Beware, Brownell's "free shipping on $49"

[typetwelve]

Not 100% sure why I'm typing this...I guess mostly because I"m grumpy about it. This is the second (and last) time I not only use Brownell's "free shipping" promo, its probably also the last time I use them period.

First off, they're a 3hr drive from me, so fast shipping in nearly any form shouldn't be an issue. Midway USA is darn near the same distance and even with free shipping, they typically get stuff to my door in 2 days.I made the order early Mon morning thinking that surely, I'd have it by tonight for a project I wanted to start (this is not ammo or a FFL item, BTW).

Because of their free shipping promo, and saving a whopping $5, the package has traveled to 3 states, 800+ miles and as of today, has been placed from Fedex in the hands of the USPS and the tracking # no longer works. With it now being out of my state once again, I doubt I'll get it before early next week.

Long story short is this, if you're going to use that option, be prepared for it to take a long time to get it. Brownell's should be more up front with this, for an $5, I would have just paid for the shipping and had it by now.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Frustrating but definitely a first world problem.

I've done the free shipping with Brownells which is in Iowa and I am in Nebraska. No run around with their shipping because it has always arrived the next day.

 

[typetwelve]

You know, I would feel goofy griping about it...but then again, I do have a leg to stand on.

Midway USA is the same distance from me and not once have I had that issue with their free shipping promotions. This is the second time this has happened with Brownells.

I don't feel silly complaining about something I wanted on time for a purpose, gave the company beyond reasonable time to get it to me, and they donk'd it up big time.

With Illinois stacking insane tax on top of all online orders (I paid 10% sales tax on a $225 order a few weeks ago), I need free shipping to keep the price reasonable so I pay close attention. When their "free shipping" is a cluster like this, I want others to know about it.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

Brownells's free shipping

I have been using the Edge free shipping for several years and never had a problem. They were fast on delivery and sometimes I only order ammo or a part and usually arrived three or four days of their posting shipped. I would give them another chance or call their office and explain your problem.

Nick

 

[dusty3030]

I've had the same experience last year or two with Brownells that has caused me to shop elsewhere. Shame as I had ordered from them at least bi monthly for over twenty years for something or another. Their economy shipping used to be at the very least USPS first class mail which not perfect was timely.
I haven't been miffed as much at it being slow as I have the problems that I have had with things being damaged / lost in the two weeks and multiple carriers that have juggled the parcels around.

 

[typetwelve]

I have been using the Edge free shipping for several years and never had a problem. They were fast on delivery and sometimes I only order ammo or a part and usually arrived three or four days of their posting shipped. I would give them another chance or call their office and explain your problem.

Nick

Honestly...this makes me even more furious. "Want shipping that's not a complete disaster? Give us $49/yr"...

...or I can spend my $49 with your competitor and get decent shipping.

I won't pay a company a yearly fee so they won't gimp on the shipping. They're no Costco, their prices aren't that great.

 

[LVSteve]

It's not really a Brownells issue as much as it is a shipper problem. The shippers work like the airlines with hubs. You don't say what state you're in, but if the shipper's main hub serving Brownells in Iowa is in Illinois, you are in Missouri and your hub is in Kansas, don't be surprised if it takes a tour.

 

[boatbum101]

I've had a commercial account for quite some time . I have noticed that selection has decreased , prices have increased & like OP shipping times have increased . All that said I'm inclined to shop around now before I buy .

 

[typetwelve]

It's not really a Brownells issue as much as it is a shipper problem. The shippers work like the airlines with hubs. You don't say what state you're in, but if the shipper's main hub serving Brownells in Iowa is in Illinois, you are in Missouri and your hub is in Kansas, don't be surprised if it takes a tour.

Funny enough, I live in Illinois. It left Iowa, went literally around the Peoria hub to two different hubs (Chicago, Champaign), then went to Missouri where it was handed off to USPS...god only knows where it is now.

 

[pawngal]

No experience with Brownells but in shipping thousands of pkgs myself I have found the East-West is faster than North-South from my location.
2 days to the west coast, 3 or more to Missouri, 2 or 3 days to Minnesota.

 

[Rule3]

Who made the popcorn??

 

[Nevada Ed]

Some people just live in the wrong area.

Here in Nevada I ordered some bullets from Idaho and instead of going South
they went North/West to their main shipping "Spur" that was located in Seattle, before the shipment even started South.

Sometimes I think it is just as easy to go to the local store for stuff and pay $5 more.

 

[df06]

You get what you pay for.

 

[Camster]

You get what you pay for.

...and most are now obligated to pay (or rather the sellers are compelled to collect) sales tax, so that's just part of the cost these days.
Can't gripe about that. It is, what it is.

Even ebay purchases from folks not even doing it as a biz, has ebay adding sales tax to it.

 

[mckenney99]

After getting burned by their "Free Shipping" gammit for the last time I decided I would just pay the fee for regular shipping on my last order. Guess what, it was shipped by the same UPS/USPS or FEDEX/USPS crapping shipping. I live in West Central Ohio. Order before last went from Iowa to Columbus in due course. Then to Cincinnati, then to Michigan to Pennsylvania back to Cincinnati and finally to my post office, halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus. Over 10 days total. Been doing business with Brownell's for almost 40 years and they have gone to **** since the big move and third generation took over the reins.

The claim that it's not Brownell's fault, but a shipping issue is bogus. They are well aware of the complaints of FALSE delivery time quotes and they still CHOOSE to ship orders without making it clear to the customer that the crappy UPS/USPS or FEDEX/USPS shipping method will be utilized. Even if you chose the up charged shipping methods they do not disclose what method of shipping will be provided so the consumer can make an informed choice.

Sorry for the rant, but this really touched a nerve due to repeated complaints to Brownell's over this issue.

 

[ladder13]

Who made the popcorn??

Nothing I need that I can't wait a couple days. If so, I pay the freight.

 

[Sikiguya]

I ordered from Brownell's several times each year. I am amazed at how fast I get the item on their free shipping promo. I have gotten stuff the next day. I am in Wisconsin. No issue return with them as well.

But I get it. I have seen packages take a tour around the country before arriving. That is mostly due to a careless sorting by someone at the carrier. USPS is guilty of this more than others. Right now, I am dealing with a firearm shipped by the seller's FFL that ended up in Texas.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[coltle6920]

Unfortunately Brownell's isn't the only company that ships via UPS/USPS or FEDEX/USPS.

What boggles my mind is that if an order can be handed off to the postal service then why not just give it to them in the first place??

As others have said the real issue is the location of the buyer versus the seller. While some things can't be helped they probably could be made more efficient. That's assuming they care!

 

[ericrlarson]

I've never had an issue with Brownells. I've always seemed to get my orders within a reasonable amount of time. I usually only order when I can use the free shipping promo. It is frustrating when an order doesn't arrive before a deadline though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Camster]

"What boggles my mind is that if an order can be handed off to the postal service then why not just give it to them in the first place??"

Economy and maintaining their own biz. Easier for the big carriers to do the long distance mass movement of goods, and let the PO do the nitty gritty to the house part.