Jlr2267
Member
"The High Road"
Is Palmetto State Armory legitimate?
- Thread starter coloradokevin
- Start date
- Status
"The High Road"
And you're basing that on what?
MIL-DOT
member
Compared to how I really wanted to phrase it, my choice of wording WAS high-road !!
Unfortunately, the proverbial shoe doth fit, so instead of shooting the messenger, maybe address your complaints to PSA about getting their act together, so they don't recieve such unflattering critiques?
Jlr2267
Member
I have no complaints with them.Compared to how I really wanted to phrase it, my choice of wording WAS high-road !!
Unfortunately, the proverbial shoe doth fit, so instead of shooting the messenger, maybe address your complaints to PSA about getting their act together, so they don't recieve such unflattering critiques?
OP
OP
coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
Incidentally, since I started this thread over a complaint about slow shipping from a "small" company, I'll say this much:
I ordered a couple of tools from "Squirrel Daddy" last night (an armorer's block and some other similar stuff). This order was submitted at 0400 hrs my time, and I had a tracking number in my inbox by 0630 hours. Now, that's efficiency! That site also had decent prices, but I've never tried their products before, so I'll have to provide a separate review once they get here.
I ordered a couple of tools from "Squirrel Daddy" last night (an armorer's block and some other similar stuff). This order was submitted at 0400 hrs my time, and I had a tracking number in my inbox by 0630 hours. Now, that's efficiency! That site also had decent prices, but I've never tried their products before, so I'll have to provide a separate review once they get here.
A Pause for the Coz
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2009
- Messages
- 339
I have ordered more than once. I have learned to be patient with them.
Its not the greatest business model they follow.
I only buy from them when they are beating the pants off every one else for price and I am in no hurry.
If you want it now. They will make you pull your hair out.
They always come through though.
Its not the greatest business model they follow.
I only buy from them when they are beating the pants off every one else for price and I am in no hurry.
If you want it now. They will make you pull your hair out.
They always come through though.
MIL-DOT
member
Here's a string of related comments from a currently running thread over on ARFCOM:
--"One of the best deals going today:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ammunition/rifle-ammunition/223-5-56/federal-5-56-55gr-fmj-bt-90rds-strclp.html"
--"They ship fast also".
--Hey be nice to the newguy. PSA takes about a month to ship. Slowest company and worst customer service. Its not worth the cheap prices for the cheap parts.
--"I ordered. VZ 2008 last week. They shipped it the next day. I think the slow shipping is AR related gear."
--"I ordered a Bushnell AR Optic March 9th, they promptly shipped it on March 17th. I think your case is more of the exception than the rule."
(by the way, the thread started being about the ideal ammo for 1/7 twist barrels, but got sidetracked. Hey mods, is it OK if I post folks on ANOTHER forum veering off-topic?
--"One of the best deals going today:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ammunition/rifle-ammunition/223-5-56/federal-5-56-55gr-fmj-bt-90rds-strclp.html"
--"They ship fast also".
--Hey be nice to the newguy. PSA takes about a month to ship. Slowest company and worst customer service. Its not worth the cheap prices for the cheap parts.
--"I ordered. VZ 2008 last week. They shipped it the next day. I think the slow shipping is AR related gear."
--"I ordered a Bushnell AR Optic March 9th, they promptly shipped it on March 17th. I think your case is more of the exception than the rule."
(by the way, the thread started being about the ideal ammo for 1/7 twist barrels, but got sidetracked. Hey mods, is it OK if I post folks on ANOTHER forum veering off-topic?
dusty14u
Member
I have had several buys from them. Some were a little slower but it is hard to beat the prices. I bought a 9mm Shield 2 weeks ago. Got it in less than a week for $339. Thirty bucks less than Buds and quick shipping. I am a repeat offender/shopper with them an I will most likely do it again.
Last edited:
Ordered an upper Tuesday, shipped today, be here Monday. Figured I had a couple of weeks to build the lower, guess I need to build this weekend. I did order some 22 ammo and a buffer assembly last month, it took a couple of weeks. I read their terms, no surprises when I placed my order.
