Rich Z
07-30-2007, 06:27 PM
Back on July 23, 2007, a friend of mine sent me an email asking how much he should pay for a Colt Python Silver Snake model. He indicated that the seller was asking $2,000. My response to him was that if he did not buy it for that price, then I would.
About a day goes past and I figured my friend was going to buy it, when I got this email from him (Tony):
----- Original Message -----
From: Tony DeGidio
To: Rich Z
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:39 PM
Subject: Re: Silver snake
Rich,
Email the guy if you want it. I offered to buy it for 1700 and he is still shopping it around to other people. Said he would get back to me after some other person responds to his offer to sell for 2k. I told him to forget it. I've got another gun I'm looking at and don't want to lose out on both of them ao I'm not waiting around for him. He never even said he'd take the 2k for sure. If you want it, its yours.
Tony
His name is Scott. I told him a freind of mine from Florida might want it.
fon13@co.henrico.va.us
Hmm, OK. So I fired off this email..
From: "Rich Z"
To: <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:01 PM
Subject: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> A friend of mine, Tony, said you had a Silver Snake you are interested in
> selling. He mentioned $2K for it. I would be interested in buying it at
> that price.
>
> Please let me know.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Zuchowski
>
To which I get this reply from Mr. Fones:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:25 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
yes i am looking to get $2000 for it tony said he had a diamondback on the line and would not be able to get both, i have not heard from the other individual who i talked to this morning, so if you want, it is yours, us postal money order or certified check would be preferred, i assume you have a ffl dealer you will use, please send me some info on your dealer (name phone number and fax number) i will ship from a dealer here in virginia once the funds are secure.
scott fones
804-921-5470
Emphasis added by me to underscore an important statement
My reply to this was:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 1:12 AM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> OK, I want it. Assuming the description details are all in order, of course.
> I don't have any description of the gun, but I believe Tony said it is NIB
> with the original box. Unfired and in perfect condition. I would just like
> statements from you to that effect along with a guarantee of a three day
> inspection period so I can verify that the details are as stated. Do you
> have photographs?
>
> As for the FFL, I have a place locally, but I haven't done a transfer
> through them. At least not completely. I paid for a transfer, but the gun
> I was supposed to get from Impact Arms evaporated when it came time to ship
> it. So I guess I still have a credit with the local FFL for that transfer.
> I don't have their info at my fingertips, but I'll call them tomorrow when I
> find the phone number, or just stop by there.
>
> My info is as follows:
>
> Rich Z
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
>
> I will need your mailing info for certified funds. Can you do the $2K
> inclusive of shipping for me? I'll ask my FFL guy how he wants to do the
> paperwork thing. He may want to fax his FFL to your dealer. Not sure how he
> works it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Z.
And his reply:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 11:14 AM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
yes sir it is new in box unfired, i will do the shipping included in the $2000 certified check would be preferred method, i will have a dealer here ship it and a 3 day inspection is ok for it not being as described, the shop is Greentop sporting goods in glen allen va, send payment to
scott fones 8678 nesslewood rd richmond va 23229, i will get the shops fax number so the two dealers can swap ffls.
scott
Sound pretty much like a done deal, doesn't it?
I needed the info for my FFL guy, so I followed up with this:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Did you ever get the fax and mailing info for Greentop? I would like to get
> this to my FFL guy.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Z.
And his reply (which sure sounds like everything is just honky dory with this deal):
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:36 AM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Greentop Sporting Goods
Phone-804-550-2188
Fax-804-550-2693
10193 Washington Highway
Glen Allen, VA 23059
If you can get them to fax the FFL today i will call and let them know to look for it.
What is the name of the shop you are dealing with.
you can call me on my cell if you want to let me know when they are sending it.
Scott
804-921-5470
So with the info I needed, I ran to my FFL guy and the post office:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Stopped by the FFL guy and he faxed his license to Greentop. Here's his
> info:
>
> Gunsmoke
> 18-B McCallister Road
> Crawfordville, FL 32327
> 850-926-5500
> 850-926-6147 (fax)
>
> I stopped by the post office to get the money order, but they have some
> funky regulation where they wanted SSN and crap from me for money orders
> over $1,000. So I got one for $1,000 today and will stop by tomorrow and
> get another one for the same amount.. So the money orders will go out on
> Friday. Sorry about the delay.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rich Z.
