Recent experience with Brownells?

[A45acp1911]

All, I’ve had decades of great service from Brownells. Sadly I’ve heard that their great customer service very recently has taken a hit

Definitely not trying to spread rumors, so hoping people could tell me if they have seen a chance, for better or worse, when dealing with problems from Brownells. First person experiences requested, and especially those dealing with problems and you did NOT purchase their shipping insurance or whatever it is.

 

[Tommygunn]

Most recently ordered a Radian Raptor charging handle for a new M4orgery. No problem and everything went a-ok.


Maybe covid 19 problems have affected staffing or suppliers at Brownells.

I've heard no rumors.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[dogtown tom]

All, I’ve had decades of great service from Brownells. Sadly I’ve heard that their great customer service very recently has taken a hit

Heard this from who?

Definitely not trying to spread rumors,

Yet you are.

so hoping people could tell me if they have seen a chance, for better or worse, when dealing with problems from Brownells. First person experiences requested, and especially those dealing with problems and you did NOT purchase their shipping insurance or whatever it is.

Soooo.............you haven't bought anything and you haven't had a problem?
You ask for anonymous experiences, yet are ignoring your decades of great service?


Troll post.

 

[Rule3]

I just read on the internet that someone said that their service of some unknown kind or type, somewhere, about something, may or may not have
"very recently has taken a hit"????????????

This was reported by an anonymous source who identity has not been disclosed as they were not authorized to report on such matters.

 

[Micro]

Brownell's basic shipping is faster than MidwayUSA's. With inexpensive orders that I don't need quickly, I tend to use the default shipping methods. Using faster methods can double the cost of the order. I ordered some small parts from MidwayUSA on 12/7/20 using their UPS-to-USPS delivery service and it took nearly 2 weeks to get to me. I ordered some screws from Brownells on 12/9/20 using their default shipping and had them by the following Monday. Never had a problem with either company and I use them both. Brownells tends to ship faster.

 

[mjsdwash]

I don't have any very recent experience, but some from after this rumor started a few months ago. Mine was fine. I had no issues, and they were good. Midway on the other hand has taken a dip, but was in recovery. I have very little use for Brownells customer service because they rarely get anything wrong, but I do recall last time I used it, its was very good.
One big thing about Brownells, when I first started using them, they were a gunsmithing outlet with some accessories. Now they seem to be another Midway USA. Now that Glocks and AR's dominate the marked it makes sense to get out of the traditional gunsmith market, but they used to have parts like Numrich, and good quality US made tools. They still do to an extent, but not nearly what they used to. I actually found them looking for Ruger parts the factory wouldn't sell, and they had every part except the frame available.
Anyway, its a transition in suppliers, employees, and customers, so there will be issues. This year is a bad year for a company throwing itself into this market, and I'm betting the AR18/WWSD projects as well as the retro thing is not working out as well as they planned. They are still a good company from my experience.

Edit to add.... I have never seen shipping insurance offered on Brownells. Did not know that was a thing. It was always included in the charge. Maybe its based on your address?

 

[otisrush]

I bought an item from Brownell's a month or two ago. Order and shipment went smooth as silk.

Didn't like the item. Returned it using their standard return process. Credit applied appropriately. No issues.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have ordered several times from Brownells this year with the last being a month ago. I haven't had any issues with their shipping. It's been no different from years past. Now USPS is a whole other story.

 

[LaneP]

Brownell's basic shipping is faster than MidwayUSA's. With inexpensive orders that I don't need quickly, I tend to use the default shipping methods. Using faster methods can double the cost of the order. I ordered some small parts from MidwayUSA on 12/7/20 using their UPS-to-USPS delivery service and it took nearly 2 weeks to get to me. I ordered some screws from Brownells on 12/9/20 using their default shipping and had them by the following Monday. Never had a problem with either company and I use them both. Brownells tends to ship faster.

That "economy shipping" that involves handing off from UPS to the local USPS is brutally slow.

 

[rdnktrkr]

The parts and chokes I ordered recently came in packaged well and if a fair amount of time, I haven't had a problem with Brownell, Grafs, Midway, Midsouth, or Natchez. Some of the orders were a little slow getting here but nothing drastic, sometimes I had to make multiple orders to get everything I wanted but I don't feel it is the fault of them but rather their suppliers not being able to keep up with demand

 

[herrwalther]

Last thing I ordered from Brownell's was about 3 months ago or so. Package got lost awhile and messed up by FedEx. Ended up at my door almost a month after ordering and very damaged. I contacted Brownells and got them to note my account not to ship with FedEx anymore. Stellar CS I have come to expect from them. Only reason I don't order from them is when they aren't the best price.

 

[wiscoaster]

I have to agree with the OP. My recent experiences with Brownell's have been less than their previously usual stellar customer service. Blame it on the pandemic, I suppose. Some of the problems have to do with shipping USPS. But other businesses are coping with the pandemic just fine, especially when USPS is avoided.

 

[Walkalong]

Sadly I’ve heard that their great customer service very recently has taken a hit

Definitely not trying to spread rumors,

Those two don't fit together well.

Like you, I have had decades of good service, which has been as recently as a few weeks ago.

If it is shipping related, everyone is getting hammered.