OP
OP
coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
It's strange how some of you have ordered a week after my order was placed, and are still getting your orders before mine will be here… makes me wonder if my "in stock" part really wasn't. After all, it's simply an AR-15 lower parts kit. What's that come to: maybe a 3" x 1" box or envelope and 3 ounces in weight? Can't be that hard to put it in the mail...
dragon813gt
Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2011
- Messages
- 1,137
It took close to three weeks until I received three LPKs from them. Didn't receive any notice of shipment or tracking numbers. Which could have been bad because they were delivered to a house three blocks away. Thankfully it was a friends house. The main gripe is w/ the USPS but not having tracking info would have been a big ordeal.
The LPKs do come in a nice box that's bigger than your dimensions. The wait is worth it if you saved money. As I posted earlier if you want it right away order from Primary Arms. Placed an order yesterday at 9:39am. Had a tracking number at 11:30am. Their system seems to be automated and you get emails w/ each step. PSA should really invest in a setup like that so customers are informed. It is the norm for online retailers.
ironworkerwill
Member
I ordered a complete upper, stripped lower, and a lower kit this last X-mas shipping season. The order was processed the 15th of December and the final box was delivered on the 30th. I have made at least 3 separate orders with them.
I'd rate the following as:
parts quality- A
CS- N/A as I've never had to speak with them. I have always gotten exactly what was ordered.
Price- A+
Shipping- B+
Legitimacy- A+
I'd rate the following as:
parts quality- A
CS- N/A as I've never had to speak with them. I have always gotten exactly what was ordered.
Price- A+
Shipping- B+
Legitimacy- A+
Last edited:
If you buy at a store 100 times is every transaction completely and fully satisfactory? No. On the average most are.
What we see with PSA is that most transactions are handled promptly and competently. However, some consumers are risk adverse to a high degree - like some anti gunners who think the weapon will turn on it's owner and fire all by itself. They perceive just one or two instance of inadequate service as a blanket example of service across the board.
Imagine them using that level of pickiness searching for a life mate. After 40 years of marriage I can tell you it's about a 15% daily failure rate of getting your expectations met, much less exceeding your imagination.
What some consumers have done is take a marketing campaign on superlative service by one retailer and apply it to every establishment and service provider they meet. All I can say is it's going to be one disappointment after another. Stores are staffed with humans and they are not infallible or perfect. Demanding that as standard of service has become the #1 reason nobody wants to work retail anymore, and why automated systems are becoming surrogate hand holders for those needing constant positive reinforcement every step in their purchase.
The worst customers are the ones who would never stoop so low as to actually work serving the public. Collectively we are amazingly brusgue and self centered, with an exceedingly shallow grasp of the actual facts or knowledge in any specific area.
And yet when the subject is discussed all too many maintain an attitude of complete denial and even go so far as to demand certain things happen to "improve service." Which they will not pay for simply because they were looking for a cheap bargain - and got what they paid for.
You don't like PSA, fine, we don't expect you to shop the cheapest used car dealers on the strip. Don't come back whining they didn't fill up the tank for a test drive or missed an ashtray with a gum wrapper in it. If you were expecting differently what part of self deception is not understood?
Now you have learned it's not your store to shop at. Fine, leave well enough alone for those of us who have no problems with elevated concerns about how we are being treated.
We pay our money and get a product. I don't need my towels arranged into a bunny with chocolate kisses on the pillow as a minimum level of service.
What we see with PSA is that most transactions are handled promptly and competently. However, some consumers are risk adverse to a high degree - like some anti gunners who think the weapon will turn on it's owner and fire all by itself. They perceive just one or two instance of inadequate service as a blanket example of service across the board.
Imagine them using that level of pickiness searching for a life mate. After 40 years of marriage I can tell you it's about a 15% daily failure rate of getting your expectations met, much less exceeding your imagination.
What some consumers have done is take a marketing campaign on superlative service by one retailer and apply it to every establishment and service provider they meet. All I can say is it's going to be one disappointment after another. Stores are staffed with humans and they are not infallible or perfect. Demanding that as standard of service has become the #1 reason nobody wants to work retail anymore, and why automated systems are becoming surrogate hand holders for those needing constant positive reinforcement every step in their purchase.
