Midway and Shipping Cost

[motorcyclejoe]

I purchased a few magazines for my 9c along along with a few other items from MidwayUSA. One of the magazines was defective so I sent it back to Midway for an exchange at my expense, $5.95. I was amazed when I received the e-mail from Midway stating my exchange magazine had been shipped and they charged my another $5.95 for shipping. Unbelievable, they ship me a defective product, and it costs me $11.90 in return shipping costs to get what I originally ordered - a functioning magazine. I have requested they refund all my return shipping costs. If they don't, this will be the last order I put in with Midway.

Am I being unreasonable? I was willing to pay the return shipping one way, but when they charged me again I think they crossed the line. What kind of customer service is that?

 

[Smokin' Iron]

That's why "Smiling Larry" smiles so much.

 

[one eye joe]

THE PROBLEM IS THAT MIDWAY THINKS THAT THEY DON'T NEED A LITTLE GUY LIKE YOU. IF YOU LEAVE---SO WHAT ? ? ?

THEIR SHIPPING COSTS ARE HIGH TO BEGIN WITH. IN YOUR CASE, IMHO, THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE RETURN, AND THE SHIPPING OF THE NEW ONE. THAT'S WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ALL ABOUT…..

 

[2hawk]

Call and complain. You might get some "Midway Bucks", if not an outright refund. It's worked for me.

 

[Rocket3]

That stinks. I hope they make it right. I would have expected better from them. I have always liked Midway but I've never had to return anything.

 

[Rastoff]

I have requested they refund all my return shipping costs.

Please keep us informed on how they respond. Did you contact them by email, phone or letter?

Unfortunately, shipping charges are what we have to deal with on the internet. Some companies will send you a return label if you ask. Some include a return label with your purchase (Crutchfield does this). Others make you pay. CompTac holsters wanted to charge me more than the cost of the item to exchange a product they shipped me incorrectly.

I hope Midway USA refunds at least the $6.

 

[Beemer-mark]

fair or not, I don't know. But please name another mail order business that doesn't charge shipping both ways. (I can think of one, but only one).

 

[scattershot]

Midway's shipping has always been ridiculous. I try to avoid them if I can.

 

[Lt.cap'nadmiral jeeves]

You should call and talk to a human. I've never had an issue with them but I'd be surprised if they don't fix it. A lot of the time the operator is authorized to make refunds and if you're pleasant they'll fix it right then.

 

[Krogen]

Call and politely ask them to refund the shipping charges; both for your return cost and the 2nd shipment.

This happened to me when I received a defective red dot. They refunded my purchase price, but not my original shipping charge. I called and asked them to refund my shipping charge and while they were at it, to refund my return charge. I was all set with a good argument as to why they should do that, but it wasn't necessary. They refunded both charges without issue.

I think they don't refund shipping costs on defective parts without being asked simply because it's money out of their pocket. The defective parts can be sent back to the manufacturer for credit. Not so with the shipping charges.

It always pays to ask for what you want. The worst that can happen is they say "no." Either way, we learn a bit more about their customer service.

 

[rjtmac]

I have had a couple of threads about Midway's shipping.

The Larry's smiling comment I have used before myself.

I just can't buy from these guys. Shipping is always a deal breaker for me. Today they had a decent deal on 1000 rounds of .22LR packaged with 150 rounds of 9mm or 45 ACP for $99.00. Not terrible pricing these days considering the .22LR.

But, BIG BUT, the shipping to me was around $17.00. Sale gone south for me.

Their website is a good place to shop, get descriptions, specs and pricing to go somewhere else and get a better deal.

Swore off them long ago for everyday purchases. When they have sales and can finagle free or reduced shipping I have grabbed a couple of things but they have to be a really good deal. Doesn't happen very often...

 

[RobzGuns]

They've always been good about sending me a return label. And... I don't recall them charging me for the replacement.

Of course... I always call and talk to a human, as computers don't know NOT to charge.

If I were shipping a single mag back on MY dime, I would have sent it 1st Class, for a Buck and a half.

 

[GaleForce]

Their shipping prices make no sense. I recently purchased their competition range bag when it was on sale (got the color I wanted, Coyote, for $40 - I don't think I've ever received so much value for $40 before in this hobby, the bag is insanely well made) and shipping was about $11. To be fair, the weight they had listed was 10 or 12 lbs so it seemed reasonable. Still, I searched for a coupon to bring shipping prices down. Finally I found a trick - add something that has free shipping on it and it brings the entire order's shipping fee down. I ended up adding some $5 throwing star since I couldn't find anything for $5 or less that I really needed, and throwing stars are pretty cool I guess. Anyway, the end result was shipping dropped to $5 and obviously there was another $5 item in my cart. So I could have got just the bag for approximately $51 shipped or the bag and the throwing star for $50 shipped. Obviously I chose the latter, it just makes no sense. I would have happily let them keep their throwing star for a $4-5 reduction in shipping fees to begin with.

 

[D-Hop]

I've never had a problem with midway though I don't understand their shipping charges. I was going to order 1000 rounds of 22lr and it was going to be $17 for shipping so I didn't order. They had some ammo at a good price my son wanted. He ordered 3 boxes of ammo for his deer rifles and a couple boxes of defense rounds for his EDC. And a couple mags for his EDC and a few other things, his shipping was around $14. I had him add the 1000 rounds of 22lr to his order and his shipping dropped to about $12.50.

 

[flintsghost]

Call and make the complaint in person by telephone. Be polite but firm and eventually your will get to Larry. When you talk to him you should get a total refund. I have found that to work on two occasions and was satisfied both times. Just keep the conversation clean without threat and you will prevail. Good luck.

 

[ATF]

Wouldn't it have been possible to send the mag back to S&W for an exchange? I always found Midway excellent for shipping, they almost always ship the same day. How long does it take to accept your return pack a replacement and print a label? And it's not their fault the product was defective. The only thing I don't like is every time I've ordered a few 100 bucks worth of gear they send me a discount code valid for only 2/3 days. Just think how much time and gas and wear and tear on your car it would cost to physically buy your ammo and accessories. I order everything except clothes and shoes online.

 

[N4KVE]

Shipping charges is the cost of doing business online. Buying at a LGS affords you the luxury of inspecting the goods before laying out the cash. This is why I don't buy online. Someone has to pay the shipping, & the shipper isn't going to absorb the costs because the product was bad. If you ask me, I'd go after S&W as they made the defective product. Midway didn't make the magazine. GARY

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Unbelievable - I received a replacement magazine from Midway and it has the same problem. They also never answered my message requesting a refund of the return shipping cost. I left the following message today. I'll let you know if I get a response.

Note to Midway
Feb 27, 2015: This note is in reference to order 25683450. I returned one of the magazines received in this order because it did not function properly. I have just received the replacement magazine and it has the same problem. The follower extends too far outside the body of the magazine preventing the slide release from functioning. So far I have paid $11.90 in return shipping charges and I still do not have an acceptable magazine. I'd appreciate you providing a return shipping label, at your cost, so I can return the second defective magazine I have received for a refund or credit. This is the second time I have contacted you about this issue and you have yet to reply. I am very disappointed in your customer service. Thank you

 

[stmry]

You'd think they would at least meet you midway!!!!

 

[mmesa005]

I purchased a Hornady LNL Ammo Plant last month from Cabela's as they had a sale which amounted to $100.00 less than Midway. Not only was Midway out of stock and no date as to when they would have stock, they would not meet the price. I asked them if they wanted me to be a loyal customer and they just skirted the issue.
I do like Midway's Bullet shipping - much faster than Cabela's.