What to do? R9 damage out of box.****TAKE 2

[UK_CATS_FAN]

Received my R9 from PA today and after running errands all day opened it up to see slight damage to the stock.  There appears to be a gouge in the forearm checkering on the left side. Not bad, I figure it was a machine flaw and some discoloration on the stock near the safety. At first I thought it was a scratch but it feels smooth just stained way lighter than the rest of the gun. So do I send it back in hopes for a blemish free version or shoot it and see how it goes?  Maybe there will be little or no droop and it will drive tacks and I can deal with the blemishes. I hate to pay $470 and not be happy. Is this the norm?  Thanks in advance. CV

[Motorhead]

First DOCUMENT with pictures of packaging to either substantiate or Eliminate Freight damage as cause.
Then come next week once holidays over contact PA and see if or how they are willing to adjust or handle / replace it.

If not happy with it ... suggest NOT shooting it either 

[UK_CATS_FAN]

Yes sir. I should have stated no obvious shipping damage. I don't think I have enough post sto show pics for opinions.  That it probably my course of action. Disappointed though, long weekend and I was ready give her a good cleaning,  mount a scope and break her in.  Oh well there's always next weekend and maybe it will be cooler. 

[roadfix]

As if filled with wood putty and refinished?   Sorry to hear that.

Just last month I had to send a R1 back to PA twice.  First return was wrong barrel length and second was due to a huge crack in the stock.

[Frank in Fairfield]

CV,
You will not be happy with the R9 the way it is.
Get a RMA and shipping label and send it back.
IMHO

[UK_CATS_FAN]

Gonna send it back, it's already repackaged, but PA was closed so no return info yet.
 Roadfix, not repaired or filled in. It looks like the checkering machine took the wood too low. All the peaks on the checkering are sharp, except for a 1/4" by 1/4" spot in the center, that spot it almost flush with the valleys of the checkering. If you can picture that.

[zenonine]

If more people would do as you are and return a gun that has damage, instead of saying " oh well, let's see how it shoots" - making it a used gun, PA would get the message. I've returned 3 rifles to them and won't buy another. And never forget their "helpful" sales reps work on commission.

[marx68us]

PA doesn't even care if you shoot a 1000 rounds through. 30 day return policy. I got a gamo, mounted the scope, put about 300 rounds through it and decided I didn't like it. Sent it back and got a full refund.

[wimpanzee]

Yep, send it back. PA will get you one you are happy with. The chances of getting any R9 that isn't a shooter is pretty low, don't accept a damaged gun that costs almost $500!

[Frank in Fairfield]

I have read something on another forum that PA is tightening up on their return policy.
Not sure what it is but they are apparently getting real tired of "I don't like it", reasons.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I also returned a scope eating Gamo with no problems. That was 2 years ago.

[nced]

First DOCUMENT with pictures of packaging to either substantiate or Eliminate Freight damage as cause.
Then come next week once holidays over contact PA and see if or how they are willing to adjust or handle / replace it.

If not happy with it ... suggest NOT shooting it either 

I received a HW95 in July that was on sale for $299 from AOA and the packaging was damaged so I took some pics "just in case".
Here are a couple. LOL.....that white trash bag is filled with those dratted styrofoam peanuts that was packed around the damaged factory box but they seem to have done a fine job!



Funny thing is that the "double boxed" HW95 showed no damage on the "outer box", only the inner HW95 box so I proceeded to open the package actually expecting to find some gun damage. Well, the gun was in perfect condition and here are a few pics........





Here is the HW95 with mounted Optisan Viper scope next to my Beeman R9. I added a muzzle break to the "95" after stripping the iron sights and even took the time to make up some posted screw cups and a steel pillar for the large trigger guard screw........

Steel screw cups and pillared trigger guard screw.....






Anywhoo......IF the "95" was just cosmetically damaged (it wasn't) I probably wouldn't have sent it back since it's going to get dings and dents anyway, however if there was "structural damage" it would have been sent back!

[zenonine]

I have read something on another forum that PA is tightening up on their return policy.
Not sure what it is but they are apparently getting real tired of "I don't like it", reasons.

I returned a Hatsan 125 to PA about 3 months ago and was told by a sales rep that the $$ would go back on my debit card in 10 days or so. Didn't happen. Called again and was told by a different rep the money would go on a gift certificate. That didn't happen either. Called again and was told that accounting wouldn't release the money because I had a Hawke red dot on back order. Finally emailed the customer service manager and got the refund-after spending $100 or so on accessories. I'm done with PA.

[roadfix]

.....that white trash bag is filled with those dratted styrofoam peanuts that was packed around the damaged factory box but they seem to have done a fine job!

I wish they stop using peanuts for packing material as they tend to shift the load to the edge of the carton while en route, offering no protection on that side.

[Sig-Man]

Yes, I completely agree. I bet the distributors could afford at those prices a block of foam with a cavity shaped for the rifle--or even an injected PU foam that would fit the space, with the rifle in a plastic bag.  Peanuts are very ineffective in protecting heavier articles during shipping.  Similarly priced semi-autos are mostly packaged in hard plastic boxes with a nicely cut out foam liner, I can't even imagine seeing one in a cardboard box filled with peanuts!   

[straightshooter]

Did you guys do the 10 for 10? Just curious if they would have caught defects or blems?

How is PA's Packaging of air rifles? I purchased a rifle from Airguns depot, and can not recommend them for there poor packaging. I thought AOA did a good job.

E

[UK_CATS_FAN]

I did not do 10 for 10.  Gun was packed well I'd say. It was in the Beeman box with a foam cut out, then that box was in an outer cardboard box. No packing material in between the boxes. In my opinion it was satisfactory if the carrier treated it average. 

[pneuby]

I once received a break-barrel rifle from an FFL. It had ONE cursory wrap of 1" bubble wrap,  inside a box a full FOOT longer than the gun. NO end-padding nor so much as parcel paper wadding to tighten it in place snugly. The barrel was broken open from impact/s. If it had been a firearm, I'd wager it would've cracked at the wrist of the stock, and/or suffered a bent barrel. 

[roadfix]

Gun was packed well I'd say. It was in the Beeman box with a foam cut out, then that box was in an outer cardboard box. No packing material in between the boxes. In my opinion it was satisfactory if the carrier treated it average.

That's EXACTLY how my R1 was packed.   Without any cushioning between the two boxes that Beeman foam cutout offers virtually no protection if the box is squarely dropped on the butt end or the barrel end.  The weight of the 10 lb rifle can easily shift, squeeze the foam, and take the blunt of the impact if dropped on that end.    The vendor thinks that's what happened when I received my R1 with a huge horizontal crack at the grip area.   The cartons otherwise showed no visible damage though....

[UK_CATS_FAN]

Received my replacement R9 and everything looks great on the stock, barrel and receiver, although I thought PA took their sweet time getting it out. Now I guess I have bad luck or PA/Beeman QCing process not worthy. In regards to the small medallion hanging from the trigger guard, the string holding it is somehow caught in between the trigger housing and stock. It will not pull out even with pliers, so to get the piece out, it will require disassembly.  I would think with as many responses to this post and others I have read, PA would check items before shipping. I can't imagine the losses they take in shipping  I don't know the mark up on a rifle, but shipping charges 3-5 times back and forth has to eat up profits?  Thoughts?