GunVault Poor Quality/Customer Service - Pics/Review

[loneranger4x4]

I don't know if this will work with your model, but it might be worth a try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8i3zVGQFKo

[Cosmo 9]

I think he must be "The Fonz". Sorry the young guys won't get that.

[rl168]

I think I got lucky then. The same thing happened to my gunvault safe last year. Search on the internet and found out this is a common problem. So I called gunvault, the technician asked for the serial number of the safe, which you have to look inside the safe. Well, l misplaced my spare key and was not able to open the safe at that time. The spare key is like $25 I think. But the technician sent me a a spare key at no charge after I faxed in a copy of my receipt. I opened the safe with the spare key, gave him the serial number. He then sent me a new unit with a return postage to send back the bad one. So lesson learned is keep the spare key

[albertson]

Same thing happened to me. I called Gunvault and gave them the S/N. The tech didn't even explain anything. He just asked for my address and said he would send a new one and asked that I return the old one in the same box. 3 days later, I had my new safe.

[Syntax360]

Good news guys - I found the master key:





We've peeled a few other barrel locks off stuff at work before - I've yet to see a barrel lock that can last more than one minute in a match with a 9x rivet hammer... I'm pretty tempted to send the whole mess back to GunVault with a nice love letter. What do ya think?

[glbedd53]

I would. Along with a summary of all you went through. I would like to see what their response is.

[dmcrsk91]

I have had excellent experiences with my GunVaults. I have had battery failure and a broken wire connector in my GunVault, but my key always gave me access to the contents.

I recently loaned my truck with the GunVault to my oldest son. When he returned the vehicle, he gave me a cryptic message: "I think someone tried to break in". Indeed someone had. I found the the GunVault had tremendous pressure applied to the top. This had removed the rubber cover and had broken two of the three retaining tubes that secure the locking mechanism to the safe body. The third tube held firm and prevented access to the GunVault and its contents. I was able to gain access to the GunVault with the key, but due to the damage, I will not be able to return my GunVault to service. I will be getting a replacement and installing it in place of the original.

I could only recommend the GunVault with more enthusiasm if the unit had captured the person who did the damage! A great product.

Adam Blumenthal

[Syntax360]

Well that sounds like a ringing endorsement - "I love my GunVault product - it only broke once (broken wire connector), but wasn't rendered completely inoperable because I still had the key. Great product!" I have little doubt that the product would keep any sort of smash and grab thief at bay - the reason I opted to peel off the barrel lock was that prying the door seemed pretty difficult due to the angles used in door construction. A crowbar and hammer would probably do it, but there were valuables inside the safe I didn't want to mess up. Regardless, I do believe it would take some time to break into one of these (at least more time than one would expect to have while breaking into someone's truck).

It doesn't take "tremendous pressure" to remove the rubber cover up top - it peels right off. I'm not sure what you mean by "two of the three retaining tubes that secure the locking mechanism to the safe body" - the lock itself is a 7-pin barrel lock, and it is only secured to the body by a single nut/star washer/washer combo on bottom of a threaded bolt which extends from the lock body... I'd be happy to post pictures if anyone would like to see - this scrap heap is still lying back in a corner of our shop at work.

Curious - how long did you have your GunVault? Also, curious that you are in the Marketing and Advertising industry and this is your first post on this forum... We need a tinfoil smiley.

[Blinking Dog]

I had a similar Gun Vault, purchased several years ago. Probably a year after I bought it same thing happened to me...cable snapped. Real bummer. Just glad it didn't happen when I really needed to get in there to get a pistol. Now it sits in my garage. I suppose I could fix it, but I'm snakebit.

[WinoVeritas]

Dragging up an old post for my rant about a model GVC2000C Deluxe one year old this month.

Started having problems about a month or so ago with access code not opening door. May do it once, then not for many tries at a later time. To day hit the end of my rope with it and called GunVault even though I had my spare key(s) in a safe location I had not forgotten.

Not so friendly CS said to pull the battery rack and give him manufacturer and date on batteries (DuraCell 2016). Before pulling rack I told him I had no "audible" low battery warning and my power cube was attached, also. That's when I was informed that power cube will not power anything until batteries are completely DEAD - I, incorrectly "assumed" the power cube was the primary power source and batteries were the backup in case of a power outage - I was wrong, apparently. So I pull battery rack, CS says to replace batteries. I pull batteries and check them with my battery tester and they all test good. I put in new batteries as instructed - and it's back to opening every time, again. Checked the removed batteries with VOM and they we all within .25 volts of 1.5. Enough life left for a remote control, but not enough to fire the GV solenoid that releases the door catch.

My reason for this rant is not that I'm unhappy with the GunVault, the semi-rude CS or having to replace (8) AA batteries that test good - BUT to say "Don't waste your money on the DELUXE model - the Standard will do. The deluxe has a 5 second light when opening door - not long enough to be of use; the audile low battery warning never gave indication of anything and won't until batteries are REALLY low; the power cube isn't the primary power source and useless until batteries totally kaput - so the extra money for these "additional" features is a pure waste of funds. It also has a movement alarm setting with adjustable sensitivity, but no use to me as all bolted.

I also have two GV 300 Nano Vaults for my vehicles w/combination lock and have been quite satisfied with them. My GV2000 is bolted to a bookcase and the bookcase is anchored to the concrete floor, so there will be no snatch and run.

I'm hoping my model doesn't have the same opening mechanism of the unit that got this thread started as I'm into my gun safe almost daily.

[Jim Beaux]

When I have problems with vendors brushing me off I either contact the credit card company or I explain to the vendor that I will be filing suit in small claims.

It's been years since I have had to go to small claims and the laws have change a little, so do your research.

Back then I could file for around $30. plus an extra $60 if I wanted a constable to serve the papers. I told the vender that if he forced me to do this I would not settle out of court without being reimbursed this amount too. I also explained that it the vendor didnt show up in my state & county, or pay to have a lawyer appear, I would be awarded a default judgement. After receiving the default judgement I would then have to file a writ of execution and the court would order a constable to seize company assets that would cover my claim. (the assets would be auctioned off)

Most companies realize that it is cheaper to pay up then to spend the time or money to appear or hire an attorney.

I have only had to go to court a few times and have always won.