Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply |
one of us |
Have any of you boy's got any current information on these guy's, especially the production manager, one Toyon J. Wiggs? He contacted me about finishing a project for me back in May of this year saying that Sharps Rifle Company were the new owners of A-Square... I have been waiting on a call from them since July and now find that all there phones have been disconnected or so says the recording I'm getting! Could sure use some help getting hold of these guy's! Phil | ||
|
One of Us |
Good luck! | |||
|
one of us |
Yea!, this whole thing has been a real nightmare, ever since originally talking with Arthur Alpin way back in early 2008 about building a heavy 35 of my own design, what I called a .358PLP... In 2009 with the understanding that A-Square would build the rifle, I had Dave Manson make up a custom reamer for it along with a set of gages, and sent that along with a $900 deposit for the rile to A-Square... And never could again make contact with them.... Fast forward to around May of this year! This Toyon J. Wiggs contacts me after I responded to another members request about A-Square, and after telling me that the company was under new management from the Sharps Rifle Company, that they had found my order and wanted to know if I still wanted the rifle, and that they still had my deposit, along with the reamer and gages, and that they would honor the original order... And I fell for it, and sent them, after having Dave Manson making a custom re-reamer at Reddings request a brand new Deluxe die set for the .358PLP, along with a two die set to put a shoulder on the 404 Jefferies brass for fire forming... that had been made earlier... So as of right now, I'm out a pretty good bundle on this deal! Phil | |||
|
Moderator |
If they still have your money, reamer(s), etc., contact the parent company immediately. If they are unwilling to help you retrieve your property, file a theft report with the nearest Sheriff in Wyoming (and the BATFE). Follow up with a small claims case. I do not understand why you would not have told Toyon J. Wiggs to bundle up your goods and money and return them immediately. This outfit and people associated with them have repeatedly shown themselves to be swindlers and charlatans. George | |||
|
one of us |
It would seem that the parent company along with A-Square have all got the same phone numbers, None of them work! Phil | |||
|
one of us |
WEll I wold have figured it was a scam as soon as the name toyon was given to me try contacting him directly, if they've folded up your money is gone but maybe he has a way to get your parts to you. I found that he has taught at Casper College before, maybe they have a way you could contact him, I'm sure a paid search would net a number and address although free search hasn't helped me. I of course don't have any business with them, but considering they used grant funding for 80% of their new shop I hope they get busted if they're taking people's money and not delivering. "The building east of Glenrock that houses A-Square was made possible by a $1.5 million Business Committed grant, which represented 80 percent of the cost. A-Square is obligated to create 21 jobs in five years." that's from the paper up there last year. I found rumor on another forum (cabelas) that they have been bought by another company that will continue the ammo side but sounds like, according to rumor, not the rifle side. Red My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them. -Winston Churchill | |||
|
One of Us |
Greyghost, if it was me, I would take another road. I would gather up all the documentation I had and head out across N-93 for I-80 to I-25 in the Cowboy state. It would be my vacation of justification. I would stop at the local county sheriff's office for an explanation of the matter then pay them a call to collect my parts and funds with the sheriff at my side. I've made this trip from Lake Elsinor and it is a rather pleasant trip, especially knowing that my custom stuff was coming home with me to find a reputable Gun Maker to complete my project. There is no finer moment when you show up from long distance with the sheriff to pick up your stuff and they are not expecting you. Very gratifying to see the crooks with their pants down and the sheriff shaking a bad finger at them Olcrip, Nuclear Grade UBC Ret. NRA Life Member, December 2009 Politicians should wear Nascar Driver's jump suites so we can tell who their corporate sponsers are! | |||
|
one of us |
I have the feeling the place has been seized... here I've been patiently waiting for a call from them, waiting on a progress report on the project... and decided to call them this morning only to find all the phone numbers have been disconected. A little while ago I called and talked to the business editor of the Star-Tribune that did a story on them back in Dec, 2010 and he said that he's been trying to find out him self what is going on, and that he hasn't seen anyone there in months... Then a computer search I did, said that Art Alpin as of Feb, 2011 was up on fellony charges for making false application on some kind of jobs grant back in 2007... I'm gonna keep trying, so far I'm out nearly 2 grand with nothing to show for it. Phil | |||