The worst customers are the ones who would never stoop so low as to actually work serving the public. Collectively we are amazingly brusgue and self centered, with an exceedingly shallow grasp of the actual facts or knowledge in any specific area.
And yet when the subject is discussed all too many maintain an attitude of complete denial and even go so far as to demand certain things happen to "improve service." Which they will not pay for simply because they were looking for a cheap bargain - and got what they paid for.
You don't like PSA, fine, we don't expect you to shop the cheapest used car dealers on the strip. Don't come back whining they didn't fill up the tank for a test drive or missed an ashtray with a gum wrapper in it. If you were expecting differently what part of self deception is not understood?
Now you have learned it's not your store to shop at. Fine, leave well enough alone for those of us who have no problems with elevated concerns about how we are being treated.
We pay our money and get a product. I don't need my towels arranged into a bunny with chocolate kisses on the pillow as a minimum level of service.
cc-hangfire
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2014
- Messages
- 589
I like PSA!! Just understand, like all businesses you can have 2 of the following three things: fast, good, cheap. But only two!!
PSA is good quality, and inexpensive -- but they are not (necessarily) fast. I've made 3 orders with them in the past few years; excellent quality, excellent prices (I shop the email specials), and shipping times have been reasonable to very good. YMMV
PSA is good quality, and inexpensive -- but they are not (necessarily) fast. I've made 3 orders with them in the past few years; excellent quality, excellent prices (I shop the email specials), and shipping times have been reasonable to very good. YMMV
ny32182
Member
Applies to almost everything in life.
SSN Vet
Member
PSA legit? yes...
But they are a small company with low prices that does a huge volume of business and isn't really staffed or automated well enough to handle it. But low overhead is why their prices are so low.
As is often the case in the free market, inexpenxive, fast or good... pick any two you like.
PSA often is tapping into contract over run parts (i.e. if your production run is for 5,000, you don't run 5,000, you run 5,100 to make sure that any rejects don't cause you to short ship. Then you sell the over-run at a discount, as you've already factored that cost into the original contract price) from the nearby FN plant, which services the M16 (and M4?) contract for the DOD. This is a state of the art, modern and well run firearms factory.... potentially the best in the US.
Give them a little more time and you'll likely not be disappointed.
But they are a small company with low prices that does a huge volume of business and isn't really staffed or automated well enough to handle it. But low overhead is why their prices are so low.
As is often the case in the free market, inexpenxive, fast or good... pick any two you like.
PSA often is tapping into contract over run parts (i.e. if your production run is for 5,000, you don't run 5,000, you run 5,100 to make sure that any rejects don't cause you to short ship. Then you sell the over-run at a discount, as you've already factored that cost into the original contract price) from the nearby FN plant, which services the M16 (and M4?) contract for the DOD. This is a state of the art, modern and well run firearms factory.... potentially the best in the US.
Give them a little more time and you'll likely not be disappointed.
atblis
Member
Not all of their parts come from FN. Don't make that assumption.
It sounds like your order was place on March 10, so today makes 10 days from your order date. My 3 orders with PSA were received, if I remember correctly, about 3 to 4 weeks after my order was placed, and I don't believe they ever sent a "your order has shipped" email. I never asked for updates or tried calling, so can't comment on customer service. I would give them another 2 weeks and just wait.
They probably get thousands of emails and phone calls daily asking for order status, and their business would probably grind to a halt if they answered every email and picked up every phone call.
They probably get thousands of emails and phone calls daily asking for order status, and their business would probably grind to a halt if they answered every email and picked up every phone call.
JFtheGR8
Member
I ordered a brick of 22lr from them last week and three days later a stripped lower. Both will be delivered on Monday. The bullets were delayed by UPS or I would have had them yesterday. I have no complaints about that.
As far as dumping defective parts on the market goes I've heard of people buying the PA10 lower then getting upset when parts from other AR10 rifle kits don't fit. The PA10 is designed to use AR15 fire control parts so that would be pretty obvious don't you think?
