Optics Planet no longer selling >10rd mags

[Fine Figure of a Man]

To the legal experts on THR
Would or has the Cook County Law been upheld in court?

 

[MillennialGunslinger]

I just messaged them to say that while I won't be boycotting just yet and imagine their hand was forced, the change doesn't sit well with me and doesn't leave me indifferent. I'd suggest the rest do the same, at the very least to let them know that their buyers care and they should consider other options in the future.

You can contact them here. Just select "Suggestions/Feedback".

 

[Chris54326]

I have purchased from Optics Planet in the past. One thing I can count on is to place my order and then wait so long I want to cancel it. Took me 6 months to buy a scope from them once. It was a discontinued Nikon scope they claimed to have in stock. Truth of the matter, they took my order and started hunting for it. I didn't cancel the order because I could barely afford the scope at their price, much less the few I could find left for sale elsewhere. I don't even look on their site any more. If this was their decision and not an Illinois law, I hope it bites them in the butt. If it's the law on their backs, I feel sorry for them but that's what they get for operating in that climate.

Thanks for the link, MillennialGunslinger. Just sent them a message...........not that it'll do all that much good!

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I received the same canned response that others have posted above. And Alan called me back. It seems they're getting slammed over this.

Greetings from OpticsPlanet.com!


Thank you for reaching out to us, and giving us a chance to respond. We're aware of a recent rumor suggesting that we made decisions to restrict the sale of magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds due to recent events.


We are not offering magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds to the general public due to our location in Northbrook, Illinois, and local laws that limit our ability to sell these. Being an internet retailer serving fifty states can be complex at times, and frankly, our location in Illinois only adds to this complexity. We may not always like the law, but we need to follow it.


You can see the ordinance in question here:


https://library.municode.com/il/cook_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIGEOR_CH54LIPEMIBURE_ARTIIIDEWEDE_DIV4BLHOASWEBA_S54-212ASWELAPAMASAPREX


At OpticsPlanet, we have never used the inflamed tensions and emotions of current events to drive decision making. Our support of the 2nd Amendment is made undeniably clear by the products we offer. We are one of the few online retailers who never stopped offering completely legal products based on public or political pressure. We do not raise prices during frenzies. We do, however, follow the laws and make adjustments when legally required.


While we wish we could be your provider of these magazines, our hands are tied in this matter. We sincerely apologize for our role in creating any confusion, and hope you'll continue to support us as many loyal customers have over the past 18 years.


Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.


Have a great day!


Best regards,


Tiffany S.| Customer Care Specialist

I replied with the following:

Tiffany,


Thank you for your response.


Your website is not clear about this. Nor did the person who I speak to on the phone make it clear that it was a local law.


Her rudeness and lack of understanding along with your website not being clear about this makes me leery of doing business with your firm. There are many companies who support the 2nd Amendment and are willing to help in the fight of laws that limit our freedom. So while I appreciate you clearing this up, I will do business with them.

T.

I then received an auto reply and the following canned message:

Greetings from OpticsPlanet.com!


Thank you for contacting us. If you need anything in the future, do not hesitate to call, chat or email. We are always available to help. I’m truly sorry for the less than ideal experience.


Have a great day!


Best regards,


Tiffany S


So it seems they know they have a PR problem and are caught between a local law and unhappy customers. Frankly, it looks like they didn't think this out. They're reacting to bad decisions and are showing me that they're not a company I choose to do business.

So as I said in my reply, I'll do business with companies that support us, and who will fight with us.

 

[danez71]

Sheesh. Even CA let's sell standard cap mags to out of state.

 

[SharpDog]

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...s-planet-stops-sales-high-capacity-magazines/


I’ve never bought a sight or scope anywhere BUT optics planet. No more!!

Oh you're right. I would never have believed it. Fortunately, I do most of my business at MidwayUSA or Brownells, strong supporters of NRA!

 

[SharpDog]

Just sent them a message:

"Can you tell me when you will have 30 rd. PMags from Magpul in stock?

Long time customer"

let's see what they say, I will enjoy berating them

 

[SharpDog]

Response from OpticsPlanet:

"
Greetings from OpticsPlanet.com!

Thank you for reaching out to us, and giving us a chance to respond. We're aware of a recent rumor suggesting that we made decisions to restrict the sale of magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds due to recent events.


We want to assure you this is not the case. Insufficient internal communication led to a misread message. We are not offering magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds to the general public due to our location in Northbrook, Illinois, and local laws


that limit our ability to sell these. Being an internet retailer serving fifty states can be complex at times, and frankly, our location in Illinois only adds to this complexity. We may not always like the law, but we need to follow it.



You can see the ordinance in question here:

https://library.municode.com/il/coo...DEWEDE_DIV4BLHOASWEBA_S54-212ASWELAPAMASAPREX





At OpticsPlanet, we have never used the inflamed tensions and emotions of current events to drive decision making. Our support of the 2nd Amendment is made undeniably clear by the products we offer. We are one of the few online retailers who never stopped offering completely legal products based on public or political pressure. We do not raise prices during frenzies. We do, however, follow the laws and make adjustments when legally required.


While we wish we could be your provider of these magazines, our hands are tied in this matter. We sincerely apologize for our role in creating any confusion, and hope you'll continue to support us as many loyal customers have over the past 18 years.





Best regards,"

 

[Hokkmike]

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...s-planet-stops-sales-high-capacity-magazines/


I’ve never bought a sight or scope anywhere BUT optics planet. No more!!