 

[Zeabed]

I recently ordered two Saf-T-Blok plugs for my Glocks. They were BOTH defective. The fitting insert could not be screwed in to fit the trigger well of the specific gun. It rotated in place and felt that it hadn't been treaded at all. Brownell sent me two form e-mails blaming the promised slow response on the current difficulties caused by the pandemic. After a couple of weeks I sent a follow up and got the same "reply". Nothing since then. Btw, I've owned many of these Saf-T-Bloks over the years. Have two of them now in my two Glocks, but I like to replace them after a year or two, as a precaution.

 

[rust collector]

Sadly I’ve heard that their great customer service very recently has taken a hit

This is, by definition, spreading a rumor. You can ask for others' experience without poisoning the well. If human nature runs true to form, you will hear more negative than positive comments.

 

[hanno]

An order in August, everything went smoothly.

Another order this month and no problems.

Called tech support with some questions and got helpful and responsive answers.

No issues with Brownells.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I will go ahead and give their little Edge membership Amazon Prime-esque service a wild and enthusiastic thumbs down.

Good-technically nothing
Good-ish- faster than standard shipping but slower than advertised.
Crap- supposed Edge insider deals happened until COVID and then I never saw one since.

I’ll still be a customer but I will never buy into Edge again.

 

[A45acp1911]

Heard this from who?



Yet you are.



Soooo.............you haven't bought anything and you haven't had a problem?
You ask for anonymous experiences, yet are ignoring your decades of great service?


Troll post.

No, not a troll. A request for information is not spreading rumors—it’s simply a request for information and an opportunity to gather firsthand information.

The Discord reloading group moderator indicated that members are reporting Brownells is resisting resending lost or damaged orders when the $3 shipping protection is not ordered.

I’ve ordered literally thousands of dollars of stuff over the last 2 decades, but virtually nothing this year because of the long lead times and item unavailability.


Looks like the only one who had nothing to say was you, dude.

 

[A45acp1911]

Lol. Looked through the thread above. You all have to lighten up. Above I indicate the reported issue. Never understood what the new $3 charge was supposed to cover that wouldn’t be covered without the $3 charge. And it’s unfortunate if in fact Brownells is not covering damage or loss if you didn’t pay the charge. Close the thread for all I care at this point. Why discuss whether a vendor is in fact dropping their once stellar customer service. I won’t be back to THR (seems like you’ve lost your way from Oleg’s idea that this group would take “the high road”), but apparently I’m a troll who won’t be missed. Apologies for anyone who might have gathered some real information from this thread and has to deal with an unpleasant situation with Brownells, but I guess they can blame the real trolls.

 

[Hartkopf]

Sensitive much?

Brownells has been good to me. Last order 2 weeks ago.

 

[Demi-human]

I won’t be back to THR (seems like you’ve lost your way from Oleg’s idea that this group would take “the high road”), but apparently I’m a troll who won’t be missed.

Bye, Felicia!

(He’ll be back when he cools off, we’re fine. Kinda strange he got mad at the very first response...

I hope he saw the majority of answers were to the positive, @rust collector. Though I take it you meant he was predispositioned.)

I have always gotten great service from Brownells.
Not just that they didn’t screw up an order, but when I call with questions, every single time they have gotten me answers in earnest.

Purchase without prejudice.
There is a reason the name Brownells is nearly synonymous with “firearms”.

 

[loadedround]

I've been dealing with the Brownell's Co. for over 30 years now and they are a very upstanding company with excellent service, fair pricing, very knowledgeable personnel, and fast shipping. I wish all retailers in our industry wer as good as Brownell's!

 

[Barbaroja]

Lol. Looked through the thread above. You all have to lighten up. Above I indicate the reported issue. Never understood what the new $3 charge was supposed to cover that wouldn’t be covered without the $3 charge. And it’s unfortunate if in fact Brownells is not covering damage or loss if you didn’t pay the charge. Close the thread for all I care at this point. Why discuss whether a vendor is in fact dropping their once stellar customer service. I won’t be back to THR (seems like you’ve lost your way from Oleg’s idea that this group would take “the high road”), but apparently I’m a troll who won’t be missed. Apologies for anyone who might have gathered some real information from this thread and has to deal with an unpleasant situation with Brownells, but I guess they can blame the real trolls.

Don’t be so dramatic.

 

[MechAg94]

There are very few gun forums where a thread like this won't get some negative comments. Just try to be specific and straightforward about what you heard and what your personal experience is. If you do that, you have nothing to apologize about. I can see where Brownells might be reluctant to pay for shipping damage, but they could just automatically tack that insurance on the shipping charges.

The last time I used Brownells customer service was when I bought the Gen 1 BRN-180 rifle upper. It wasn't cycling 100%. I contacted them. They had me send it back, said some of them had a gas port that wasn't big enough. I got the replacement quickly and it has worked well ever since.

The only complaint about Brownells in 2020 is they haven't been offering the 10% discounts periodically like they used to. Few people are doing sales these days.

 

[rust collector]

I don't think the OP was trolling, but I did want to point out the perhaps unintended damage that such phrasing can cause. That most of the responses were favorable speaks well of Brownells and their customers. Now I hope that A45acp1911 will recover from the culture shock of different forums with different personalities and add to the knowledge base.