And I thought Midwayusa was expensive

[XD-40 Shooter]

I just got my latest Natchez catalog, the 155 grain Ranier bullets in 40 S&W are $120/1000 + shipping, good grief! Midway has them for $99/1000 + shipping, or the 2000 count bulk packs for $205 and free freight.

 

[loadedround]

I have seen a lot of Midway putdowns on their pricing. I buy the majority of my components from them and don't feel they are any more expensive than the next guy. Also being on their mailing list gives my a heads up on some good sales. JMHO.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Midway is fine for me. Not the cheapest not the most expensive but there is a huge stock of things so that I don't have to go to multiple places... works for me.

 

[Faret]

Try lockstock And Barrel

 

[Faret]

www.lockstock.com

 

[WayneConrad]

Midway isn't the cheapest, but the website is perfect: The categories are set up well, the wishlist works well, my ability to go through previous orders is great. Just about everything there works perfectly. Customer reviews are great for helping me figure out what's worth buying. It's that web site I'm paying extra for, as far as I'm concerned.

The only thing lacking is a way for me to specify which things should be shipped immediately, and which should be held until the back-ordered items get in. Sometimes I'd rather have one or two things go out now and the rest wait, sometimes I'd rather have everything wait until the entire order can ship in one package.

 

[GoGopher]

FFL 03 Curio and Relics

I have described this method of getting a "discount" at MidwayUsa on THR before. I say "discount," because saving money seems to make a person shoot, and thus, spend more. I realize this is a bit of a fire drill, but it has saved me quite a bit over the years. A person can obtain a Curio and Relics Federal Firearms License by applying for one with the BATF. For $30, and a bit of your time filling out forms; once approved by the BATF you can submit a copy of your FFL to various Websites- MidwayUsa included. This will qualify you for "Dealer Status." Being a dealer means getting a discount on nearly everything you buy. Sometimes the discount is only a few cents, other times the discount can be as much as $50.
Of course the original intent of the C&R FFL 03 is to allow you to purchase historical firearms, such as obsolete military weapons (SKS, Mosin Nagant, etc.) directly from online dealers.

 

[callgood]

I've been using Precision Delta in Mississippi lately. Check their prices. They use USPS flat rate shipping, about as cheap as shipping can get, and distance from shipper isn't a factor.

When I last ordered, they were cheaper than Midway. May not be the case now, but with shipping factored in, it's worth a look.

 

[strat81]

Rainier's prices have gotten stupid high lately. At first it was just Midway, but once other companies turned over their Rainier inventory, they eventually caught up.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

I'll add that for a C&R License you must be 21+.

 

[BackCountry]

My only complaint with Midway is that their shipping prices are a little on the high side. I do get my stuff in 2 days though, so I just try to make my orders large enough to justify the shipping.

 

[coyotehitman]

Regardless of when I go to place an order with Midway, they are always out of stock on one or more items. I do not mind paying a few $ more for something, but I wont wait 3 weeks and pay an additional shipping charge just b/c Midway cant maintain enough inventory.

 

[mjrodney]

+1 on the high shipping charges.

Minimum shipping is a few cents short of $10.

That high cost forces you to buy more product so you can spread the shipping cost over several items.

Often, I have to delay placing an order with Midway until the shopping list is long enough.

Priority Mail would be cheaper for small orders, but they don't offer that service.


+1 on the out of stock issue.

This is another annoying reason to have to delay or cancel a Midway order.

Midway's customer service is generally good, but these two issues are holes in their armor.

 

[coyotehitman]

I received an e-mail from Midway because they saw that I had a large order in my shopping cart and abandoned it. I explained to them that I did not mind items being on backorder, provided I did not have to pay additional shipping when they finally came in. They would not budge on the shipping issue, so I told them I could no longer do business with a company that penalizes me for their lack of inventory. The only way I buy from Midway now is if I cannot find it elsewhere.

 

[cracked butt]

Midway isn't the cheapest, but the website is perfect: The categories are set up well, the wishlist works well, my ability to go through previous orders is great. Just about everything there works perfectly. Customer reviews are great for helping me figure out what's worth buying. It's that web site I'm paying extra for, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes. I find that a lot of items sold by Midsouth shooters supply is priced cheaper than Midway, but their website is a nightmare to navigate.

