Patients my friend, I understand your frustation completly. Holiday back-ups are common in all retail business. T/C's customer service is normally top notch, a friend had a newer t/c rifle that just wouldn't shoot straight, it happens. All manufacturers produce a lemon ocassionally. He returned the gun to t/c. They not only replaced it, they upgraded it to a fancy laminated stock and expressed their apology's for the inconvenience. Time will tell, but I'll bet you will be satisfied with the outcome. Good luck.