We lost a customer today, at least until we start being reasonable again..

[SpamHandler]

[And maybe life is too short to spend it doing opposition research on the competition. Personally, I'm too busy manufacturing bullets than to do that and if I had that much spare time, I'd be riding one of my Harleys in this fine Missouri summertime weather or spending it at the local range working with some of the guns I've bought but haven't had time to shoot even once.

We just do the best we can and hope to make our customers happy. Sometimes it feels good to be able to explain why things are the way they are when a profound ignorance of it is exposed, as it was in this case.

And fact-wise, we have 7,500 customers who are still with us and are very busy making them happy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The whole response is emotional. Your the fact-wise comment i.e. 'making them happy' is emotion-driven.

SELL ME ON YOUR PRODUCT! Don't tell me that you'd rather be biking or shooting than telling me a good reason for not doing market research. Maybe anotherbulletcompany.com does less (or even more!?!) for its' employees and purchasers. I just don't know. But if a manufacturer can't provide reasons and not appeals, then I'll just be forced to make my decisions based on facts and not vague 'maybes'.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Are you the person who quit buying from Missouri Bullets because of the price increase?

Just wondering, due to the tone of your posts.

Fred

 

[SpamHandler]

No. I've never purchased from Missouri Bullet, or from 'anotherbulletcompany.com' . Purely emotional appeals don't sell me on a product. Ever. I may be swayed due to an intellectual appeal, but I'm waiting for my questions to be answered.

 

[Gryffydd]

But if a manufacturer can't provide reasons and not appeals, then I'll just be forced to make my decisions based on facts and not vague 'maybes'.

Here's a reason...

So, I checked the prices on the other vendor (I'm sure they are fine people and make excellent bullets) and learned that their bullets are indeed cheaper than ours. But their shipping is $2.00 more and they don't provide free shipping insurance. So, on a single box of bullets weighing up to 200 grains, theirs cost more.

 

[LiveLife]

No. I've never purchased from Missouri Bullet

SELL ME ON YOUR PRODUCT!

Yup, that's why I ordered some Missouri Bullets to do comparison tests with the lead bullets I have been shooting.

I liked the test results enough that my two orders in 9mm/40S&W/45ACP totaled 10,000 rounds. I am planning to order more 180 gr TCFP in 40S&W and 200 gr SWC in 45ACP when my "old" supply runs out. Yeah, I was SOLD on Missouri Bullets.

You should give them a try - you just might like them.

 

[sharptailhunter]

And fact-wise, we have 7,500 customers who are still with us and are very busy making them happy.

I know I'm one of those customers. I just got into relaoding last month and I have already purchased 3500 bullets from you guys. Sure it's not much now, but considering that I won't buy any other handgun bullet, looks like that number will only be going up, no matter the price increases. My MBC 170 gr. SWCs shoot WAY more accurately than any jacketed or plated bullets I've tried. I still have 500 crudy (but free) Hornady HP/XTPs that I'm trying to burn through so I can get back to my accurate MBC bullets.

As an aside, I have found 7.5 gr. AA#7 and 170 gr MBC SWCs in my .40 S&W to be FREAKY accurate, little smoke, and an ear to ear smile with every shot.

 

[MCMXI]

MissouriBullet, I'm going to give you guys some business. I just bought a Marlin 1894CSS and two GP100s so time to get busy reloading. Turns out I don't have any .357 bullets and a quick look on your website indicates that I can have 2000 of your 180gr RNFPs delivered to my door for $149. I've ordered thousands of bullets from Oregon Trail over the last 18 months and they make a great product for sure, but 2000 180gr FPs will cost me $216 delivered. I'll give yours a try and use the $67 saved to buy more powder.

 

[Gord]

For whatever it's worth, you and your threads here are what recently renewed my interest in acquiring a reloading setup, and I hope to be a customer of yours in the near future. As far as I'm concerned, your prices are more than fair. Even if someone else happens to be slightly cheaper, I'd rather pay a little more to support a company as honest and open as yours - you are a fine example of the great American small business.