So NOW I get this email from Mr. Fones:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:25 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Rich Z,
I have been catching some flack about getting rid of this i am concerned that i may be acting to soon, i hate to do this but i am going to think about it for a while longer and let it sinkl in good before i jump to selling it after all it did belong to the family and i am not hurting for the money. I will let greentop know that the transfer will not be coming so they can destroy the ffl, if you will let your shop know as well, if in the future i decide to get rid of it i will give you first shot at the price we talked about.
Scott
WTF??????
Well yeah, thanks a lot, fellah....
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Cc: "Tony DeGidio"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> I do appreciate your predicament, but you are now trading YOUR predicament
> for mine. My wife was buying this for me as a birthday present (July 21).
> She was fronting the money while I was doing the legwork running to my FFL
> guy and the post office. I have incurred expenses both in real $$ and in
> time wasted. I don't know about you, but I consider my word as my bond and
> I expect others to act in like kind. I recently had an unpleasant
> experience with a dealer (Impact Arms) backing out on me with a purchase
> (http://armslocker.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36191), and I would hate to
> think I am having yet again another experience like that. Not to mention
> this past experience was through the same FFL guy and I'm probably going to
> never be able to walk through his door again after this incident.
>
> The emals I got from Tony DeGidio date back to July 19th and now after I
> have gone through the trouble PLUS getting my wife excited that she could
> get me something nice for my 57th birthday, you want to "think about it"?
>
> DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IS FAIR? IS YOUR WORD OF SUCH LITTLE VALUE TO YOU
> AND HOW YOU WISH TO BE SEEN BY OTHERS?
>
> Rich Z.
>
Mr. Fones apparently could not be bothered to reply to the above email, so I sent another:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 2:53 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Did you know that Tony DeGidio is my attorney? He informs me that you are
> violating a binding contract between us. That just doesn't set well with
> me. I don't think taking you to court is likely, concerning the small sum
> of money, but Tony is pretty pissed about this since he did set this up. I
> guess he feels somewhat responsible now.
>
> Are you really willing to jeopardize your credibility and reputation over
> something like this? If you will do something like this to me, I would
> strongly suspect you would deal with other people in the same fashion. I
> would feel it an obligation to warn people in the gun trade about that
> probability. NO ONE likes to get jerked around like you just did to me.
>
> It's your decision, of course, but there will be repercussions..........
>
> Rich Z.
Which finally got a response from him:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Such strong words i apoligized for changing my mind and gave you first chance if i sell it in the future. I feel as though you are threatening me, i am not a dealer and do not sell firearms on the internet. This being first attempt to sell one leads me not use this outlet in the future. I understand your feelings are hurt and you are out the cost of a money order but unfortunatly i have just changed my mind at this time. I in no way did this on purpose and had no intention of JERKING you around. I am sorry for the inconvience.
Yeah, I was getting pretty hot over this by now:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Those were not strong words at all. And no, I was not threatening you at
> all, merely outlining my outlook in how you seem to engage in business. The
> internet is irrelevant to this issue as it was simply a medium being used.
> The problem is entirely on your own end with YOU. So don't blame the
> internet for your own failings in this matter. You offered the gun for sale,
> I offered to pay your asking price, and you accepted. Case closed in the
> business world. The time for you to decided to sell it or not was over with
> when you accepted my offered purchase.
>
> Whether you choose to engage in the internet or not at this time is
> irrelvant. Many other people do, and your reputation made with poor
> judgements such as this can most definitely haunt you. You are displaying a
> notable lack of character and ethics and pointedly displaying strong
> evidence that you have no concern at all about giving your word. I have an
> email from you that clearly states "so if you want, it is yours". That
> means nothing to you? Or are you just one of the kinds of people who says
> whatever frivolous thought pops into his head at any given moment and does
> not really mean anything substantial? How would YOU have felt had you
> really been looking forward to this sale, for whatever reason, and I just at
> the drop of a hat said to you "I changed my mind, sorry for the
> inconvenience"? You apologized so that fixes everything?
>
> Sorry, I guess my upbringing was just much different than yours and I truly
> value MY word when I give it to someone. When I tell someone something,
> there is nothing I value more than the fact that I will be believed and
> trusted. You, on the other hand, apparently think nothing at all of wasting
> someone else's time and have an egocentric view of the universe where no one
> else's thoughts are of any consequence whatsoever. Only you matter in your
> universe, I guess. You can just commit to something and then change your
> mind, apologize and be on your merry way with no harm done. Why should
> anyone else's thoughts or feelings matter in your universe?
>
> Rich Z.
And that ends the correspondence between us. Except I will notify Mr. Fones about this thread concerning him. Not that I think it will matter to him.....
