Armory Sponsor
Posted: 4/3/2016 12:50:13 PM EDT
|
[PART 1] November 2014 I purchased a used PSQ-20 for around 9k. The unit was described as used and had known defects (specifically the two images did not align). The price sounded reasonable knowing it had such a defect. If you are into NVG then you will remember these being available on eBay and other resellers. I acquired mine from a reseller who I won’t mention but many of you would be familiar with. I specifically bought from a known dealer to avoid acquiring stolen military equipment. I did not buy from eBay although these units were on eBay.
The unit arrived and as described was clearly used but still under warranty by ITT (according to the warranty sticker). The infrared (night vision) image and thermal image did not align but I knew this before purchasing and it did not represent an issue. The tube had a nice clear image and thermal worked. Other than the two images aligning it worked as well as any other PSQ-20 I have used. I elected to send it back to Exelis (formerly ITT and since acquired by and named Harris) in December 2014 while under warrant and had the unfortunate experience of working with Mike Kendrick. This is where the lies began and the long possession of this device started before it was returned to the Army in Texas (never could get confirmation). I have NO issue with that aspect however how Mike Kendrick handled this was unnecessary. To date (April 2016) I have NEVER received anything in writing from Exelis nor from SA Brown (Special Agent/CID Agent for Fort Bliss, TX) that this unit I unfortunately paid for was rightfully returned to the legal owner our US Army. I expected a chain-of-custody or some other notice on formal letter head informing me of the status and that it would be returned to the military. |
|
[PART 2] Mike Kendrick continuously informed me this unit would be repaired soon and returned to me. This dragged on for many months and I had to leave multiple voice messages and emails to get an update (and anything he shared was an entire lie). Eventually Phil M. from Exelis spoke with me and informed me this was being investigated by the military CID. Phil was polite, helpful, and was nice enough to tell me the truth. August 6, 2015 I received notice from Phil that this unit would be returned to me after an investigation by CID (Criminal Investigation Division for the military).
August 17, 2015 a special agent from the Fort Bliss CID Office (SA B.A.Brown) contacted me about this PSQ-20. I sent him the bill of purchase/receipt as requested. After that this CID investigator never gave me an update. Attempts to contact him via phone or email went unanswered except for one phone call where he mentioned he thought it was already shipped back to him and that was many investigations ago and he had a hard time remembering that case although it was handed over to the FBI. In short, according to Special Agent B.A.Brown (first phone call from him) there are no “used” PSQ-20 from the US Army and that all of these have an internal code that marks these for destruction. To help you guys out: There are NO used PSQ-20 from the military and these were not and will not be sold at a DoD auction. Other information related: Affidavit that I was told is related to the issue I encountered: http://www.krdo.com/blob/view/-/32485738/data/1/-/kb5f24/-/carson-affidavit-0421.pdf Existing thread on AR15: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_18/444665__ARCHIVED_THREAD____Careful_where_you_buy_stuff.html&page=1 |
|
[Part 3]
As a result of this mess, the reseller said they felt awful for the loss I incurred and ended up sending me 3 used PVS-14 (not high grade). Two are severely blemished tubes (burn marks) but do an excellent job of gathering light and are as clear as the tube in a new PSQ-20 that a friend purchased directly from TNVC (full paperwork to prove it, not a used unit). The 3rd device I am told is a French tube (comparable Gen2) that looks really clear (and no blems) with enough light but does not work as well out in the countryside compared to the other two Gen3 tubes (big blems). |
|
Quoted:
Why not just get your cash back? It doesn't sound like you got 3 $3000 PVS-14s. Sound like you paid $9k for 3 $2200 units. Very good question and yes, you are entirely accurate on the three PVS-14. Although I though I was buying a PSQ-20 owned by the reseller, I am told "This was a consignment item, meaning not our property, we merely brokered the transaction." ANOTHER ITEM TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS THREAD: DO NOT BUY CONSIGNMENT ITEMS that could be former./stolen military hardware. I was not above a lawsuit as I had the receipt showing I paid in full and it did not list this PSQ-20 being a consignment item. However, taking any action would have been time consuming. If you and I believe what I was told then most of the money went to the owner and the reseller retained a 'finders fee'. Eventually I settled to move on. I didn't mind talking to the owner of the company who always answered my phone calls and returned my emails. He came across as a good guy who was getting screwed over as well. While I will not know the entire truth here, I believe he was somewhat sincere and I must leave it at that. |
|
He came across as a good guy who was getting screwed over as well. While I will not know the entire truth here, I believe he was somewhat sincere and I must leave it at that. OP, respectfully......keep telling yourself that. The person/shop arranging the consignment wants to distance themselves from any legal fallout asap. Really, they could care less about you and really, you got ripped off even if you feel ok about it. EVERY SINGLE person should be REQUIRED to check this forum before diving into NV/thermal devices. My gosh the stories I have heard about what terrible things come to the uninformed. Just be glad you did not buy a frickin thermal robot like one member did here. |
Armory Sponsor