Man, some days there's No Love For Frank(tm)...
Today was the day I was supposed to join the ranks of those who can claim ownership of an AR-15 rifle. Four months ago I had placed an order with a local shop for a Bushmaster XM15 E2S M4 Type Carbine. I specified, and it was listed on the order sheet, that I wanted to have the 16 inch M4 profile barrel, the full 16" without any muzzle brake. I tried to be as clear as possible and triple checked that that is what would be ordered. I was given a price, which I felt to be rather reasonable, and the rifle was ordered.
In that time I've called the store three times. The first was about two and a half months or so in to the order, just to see if there was any word. I told them I expected it to take some time, as BM was out of M4 barrels. The second time was about two or three weeks or so ago, a return call because I had a message from the shop asking if I 'still wanted the rifle'. I informed them that yes I definitely still did, but didn't ask anything else.
Early this week I called, asking if they might have any idea when a run of barrels might be made, and was told that it had come in some time in the past few days. I dropped by the shop, and informed them I was here for the rifle. Now, the entire day the only thought running through my head was 'I'll BET it's got a brake on it'. Low and behold, waiting for me is a nice 14.5-inch M4 profile barrel with a rather hideous Mini Y-comp brake. I informed the clerk that this was not what I had ordered, and he apologized immediately, and offered me two choices...I could take the gun as is, or they would be happy to send it back and reorder the rifle. I opted to reorder, and the clerk wrote a new sales slip with 16-inch NO BRAKE in very clear lettering. I was a bit miffed, but it's a perfectly understandable incident and the clerks were quite curteous and efficient about the whole thing. I was informed that the person who usually handled BM orders was not in, but he would be back in a few days and would definitely take care of it.
Now here comes the trouble. I am a very paranoid person...so when I got home I called up Bushmaster Customer Service, and asked if it would be possible to check on the order. I wanted to find out if it was an error on the shop end or the BM end. I gave my FFL name and location, and what was ordered, and everything seemed in order. The found an order that coincided with my purchase date and specifics - XM15 E2S M4 with 16" M4 profile barrel. The CS rep immediately apologized for the delay, that they have not yet had a run of M4 barrels, and that it would be at least a month until they would. I mentioned the situation, and the CS rep informed me that the order they had was open and active....as in as far as BM was concerned the firearm was not completed and never shipped from them.
Now.....can someone with more experience with ordering/shipping firearms (this is only my second) please clue me in as to what just happened, and what would be the best thing to do about it?