:hot: :hot:
About a day goes past and I figured my friend was going to buy it, when I got this email from him (Tony):
----- Original Message -----
From: Tony DeGidio
To: Rich Z
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:39 PM
Subject: Re: Silver snake
Rich,
Email the guy if you want it. I offered to buy it for 1700 and he is still shopping it around to other people. Said he would get back to me after some other person responds to his offer to sell for 2k. I told him to forget it. I've got another gun I'm looking at and don't want to lose out on both of them ao I'm not waiting around for him. He never even said he'd take the 2k for sure. If you want it, its yours.
Tony
His name is Scott. I told him a freind of mine from Florida might want it.
fon13@co.henrico.va.us
Hmm, OK. So I fired off this email..
From: "Rich Z"
To: <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:01 PM
Subject: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> A friend of mine, Tony, said you had a Silver Snake you are interested in
> selling. He mentioned $2K for it. I would be interested in buying it at
> that price.
>
> Please let me know.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Zuchowski
>
To which I get this reply from Mr. Fones:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 10:25 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
yes i am looking to get $2000 for it tony said he had a diamondback on the line and would not be able to get both, i have not heard from the other individual who i talked to this morning, so if you want, it is yours, us postal money order or certified check would be preferred, i assume you have a ffl dealer you will use, please send me some info on your dealer (name phone number and fax number) i will ship from a dealer here in virginia once the funds are secure.
scott fones
804-921-5470
Emphasis added by me to underscore an important statement
My reply to this was:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 1:12 AM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> OK, I want it. Assuming the description details are all in order, of course.
> I don't have any description of the gun, but I believe Tony said it is NIB
> with the original box. Unfired and in perfect condition. I would just like
> statements from you to that effect along with a guarantee of a three day
> inspection period so I can verify that the details are as stated. Do you
> have photographs?
>
> As for the FFL, I have a place locally, but I haven't done a transfer
> through them. At least not completely. I paid for a transfer, but the gun
> I was supposed to get from Impact Arms evaporated when it came time to ship
> it. So I guess I still have a credit with the local FFL for that transfer.
> I don't have their info at my fingertips, but I'll call them tomorrow when I
> find the phone number, or just stop by there.
>
> My info is as follows:
>
> Rich Z
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
> <deleted>
>
> I will need your mailing info for certified funds. Can you do the $2K
> inclusive of shipping for me? I'll ask my FFL guy how he wants to do the
> paperwork thing. He may want to fax his FFL to your dealer. Not sure how he
> works it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Z.
And his reply:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 11:14 AM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
yes sir it is new in box unfired, i will do the shipping included in the $2000 certified check would be preferred method, i will have a dealer here ship it and a 3 day inspection is ok for it not being as described, the shop is Greentop sporting goods in glen allen va, send payment to
scott fones 8678 nesslewood rd richmond va 23229, i will get the shops fax number so the two dealers can swap ffls.
scott
Sound pretty much like a done deal, doesn't it?
I needed the info for my FFL guy, so I followed up with this:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Did you ever get the fax and mailing info for Greentop? I would like to get
> this to my FFL guy.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Rich Z.
And his reply (which sure sounds like everything is just honky dory with this deal):
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 10:36 AM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Greentop Sporting Goods
Phone-804-550-2188
Fax-804-550-2693
10193 Washington Highway
Glen Allen, VA 23059
If you can get them to fax the FFL today i will call and let them know to look for it.
What is the name of the shop you are dealing with.
you can call me on my cell if you want to let me know when they are sending it.
Scott
804-921-5470
So with the info I needed, I ran to my FFL guy and the post office:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Stopped by the FFL guy and he faxed his license to Greentop. Here's his
> info:
>
> Gunsmoke
> 18-B McCallister Road
> Crawfordville, FL 32327
> 850-926-5500
> 850-926-6147 (fax)
>
> I stopped by the post office to get the money order, but they have some
> funky regulation where they wanted SSN and crap from me for money orders
> over $1,000. So I got one for $1,000 today and will stop by tomorrow and
> get another one for the same amount.. So the money orders will go out on
> Friday. Sorry about the delay.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rich Z.
So NOW I get this email from Mr. Fones:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 4:25 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Rich Z,
I have been catching some flack about getting rid of this i am concerned that i may be acting to soon, i hate to do this but i am going to think about it for a while longer and let it sinkl in good before i jump to selling it after all it did belong to the family and i am not hurting for the money. I will let greentop know that the transfer will not be coming so they can destroy the ffl, if you will let your shop know as well, if in the future i decide to get rid of it i will give you first shot at the price we talked about.
