Midway backorder-Never Again

[beemerphile]

I don't use a "one strike policy" on anyone and have many times been thankful that someone didn't use one on me. Grace where possible, force where necessary. Personally, I would cut them some slack. OVERALL they are first class. Ditch CTD or Botach or some other proven scoundrel. But if you ditch the likes of Midway, you will soon be making your own stuff because on-one will be qualified to sell to you.

 

[Jyezahn]

The item was a Thumbler's Tumbler. The original backorder quote including shipping was $181. When it was shipped the e-mail quoted $197 including shipping. Sorry but I don't do business this way. I expect to pay $181. I don't want Midway Bucks for the difference. I want to pay the price originally quoted. If that makes me a bad person so be it.

It doesn't make you a bad person. But unless you've never made a mistake in your life and tried to correct it in good faith, it does kind of make you a hypocrite. In all honesty, you could have held out and spoken to someone in higher authority and gotten the charge refunded. All it would take on their part is a call to their bank. But everyone makes mistakes, and if you live by your "one-strike" rule, you may find yourself extremely limited in your choice of places to do business.

 

[Berserker]

I do see why a person is irked when they were quoted a price. But I would be a little more curious why. Was the shipping charges increased by the shipper? Maybe they should have ate, maybe not.

I would be annoyed, but would probably try again. I may favor other people. I like them cause they have a good website and ship fast.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Midway provides an estimate for shipping on backorder based on current rates and shipping method.

Curious if a different shipping method was used than originally chosen, carrier rate increase, or a mistaken charge?

 

[johngalt]

The only problem I've had was with a bullet order a couple months ago. I bought about 8 boxes of Hornady swaged lead bullets. When the package arrived, most of the boxes had broken and bullets spilled out. The shipping box was a little beat up, so I'm not sure who was at fault.

 

[M16]

It doesn't make you a bad person. But unless you've never made a mistake in your life and tried to correct it in good faith, it does kind of make you a hypocrite. In all honesty, you could have held out and spoken to someone in higher authority and gotten the charge refunded. All it would take on their part is a call to their bank. But everyone makes mistakes, and if you live by your "one-strike" rule, you may find yourself extremely limited in your choice of places to do business.

I've made plenty of mistakes. And I've paid the price because my word is my bond. It's what you do after it is called to your attention. This would be very easy to correct. Honor the original quoted price.

Midway is a great company. I just won't backorder anything from them again. Most companies charge shipping for the original order and then ship backorders on their dime. I guess the new business model is to have everything on backorder and make extra money on shipping.

 

[quneur]

With so many people back ordering items, how much of loss could Midway afford to lose? Also, consider the shipper raising their prices which Midway has no control over.

If it were me, I would take my credit in small pistol primers. Have them set aside a box before they sell it via website.

 

[M29since14]

Midway is a great company. I just won't backorder anything from them again. Most companies charge shipping for the original order and then ship backorders on their dime. I guess the new business model is to have everything on backorder and make extra money on shipping.

They are admirable, but even the best organization has certain limitations. They just sent an email that claimed they are shipping a million orders a year. That's a bunch! You can imagine that when you're trying to process +/-2700 orders every day you have to do things a certain way.

I sometimes place an order and then fifteen minutes later want to add something that slipped my mind. Their system won't allow it. I don't like it, but I understand.

"Backorder" means different things, depending on the terms of the company offering the service. Generally, I assume it just means they will hold my order and ship it (at prevailing prices) when they receive their re-supply. If I expect an existing price to be honored (as in a "rain check"), I check their terms or ask about that - and about the cost of shipping too.

(Rant advisory!) I never expect "free" shipping from anyone, for any reason. The concept is a joke, as far as I am concerned. If it is offered I am glad to get it, but the whole notion of free shipping is just a ridiculous myth that the smart guys have created to diffuse the cost issue. It doesn't exist. The cost is "built-in" somewhere and we are helping to pay it every time we make a transaction.

It sounds like you were charged two shipping charges, which of course isn't right, but they did what they could within their system to fix it. Since how their system works isn't satisfactory to you, no more backorders!

Given how Midway at least makes an effort to support our sport/hobby, the Second Amendment, and the N.R.A., I hope you continue to do business with them when you can. They're not perfect, but...

 

[Rule3]

The item was a Thumbler's Tumbler. The original backorder quote including shipping was $181. When it was shipped the e-mail quoted $197 including shipping. Sorry but I don't do business this way. I expect to pay $181. I don't want Midway Bucks for the difference. I want to pay the price originally quoted. If that makes me a bad person so be it.

You were charged for shipping on the first items that shipped without the extra weight and size of the tumbler.

When the tumbler shipped alone, you were charged for shipping that item alone.

You were not charged twice for shipping the same item.

I just put one in my shopping cart and it was $25.00 to ship it alone,

 

[FishingPilot]

never had an issue with Midway except the 2 magazine limit they have now. Not a big deal. I ordered 2. Wife ordered 2. Daughter ordered 2. All shipped to the same address using the same CC. Makes no sense to me to have this limit if you are only checking the username of the person placing the order.

