Complaint Review: A1-Locksmith - Steven Gray - Belmont California

I contend that A1-Locksmith has stolen from me $465.62.

I found A1-Locksmith in the search engines while shopping for a gun safe back on 16 May 2003. I found one on the site I liked, the 'Teton' and phoned them to get details on purchasing this item and got connected with Steven Gray on about the first ring. He told me that I could select from several colors and other options included a brass handle. It would be delivered to my door. It would be No delivery date was discussed. I wasn't worried, this personable, cheerful fellow had me feeling like there would be no problems, and after our talk I went right back to the site and ordered the safe.

Starting on 2 June 2003 I began attempts to contact A1-Locksmith by phone and left several messages on an answering machine but got no calls back. I sent three delivery inquiry email messages on the 4th, 10th, and 11th of June which also got no response.

Finally on 12 June 2003, four days shy of 1 month after ordering the safe I got Steven Gray on the phone. His reason for not returning my calls was "I didn't know what to tell you". He went on to say that it takes 10 weeks to manufacture a safe, and that it upsets him when people can't appreciate that fact.

I'm really worried at this point, because other outfits I looked into have this safe, and they are ready to ship (with options) immediately. So I ask Steven where the safe is being made (even though I know the safe is made by American Security Products (AMSEC) in Fontana, CA), but he refuses to tell me. He said I couldn't contact them because (and I quote) "It's just us.", whatever that was supposed to mean. I'm thinking he hasn't even ordered me a safe yet.

AMSEC has over 400 employees making 60,000 safes a year. All this joker had to do was order me a safe and drop ship it to me. I tell him I want to cancel the order and he tells me that if I cancel the order I will be charged a 20% restocking fee on the return. I ask how that can be if the safe hasn't even been manufactured yet. We will charge you he states and at the point I tell him I think it all sounds like a bunch of BS. He says "Now your cussing at me, I'm not talking to you any more" and hangs up.

I immediately call Chase Mastercard and tell them the story, and they assure me that as long as I haven't taken delivery of an item I cannot be charged a restocking fee. So I explain to them that I canceled the order and why, and that I'd like a refund.

Now our hero, Steven Gray the A1-Locksmith goes into scam action. I get this email on 12 Jun '03:

YOUR SAFE DELIVERY IS IN PROGRESS WE WILL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE TOMORROW AS SOON AS WE HERE FROM THE OUR WAREHOUSE OF YOUR SAFE ETA

Steven Gray

_______________________________________

I email him with a reminder that I canceled the order, and that I'd need a refund.

Then on 13 June '03 I get this:

your safe will be delivered on 06/18/2003 your account will have to be charged for a liftgate service in the amount of 78.00 dollars you do not have to worry we are a honest company and fulfill our obligations

best regards

Steven Gray

_______________________________________

He then proceeds to charge $78.00 against my credit card without permission. I again to remind him that the order is canceled.

He sends this:

IT IS TO LATE TO0 CANCEL THIIS IS A SPECIAL ORDER IT IS YOUR SAFE AND IS ON THE WAY TO YOU. YOU ARE THE ONE TRYING TO COMMIT FRAUD BY ORDERING THE SAFE CUSTOM WITH YOUR COLOR BLACK AND BRASS HANDLE. WHY DONT YOU WANT IT NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED TO YOUR SPECS AND IS ONLY DAYS AWAY.

Steven Gray

_______________________________________

He plays up this customization business now and later. The colors and type of handle are actually standard options. Here is the link to the Teton safe AMSEC makes:

http://www.amsecusa.com/gun-safe-teton-5924-main.htm

I tell him to refund the card ASAP.

The delivery date 18 June 2003 comes and goes. The safe does not arrive. No delivery attempt is made.

On July 27th 2003 I received a letter from Chase Mastercard stating:

"We are happy to confirm that we have resolved the dispute for you. The disputed amount of $756.10 was removed with a credit to your account on June 20, 2003."

And indeed it had been. 3 Months pass and last week I get a letter from Chase with a pack of lies by Steven Gray attached saying that the safe had been delivered, that I refused it and that I had to pay shipping charges and a restocking fee of 20%.

I had to pay $465.62 to clear the charge from my card.

Don't worry Steven Gray, I'm sure you'll still be able to run your Monkey Business from your jail cell.

Steve

California City, California
U.S.A.