Scott
WTF??????
Well yeah, thanks a lot, fellah....
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Cc: "Tony DeGidio"
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> I do appreciate your predicament, but you are now trading YOUR predicament
> for mine. My wife was buying this for me as a birthday present (July 21).
> She was fronting the money while I was doing the legwork running to my FFL
> guy and the post office. I have incurred expenses both in real $$ and in
> time wasted. I don't know about you, but I consider my word as my bond and
> I expect others to act in like kind. I recently had an unpleasant
> experience with a dealer (Impact Arms) backing out on me with a purchase
> (http://armslocker.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36191), and I would hate to
> think I am having yet again another experience like that. Not to mention
> this past experience was through the same FFL guy and I'm probably going to
> never be able to walk through his door again after this incident.
>
> The emals I got from Tony DeGidio date back to July 19th and now after I
> have gone through the trouble PLUS getting my wife excited that she could
> get me something nice for my 57th birthday, you want to "think about it"?
>
> DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IS FAIR? IS YOUR WORD OF SUCH LITTLE VALUE TO YOU
> AND HOW YOU WISH TO BE SEEN BY OTHERS?
>
> Rich Z.
>
Mr. Fones apparently could not be bothered to reply to the above email, so I sent another:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 2:53 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Did you know that Tony DeGidio is my attorney? He informs me that you are
> violating a binding contract between us. That just doesn't set well with
> me. I don't think taking you to court is likely, concerning the small sum
> of money, but Tony is pretty pissed about this since he did set this up. I
> guess he feels somewhat responsible now.
>
> Are you really willing to jeopardize your credibility and reputation over
> something like this? If you will do something like this to me, I would
> strongly suspect you would deal with other people in the same fashion. I
> would feel it an obligation to warn people in the gun trade about that
> probability. NO ONE likes to get jerked around like you just did to me.
>
> It's your decision, of course, but there will be repercussions..........
>
> Rich Z.
Which finally got a response from him:
From: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
To: "Rich Z"
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: Colt Python Silver Snake
Such strong words i apoligized for changing my mind and gave you first chance if i sell it in the future. I feel as though you are threatening me, i am not a dealer and do not sell firearms on the internet. This being first attempt to sell one leads me not use this outlet in the future. I understand your feelings are hurt and you are out the cost of a money order but unfortunatly i have just changed my mind at this time. I in no way did this on purpose and had no intention of JERKING you around. I am sorry for the inconvience.
Yeah, I was getting pretty hot over this by now:
From: "Rich Z"
To: "Fones, Norman" <fon13@co.henrico.va.us>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: Colt Python Silver Snake
> Scott,
>
> Those were not strong words at all. And no, I was not threatening you at
> all, merely outlining my outlook in how you seem to engage in business. The
> internet is irrelevant to this issue as it was simply a medium being used.
> The problem is entirely on your own end with YOU. So don't blame the
> internet for your own failings in this matter. You offered the gun for sale,
> I offered to pay your asking price, and you accepted. Case closed in the
> business world. The time for you to decided to sell it or not was over with
> when you accepted my offered purchase.
>
> Whether you choose to engage in the internet or not at this time is
> irrelvant. Many other people do, and your reputation made with poor
> judgements such as this can most definitely haunt you. You are displaying a
> notable lack of character and ethics and pointedly displaying strong
> evidence that you have no concern at all about giving your word. I have an
> email from you that clearly states "so if you want, it is yours". That
> means nothing to you? Or are you just one of the kinds of people who says
> whatever frivolous thought pops into his head at any given moment and does
> not really mean anything substantial? How would YOU have felt had you
> really been looking forward to this sale, for whatever reason, and I just at
> the drop of a hat said to you "I changed my mind, sorry for the
> inconvenience"? You apologized so that fixes everything?
>
> Sorry, I guess my upbringing was just much different than yours and I truly
> value MY word when I give it to someone. When I tell someone something,
> there is nothing I value more than the fact that I will be believed and
> trusted. You, on the other hand, apparently think nothing at all of wasting
> someone else's time and have an egocentric view of the universe where no one
> else's thoughts are of any consequence whatsoever. Only you matter in your
> universe, I guess. You can just commit to something and then change your
> mind, apologize and be on your merry way with no harm done. Why should
> anyone else's thoughts or feelings matter in your universe?
>
> Rich Z.
And that ends the correspondence between us. Except I will notify Mr. Fones about this thread concerning him. Not that I think it will matter to him.....
:hot: :hot: