Should have known it was too good to be true. He strung my ass along like a fucking pro and I went for it hook line and sinker.
Start from the bottom, his e-mail and my response:
Martin,
Thank you for your follow-up, though your response is significantly disappointing.
I explained to you in some detail the requirements for retail sale of the knife including documentation of successful completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course as backed by the master database and that the only authorized seller, as stated in the policy letter, is the Special Forces Museum working in conjunction with the Special Warfare Center and School.
Your interpretation of the attached policy letter is quite selective as it clearly states in 8 c
c. Personnel are not authorized to sell the Yarborough Knife
to third parties (e.g., collectors).
We have found out that the individual who owned the knife had his Special Forces Tab revoked in Nov 2011 after being found guilty of:
Misuse of Government Travel Card
Fraud against the US Government
Disrespect to a Commissioned Officer
Failure to Repair
Going AWOL
With regards to the auction, from our monitoring it was pulled off of auction with the bid being at $405 and noted that the reserve had not been met. It may have been listed on more than one site. However, it would seem odd that it was pulled from only the auction that I mentioned unless the intent was to simply placate our request.
I find it very unfortunate that your position would remain. Your representative may have indeed “purchase it in good faith” though this is the third instance we have had in dealing with your store over the past 4 years with regards to a Yarborough blade and each time we furnish a copy of the policy letter, which is then conveniently lost or forgotten about, and the blade is never recovered. Further, despite your purchase, it was purchased from someone who was not authorized to sell the item in the first place.
Undoubtedly the loss of respect from the Special Forces Community would not hurt your store as you are pretty much the only show / range in town and there are plenty of other patrons from the 82nd and Fort Bragg. However, once again, Guns Plus has demonstrated that the power of the almighty dollar supersedes honor and integrity.
Our disappointment is distinctly magnified by the previous assumption of your support with which we were fooled.
Good Day and Good Luck
Joe Klapperich
MAJ
5th SFG(A)
joe.klapperich@us.army.mil
joe.klapperich@ahqb.soc.mil
(xxx)xxx-4172 (o)
(xxx)xxx-9750 (c)
Xxxxxxxx@gmail.com
From: martin mancuso [mailto:martinakm@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 6:23 PM
To: Klapperich Joseph T MAJ (5SFG)
Subject: RE: Yarborough Policy Letter
Maj Klapperich,
I fully understand the SF community desire to keep these within its ranks.
Looking over the included info there doesn't appear to be any thing legally barring the sale of this item.
It appears that the letter sets the standards for "Retail" sales of the knives to individual.
This item was purchased in good faith, by Guns Plus, with the intent of resale.
As you have noted, this item was put on line for auction. Checking with our internet sales person, I was informed that we
received payment this morning for the sale of this knife.
As per the auction contract we are obligated to complete the sale.
Thank you for your concern in this matter.
Martin Mancuso
Guns Plus, NC