you.****

There was a lot of crap posted on the 1919a4 board the first time I mentioned this incident a year or so ago. The board "Manson-ists" actually attempted to make ME look like the bad guy, talked a lot of non-sense, said it was my fault before running me off "their" board.

(Man.. how that place has devolved to an inbred toilet bowl!)

That didn't set well with me and felt the need to get things straight.

One saying my deceased Navy Commander father liked to say was : "No good deed goes unpunished".

I'm sure this all started with good intentions on both sides. Very sad it had to end this way.

Friends, communication is paramount for everything in life. When communication is lost everything only gets worse. This was so avoidable....very sad.

Best to you all 

 

R.L.

Coming to you from the boonies of Maine

 

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2 hours ago, R.L. said:

****Rollin has just responded by text to me that he is sending funds now and would send more later. Please, I'm not trying to destroy the guy, I just want to get paid for the parts. I really do appreciate the support though, thank you.****

The thing is people like him only respond when they have been outed. He is the kind of persons that would continue to blow smoke up your ass, he would never apologize for doing it, only for getting caught.

You have way more patience than I.

 

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Ya know, so many problems would be avoided by just communicating with others.  The OP said this guy seemed to be deliberately ducking his messages and calls.  Don't do to that.  Everyone runs into problems once in a while, and most people are reasonable when it comes to them.  Especially if you have a good reputation amongst the group members.  Work something out.  Come up with a payment plan.  Establish a date when you will be able to pay.  As long as you don't keep making excuses, a lot of people will be fine with that.  Otherwise return the parts.  But don't ignore the guy when he reaches out.  Thats probably one of the worst things you can do and it will undoubtedly risk a reputation.

-David

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On 11/13/2020 at 0:22 PM, R.L. said:

Friends, communication is paramount for everything in life. When communication is lost everything only gets worse. 

This is so true that it might as well be a universal law. 

Communication is vital in: work, play, relationships, friendships, business, etc...

-KristopherH

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  • 3 weeks later...

Guys, 

I would like to update my original post.

In this time of highly traitorous behavior by the left, the deep state and democratic(oxymoron) anti-American trash we need to circle the wagons among ourselves in this 2nd amendment community.

Yes I did have a problem concerning my parts, and I appreciate the support and responses, but I'm happy to announce that problem has since been resolved.

Proof again of the immeasurable value of this board.

Rollin is making good on a mutually agreed upon figure, this case has been  closed satisfactorily by both parties.

At this point it matters not why this happened, it's been fixed , I'm willing to forgive what was, and move forward with what is.

I don't want to be one of the guys that helps the left to divide us, especially over money.

We need to circle the wagons to save this country, our Constitution and most especially our 2nd amendment rights!!

I'm very happy this problem has been resolved and now it is time to move forward as a unified front  against the real enemy.....

liberals, the deep state and socialism.

Thank you Rollin and fellow Sturm board members,

R.L.

AKA

Welsh Warrior

 

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