I have yet to order the rifle kit for my lower but I do expect shipping for that to be slower than what I've experienced with my other orders.
As far as dumping defective parts on the market goes I've heard of people buying the PA10 lower then getting upset when parts from other AR10 rifle kits don't fit. The PA10 is designed to use AR15 fire control parts so that would be pretty obvious don't you think?
I have yet to order the rifle kit for my lower but I do expect shipping for that to be slower than what I've experienced with my other orders.
ID-shooting
Member
I love PSA, my budget doesn't though...
I have purchased many things from them. Several complete guns, a few kits, lots of small parts. They have never let me down. Keep an eye on thier frequent sales. They have saved me hundreds of dollars (VZ2008 under $400, M92s under $300, AR10 under $600) and so on.
As stated, Fast, Cheap, Good. You can only ever have two, pick your two.
If you need the item "now" go elsewhere. If you can wait, and trust that things will get fixed should Murphy step in, PSA is the place to shop.
I have purchased many things from them. Several complete guns, a few kits, lots of small parts. They have never let me down. Keep an eye on thier frequent sales. They have saved me hundreds of dollars (VZ2008 under $400, M92s under $300, AR10 under $600) and so on.
As stated, Fast, Cheap, Good. You can only ever have two, pick your two.
If you need the item "now" go elsewhere. If you can wait, and trust that things will get fixed should Murphy step in, PSA is the place to shop.
Blade First
Member
"The PA10 is designed to use AR15 fire control parts so that would be pretty obvious don't you think?"
That wasn't the problem; different profiles for uppers and lowers meant some mfrs. parts were incompatible. We are getting closer to "standard" parts for the AR-10 but the competition isn't over yet.
And just so you'll know, not all the AR-15 and AR-10 FCG parts are the same. For instance, the bolt catch and bolt catch screw [instead of the AR-15 roll pin] are different parts. The threaded stem on the AR-15 mag catch is too short for the wider AR-10 lower. Some mfrs. ship the right part with LPKs...some don't.
To address the OP's complaint:
My experience over the last two years with PSA has been that they appreciate repeat business. I understand their aggressive sales approach and applaud the fact that they are constantly adding products to their catalog.
Sometimes they hiccup in a big way. I wouldn't take it personally.
That wasn't the problem; different profiles for uppers and lowers meant some mfrs. parts were incompatible. We are getting closer to "standard" parts for the AR-10 but the competition isn't over yet.
And just so you'll know, not all the AR-15 and AR-10 FCG parts are the same. For instance, the bolt catch and bolt catch screw [instead of the AR-15 roll pin] are different parts. The threaded stem on the AR-15 mag catch is too short for the wider AR-10 lower. Some mfrs. ship the right part with LPKs...some don't.
To address the OP's complaint:
My experience over the last two years with PSA has been that they appreciate repeat business. I understand their aggressive sales approach and applaud the fact that they are constantly adding products to their catalog.
Sometimes they hiccup in a big way. I wouldn't take it personally.
boatdoc173
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2014
- Messages
- 219
@coloradokevin
patience is a virtue right? I use them a lot-they ar e very reliable but very slow to ship-- Great folks--worth the wait for the product--good customer service too.
hang in there
boatdoc173
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2014
- Messages
- 219
well said and so true
wojownik
Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2009
- Messages
- 2,086
Palmetto prices = A
Product as ordered/described = A
Delivery time = C
Telephone CS = C ( based long hold timed, and inability to get through )
Email CS = B-/C (again due to delayed or no responses )
Bottom line = you'll get what you ordered, at good prices, but don't expect speedy delivery or prompt access to customer service. I can live with the "C's" since the "A's" are where they need to be.
Product as ordered/described = A
Delivery time = C
Telephone CS = C ( based long hold timed, and inability to get through )
Email CS = B-/C (again due to delayed or no responses )
Bottom line = you'll get what you ordered, at good prices, but don't expect speedy delivery or prompt access to customer service. I can live with the "C's" since the "A's" are where they need to be.
- Status
