ComplaintsforCore Elite Operations Inc

• Initial Complaint

  04/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In April 2022, I purchased a CEO-15 Side Folding Pistol, from Core Elite Operations. The gentlemen that sold me the firearm was ****/owner. I explained to **** that I was looking for a weapon that I could just s**** a suppressor on the end as I have high frequency hearing loss. He said no problem, took me in the back room, showed me a suppressor, and then demonstrated how I would just s**** it on the weapon I had just purchased. A few days later, I visited Core Elite again and spoke to *****/staff. **** was not present. ***** informed me that the weapon I purchased you cannot just s**** a suppressor on and it would require me to purchase at least two additional adaptors. I could not wait around to see ****, as I had an emergency and had to leave for CT. The weapon has never been fired, and now I find out that this weapon is ILLEGAL in my home state of CT because it folds. I recently tried to swap it at a gun dealer in ** who would not take it also because it folds. I am seeking either a full refund ($1699.99), or at least half ($850.00) due to being mislead.regarding the suppressor, and the fact that I cannot use it in CT. Core Elite should have been completely transparent when selling me this weapon. It bothers me being a VETERAN and retired law enforcement and having them not being fully honest.

  Business response

  04/06/2023

  Our initial conversation with ******************************* was on March 9th, 2022 when he contacted us over the phone. During that conversation, ******************** requested my company, Core Elite Operations, ***** to order him a Sig ***** MCX Virtus AR style pistol. I explained to ******************** the lead time to receive that firearm into stock and the cost of the firearm. ******************** explained over the phone that he didn't want to wait that long nor did he want to pay the price of that firearm.I then gave him options that Core Elite Operations offers to enable him to still receive a product similar to the Sig MCX Virtus but at a lower price. The Sig ***** MCX Virtus pistol is ALSO a folding AR style firearm just like the option he requested from Core Elite Operations. He then decided to come in to our location where he and I, together, chose the items that he wanted for his custom-built Core Elite Operations product. I, owner of CEO,ensured that all of the products on the firearm that ******************** personally chose for this build complied with all current (April 2022) **************** and Federal laws / regulations just as the Sig ***** MCX Virtus pistol did. At no time during this entire transaction did ******************** explain the requirement for taking his personally chosen firearm to the ********************. If he would have expressed his intention to do so, my staff is trained to research all applicable laws and regulations for states our clients desire to use and possess a firearm in requested state and provide the best up-to-date information we can find. Additionally, his original request of the Sig ***** MCX Virtus would have also fallen under the same category of a folding AR style firearm and having to abide by the same regulations. Additionally, as stated above, on April 4th, 2022, the firearm custom built and sold to ******************** did abide by all ******* state and federal regulations.
  

  At the time of this build ******************** opted out of purchasing a suppressor for this build. I showed him many options of suppressors, options that directly thread to the barrel and other models that required a muzzle brake and/or adapters to mount to the barrel. Due to ******************** opting out of purchasing a suppressor with the firearm, I explained that we would install our muzzle brake on the weapon to help mitigate recoil until he decided what suppressor he wanted to choose.
  Months later, ******************* called Core Elite Operations and spoke to one of my team members. He explained he was interested in one of the suppressors we had showed him back in April and that he decided he wanted to purchase that suppressor. The suppressor he chose was not one of the direct thread suppressors (directly threads to the barrel) that we had previously showed him but is still a great suppressor in that it can be easily swapped to multiple firearms and multiple calibers. My team member gave ******************* a detailed quote of all required parts over the phone before ******************* arrived and explained that this specific suppressor did require a muzzle brake and an adapter to mount it properly to his firearm. ******************** said he would be coming in later that day but he couldnt make it until after our standard hours of operation. My team member explained that he would be willing stay late after hours, to ensure that we could assist ******************** with receiving exactly what he requested. When ******************** arrived at our facility,my team member began assisting him with the *** forms required to legally purchase a suppressor. About ten to fifteen minutes into this process, ******************** randomly changed his mind about the purchase and soon after left our facility. Since that day ******************** did not contact Core Elite Operations to discuss any of the issues he may have had.

  On April 5th,2023, ******************** called Core Elite Operations and explained he took the firearm to *********** and they told him that his firearm was illegal because it folds.After reviewing the laws of ***********, the folding stock is in fact a violation of *********** law however, as stated above, the firearm was not sold in ***********, it was sold to a resident of ******* in the ****************,where this firearm is completely legal and falls within all ******* and Federal laws and regulations.  Furthermore, at no time did any member of Core Elite Operations mislead ******************** in any purchase or future purchase of firearms, suppressors, attachments, or accessories. We actually went above and beyond by giving him numerous options and spent hours explaining the pros and cons to each product. Additionally, ******************** was given a discount of more than $800 due to his service to his country. Core Elite Operations' team members are also all prior service members and we take pride in our service to our country and to our brothers and sisters that have served along side us. In the end, ******************* made his decisions on his own accord. Core Elite Operations has a zero-return policy on any firearms or suppressors purchased by our clients. However, our warranty covers ALL manufacturer defects for all products designed or manufactured by Core Elite Operations. 

  Customer response

  04/06/2023

   
  Complaint: 19899019
  
  I am rejecting this response because: when i purchased said firearm, **** was aware that i was only in town for a two week period and was going back to CT. **** also was aware that i was interested in a suppressor that screwed directly onto the barrel. He took me in the back room himself and showed me the suppressor and demonstrated how to put it on my firearm. The whole time knowing that i would have to purchase additional adaptors to make it work. This was wrong and misleading. At no time did he explain that i could not s**** an adaptor to the firearm i had purchased. It wasnt until months later that one of his staff advised me that i would have to purchase additional items to make it work.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

  Business response

  04/11/2023

  ************************ response is in fact not true. We sold him the custom built firearm that he personally chose all of the parts to build with. As stated before, this firearm did comply with ALL **************** and Federal laws and regulations. 

  The firearm that we sold him has a threaded barrel with 1/2 x 28 threads that ANY suppressor from hundreds of manufacturers will directly thread onto this barrel that accept 1/2 x 28 threads. He DID NOT and does not have to buy any adapters or parts to install a direct thread suppressor to the barrel currently installed on the firearm. ******************** has to simply unscrew the muzzle device that is currently installed on the barrel then purchase a suppressor with a 1/2 x 28 thread and s**** it on the barrel. As discussed previously, ******************** DID NOT purchase a suppressor or any parts relating to a suppressor from us. Additionally, the only reason we discussed additional required parts for a suppressor is because he individually chose a suppressor that required those parts. But as discussed in our prior comments, he DID NOT purchase a suppressor or the required parts for that suppressor that he chose. Due to this, there is no refund to give

  ******************** has kept the firearm in question for over a year now. Core Elite Operations and any viable company in good standing would never give a refund for an item if/when the only reason for a complaint is due to the customer not understanding how certain items on a firearm operate or how additional items that could/want to be added to a firearm are installed. We stand by our position on this matter and no refund will be given. 

  Customer response

  04/11/2023

   
  Complaint: 19899019
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I feel that the owner was not transparent and was misleading in describing the said weapon/ability to have a suppressor attached directly to the weapon. I feel that this was done just to make a sale. His employee explained everything fine, but it was weeks after the sale was complete.
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

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