Even before this Optic Planet's reviews have been terrible. Not just bad - rotten!

 

[GEM]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...gazine-sales-restrictions-try-looking-deeper/

Here's a summary take on it.

 

[Browning]

Hmm, I was looking at a Steiner 1-4 scope from them.

Oh well, I was going to buy it from them. I'll go with someplace that actually values the Second Amendment.

 

[Browning]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...gazine-sales-restrictions-try-looking-deeper/

Here's a summary take on it.

Damage control.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I just sent them an email as well. I honestly feel a little sorry for the CS rep who reads the flood of emails in the coming days. I’ve sent that link to everyone I know that owns a firearm. And they are putting it up on Facebook (since I don’t have one). The word will spread.

For those that care.
I just received a call from them.

The gentleman I spoke with was very candid. He explained that they have an internal issue on being transparent on this. I was told that they’ve never sold magazines larger than 15 rounds and that due to the new laws where they’re located they’re restricted to selling 10round magazines to anyone but LE and security.

We discussed the recent events and the firestorm they’ve received.
We also discussed their internal communication issues, and the issues with their website and how this has made them look.

He was very polite and professional, and I believe that he was sincere.
We also discussed the issue I had with the person I initially spoke with and he said they’ll address it.

So....

I will give them credit for getting back to me.
I’ll also give them credit for having someone very professional and seriously interested in discussing this with me.

I still have concerns about why they weren’t clear about what their policies are and what laws they’re referring to.

I’ve shifted from the group that will never buy from them, to I’ll continue to use other companies as my preferred vendors unless they have an amazing sale. If I ever see them have something I want or need at a killer price I may give them a try if I see that they’ve addressed their transparency issues. If not I’ll pass even if I have to pay a bit more.

 

[captain awesome]

well no more optics planet for me either. and i have spent many thousands of dollars there over the past few years. if they repent i might change my mind.

 

[Legionnaire]

Glad they followed up with you, Hokie_PhD, and your interaction sounds like it was constructive. I'm still curious as to why this broke now when the law they are citing was passed back in 2013.

 

[Tirod]

It broke now because it stirs up division and resentment among shooters when a new AWB push from the FL school shooting is being orchestrated. There is a thread like this on every gun forum.

If you choose not to patronize their business so be it, your American freedom in action. Others can choose as they like, don't forget PSA and Botach have a different customer base who tolerates their customer service and who frequently dispute negative allegations with examples of their experience.

I don't think there is a new car dealer in America who doesn't get ripped sometime or another, largely by customers who think human organizations are run perfectly and who handle their every expectation regardless of the cost. Why, even Nordstrum will pick you up at the airport in their limo and

Never mind, they went out of business. There is a limit to how much you can cater to the American consumer.

Optics Planet has admitted they didn't handle this too well and so far very few have reported they did try to order a magazine not even listed for sale and were refused. Think about that - if it's not even on a web page then they are complying with local law. In their case the law is run in a hostile environment and you pick your fights.

Looking forward to seeing them move to a gun friendly state.

 

[flphotog]

Well, I've never bought anything there, but I'll keep doing that.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

It broke now because it stirs up division and resentment among shooters when a new AWB push from the FL school shooting is being orchestrated. There is a thread like this on every gun forum.

If you choose not to patronize their business so be it, your American freedom in action. Others can choose as they like, don't forget PSA and Botach have a different customer base who tolerates their customer service and who frequently dispute negative allegations with examples of their experience.

I don't think there is a new car dealer in America who doesn't get ripped sometime or another, largely by customers who think human organizations are run perfectly and who handle their every expectation regardless of the cost. Why, even Nordstrum will pick you up at the airport in their limo and

Never mind, they went out of business. There is a limit to how much you can cater to the American consumer.

Optics Planet has admitted they didn't handle this too well and so far very few have reported they did try to order a magazine not even listed for sale and were refused. Think about that - if it's not even on a web page then they are complying with local law. In their case the law is run in a hostile environment and you pick your fights.

Looking forward to seeing them move to a gun friendly state.

I don’t think anyone is picking fights.
If you read my posts. I went to their site and tried to purchase a magazine larger than 10 rounds.
I reported what I saw, and the actions I took.

I emailed them and called. I spoke with someone. And I posted a detailed account of what was said and my opinions.

If you don’t like my opinion so be it. But it’s not picking a fight. I’ve made it very clear I won’t support businesses that don’t support us. I went from being upset to now having a wait and see view. That’s not picking a fight, it’s seeing if a business took the constructive criticism from my conversation and does something positive. If they do, I’ll give them a shot at my business I’d theyre prices are good. If not, I’ll shop at other places. It’s no different than what anyone else would do.

So yes, some here have gotten very excited. And given the events this last week it’s understandable. But some of us want to do things to make it clear we won’t support businesses that aren’t going to support us,

If a fight is to be had, I’ll gladly take it on with those who are against mags larger than 10 rounds and for banning ARs. I don’t care who they are, IMHO they’re not friends.

 

[barnbwt]

Man, if they'd just said they weren't selling magazines any more...that high-capacity distinction is what makes it stink of compromise, as opposed to getting back-to-basics as a purely accessory-focused outfit (instead of dabbling in parts)

A faux-pas followed by terrible communication and tone-deaf customer service. Yeah, they deserve every bit of what they're getting now.