Seriously, What is Wrong With The Tyler T Grip Co?

[HarrishMasher]

Could this not be the nicest and easiest little business in the world to operate? I would kill to have a nice little business like this.

Retro is totally in right now. These grip adapters are probably more popular than ever. You can tell by the fact that they sell for two to three times above MSRP on Ebay...this is crazy for a product that is still available and still being manufactured by the original owner!

Their website is a total disaster. It is like someone threw up on the screen. Totally illogical. We are talking about putting a simple product that comes in 8 sizes and 3 colors out there for the world to see. Could they possibly have done this in a more confusing and messy way. Their website looks like it was made in 1993.

They don't offer the ability to buy online. Why in the world not??? Could anyone ask for a simpler shopping cart set up. They have one product, you choose a size, choose a color and done.

No one ever answers the phone or returns messages. You have to print out some form that is not formatted properly and is very difficult to print. Fill it out and mail in a check. I have no idea if my check will be received or my order filled.

I got tired of paying a fortune for these things on ebay and went ahead and "placed" an order today.

These guys could do very nicely if they would just set up online ordering and provide the slightest amount of customer service.

Why don't they just sell this business so someone could do it properly. I would love to buy this company. With the slightest effort and a few well placed ads, this business could rock.

The Tyler T Grip is a great little invention that is still totally relevant today. There are more revolvers out there than ever, and they seem to be more popular than ever. Especially the older models that would benefit most from a Tyler T Grip.

I really wish these folks would get it together or just sell the company.

 

[Muss Muggins]

There are several threads on this forum that provide some detailed information about the company and answer most of the questions you have posted. . . .

 

[chief38]

Don't know but it's a darn shame! Seems like a relatively easy business to run and there does seem to be a fair amount of interest in them.

You are correct in that he should sell the Company since he has run out of excuses as to why his Company is run so poorly. Old man Melvin must be turning in his grave!

 

[Maximumbob54]

If you are just looking for one for a shooter then you might like a BK grip adapter.

 

[HarrishMasher]

There are several threads on this forum that provide some detailed information about the company and answer most of the questions you have posted. . . .

No doubt. I just wanted to vent anyway. I have bought like seven of these in the past few weeks and I'm frustrated.

 

[HarrishMasher]

If you are just looking for one for a shooter then you might like a BK grip adapter.

I have 3 black BKs. But I needed the silver ones. BK does not do silver. And Ebay is out of silver. And I really don't want to pay $70 for it on Ebay again either. So I am mailing in an order. Maybe it will get filled this year.

 

[HarrishMasher]

Why don't you start a competing business?

My hands are more than full with my current business and newborn little baby girl. A lot easier to buy an existing one with a well known name and history. Saves a fortune in marketing as well.

Our buddy on the forum already did start a competing biz...BK Grips. Hard to compete with an already well known entity in a very tiny niche. Plus, in this case people seem to want the original. Fits with the whole retro thing better.

Some of us should get together and make an offer to the Tyler folks. Let's put an end to this nonsense:

 

[Ranger514]

I have 3 black BKs. But I needed the silver ones. BK does not do silver. And Ebay is out of silver. And I really don't want to pay $70 for it on Ebay again either. So I am mailing in an order. Maybe it will get filled this year.

Good luck with your order. In my recent experience, the fit and finish Tyler produces nowadays is a big disappointment, and they don't stand behind their product with any resemblance of customer service. I can't believe they stay in business.

 

[calmex]

Sadly, the explanation may run something like this:

 

[PlaytheAces]

Some people absolutely and unequivocally do not understand e-commerce, nor do they want to. Many of them are terrified of computers. And more than a few are just not "people" people, and don't like to communicate with customers any more than they have to. Doing the mail order thing keeps them isolated within their comfort zone.

While setting up a website with ordering capability isn't that hard, there are still folk who refuse to do it, even though they have a viable product to sell. Tyler is one but there's another gun related product that also comes to mind.

These guys aren't going to change. We either print their order forms, fill 'em out and send them in with a check or do without. While I prefer doing things on-line, I spent the early part of my life purchasing things via mail order. If someone can make a decent product I want badly enough, I'll dance to their tune.

 

[hoc9sw]

I have seen small businesses that crashed & burned trying to go to online orders. Take a comfortable model, suddenly have a huge and unmanageable increase in orders that you can't fill, bang. Now a mega increase in the number of angry customers.

Not every business can produce at levels that match the marketing reach of the internet.

 

[smokey04]

I am no expert on where the Tyler Co. is but, it was my understanding that when the old man ,Melvin, died the family , was in conflict. Some wanted to sell some didn't.There was a large battle [I don't know if it reached court proceedings] but the "winner" was a police officer. He took leave of absence to try to keep the business running.I don't know if that is the true picture or smoke in the wind. However, I'm hoping the current "owner" can make a go of it ,even if he has to work the Police job plus.
I suppose that a business man that could engage the business with a good business plan and provide the funds needed to bring the business back would not only keep the great outfit going but, would pick up the benefits of a great investment. I'm coming up on 71 years but it is something I would approach the current "owner" with if I were 20 years younger. I hope they can pull it out and continue as a viable business. JM not so HO. Nick

 

[Karnivore]

I am fairly sure tyler mfg has screwed me. I sent them a check for $30.75 for a Ruger Security Six t-grip. That was 7-21-2014. Still no return calls and no grip.

Oh well! Not the first and will not be the last.

(It's a shame, I really wanted that t-grip)

 

[old bear]

I do want to believe the Tyler family is honest and trying to do their best to run a family business. Yet not everyone is cut out to run a business, even a small one. Who wants to deal with suppliers, employees, record keeping, customers, and the rest of the small details that go along with it running a business?

 

[bushmaster1313]

We could pitch it as a "Gun Control" project and get funding from the anti-handgun groups.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Anyone remember when local gun shops used to carry them for sale? They were cheap back then. Melvin ran a good business.

As for the Tyler company today, I've ordered several T grips in the past few years and although they did sometimes take months to arrive, they all did get to me eventually. You just have to be reeeeally patient. I'm certain from the way things are run that it's probably just 2 or 3 people the most. They continue to stay in business because they have no competitors. Yes there's BK but it's a different product that is more like the old Pachmayr grip adapters.

I don't know how Tyler will manage to stay in business 15-20 years from now if they continue the way they have been. I'll say this, if they ever go under we'll see T-grips selling for probably closer to $100-150 a set.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

This post made so much sense. But I haven't experience the frustration so many others have since I haven't needed one in a long time and I'm sitting on a couple. It's seems like the gov't is running the company now. Why not hire some zit faced computer whiz kid and get everything rolling? The name is already well established though now tarnished. I used to buy sambar stags from Melvin Tyler in the 1980s for $35-$40 sight unseen and quality and service was great.

 

[4011]

Order placed on 7-21-14. Has not been long enough yet. My wait time was right at five months. If you send in an order and your hand writing is as bad as mine they will call you to get it straight. That's the last time you'll have any contact. But I like the product that I got.

 

[G-Mac]

Seems that there's been a glut of new, old stock, T-Grips for sale from several sources....the old ones with the name on the side, brand new in original cardboard box, wrapped in tissue, etc. I bought some right here off a member. What's the story on those?

 

[keninnavarre]

Took me about 5 months to get mine, too. But I did get them. Felt like a kid in the 1960s ordering them through the mail. But back then I would have gotten them sooner probably, like maybe 5 weeks instead of 5 months. Oh well. I got time.