Excellent Service

donna · Feb 6, 2024

So, most people are quick to complain but since Christmas I’ve had some excellent service from several companies which should be applauded.

Firstly, I shot at Coleys on 16th Dec, changed a choke on 2nd to last stand and dropped it on my boot. Phil said to make sure it wasn’t dirty before placing it in gun which I duly did. Shot 2 stands, all ok then on the Friday before Christmas
we popped to a local ground for a bit of practice. Went to change the choke and couldn’t get it out! Phil tried as well as a friend so we left it in and tried to get it out when we got home. It was wedged in and shining a torch down it I was devastated to find a bulge in the choke. I telephoned Teague straight away to find they had closed for Xmas, I then phoned Alan Rhone and got the same message. I then took photos of the choke and sent an email to both of them (not expecting an answer until after Xmas). To my astonishment Alan emailed me back within 20 mins, told me not to shoot

until it could be looked at. I had numerous emails from them all over Christmas and Ivan contacted me 31st Dec to ask me to take the gun down to him on the 3rd Jan. We drove down, they got the choke out, checked the gun etc and to say I was the luckiest girl out was an understatement.

When I had put the choke in, although it was clean it had made the tiniest dent in the end. Luckily I didn’t shoot many cartridges through it as the nick in it was taking tiny slivers of the plastic wad and it was building up in between the barrels and the choke. The service from both Alan and Ivan and the Teague staff was first class especially as both companies were closed for the Christmas period.

Then on Sunday whilst shooting at Westfield I noticed the bottom of my gun slip was coming apart. We contacted Croots yesterday morning, sent it to them yesterday afternoon and this morning had a phone call from then and an email to say it had been repaired and should be with me tomorrow.

Excellent service indeed from 3 companies which I won’t forget and will support them whenever I can.

Bebo · Feb 6, 2024

Another thumbs up for Alan Rhone. Sent my gun in for it's biannual service expecting it to take at least a couple of weeks. Had it back in 6 days. I'll add Chris Potters to the list, they arranged for it to be sent off and took collection of it on return. Really efficient and didn't hang about at all.

You got away lightly, Donna. So glad I decided on fixed chokes when I got my gun.

donna · Feb 7, 2024

Bebo said:
Another thumbs up for Alan Rhone. Sent my gun in for it's biannual service expecting it to take at least a couple of weeks. Had it back in 6 days. I'll add Chris Potters to the list, they arranged for it to be sent off and took collection of it on return. Really efficient and didn't hang about at all.

You got away lightly, Donna. So glad I decided on fixed chokes when I got my gun.

I certainly did Jenny, no damage to barrels whatsoever thankfully but when I saw the damage this tiniest little dent had done (so small you couldn’t see it but could feel it) I was gobsmacked. I actually changed my chokes from flush to extended there and then as I thought they’d be easier to get out if I ever had a problem and Ivan and the team done them there and then whilst I waited. Re Chris Potters I agree, we use them to send our guns to Alan too.

Bebo · Feb 7, 2024

donna said:
I certainly did Jenny, no damage to barrels whatsoever thankfully but when I saw the damage this tiniest little dent had done (so small you couldn’t see it but could feel it) I was gobsmacked. I actually changed my chokes from flush to extended there and then as I thought they’d be easier to get out if I ever had a problem and Ivan and the team done them there and then whilst I waited. Re Chris Potters I agree, we use them to send our guns to Alan too.

The thin wall chokes that they use always worry me. Pretty flimsy and wouldn't take much to dent, as shown by your experience. That's mainly why I went down the fixed choke route.

lh8611 · Feb 8, 2024

donna said:
So, most people are quick to complain but since Christmas I’ve had some excellent service from several companies which should be applauded.

Firstly, I shot at Coleys on 16th Dec, changed a choke on 2nd to last stand and dropped it on my boot. Phil said to make sure it wasn’t dirty before placing it in gun which I duly did. Shot 2 stands, all ok then on the Friday before Christmas
we popped to a local ground for a bit of practice. Went to change the choke and couldn’t get it out! Phil tried as well as a friend so we left it in and tried to get it out when we got home. It was wedged in and shining a torch down it I was devastated to find a bulge in the choke. I telephoned Teague straight away to find they had closed for Xmas, I then phoned Alan Rhone and got the same message. I then took photos of the choke and sent an email to both of them (not expecting an answer until after Xmas). To my astonishment Alan emailed me back within 20 mins, told me not to shoot until it could be looked at. I had numerous emails from them all over Christmas and Ivan contacted me 31st Dec to ask me to take the gun down to him on the 3rd Jan. We drove down, they got the choke out, checked the gun etc and to say I was the luckiest girl out was an understatement.

When I had put the choke in, although it was clean it had made the tiniest dent in the end. Luckily I didn’t shoot many cartridges through it as the nick in it was taking tiny slivers of the plastic wad and it was building up in between the barrels and the choke. The service from both Alan and Ivan and the Teague staff was first class especially as both companies were closed for the Christmas period.

Then on Sunday whilst shooting at Westfield I noticed the bottom of my gun slip was coming apart. We contacted Croots yesterday morning, sent it to them yesterday afternoon and this morning had a phone call from then and an email to say it had been repaired and should be with me tomorrow.

Excellent service indeed from 3 companies which I won’t forget and will support them whenever I can.

Whilst I haven't had any dealings with Alan Rhone myself, I feel it is always important to highlight exceptional customer service. This is especially true is this day and age.

For my own experience I would like to mention Bamfords Guns located near to Chorley in Lancashire for a fantastic example of good customer service.

I had some damage to one of my guns caused by another local shop's gunsmith(I won't name them publicly on here). I wasn't really getting anywhere trying to get the issue resolved and felt like I was getting the run around.

I approached Bamfords and explained what had occured. Despite the fact that what had happened wasn't anything to do with them they helped me out massively. They went above and beyond, taking ownership and arranging for the work to be carried out. I'm very particular with all my gear especially my guns, and everything was resolved to my satisfaction .

I also want to mention Mid Counties Blacking whom Bamfords outsourced the work to, for their fantastic attention to detail and quality of their workmanship.