Thank you for giving of your time, money and effort to do more for our community than just make a quick buck.

 

[SpamHandler]

Here's a reason...

Quote:
Originally Posted by MBC
So, I checked the prices on the other vendor (I'm sure they are fine people and make excellent bullets) and learned that their bullets are indeed cheaper than ours. But their shipping is $2.00 more and they don't provide free shipping insurance. So, on a single box of bullets weighing up to 200 grains, theirs cost more.

And 'maybe' their costs are higher because 'their' health plan is better than MBC's. Maybe 'their' costs for workmans' comp is higher than that of MBC, etc. ad nauseum. The point here is that MBC left the vague impression that they are doing everything for the purchaser and employees (and not providing validation for that conclusion) and we should expect a pat response to suffice. I asked for a comparison and have not received one, only reassurances that the proprietor would rather be riding Harleys and shooting, than providing answers.

Sure, their shipping costs may be higher, depending upon distanced shipped (in all honesty, was that a local sale or distant?) and that raises the overall price, but I cannot make an informed decision based on one side of an arguement (can you?)

It seems that many are jumping in with testamonials (still doesn't sway me), so, again, give me a real comparison of each company to work with!

 

[Gryffydd]

Sure, their shipping costs may be higher, depending upon distanced shipped (in all honesty, was that a local sale or distant?) and that raises the overall price

You really don't know much about how cast bullets are shipped, do you? Basically every caster under the sun ships via USPS flat rate boxes. That means the distance means nothing.

It seems that many are jumping in with testamonials (still doesn't sway me), so, again, give me a real comparison of each company to work with!

Kinda hard to do, given we don't know who the other company is. It's the responsibility of manufacturers to market their products and make sure they tell us about their products, but it's OUR responsibility to do the comparison. Maybe you should do like all the rest of us and buy some bullets from them, and some bullets from their competition and see how it goes. Why would you trust our word over your own experience?

 

[LiveLife]

SpamHandler, Brad (Missouri Bullets) has provided "transparency" of his operation on THR for some time and testimonials are based on actual customer experience. You stated you never purchased from Missouri Bullets.

No. I've never purchased from Missouri Bullet

Do a search for Missouri Bullets and you will find that he has hardly any negative posts and he has "openly" resolved customer service issues always to customer's favor on the THR threads.

This is THR and your comments are not very "High Road" in line with THR rules.

4. Spamming, trolling, flaming, and personal attacks are prohibited. You can disagree with other members, even vehemently, but it must be done in a well-mannered form. Attack the argument, not the arguer

.
He is the OP of this thread in continuation of his past practice in maintaining transparency of his business operation with THR members (good or bad). We all have bad days at work. It's good to have a positive outlet to "vent" constructively as Brad has instead of kicking his equipment or yelling at his employees (Dang, I had enough of bosses who did that).

 

[Tim the student]

I don't think Brad came here to try to sell a product, but to vent. He doesn't need to sell a product here - his products are pretty popular here already.

If you want a comparison of each company and their products, maybe you should check out the sites of all of the vendors that sell cast bullets.

If you want completely unbiased information, make sure you order some bullets up from every manufacturer. Let us know how it goes - some people like testamonials (aka shared personal experience).

 

[SpamHandler]

[Quote:
Sure, their shipping costs may be higher, depending upon distanced shipped (in all honesty, was that a local sale or distant?) and that raises the overall price

You really don't know much about how cast bullets are shipped, do you? Basically every caster under the sun ships via USPS flat rate boxes. That means the distance means nothing.

So, I checked the prices on the other vendor (I'm sure they are fine people and make excellent bullets) and learned that their bullets are indeed cheaper than ours. But their shipping is $2.00 more and they don't provide free shipping insurance. So, on a single box of bullets weighing up to 200 grains, theirs cost more.

Then...their flat rate increases based on weight? I thought it was a flat rate, right?

Quote:
It seems that many are jumping in with testamonials (still doesn't sway me), so, again, give me a real comparison of each company to work with!

