What's up with Penn Bullets?

[jfh]

About two years ago, we had a minor thread about Penn Bullets, discussing the same issues. After I posted about my buying experience--primarily lack of communication on shipment date, and questionable pricing on the final charges--Mr. Palermo immediately jumped in, as he did here.

His points were the same--personal (health) issues, etc., etc. From my POV, it looked to me like he is one of those individuals (as I am) who is terminally disorganized, and life is difficult for us. We don't make the best managers, IMO--even though we may make the "best bullets" or the "best modified computer cases" (my former business).

I think Penn Bullets are good product. But, at least in my experience, they were overpriced. So, I no longer buy them; other suppliers, already listed above, are more than willing to step up with reasonable prices, fast shipping, and a good product.

Jim H.

 

[calaverasslim]

No dog on this bone, but I generally get my bullets from "Stonewall Bullets Co." in Stonewall, LA. Prices are the cheapest I have found in quite some time and generally no waiting.

The Feller that owns is it named Robert Green. You can find his email, web site and phoney on the cast bullet forum or you can PM me and I will pass it on.

 

[MifflinKid]

I ordered from Penn Bullets. Never got them.

I requested a refund. Never got that either.

 

[dap22]

Oct 19th........I've given up on Penn. Fortunately, although I gave him my credit card #, he didn't charge me so I have nothing to lose and a good lesson to learn. I have since ordered from Chey-Cast and am very happy with the product and the timely shipping.

 

[dap22]

9 Month Gestation Period

Wow....just saw a $155.00 charge on my credit card from Penn Bullets from December 9. Haven't received anything yet but it's an order I placed in March 09. Figured the order was lost or forgotten. Mr. Palermo, if you happen to read this, thanks for the delivery (at least I hope the merchandise is delivered) but you can scratch my name as a customer since 9 months later I've forgotten what I ordered and no doubt ordered the same stuff from somewhere else. Frankly, I don't know how you stay in business.

dap22

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would put a complaint in with the credit card company. I don't think any company has the right to charge your card 9 month after the initial order. I've been contacted by companies when a backorder was going to be 2 weeks past the original projected delivery date and asked if I still want to receive the order. I think it's required by law. (but I'm not sure)

 

[Balog]

Does anyone know of an equivalent to the Thunderhead available elsewhere? I'm leery of ordering from Penn because of this thread, but I love the look of those.

 

[dap22]

Update

On Dec 22nd I called and spoke with Bob Palermo @ Penn Bullets. I told him that my credit card had been charged $155.00 twelve days earlier and that I had not received the shipment yet and had he sent it? He said no and that he was awaiting the .41 mag run. I told him that waiting 9 months was a bit rediculous for anything...but a baby! I asked him to cancel the order and issue a credit to my credit card. He said he would. It's now Dec 29th and no credit has been issued. Obviously I have contacted my credit card company to dispute the charge.

In fairness to Mr. Palermo, he claims the order was placed in May. According to my records, the order was placed in March with a followup call placed in May to check on the order at which time he said he'd split ship.....which of course he didn't.

I have no doubt that Penn makes a fine bullet. My purpose here is to simply present a heads up to those who might be getting themselves into a similar position by ordering from Penn.

Happy and Healthy 2010.

 

[Dannix]

Just stumbled across this thread.

Hope now things are going better for you Robert. It's tough being an analog guy -- you really need things as automated as much as possible, particularly in a small && popular operation. Like, say, there's a change in alloy prices and with a few clicks the web prices of all boolits using that alloy are adjusted.

Not sure if you have enough assets to get a proper setup going (got some recommendations if you do), but if not, I would recommend the unthinkable -- drop the 'bulk pistol' boolits or making them a once a year, mass volume, pre-sign up only kind of deal, like a group buy. Why? Your knack seems to be all the boolits you offer that no one else does -- there are plenty of sources for plinking boolits. Actually, just use price adjustments to vary demand. You may not have to drop what you're getting overwhelmed by, 45auto boolits or what not, but if you increase the price 50% that should help sort that out automatically.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

 

[qajaq59]

I have one simple rule. If a company charges me for something they haven't already shipped, I never do business with that company again. That way I only get burned once!!!

 

[Robert Palermo /Penn Bullets]

Just stumbled across this thread.

Hope now things are going better for you Robert. It's tough being an analog guy -- you really need things as automated as much as possible, particularly in a small && popular operation. Like, say, there's a change in alloy prices and with a few clicks the web prices of all boolits using that alloy are adjusted.

