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Doug Richardson Update


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Hello All -

 

I just received this update from Doug who is currently down in Belize. I have not edited

it - what you see is what he sent me.

 

Bob

 

 

Several of you have inquired about my situation particularly following the November 9, 2018 Woolsey fire storm that devastated Malibu. My 50 acre ranch, which was my primary home for the last 55 years, was completely destroyed. It was not simply burned - it was incinerated. For years the Government has been spraying some kind of chemical over Los Angeles. At 9am the sky is blue with white clouds. By 2pm, the entire area is shrouded in a milky white haze requiring people to turn on their headlights This causes people to have eye, nose, throat and lung aggravation and cough all the time. It was causing my already bad eyesight to get worse. When I pointed out this spraying to others, some were very concerned while most acted oblivious. I believe that the chemical acted as an accelerant because the temperature and ferocity of the fire greatly exceeded a normal brush fire. The Government then spent weeks scraping the ground on my ranch and other properties trying to get rid of something. There is literally nothing left of my ranch. To make matters worse, I fell going through the fire debris and broke my back. I am still on crutches after 2-12 months. Fortunately, there was no Thompson stuff on the ranch. I am currently in Belize where I get the personal help I currently need.

 

I am still making receivers when ever I am in California, but ever so slowly. I can still program the machines and do some design work but I have to rely on my associate to run the machines. He is almost as old as me (82) and does not want to work more than 8 hours a week when working at all. I continue to refine the programs and make any improvements I can. I recently designed a new fixture which combines what used to be done on two fixtures. This will reduce the time to make a receiver by about 5 - 6 minutes. Every little bit helps. I have also redesigned my front sight puller and receiver vise although I am not making any of my tools.

 

I continue to try to find someone to take over from me in order to get things going again. Basically, my business consists of 1) Receiver manufacturing, 2) Drum manufacturing and 3) Tool manufacturing. I am asking $150,000 for everything I have in those catagories which includes unlimited consulting from me, my name and trademarks. I think a person could recover their investment in short order. The problem has been finding the right person who has the money, skills and Thompson passion.

 

 

I also have a lot of parts kits and other parts like wood, a few 1921 actuators, Workshop Manuals, etc . I also have some handguns as well as a 1921 Thompson gun for sale. I am trying to get a list put together and get my website back up. The problem is that I am running out of time that I can still do this stuff.

 

Thanks for thinking about me. You can call me at 310-457-6400 9am-6pm Texas time.

 

 

Edited by reconbob
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Who was looking for the 21 actuators?

 

Glad to hear Doug is ok, kind of anyway. Horrible about his property.

Glad the machines and Thompson equipment are ok.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Has anyone sent Doug money for small parts? I sent him over $400 in early April for a barrel and sight ring. He cashed my check, and scooted off to Belize without sending the parts out. It's going on 4 months now. Is this to be expected, or am I being impatient?

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Doug is in Belize - as you know. I speak to him regularly and he does not know

when he will be coming back for his next visit. There is no one "minding the store" when

he is not there so any transactions like this cannot be resolved until he comes back. I am

not excusing any of this, I am just telling you what I know.

 

Bob

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if doug sells the business does that include the cnc machinery, what about the building, how big is it, own or rent, where is it located ? whats gross income, profit loss statements just askin

Youll need to call him and discuss. I do not believe building is included. One issue is that Dougs equipment is old and all programs and fixtures were developed specifically on that equipment. Not exactly drop in for someone with a more modern CNC shop, however since you get all the design details and Doug consulting it could be recreated. I doubt that wanting to turn a profit would be the best motive for getting into this business.

 

Ron

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Bob, I spoke with you about this previously, I was just curious if any other members had similar dealings with Doug. I guess I would seriously think twice about sending Doug any kind of payment. Most likely anything purchased from Doug will never be received. Just excuses why and excuses why he can't refund. When I asked him to refund me, he told me he has no resources to do that. I guess the Western Union website isn't available in Belize. I just don't know why someone would cash a check and then skip town if they were honest. I'm not in the habit of lending money out interest free for months and months so someone can lay on an exotic beach sipping mai tais. He called me almost daily, until after he cashed my check...Now nothing since April! Anybody else have a recommendation before I take a different approach?

