How Long Will You Let Your Order Languish?

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barnbwt

barnbwt

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About a month and a half ago, I made my only "panic" purchase of some 7.5 Swiss GP11 ammunition from an outfit called fivesevenammo.com because they seemed to somehow both have it in stock, and offer it at a reasonable price (seems Swiss wasn't caught up in the ammo scare :D)

I understand such outfits are small, and crushed with orders, but if they have the product in stock, how long would ya'll wait around for them to ship? They haven't charged me yet, or anything, but it's not like my money isn't tied up and doing nothing, either. They're apparently too busy to give timely order status updates either, since they haven't replied to my inquiry in over a week.

Do ya'll tend to just "let it ride" so long as you aren't billed, until a same/better deal comes along that can actually be fulfilled? Or do you give distributors a certain amount of time before taking your business elsewhere?

TCB
 
I will let a backorder sit until I find it in stock and actually shipping elsewhere. Generally I'll stop hunting for an item once it is backordered, just check other places when buying something else.

That said, I've encountered at least one (major) business that advertises items in stock with no intention of shipping for months, if ever. That order got cancelled after a month of wait and they no longer will see my business even though I had to go with a different (equivalent) version elsewhere.
 
I had a back order from RGUNS for 2 BCG's @ $105 a piece. RGUNS' website said that it would be 4-5 weeks to get the parts shipped out. After 7 weeks I cancelled.
 
I just recieved a large order from Midway USA I had placed right after the election.

Same original price and shipping charge.
 
I've received just about everything, but Officerstore has yet to deliver 3 Pmags I ordered in late January. I think I've gotten everything else in.
 
I placed an order with Glockstore.com on February 14th. It was still backordered Wednesday May 8th. I canceled the order, paid $22 more to get it from Cabela's, and got it in the mail today (2 Glock .40 magazines).
 
I had an order for some glock mags back in December. In Jan they sent a delay notice. In Feb they sent another one...I cancelled at that point.

I just didn't want to put up with having an order hanging out there forever. I'll just buy it when it's available again...until then I'll go do something else.
 
Yeah, I know it doesn't directly cost us if they don't bill until they ship, but you still can't spend that money elsewhere, or shoot the ammo, until it processes. You've essentially left money on the counter, and though it hasn't been "spent," it isn't really available anymore.

That's the part that bugs me, because while that money sits on the counter, the business can claim it as "expected revenue" or whatever to make their business look more successful, to justify better loan rates and business terms with other companies (like distributors). They can afford to take bigger risks if they have a heavy backlog to fall back on. They get to derive some small value from the promise of my purchase, while I lose some by having my money tied up for months. But I am not compensated for this wealth transfer.

Mainly, I just want a status update from these jokers (don't we all? :D), but I understand that even that's backlogged. There is such a thing as taking on too much business. Imagine if these guys had to pay late fees on delinquent orders, like the big-boy businesses do :D. I imagine they'd be a bit more honest about what kind of delay we should be expecting ;) (I haven't cancelled my Starline order, because they were frank with me that it would be months before the next batch run of 50 Alaskan brass)

TCB
 
barnbwt said:
Yeah, I know it doesn't directly cost us if they don't bill until they ship, but you still can't spend that money elsewhere, or shoot the ammo, until it processes. You've essentially left money on the counter, and though it hasn't been "spent," it isn't really available anymore.

That's the part that bugs me, because while that money sits on the counter, the business can claim it as "expected revenue" or whatever to make their business look more successful, to justify better loan rates and business terms with other companies (like distributors). They can afford to take bigger risks if they have a heavy backlog to fall back on. They get to derive some small value from the promise of my purchase, while I lose some by having my money tied up for months. But I am not compensated for this wealth transfer.


TCB
Click to expand...

I disagree completely. Of course the money is available to you if they haven't charged you. It's not tied up, and you are free to cancel the order anytime you wish if you find somewhere else to spend it.
 
Optics Planet listed a few lyman molds as available on their website, and have charged my card immediately when I ordered. They just sent me an email stating they are looking at a 5-7 week wait time on shipping. I will wait exactly as long as it takes for someone to answer the phone over there and cancel my orders, as I could have gotten the same products elsewhere in stock.
I will wait until I find a better price, or an in stock item.
 
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Months.
It should make no difference for people who planned ahead, and store heaps in each of the major 'calibers'.
Some of us buy ammo before making the decision to buy a new type of gun. These times should be a clear example of why we did so in the normal times.

