First of all, my 15-22, purchased in December from a local police supply store, has been very reliable. I've put about 400 rounds through it and after two FTF, I read about the mag loading procedure. Since then, zero FTF, and zero FTE from day-one. I am very happy with my purchase.
Interestingly, I ordered three mags from the S&W website on New Year's Eve, I think. After reading about the delays from S&W, I ordered three from 44mag.com a few days later, and called S&W to cancel the original order. I spoke to a guy (didn't get his name) who was a bit short - I'm from the South and we notice these things ;-) - but confirmed that the order was cancelled.
Saturday, three mags from S&W landed on my front door. I sent an email to the Customer Service email address explaining the issue, and that I will ship them back if they send a call tag.
The response from Mark Rossini was "Its on the way"; poor spelling and all. That was it.
No "Sorry to bother you with this and we appreciate you taking the time to send them back even though it was our fault..."
Midway USA, on the other hand, replied twice to my question, asking how I could buy one $5.00 crush washer for the flash hider I bought from them. I had lost the original washer.
The Midway customer service woman offered some great info and thanked me for my business. Then, the owner Larry apologized for the delayed reply (a few days) due to his being at a convention, and offered good info as well. He also thanked me for my business...that had consisted, at that point, of a grand total of about $8.00.
A short, impersonal note (on something that was their fault), and after buying a $500.00 rifle vs. great info and personal replies (and from the owner) for something that was my fault, and after buying an $8.00 flash hider.
Makes you think...