Don't bother ordering from Sportsman's Guide

Capt Steve · Dec 16, 2013

Very excited to have just bought my Ruger Single Six 22/22Mag and naturally needed a holster for it. Spent about an hour on line and found what looked to be a good match/fit from Sportsman's Guide through Amazon. It showed in stock, ready to ship so I ordered it. A couple of hours later I get an e mail saying it would not arrive until late January vs the 3 to 5 days they stated when ordered. Of course they had already charged my credit card for a product they could not deliver. Their e mail said call before 7 CST but when I did they were closed...arrrg!

Sent a smoking e mail and finally got called back. Finally got the order canceled but they said it would be days (as in we don't know or care when), before my card would be credited back. Not a huge amount but how do these bozos stay in business?

I found what I needed at Midway USA and should have the new holster by the end of the week, no freight. The saddest part is that this sort of BS seems to be standard practice with so many retailers. Tried to order from one and only on the last page of the order did they disclose tax and freight/handling charges = to 20+% of the sales price.

So who can you trust these days? You may rest assured it is NOT Sportsman's Guide!

BigBill · Dec 16, 2013

I was going to suggest midwayusa too. Always check out a few different holsters there too sometimes there on sale.
I purchased a shoulder holster for my ruger super Blackhawk with 10 1/2" barrel for $25 on sale I bought the same brand in the belt holster. I figured someday I'd take the 10 1/2" barrel out for some fresh air(ccw).

We have to realize these places are swamped right now between Christmas orders and people buying up guns at the fastest rate we've ever seen. I hope it slows up soon.

If the shortage and crazy prices on ammo ever ends its sportmansguide who will have the cheaper prices first. After the last two ammo shortages it's been sportsmansguide who's been constantly first in offering lower prices. They had 7,62x39 @ $59+ shipp for 1,000rds. and Czech 7,62x54r silver tip for 880rds for $85 delivered. I didn't checkout the other calibers. But watch right after this shortage sportsmansguide for great low prices.

Faulkner · Dec 16, 2013

With only a few exceptions I've had pretty good luck with Sportsmansguide.com.

finesse_r · Dec 16, 2013

I have actually had very good experiences with both Sportsman’s Guide and Amazon. I deal with one or the other however, I don’t go through Amazon to buy from Sportsman’s Guide.

Alpo · Dec 16, 2013

Sportsmans Guide THROUGH Amazon?

That's probably your problem.

I've been buying stuff from SG for 20 years, anyhow. And you know, if something is back-ordered, they have NEVER charged my card until it shipped. Never.

Sounds like an Amazon thing.

THE PILGRIM · Dec 16, 2013

I just hit Amazon costumer service with a complaint of my own. I complained about the drop shippers and the delay when they sell in one place but ship from another, usually another company. Amazon costumer service told me that most of its venders are drop shippers and there is no way a buyer can tell which is not. I have bought a number of times from Amazon and usually have been satisfied. Maybe the slow down and mistakes are a result of massive holiday business.

Nightowl · Dec 16, 2013

I have bought Christmas stuff for grandkids on Amazon, and had it ship from different places, and had to pay shipping from each company. One of the reasons I really do like to deal with Amazon, but the kids like putting their Christmas lists there, and I have to deal with it. I need to be on there now, rather than hanging out here.

Texas40 · Dec 17, 2013

We order alot through Amazon (well my wife does) and she is a amazon prime member. We get free second day shipping on everything she orders.
If not we look for another vendor with same item who does offer it.

Capt Steve · Dec 17, 2013

I'm glad some of you have had good luck with Sportsman's Guide. My post was merely a cautionary tale illustrating some very poor business practices. I simply won't do business with a firm that charges my card for product they don't have after stating it was in stock and would arrive in 3 to 5 days - only to find out it was going to be 3 weeks.

iouri · Dec 17, 2013

In this case I would blame Amazon, from my experience if you order directly from SG they not charging CC until they have goods in stock. I've had 1k of 7.62x39 for 8 month on backorder and my CC was never charged.

Erich · Dec 17, 2013

I've had five completely successful, no-shipping orders from Sportsman's Guide in the last month. There was a time when I ordered a lot from them, but then I moved away from it as I perceived their prices weren't so hot. The company is back on my radar, though, for certain things.

BJoe · Dec 17, 2013

S.G. has a reputation that would make a used car salesman look good.

Bullzaye · Dec 17, 2013

I'm not going to proclaim them as fantastic, or anything...but I've had quite a few orders from Sportsman's Guide, and they all went through just fine. In fact, I just had to return a toy for a friend's son that I had purchased through them...it arrived broken, and a quick call to them, and they shipped out a return shipping label, no hassles.

I'd have to agree with what others have said...I'd suspect that the problem came with using Amazon as a middle-man. I see no reason for going that route, when ordering through Sportsman's Guide is fairly painless, and they offer better prices if you're a member...probably something unavailable through Amazon.

Tim

zoom6zoom · Dec 17, 2013

At least they're better than Cheaper Than Dirt.

GaryS · Dec 17, 2013

I've had very good luck with Amazon, especially with returns. Even third party vendors have been easy to deal with. I doubt the Amazon is the problem if Sportsman's Guide is the seller, even through Amazon.

Sports Man's Guide is difficult to buy from if you are in MA and some other states. They have a very, very, long list of things they won't ship to MA, even things that are totally unregulated and are sold in state. Which is why I don't bother dealing with them.

I thought that they were a subsidiary of CTD, but I might be wrong. CTD is good to shop in if you go to the store, but harder on line. Nor do they live up to their name any longer, at least in the catalog.

goldenlight · Dec 21, 2013

Sportsman's guide is just barely a step above Botach Tactical, IMHO.

I'vve seen stories JUST LIKE yours in different places on the net. Enough to convince me never to order from them.

O2Guy · Dec 21, 2013

I've never had any problems with Sportsman's Guide.

lonejacklarry · Dec 21, 2013

Capt Steve said:
Tried to order from one and only on the last page of the order did they disclose tax and freight/handling charges = to 20+% of the sales price.

I've noticed the shipping charge thing late in the ordering procedure, too. I will go through the procedure and if the credit card info request comes before the total w/ shipping, if go elsewhere.

Usually, they want an email address to "open the account" and if I do not complete the order, I will get an email asking why I did not order. I will always reply that they need to either have a shipping estimate page or the total cost including shipping before I enter credit card info in the event I want to cancel.

My run at anarchy, I guess!

Gaffer · Dec 21, 2013

Poor customer service is rampant these days. It is part of the society we the people have created. It will not change until we do and I don't see that happening anytime soon, if at all. As Pogo said we have met the enemy and it is us!

olcop · Dec 21, 2013

Sportsmans Guide

Capt Steve said:
I'm glad some of you have had good luck with Sportsman's Guide. My post was merely a cautionary tale illustrating some very poor business practices. I simply won't do business with a firm that charges my card for product they don't have after stating it was in stock and would arrive in 3 to 5 days - only to find out it was going to be 3 weeks.

I wrote em off when they were among the first to jump on the ammo shortage with their high prices---wrote off Cheaper Than Dirt too for the same reason--found what I need many other places and usually at better prices too.
olcop

Don't bother ordering from Sportsman's Guide

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