The CMP found time two weeks ago to send an e-mail, as confirmation that they received my order for 1,000 rds. of M2 Ball, with the same amount ordered for a friend.
Gun/ammo businesses or non-profits such as the CMP are working their butts off in the last few months.
When you wait on the phone about two hours it is obvious.
 
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Let's add a twist - had an order for some mags during the panic, fully expected a back order. Fine, they will ship when they can, the price was right.

The order languished in my account for months. In the meantime, another supplier got his in stock, I ordered them, too, and they shipped to my doorstep in days.

During that time, my order at the first supplier dropped off my account, no record whatsoever. But guess what, they shipped last week and I got them. Another twist? I got a UPS email, not a ship notice from the vendor, and there was no mention of the vendor, just the city of origin. It took a day or two to connect the dots - looked like an email scam.

I can only conclude they overreacted to all the cancellations and locked in their order, resulting in some less than reputable delivery communication. This vendor is very well known in some circles, but the final result hasn't been real positive. Seems underhanded.

I didn't cancel, never even tried. Extra mags are good to have. But seeing the way they handled it, I won't be going back. There is some fallout from all this, and how we handle our orders is affecting others - often with negative results.

If someone is placing multiple orders with numerous vendors, then cancelling the ones that are backordered, THEY are the problem. Same for ammo sales - it's been pointed out the current stage of the shortage are speculators reselling ammo, NOT shooters. Stop paying $$ for ammo and the price WILL go down. They can't eat it.

It's called a panic for a reason - calm reasonable people aren't causing it, just fools and their money.
 
I have had a backorder for 5000 rds. of .22 mini-mags from a major ammo supplier since November. I received one "still on backorder" email from them in April. I have no plans to cancel my order.
 
I ordered a handful of mags from Ammunition Storage Components on 1/10/13. A bunch of other guys from THR ordered on the same day as well. I know a few guys received their order last month. I guess I drew the short straw because I haven't heard a word from them. I don't need the mags, I have plenty of them so I guess it doesn't effect me either way. I would be a lot more peeved if I needed them and they made me wait over 5 months!
 
I have a 10 round and two original capacity magazines backordered from Midway. Twice now they've emailed me to say that the 10 rounder was in, and I could go to their site and tell them to ship it. This is for a S&W M&P 15-22 I traded for just after Newton -- I want the 10 rounder for my 8 yo daughter to shoot off of the bench. On the second email, I went to their site and saw the button to click to put it in my cart, but I was busy and wanted to order a couple of other items. I came back 45 minutes later and got a pink pistol rug and a couple of other knick-knacks but at that point they wouldn't let me put the 10 round magazine in my shopping cart. After 45 minutes with customer service, their story is that the item has not ever been in stock since I ordered. I understand if I didn't click fast enough they would send it to somebody else, but they claim they do not do that and it's never been in stock? I guess I'll let it ride, I don't need it and won't look elsewhere for it, but they wasted quite a bit of my time that day.
 
Will continue waiting on some lowers I ordered December 27th. They will probably arrive sometime this summer.
Placed a group-buy backorder for over 50k rounds of .22lr and halfway expect it to be in by Christmas.
Ever buy ANYTHING in the NFA registry? I have. You get used to waiting.
 
I read this thread, and remembered I had a case tumbler on order. Checked on a couple places and sure enough found it cheaper in stock. Original order canceled, new order placed. Thanks for the reminder OP.
 
10K CCI Primers ordered 3/15 from Midsouth. No hurry, some day I'll get em.

Waiting for my last 100 pack of Mag Tech 158 gr JSP. Ordered 1k on 2/2 and all are here except that last hundred. No hurry, some day they'll get here.

Stess in life is counter proportional to the level of patience one learns.

Andy
 
I understand such outfits are small, and crushed with orders, but if they have the product in stock, how long would ya'll wait around for them to ship? They haven't charged me yet, or anything, but it's not like my money isn't tied up and doing nothing, either. They're apparently too busy to give timely order status updates either, since they haven't replied to my inquiry in over a week.
Click to expand...

That was exactly how Powder Valley was handling orders a few months ago - you could only order something IF it showed in stock, but ti wouldn't ship for 4 weeks or more. My order took almost 6 weeks, but they had some serious snow storms during that time
 
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