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I guess I would seriously think twice about sending Doug any kind of payment.

 

Sad to say, but this is probably good advice. In person transactions seem appropriate. Age, along with the situation described in his note above provide context for consideration.

 

I hate to hear about the ranch. I hope Doug can make a deal to sell the equipment, etc., but I think the price is high for a viable commercial venture. Maybe someone will love it enough to invest with their heart. I would question what trademarks are mentioned.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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I guess I would seriously think twice about sending Doug any kind of payment.

 

Sad to say, but this is probably good advice. In person transactions seem appropriate. Age, along with the situation described in his note above provide context for consideration.

 

I hate to hear about the ranch. I hope Doug can make a deal to sell the equipment, etc., but I think the price is high for a viable commercial venture. Maybe someone will love it enough to invest with their heart. I would question what trademarks are mentioned.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Sadly, Malibu is going to take a very long time to rebuild after the Fire, if you are not a celeb. Pollution, Contaminants, permits and dealing with insurance companies has been Draining for some. The Fight to assign blame will be in the courts for decades, unless Sacramento does there thing.

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Bob, I spoke with you about this previously, I was just curious if any other members had similar dealings with Doug. I guess I would seriously think twice about sending Doug any kind of payment. Most likely anything purchased from Doug will never be received. Just excuses why and excuses why he can't refund. When I asked him to refund me, he told me he has no resources to do that. I guess the Western Union website isn't available in Belize. I just don't know why someone would cash a check and then skip town if they were honest. I'm not in the habit of lending money out interest free for months and months so someone can lay on an exotic beach sipping mai tais. He called me almost daily, until after he cashed my check...Now nothing since April! Anybody else have a recommendation before I take a different approach?

 

There are several ways to send money from another country, including bank transfer, wire transfer, or sending a check in the mail. If this hasn't happened yet, I'm sorry to say I don't think you will be getting your money or parts any time soon. Not making excuses for the man, but it sounds like he has been through a lot recently, and this is probably not a priority for him. I was going to order a few manuals from him, but this has given me pause. Sorry you are going through this.

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I will post an update if Doug ever makes good. I would strongly advise anyone not to make purchases from Doug. If he was going through hard times, maybe he should not have offered to sell parts & cashed the check.. I recently had my 38 year old sister die in my arms. That's hard. We all can think of excuses, and hardships. I don't want to hear "I got no one to help me", but yet he's fit enough to pack his bags, go to the airport and hop on an Airbus to Belize. I know that he could send that money back, but he's bordering on sociopathic behavior and he has no concern or care. All I can say with Doug is learn from my mistakes of trusting the man.

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I sent the check to Doug Richardson 9705 Owensmouth Ave Ste 2 Chatsworth Ca 91311. I understand that is where he lives, as he does not keep any Thompson items at the ranch. I have a copy of the cashed check with his signature on the back, so that is his current address when he's not hanging out in Belize. I'm hoping he will make good on it if and when he returns. I guess I'm lucky that I didn't buy the Luger he was trying to push on me. He told me to send him over $1000 for that and he'd throw it in the same box as the other parts. So I could have been out a lot more $$ :(

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i googled that address a thousand times already..lol..since that is the address that he used, and the address where payment was sent, that is the address I will give the police and the CA Attorney General for starts. I'm probably still going to give Doug a little time before I do that. I consulted with my attorney and I do have plenty of time to go this route. Anyway, like I say, I will update if Doug follows through with his deal.

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I've been to Doug's shop in Chatsworth to pick up my receivers. It's a double M2 shop, one of many in a long building. Not remarkable. Lots of machinery inside and work in progress at the time by assistants.

There were a couple dozen "bespoke" receivers on the shelf. They were surely being produced.

 

It's tough getting older. I'm 70. He's 82, can't see well anymore either. Since I was there Doug has lost his wife. I know how that is.