 

[CatsEye]

My favorite aspect of MidSouth is that they have a distribution center here in Clarksville. I call in my order and pick it up later that day. Saves shipping costs and more importantly Hazmat fees if buying powder or primers. I still purchase some things from Midway though because they site is good and they have a wider selection to choose from.

 

[winchester243]

Yes. I find that a lot of items sold by Midsouth shooters supply is priced cheaper than Midway, but their website is a nightmare to navigate.

I ususally open midsouth in one tab and midway in another, use midways to find what I want, get the manufacturer's product number and use midsouth's search by product number to find it and add it to my cart.

Midsouth's website stinks compared to Midway's website, but their prices are as good or better in most cases and their shipping is reasonable.

I got burned on Midway's shipping once and won't order from them again unless it is something I really want and I can't find it elsewhere. I had ordered a bunch of ammo cans that Midway had listed in stock and on sale and one Lee case length guide, the cancelled the ammo can order because they were overwhelmed and sent out the case length guide. The shipping was more than the part was worth.

 

[WayneConrad]

How is it possible to get "burned" on shipping when they tell you what shipping is before you accept the order?

You either accept the deal, or you do not accept. It's not like it's a secret and you find out about it later when the credit card bill arrives.

"Burned?"

Edited to add: "Burned" does apply: See explanation below by winchester243

 

[Roccobro]

The only thing lacking is a way for me to specify which things should be shipped immediately, and which should be held until the back-ordered items get in. Sometimes I'd rather have one or two things go out now and the rest wait, sometimes I'd rather have everything wait until the entire order can ship in one package.

I called a few days ago and asked if they could do this. They explained almost verbatim when the website says on shipping, and then summarized with, "We don't do that."

Oh well, placed two orders as they have the stuff coming back in stock faster than the other 4 sites I have notification set for with the same items.

Justin

 

[winchester243]

How is it possible to get "burned" on shipping when they tell you what shipping is before you accept the order?

You either accept the deal, or you do not accept. It's not like it's a secret and you find out about it later when the credit card bill arrives.

"Burned?"

Actually in my case it was a "secret", they accepted and then later cancelled most of my order. They then shipped the one remaining $4.00 item that wasn't cancelled by them at a shipping cost of around $7-$8. The only reason I added the small part to my order in the first place was because it had no effect on the overall shipping charges of my original order. If the cancelled sale items had been listed as backordered in the first place, I would never have made the order. At the very least I should have been informed of the shipping charges for the remaining item and been given the choice to cancel the rest of my order if I so chose.

 

[WayneConrad]

winchester243, In that case, I agree. "Burned" does apply. I apologize for my harsh criticism of your... um... harsh criticism

 

[CBS220]

On that score, Grafs does exceptionally well. If they don't have a part or something in stock, they call you and tell you about it, and allow you the option of canceling your order (Considering they only charge $4 shipping, it's no big deal whether you do or not).

 

[winchester243]

winchester243, In that case, I agree. "Burned" does apply. I apologize for my harsh criticism of your... um... harsh criticism

That's ok, I will even admit it was a very unusual thing for Midway to do. I think all the online retailers have been struggling to a certain extent trying to deal with the recent upswing in business, high order volume and the constant out of stock problems. When these things happen and people get too busy just trying to deal with the day to day orders, they tend opt for the expedient decision which unfortunately is not always the best decision for a particular customer.

The good news is our hobby is growing. In the short term this is bad news as it means higher prices and out of stock stuff as everyone seems to have been caught off guard. In the long term I think it is good news for both us reloaders and the industry that supplies us.

 

[Soybomb]

I'm really spoiled by brownells and their free shipping on backordered items, I wish they'd start selling reloading supplies. I have a wish list on midway and maybe 1/4 of it is in stock.

 

[jhansman]

I find that a lot of items sold by Midsouth shooters supply is priced cheaper than Midway, but their website is a nightmare to navigate.

That's how they keep their costs down; web development can be expensive.

I shop Midsouth more often than any other vendor nowadays, as their prices are about the lowest, but they still charge what the others (like Midway) do for shipping.