Not sure if you have enough assets to get a proper setup going (got some recommendations if you do), but if not, I would recommend the unthinkable -- drop the 'bulk pistol' boolits or making them a once a year, mass volume, pre-sign up only kind of deal, like a group buy. Why? Your knack seems to be all the boolits you offer that no one else does -- there are plenty of sources for plinking boolits. Actually, just use price adjustments to vary demand. You may not have to drop what you're getting overwhelmed by, 45auto boolits or what not, but if you increase the price 50% that should help sort that out automatically.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

Many things have improved since the first of the year and with the increased help most of the orders are going out in a much better time frame. There is less than 1/2 of 1% that get delayed due to speciality bullets which I should have done long ago was to put them in their own production and shipping schedule which has been the best solution.
Now when such bullets are part of an order they are seperated out and shipped when they are done without tying up the rest of the order for months which was happening far too many times.
With a production rate of over 16 million bullets a year now and with speciality bullets only comprising a few million a year I cannot just concentrate on speciality bullets alone.
Many changes in procedure and policy have been reveamped when the new home page went into effect and those changes have worked out very well. Pricing updates are done much more quickly and are staying current.

To qujaq59. No customer has ever gotten burned for a precharged order and our procedures are clearly spelled out for everyone. If theres any issues I always resolve it to the customers benefit. Pure and Simple. I didn't stay in buisness for almost 30 years by not treating my customers well.

Thanks for the suggestions but things are much better right now.

 

[EddieNFL]

No customer has ever gotten burned for a precharged order and our procedures are clearly spelled out for everyone. If theres any issues I always resolve it to the customers benefit.

I ordered from Penn Bullets. Never got them.

I requested a refund. Never got that either.

Someone is mistaken.

 

[Robert Palermo /Penn Bullets]

Someone is mistaken.

I read that post some time ago. I PM'ed the poster asking for details and never recieved a reply.(Sept 9 2009 as I still have the PM) It is also common that I have had customers that cancelled orders and requested refunds for orders that were never charged in the first place. Some of these people can't remember if they were charged or not. I keep a complete file on all the credits that were issued. If there is an issue that a credit did not get processed ,I take care of it.


Chances are that his is one one of the orders for something odd or special that did not get processed or filled. I have those in a file as well. I have contacted many of those customers when the speciality bullets went back into production this year and despite the orders having been old , over 80% still wanted the orders filled. I can't say what happened here exactly but I tried to find out to no avail.

 

[Maj Dad]

A Footnote On A Resurrected Thread

Much of this is almost ancient history in light of our wired society. On a more recent note, I would point that Mr. Palermo offers free shipping to AD military, LEOs and disabled veterans. That alone speaks highly of him and is enough to make me consider buying from him; the quality of his bullets puts it in the corner pocket. Business is business, and if I can get a quality product at a fair price, that's good business for me. Long ago I stopped looking to pay the lowest price on everything - at some point quality and good service must be considered. I believe Penn Bullets meets those criteria. Customers vote with their "feet" and business cannot be sustained by poor quality of products or service - so if you're going to damn the company, at least damn it based on current experience and not dated internet gossip and hearsay.

R.I.P.

 

[Robert Palermo /Penn Bullets]

To. Maj. Dad . My most heartfelt Thank You Sir!

 

[Dannix]

Long ago I stopped looking to pay the lowest price on everything - at some point quality and good service must be considered.

+1 for truth.

Robert, I found out you guys based on a recommendation at the Cast Boolits forum -- that alone gives you 5 stars in my book. Glad you guys are in a more efficient setup now!

 

[Nazrat]

Just FYI it looks like Penn is back in the business of taking orders and not shipping bullets. Too bad too, reviews are good and they list a nice selection.

 

[RustyFN]

Nothing against Robert or any other commercial caster but that's one reason I cast my own. I have exactly what I want when I want it.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Missouri Bullets makes better bullets for a better price and fast shipping. Three days from order to arrival.

 

[Dannix]

Just FYI it looks like Penn is back in the business of taking orders and not shipping bullets. Too bad too, reviews are good and they list a nice selection.

No offense, but you have 1, count 'em, 1, post count. We need details, not a flyby snapshot.

I personally don't use commercial boolit sources. They don't seem to ever carry the boolit I'm looking for, or use an alloy I don't prefer. Boutique molds are addictive anyway. Penn does offer different sizing options though, which is just awesome.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why is it that almost every time someone brings back old threads it's someone with a post count of 1!!

Hasn't this thread been resurrected enough times already? IMO if you have something to say or a complaint you should start a new thread of your own instead of bringing back a 2.5 year old thread! :banghead:

 

[rbernie]

I concur.

I also would suggest that anyone looking to use THR as a means of spleen-venting about travails in the marketplace should be prepared to post the details of the issue. 'Drive-by' complaining is not very High Road.