I agree with Rule3. They have done that exact same thing to me for back orders. The original price included shipping for the items that were in stock. The back ordered items showed up with their own shipping charges. I don't see a big issue with it. You shouldn't expect them to eat the cost of shipping the item. If you don't like it, I think there is an option to hold the entire order until the back ordered items arrive. Cabelas has that option anyway.

 

[Rule3]

I have to add that I hate shipping costs as much as the next guy and unfortunately gas prices rule the world so everything goes up.The moral of the story is never, ever backorder, get on the notify list then order.

I always play the shipping game with Midway. I just had special Birthday Pricing so had a bunch of stuff on my wish list, the day I go to place the order, bamm, the one main expensive item I wanted went out of stock. So I didn't order anything.

Looked at Natchezz and everything was in stock at less than my "special" price, shipping was about the same (except their extra $3-4 hidden handling fee) so I ordered there.Delivery was way slower than Midway but I don't care.

Take the one item shipping at Midway and see how much more you can add to the shipment before the shipping price changes.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

You were charged for shipping on the first items that shipped without the extra weight and size of the tumbler. When the tumbler shipped alone, you were charged for shipping that item alone.

Right. But the OP specifically said it was for the backordered item-- 161 + 20 for shipping, then he says they added another $16 on top of that. Anyone who orders from Midway ought to know that each shipment (in stock and out of stock) has separate shipping charges. They make it quite clear and have been doing so for many years.

In any event, the OP has been asked a couple times for specifics so I look forward to hearing the Paul Harvey on this one.

 

[pwilson1204]

MIDWAY



Hello:

Another vote for Midway. I did a lot of business with them about 30 years ago, dropped out of the hobby due to geography, came back in, have received the same great service 30 years later. I think they are a standup organization.

Best regards,

PAW

 

[Rule3]

Right. But the OP specifically said it was for the backordered item-- 161 + 20 for shipping, then he says they added another $16 on top of that. Anyone who orders from Midway ought to know that each shipment (in stock and out of stock) has separate shipping charges. They make it quite clear and have been doing so for many years.

In any event, the OP has been asked a couple times for specifics so I look forward to hearing the Paul Harvey on this one.

Yes, the "Rest of the Story" Without the invoice I am only guessing. Something does not add up. If they offered Midway Money than perhaps there was an error.

As I mentioned I put one i my cart and it was $25 for the short trip from them to Florida, Maybe shipping went up that much ($16)in the months that passed??


I certainly doubt they would "gouge" I have had minor "disputes" with them over the years and was always left a satisfied customer.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

I agree with Rule3. They have done that exact same thing to me for back orders. The original price included shipping for the items that were in stock. The back ordered items showed up with their own shipping charges. I don't see a big issue with it. You shouldn't expect them to eat the cost of shipping the item.

Been that way for quite some time. It bugs the **** out of me, but their CS has ALWAYS gone above and beyond if an item arrived broken, etc so I let it go and try not to back order. I did get caught on backorder (my mistake I knew their policy) 4 months ago once for a $4 firing pin and $12 hand which came in an bubble envelope that cost me an additional $9. Other than that I still think they're great.

 

[HotRoderX]

Yes, the "Rest of the Story" Without the invoice I am only guessing. Something does not add up. If they offered Midway Money than perhaps there was an error.

I agree something feels like its being left out. I am also curious to here the hole story my self. I agree Midway can be a bit pricey on shipping but. I normally use them are Brownells for all my orders because there fast. Most the time the order is shipped same day or next day.

As far as the Midway bucks not being acceptable why not negotiate. I have done this with online company's before. They wanted to offer me a credit on my account. Instead I asked if they ship my next order free overnight. They agreed I ended up ordering a Motherboard, 2 hard drives and a computer case. Total weight was close to 30lbs. I made out extremely well the shipping cost for me would have been close to 30-40 dollar's.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Right. But the OP specifically said it was for the backordered item-- 161 + 20 for shipping, then he says they added another $16 on top of that. Anyone who orders from Midway ought to know that each shipment (in stock and out of stock) has separate shipping charges. They make it quite clear and have been doing so for many years.

In any event, the OP has been asked a couple times for specifics so I look forward to hearing the Paul Harvey on this one.

The above is why I never backorder anything from Midway, usually
opting for their email notification when something is back in stock.

By that time I generally have other things I can order so I add them when
getting the backordered item, if I hadn't already found it elsewhere
while ordering items from another company, usually Brownells.

This also helps me avoid Midway's "small order" fee since I can
add those little items that I find myself needing now & again.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I've ordered from Midway before and have never had any problems. At least it was just a few months. I have been waiting for months on an ammo order from TargetSportsUSA.com and have a feeling it will be probably a year before I get it.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Has the OP responded to the inquiry about the details of the purchase?