 

He has done OK in his life and I believe he truly expects (hopes) to finish all the work he's promised before retirement. Surely "Merle" had a long waiting list of clients, as does "P.K."

 

Our hobby seems to spark Eternal optimism. Immortality remains beyond our reach... Phil

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Thanks for the updates, gang...I've been very patient for the last 3-4 months. I can wait a little longer. I think for anyone who doesn't know this man personally, it would seem absurd to have payment received and cashed-then he goes out of the country for a very very long time with no return date given. That's not very professional, but I feel for his loss. Like I say, my young sister died right in my arms last year. Its a horrible thing to go through. To have a fire wipe out everything, on top of his loss, I understand..But I made my purchase long after the fire and the loss of his wife. It doesn't make sense to me for a transaction to occur, then the other party skips town a week after the check is cashed without completing his end of the deal. He was also trying to convince me to purchase his '21 "completely original" Colt. Now I find out it was previously a dewat. I hope his situation gets better.

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I waited over 2 years for a receiver.

It finally got done, and I am still very pleased with the workmanship.

A few years after that I did also go see Doug. As mentioned, he was at the shop and definitely working. Full of passion!

I don't think we need to do any more Doug bashing... lets be patient and we will wait for your report when you do finally make contact.

OK the advice to others to hold off may be relevant - unfortunately.

Remember you are talking with a near blind man that has more passion than most of us ever will for the Thompson - and he cannot pursue it much anymore.

Best of luck to you and Doug to make this right.

  • Upvote 2
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In the past, I have done business with Doug Richardson, and I have bought some of his books from him, and always received what I ordered in good time, and I was always happy with what I received.



It was always a challenge for me to arrange payment to Doug, with me living in Europe, and him not accepting PayPal etc., but I used to get a colleague I served with the military, now living in Texas, to forward payment for me and I sent my colleague the cash via PayPal to cover the cost.



That was prior to Madalons' death, and it was her that used to make all the communications back then, due to Doug's failing eyesight.



It is always sad to hear about bad feelings amongst our community, and I am knocking no one, I can fully understand your frustrations Jamman.



Stay safe


Richard

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Jamman,

I understand your concern, especially with the amount of money involved. I have known, spoke with and ordered items from Doug for many years. Yes, Doug can be difficult but he is not dishonest. Like the situation with "The Drum Doctor" in the past year, stuff happens and sometimes it takes a while to get things sorted out. Unlike the situation with "The Drum Doctor," Doug is available by telephone. May I suggest you call him and speak with him about the situation. I also suggest not being argumentative, just open and sincere about your order and when he may return to the USA to fill it. Or send a refund. I too have a very small order pending with Doug. I had no idea he was going to be traveling to Belize or I would not have placed the order. But I am not worried about it. Unless Doug passes away, I know Doug will return to the USA and my order will be addressed in due time. All that said, this thread puts everyone on notice that it may not be a good idea to send an order to Doug presently unless he is back in the USA and has the merchandise in stock and ready to ship. And for that, we are thankful you replied to this thread.

 

If you decide to call, let us know the outcome.

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Hi TD, I have called Doug, but he had no idea of a return date, and he told me he has no resources to refund me. He just assured that I would get my barrel, he "ain't dead yet".. He assumed that I was in no hurry for it, I don't know how he came to that assumption. I could have purchased that barrel from gunbroker auctions, but I liked Doug, and I was hoping to do business with him, every little bit helps. He told me that he was only able to eat prunes. I felt bad for the guy, really. He told me about how he lost his wife, and the big fire. Like I say, I could have got these small parts from gunbroker, but I am a sucker for sad stories and wanted to give him some business. I was prepared to buy a Luger from him, but I'm thanking my lucky stars that I didn't send him another check for that! My intention is not to bash him, I am just asking other members about their recommendations or experience with Doug. I am sensing the more time that goes by, the less of a priority it will become for those parts to be mailed. I will definitely make good and update with an apology for doubting him if I ever get a refund or the parts sent! Thanks again everyone!

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