|
Moderator |
With several threads on AR alone regarding Alphin's propensity for fraud, you have only yourself to blame for falling for it a second time. George | |||
|
one of us |
c'mon George. Let's not rub salt in the wounds. | |||
|
One of Us |
Art Alpin/A Square has had enough legal problems in the last 5 plus years to keep a whole firm of lawyers busy. not sure why you would trust them with hard earned money. my Daddy always said " WHERE THERE IS SMOKE, THERE IS FIRE" . I am sure his supporters will flame me but you can't polish a turd! certainly in this case the facts speak for themselves( unless the poster is flat out lying- which i HIGHLY doubt) Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
|
One of Us |
I side with George and jdollar here. He's been a lying SOB about everything since Day One, including his military service... | |||
|
one of us |
Just got off the phone with Mike Blanc from A-Square, I had a very nice long chat with him ( must have been an hour or more) about what is going on with the company, and what the future might hold... Doesn't look like Art Alpin is going to be much of a part of things from now on... The Hanabil rifle probably won't be produced there any more, but a new item is in the works... Mike spent a couple day's trying to get a hold of me, and I kept missing his calls, finally we were able to talk and he informed me that my dies and tooling have been sent back to me... That's the only thing I was worried about, them getting lost in the change of management. I'm leaving the deposit on the new rifle in his hands hoping that I will get in on the ground floor when the new rifle production does start... I'm very satasified at this point, and wish them the best on the new company... Phil | |||
|
Moderator |
I think that is a foolish move. You've been screwed how many times by this outfit? And you're going back for another round? Like the old joke about the hunter and the grizzly bear, I don't think you're in this for the rifle. George | |||
|
One of Us |
I would put more of my money on a blackjack table in Vegas than I'd leave with that outfit... No offense, but it is said "Experience is a tough school to learn in, but a fool cannot do so otherwise..." | |||
|
One of Us |
Shit on me once shame on you! Shit on me twice shame on me!!!!!!! Are you afraid they will not return your funds? Me thinks it's time to saddle up for Wyoming to retreave funds in person!!!!!! Olcrip, Nuclear Grade UBC Ret. NRA Life Member, December 2009 Politicians should wear Nascar Driver's jump suites so we can tell who their corporate sponsers are! | |||
|
one of us |
If I was going to be making a trip to Wyoming, it would be to look over the place and to see if I could assist them in getting it up and running... Art is pretty much out of the picture from what I understand, and if I can get my nearly $1,200 worth of dies and tooling back, and stay on good terms with the new management... I'll be happy... I could have lost it all! Phil | |||
|
Moderator |
Or you could have insisted on getting all your money back and finding someone else to build you a gun. George | |||
|
one of us |
Greyghost-- What is Mike Blanc's phone....... And are they still part of Sharps Co now?Ed MZEE WA SIKU | |||
|
One of Us |
Which "Sharps" company WOULD that be? Shiloh, C Sharps? If you do some research, you will find neither of those companies EVER have had ANYTHING to do with A-Square . | |||
|
One of Us |
Either he's in or he's out of the picture. "Pretty much" means he's in. Good luck, you will need it. | |||
|
one of us |
I just found a Sharps Rifle Co that sells AR stuff, pistol replicas, holsters, etc, and shows A-Square is part of them. But on the A-sq link page no phone numbers there work. THIS IS NOT THE Shiloh Sharps that makes the replica Falling Blocks of Quigley fame..Ed MZEE WA SIKU | |||
|
one of us |
As far as I can tell, Sharps Rifle Company is not at all associated with C.Sharps or Shiloh Sharps. The company that bought A-Square, Sharps Rifle Company, has never actually made a rifle as far as I can determine. I am guessing that they use the name to make them sound more legitamate. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx | |||
|
One of Us |
Yes, Hubel, the "Sharps Rifle Co" is not in any way connected with Shiloh, or C. Sharps in Big Timber, MT. That was my point. I just wanted to make sure you and everyone else reading this understood that a fact. | |||
|
one of us |
I got to find a number to a living being at either place, Sharps the parent co or A-sg; ASAP. Ed MZEE WA SIKU | |||
|
One of Us |
Good Luck.. Seriously. | |||
|
One of Us |
Not aware of the particulars but if state grant money was involved for economic development you might want to alert the secretary of state. I suspect they might frown on this type of goings on. | |||
|
one of us |