Kinda hard to do, given we don't know who the other company is. It's the responsibility of manufacturers to market their products and make sure they tell us about their products, but it's OUR responsibility to do the comparison. Maybe you should do like all the rest of us and buy some bullets from them, and some bullets from their competition and see how it goes. Why would you trust our word over your own experience?

Maybe I'll get a response from MBC before I decide to put money in their pockets and their competition (if MBC will provide it) before I decide for myself, and not on the testimonials of other (like yourself).

(Apparently I haven't mastered multiquote. The text may seem garbled, but I'm sure that you'll follow).


bds, please elaborate. I haven't attacked MBC personally, only their arguement (evasiveness re: the competition)

Tim, as a student I'm sure that you realize that testamonials are not necessarily objective and that the opinions presented are not necessarily informed. Again, I'm not going to line the pockets of someone based on opinions. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison of bullets from MBC and.....someotherbulletcompany.com . Of course, I'd have to know who someotherbulletcompay is before I could do so.........

 

[Gryffydd]

Then...their flat rate increases based on weight? I thought it was a flat rate, right?

LOL. He didn't say their shipping cost THEM more, he said they CHARGE more.

Maybe I'll get a response from MBC before I decide to put money in their pockets and their competition (if MBC will provide it) before I decide for myself, and not on the testimonials of other (like yourself).

Or you could quit waiting for people to hold your hand and do what the rest of us have done and take testimonials for what they are worth (more than nothing and less than everything), and just you know...TRY A FEW BULLETS from a few manufacturers. It's not our job to convince you of anything or do your research for you.

so, again, give me a real comparison of each company to work with!

so, again...do your own comparison

I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison of bullets from MBC and.....someotherbulletcompany.com . Of course, I'd have to know who someotherbulletcompay is before I could do so.........

Or you could just pick 2 or 3 other casters and see how it goes.

Come to think of it, I'm not even sure why you're bothering with posting in this thread...

 

[Tim the student]

and their competition (if MBC will provide it)

I think he probably isn't doing that because its not High Road of him to do so. But, if you want a list of his competitors, I'd start with this link.

Tim, as a student I'm sure that you realize that testamonials are not necessarily objective and that the opinions presented are not necessarily informed.

I do. I also realize that tons of studies are pure crap too. I also understand that anything I read from most manufacturers is probably not a lie, but probably not exactly what I will experience either.

 

[LiveLife]

Back to the OP.

You can't please everyone.

Apparently, we can't please SpamHandler either. You want a beer Brad?

 

[ReloaderFred]

I think this thread has gone far enough off course to request it be closed. The OP posted to vent a little about a customer he felt was being unreasonable. Now the thread had degenerated to one poster feeling the OP needs to prove his worth to him.

I think we've beat this to death, but that's just my opinion.

Fred

 

[LiveLife]

ReloaderFred, I think Brad's OP is an illustration of reloading economics affecting all of us.

Reloading and shooting is our hobby and passion for some. For most of us, reloading costs have simply gone up decade after decade (Can anyone remember when reloading/shooting costs have actually gone down last?).

I think Brad experienced the unfortunate result of reloading consumer's frustration over component price increases. I mean, we all have expressed the same frustration over powder, primer, case and bullet price increase, not to mention shortages of these components!

Brad got vented on, simple.

Who knows, when the other vendor increase their bullets prices, the "past customer" may vent on them too for raising their bullet prices!

I gotta give Brad credit for giving THR members and guests a BIG heads up of lead price increase and several opportunities to load/stock up around the tax refund time with discounts.

Life is short and we'll all die someday. I am glad we have companies like Missouri Bullets who help us enjoy our hobbies and passions that put smile on our faces.

 

[Sam1911]

Or you could quit waiting for people to hold your hand and do what the rest of us have done and take testimonials for what they are worth (more than nothing and less than everything), and just you know...TRY A FEW BULLETS from a few manufacturers. It's not our job to convince you of anything or do your research for you.

That is wise counsel.

Sic Terminus