The Midway "handling" charge

[Old School]

Recently, I started to purchase some revolver clips from Midway. Upon check out, I found that they assessed a "handling fee". Apparently, handling fees are assessed when you make purchases smaller than $20.
I was not real thrilled with this fee. In fact, I will go on the record and say that it sux. If my small purchases are so inconvenient for Midway, they will not be my first choice for any purchases large or small.

 

[ServiceSoon]

Don't get mad, get glad by buying somewhere else. They know what the repercussions are for their policy.

Company's have to make these decisions sometimes. After all they are in business to make a profit and wouldn't be around for you to purchase items it they didn't make a profit. Just do what I do and tell the wife you have to spend X because otherwise they charge a handling fee.

 

[Drgong]

buy a box of plinking ammo with whatever you buying, easy way to avoid the fee, and you will use it up I am sure...

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Having a minimum order charge is very common. This is done so that a business does not lose money by alloting costly man/hours to low dollar amount orders.

 

[Microlon]

My philosophy is that any order is a good order, so we don't have any minimums (minima?). I figure that if someone buys something inexpensive and they like it, maybe next time they'll buy something a bit more pricey. Yes, we've "lost" money on small orders, but if it introduces someone to our stuff, it's worth it.

 

[snorko]

I stand in awe of the OP's discipline in placing an order for only what is "needed".

 

[davidjblythe]

I would find a way to boost the bill over the minimum required to avoid the fee. The Potterfields are avid 2nd Amendment supporters and donate regularly to the NRA. They have been nothing but good to me. I would hate to see them lose a customer over that. Send the owner an email about it if you feel really agitated. He usually responds personally to certain issues.

 

[ralphtt]

Years ago, Midway shipped with zero shipping or handling charges. When they started the 'handling' charge I emailed the owner and sure 'nuff, got a prompt reply from him. He went into considerable detail explaining why Midway found the new charge necessary.

I have not ordered from Midway since then . . . and it has been several years.

 

[pistolero6869]

Midway

My friends and I used to buy every thing from midwat years ago when they had a tiny ad in the shotgun news, Ammo parts reloading supplys. free shipping but that went away so did we. but now I buy from graft &sons $4.50 handling charge 5lbs or 500lbs on line or $6.96 by phone , mail or fax...

 

[Old School]

My philosophy is that any order is a good order, so we don't have any minimums (minima?). I figure that if someone buys something inexpensive and they like it, maybe next time they'll buy something a bit more pricey. Yes, we've "lost" money on small orders, but if it introduces someone to our stuff, it's worth it.

This man understands business.

 

[GingerGuy]

Midway just today sent me an email wishing me a happy birthday and too take an additional 15% off my next order provided I purchase by 8/31.

Thank you for being a MidwayUSA Customer. We noticed your birthday is just
around the corner. Sorry we can’t be there; however, we have a special gift for
you.

We have entered special birthday prices for your account on the majority of our
products. Anytime between now and 11:59 PM CT on your birthday you may place one
order, and one order only, at these special prices.

To activate your special pricing, click on the following link:

 

[TexasRifleman]

I'm just amazed someone could tool around the Midway site and still only come up with less than $20 of stuff to order.

 

[.38 Special]

Midway just today sent me an email wishing me a happy birthday and too take an additional 15% off my next order provided I purchase by 8/31.

Stand by for outraged posts about "butting into your personal business".

 

[doubleh]

I really don't like to get hit with a "handling" charge. Kind of makes me feel like I'm getting skinned a little. Kind of like another mailorder shooting supplier that runs sales and then you find they are making quite a bit of it back on their inflated shipping charges.

 

[Dustinthewind]

Midway did the same to me. This was after two orders that amounted to $1500. I ordered a factory crimp die in .223, a week later, for under twenty and got charged with a handling fee. I still buy from Midway but have started using Graf's and Wideners more, as well as purchasing more locally. My local gun shop is a little higher but shipping usually more than makes up the difference. Also I have found that the more I buy in supplies locally the better the deals are on the firearm purchases.

 

[cpttango30]

I stand in awe of the OP's discipline in placing an order for only what is "needed".

+1 on that. I have a hard time picking out what I need vs what I really relly really really need.

 

[Zach S]

I get steamed for a similar reason when I order from summit racing.

It says "FREE SHIPPING!" on every cover in huge letters, yet they charge $12 bucks for handling.

 

[bobotech]

I ran into that handling fee last week when I ordered something from them.

I just bought a set of wolff hammer springs as well to make the total go over 20 bux. Worked for me.

 

[onebigelf]

I have to agree with the folks who are upset. A few years ago I ordered almost $1000 worth of parts for a project. After the parts arrived and I started working on the assembly I ended up needing a single, small, and very inexpensive part. It also was something that couldn't be found just anywhere. The part was less than three dollars and it took me almost a week to find someone else who had one. I've never ordered anything else from Midway. I understand the issue of "are small orders worth the time". Maybe they should ask themselves how much it's worth to piss off a customer. Make that Former Customer.

John

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

That's why I wait until I have a decent amount of stuff before placing an order. Or I just browse the site until I'm horrified at the total in my cart and have to start deciding what I really need and start searching for promo codes

It says "FREE SHIPPING!" on every cover in huge letters, yet they charge $12 bucks for handling.

Then when you figure you'll get even and order something that would cost more than $12 to ship like a seat they'll smack you with an oversize charge :banghead:

 

[1911Tuner]

I ordered a bullet sizer die yesterday and ran into the same thing. 25-dollar minimum to avoid the handling charge...so I had'em toss in a couple lube sticks that I'll eventually need anyway. No biggie.

 

[SSN Vet]

Midway is ..... Midway....

There not Grafs or Kempfs or Cabellas.....'

Like any company, they have their strengths, their weeknesses and their kwirks.

I really don't understand all the anti-Midway rants. If I can find it somewhere else cheaper, I get it there.

If I have a $10 order, it's not worth it to me to pay anybodys shipping charge, so I just head on down to KTP and pay their premium price and walk out the door with the product in my hand. Usually I pick up powder and primers while I'm there.

Midway's strengths include:

They have an awesome inventory.

They have a great web site.

They also have a great catalog (for which they do not charge).

They have done a LOT of pro 2A work.....with something like a million dollars contributed with their roundup. You might even say Heller was fought (and won) with money that came from Midway.

As far as shipping goes...I thought it was just SOP to check multiple shipping scenarios to get the best price, regardless of who the online vender is.

 

[joshk-k]

I work in a retail establishment (the world's largest source of salvaged building materials (www.rebuildingcenter.org). When I'm working at the register, I certainly don't set a minimum charge for card usage or charge a fee (which is a comparable thing to this). The situation's different because everything I have in stock is donated, where someone like Midway has paid for it, but I am of the mind that if something costs a dollar and I have to pay .25 for the card fee, 75 cents is still better than 0, even if it's not a dollar.

Something that all business owners should live by: two slow dimes is worth more than three quick nickels.

Josh

 

[teknoid]

Their inflated shipping charge was enough to turn me off. It was at least 25% more than every other supplier I found. Some of those were farther away. This is for the exact same items, too. I Didn't buy from them then, and I don't buy from them now. I doubt the shipper charges them more than they do other companies.

 

[CZ 75 BD]

With the C & R discount...

the minimum is $40