Phil, "pretty much out of the picture" is like a little bit pregnant. If he is in anyway associated with the new company you are risking another screwing. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
|
one of us |
You've already lost it all, you just won't admit it. It's amazing to me how much crap people will take from gunsmiths. ______________________________ "Truth is the daughter of time." Francis Bacon | |||
|
One of Us |
I did a quick google search of the company, and interesting what comes up. Sharps rifle company appears to be a company that has latched onto old trademarks that are abandoned, and registered them to get a leg up on a new company that produces products different than the original trademark. Just a name, for recognition sake, nothing else. They have taken development money/loans in both Wyoming and South Dakota tied to job creation, and have failed to deliver in either location. I saw one article that said that the company was "bank owned" now. After 2 years in Chamberlain South Dakota, they have failed to begin producing ammunition in a plant that was financed at least in part by local development money. Their financial arrangement according to quotes from AA and the Sharps Co. Owner is that AA is 80% owned by Sharps, and 20% by Art. Capitalization is the hardest part of getting companies like these off the ground. Even harder when a remote partner puts up 80% of the cash, and then wants a return on their investment, coming out of your paycheck if you're the guy actually running the company in a lean startup time. Usually, they force the company into bankruptcy, then buy it back at the bankruptcy auction with a bid just enough to clear the other debts, so they end up with the company. If you don't believe this is what happens in the real world, look at DZ takeover/sale of Ballard Arms, and the lender takover of Dakota arms/Nessica/Miller as a prelude to a lucrative sale to Remington group. That technique was very successful for them in amassing companies at the expense of the naive founders/investors. A similar thing is/has unfolded recently with Jamison International, through a loan/partnership with the owner of Chey-Tac. In the case of AA, it probably won't hurt anybody's feelings except the innocent customers that lose their deposits in the bankruptcy/takeover. Unless they're very well capitalized, Sharps might not emerge from this the winner either. They may be a loser right alongside AA. dave | |||
|
One of Us |
GOTTA THINK YOU HAVE LOST IT ALL- YOU JUST ARE HAVING A HARD TIME ADMITTING IT. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
|
One of Us |
hope springs eternal. However, in this case, that light at the end of the tunnel is the 5:20 AMTRAK at ninety-miles an hour... | |||
|
One of Us |
Going away from you with your funds! Shit on me twice? Olcrip, Nuclear Grade UBC Ret. NRA Life Member, December 2009 Politicians should wear Nascar Driver's jump suites so we can tell who their corporate sponsers are! | |||
|
one of us |
What's the latest? | |||
|
One of Us |
I'd like his # also. Ed DRSS Member | |||
|
One of Us |
Found this info today: http://issuu.com/theglenrockbi..._smallres/1?mode=a_p http://issuu.com/theglenrockbi...jan3_2010/1?mode=a_p http://www.chamberlainsun.com/news.php?default.0.200 http://a-squareco.com/ http://www.manta.com/c/mtcqy2k...quare-of-wyoming-llc Last one lists a phone number for Michael Blank Greyghost I sent you a PM "It ain't lion hunting unless you get stitches." - John in WYO "It became aquatic, briefly." Ann ~ Aspen Hill Adventures The bear has to touch you to hurt you. Don’t let the bear touch you. | |||
|
One of Us |
You were on the money with that comment. DCI got involved. See link above Saeed, Should this be moved out of the classifieds? "It ain't lion hunting unless you get stitches." - John in WYO "It became aquatic, briefly." Ann ~ Aspen Hill Adventures The bear has to touch you to hurt you. Don’t let the bear touch you. | |||
|
Administrator |
Yep, you are right. This needs to be in the Gunsmithing Forum. | |||
|
One of Us |
And some of us are considered assholes for complaining about it........well maybe I deserve it.... If you had the chance to get your $ back, shoulda done that. I too was happy just getting back 2 actions and 2 blanks from Mr. S. But I knew I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting any money. Good luck though..... There are two types of people in the world: those that get things done and those who make excuses. There are no others. | |||
|
one of us |
Computer crashed and burned over a week ago, and have been going through internet withdrawls! Also notice that the post has been moved... Had a pleasant conversation with Mr. Blanc, and once requested a prompt return of my dies and tooling... all was well kept and in same new conditon as when I sent it... As for the money, I'm still holding out hope that they can get the company up and running and I'll still get the rifle out of it... but as Mr. Blanc said there is a long line. Phil | |||
|
Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 |
Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia