Miserable Experience

[stangfan]

My fun with Smith and Wesson just never seems to end.

Forget the fact that it took 23 weeks for me to actually get my M&P 45. I ordered the mid size but took a full size because it was available (glad I did). Who knows how much longer it would have taken had I said "no" and waited for the mid size.

So, S&W has a rebate offer for active and retired military. I ordered and paid for my gun during the first rebate period (Jan to June) and received it during the second (July to Dec). I just received my notice that my rebate was declined because my purchased before the valid date of the rebate!!

Just a plain horrible experience from beginning to end. At least I have a great gun that I really do love. But, at this point, my next purchase will be with another company.

 

[BobsSmith]

OK Sorry to hear that.

 

[Arik]

Sorry to hear that and it is unfortunate but how is it their fault? It's just unfortunate circumstances

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[ESW]

Did S&W state the rule before your purchased? If they did and they are wrong that's an issue. If they did and they are right, rules are rules.

What were the rules?

 

[RonS]

I take it it was bought during one period and delivered during another? Seems like they have to honor one or the other.

 

[Stinger083]

I'm guessing you used the rebate form that was for July-Dec and not Jan-June?

They technically are not obligated to honor the rebate because you used the incorrect form... as petty as that may be (especially for our military people.)

You can try calling or writing a letter, though I'm not sure how far that will get you.

 

[N4KVE]

Sometimes the rules suck, & don't make sense, but they are the rules. GARY

 

[Rastoff]

I understand your frustration, but you are a victim of your situation. S&W doesn't do custom orders. They only make guns in batches. So, "ordering" one from your local gun store will only get them to hold it for you when one comes in. They don't actually place an order for one gun from S&W. This is why it took so long for the one you didn't order to come in.

I can't advise you about the rebate. I don't look for special treatment because I served. The way I see it, you got a gun you love so, it's worth the $50 extra dollars the rest of us paid.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I'm sorry to hear about that. I personally think S&W should offer that Military discount/rebate all year long. Why don't they just do that??

 

[GKC]

I know it's frustrating, and I had a bad experience a couple of years ago with the rebates...when S&W was offering either $50 or a magazine with a M&P purchase. I bought six (yes, 6) M&P pistols during the rebate period. I sent in the forms and receipts as stipulated. I could see them on the rebate tracking system. People were talking about getting theirs...and then people that submitted their requests long after I did were getting theirs. So, I started calling S&W...and I got one story after another: out of stock, system problems, and others that I don't recall now. This went on for one year! I talked to managers, and then I started trying to get in touch with the CEO, executives, or board members...they don't list their contact info online anywhere. Finally, I stumbled upon the name and address of a Finance VP, and sent her an e-mail, figuring I'd never hear anything. I got a reply from her the next day, and then day after that I got a call from the director in charge of CS. Within a couple of days I had my 6 magazines plus two extra.

At the time I was full of righteous indignation, and swore I'd never buy another S&W product. However, that anger faded, and I soon realized I was denying myself good firearms over a glitch that was just a (term I can't type here, but if you've been in the military, you know what a CF is.) SO, I've continued to buy S&W guns, and I've even contacted CS a couple of times over minor issues...and got excellent service.

Each person has to make their own decisions about the final straw that makes them unwilling to deal with a company again. All I'm saying is, is that $50 rebate enough reason not to buy good guns from a good company?

 

[Edmo]

I'm sorry to hear about that. I personally think S&W should offer that Military discount/rebate all year long. Why don't they just do that??

I feel the same way...

There is another well known gun manufacturer who always gives a discount to LEOs and military active & retired. There is no special start or end dates... 365 days a year.

I think S&W should do the same with no tricks or gimmicks. It might urge some of us to try something other than their revolvers.

Edmo

 

[MSG Glenn]

S&W uses an outside contractor to handle their "Nation's Finest" program. I initially had the same problem when I purchased my M&P40C at a police supply store. I had to wait so long for delivery that I missed the rebate period. I had the paid bill in my hand but I couldn't finish the rebate form because I had no serial number. When I called S&W they told me it was completely out of their hands. Fortunately when the gun finally came in a new rebate period had started & I received a new paid copy of the bill. I just got my $50 check before Christmas.

 

[Lost Lake]

I feel the same way...

There is another well known gun manufacturer who always gives a discount to LEOs and military active & retired. There is no special start or end dates... 365 days a year.

S&W discounts for military, police, security, EMS, lots of people.

If you pay more than $399 for a M&P (which also includes an extra magazine) you just aren't a very savvy shopper.

I've bought a dozen guns in the last two years and all have been heavily discounted.

ETA: I should add that I also receive the rebates, so actual cost for an M&P with three mags is $349, depending on the model of course.

.

 

[stangfan]

If I had just waited to pay for the gun when I received it instead of paying when I ordered, I would be golden. I am sure. I just figured they extended the rebate because they were not meeting demand, guess they didn't extend the rebate, just started a new one. Because of the way I purchased the gun, I am in limbo on the rebate. Too late for the first one because I did not have a S/N for the paperwork and too early on the second because I paid when I ordered. Just seems they are using their inability to meet demand as a way out of paying the rebate in this case. I know, I know, rules are rules. Just very frustrated with the entire experience. Yes, S&W does not do custom orders and that is why I never dreamed it would be an issue to order one of their guns.

It really is a great gun though. Not really a big gun guy. Just started getting into this. This is only the second gun I have purchased. But, I like it much more than my first one (which is my wifes) a Sig 1911 C3.

Rastoff, I too do not look for special treatment because I served. Just figured they are offering the rebate, I would submit. The only time I even go to a military base/facility is for work. Can't remember the last time I used a commissary. I think it was sometime around my 10 year mark in the Navy, that would be 20+ years ago?? Damn I am getting old.

Will have to wait and see what they say to my email. But, I learned alot in this entire process. Next time I buy a gun, it will be off the shelf, so to speak.

 

[QuanticoTactical]

A couple things:

• Reputable dealers should only charge when they DELIVER a gun, not when you order it. Had that been the case, this situation would not have happened. To the alternative, I can see a store requesting a deposit, with the balance paid in full, and the date on the receipt when you pick it up.
• Ask the dealer from which you purchased it to provide you a duplicate receipt showing the date you picked it up and resubmit the rebate form (hurry though)!
• If the above doesn't work, e-mail me at [email protected] and I will get it fo you (We are S&W's largest LE/Miltiary distributor and have a bit of pull with them)....Assuming of course that you are indeed eligible (Military, correct gun, etc).

A few other notes on comments on this thread:

• S&W has an LE/Military/1st Responder program which offers reduced pricing on most of their models.
• The LE/Military/1st Responder price on a standard M&P pistol w/o night sights is $398. it comes with three magazines.
• In ADDITION to the above pricing, they have the "Nation's Finest Program" which offers an additional $100 rebate for long guns and $50 rebate for M&P Pistols (Shield Excluded) for Military (Active, Reserve & Retired). This brings the price for a base M&P pistol with three magazines to $348 for military personnel.
• They ARE going to renew the Rebate program for 2014, but are thinking about adding another line to the rebate program, so they haven't posted it yet.

We receive PALLETS of M&P pistols on a regular basis. Next time we get a shipment, I will post some M&P porn.

 

[stangfan]

It was my choice to pay when I ordered. I could have just put down a deposit. Paying up front got me through the background check and 5 day wait at that time. Otherwise I would have had to go into the store when it arrived, do the paperwork and then come back again 5 days later to get the gun. All this to save me one extra trip

The receipt does show a "close date" below the "purchase date". I highlighted each so it was easy to see there were months between when I paid and when I received. Currently have an email chain going with S&W, will give it a chance to see where it goes. They first sent me a copy of the rebate form from the 1st half of the year to use. I have asked how that will work since it had to be sent by 15 July to qualify, waiting for a response. Time is running out though to meet the deadline for this rebate.

I had no idea about the low price for LE/Military/1st Responder. Thought I got a good deal at $570.

 

[Rastoff]

Paying up front got me through the background check and 5 day wait at that time.

This is interesting. I didn't know FL had a 5 day wait. Is that only for handguns or does it include long guns?

Also, here in CA, the wait period doesn't start until you fill out the DROS (Dealer's Record of Sale) paperwork and you can't do that until you have the gun in hand. So, for us it doesn't matter when you pay for the gun, you still have to wait after it comes in.

 

[Rick_A]

I wouldn't blame S&W or the dealer for decisions you made.

The only firearms I purchased at a special price were from the PX.

 

[stangfan]

I don't know how long the wait is for long guns. Have not purchased one yet. Florida has a 3 day wait at the state level but the county I live in (Miami-Dade) has made that a 5 business day wait period. If you do not have a concealed carry permit, buy your hand gun on a Monday here and not on a week where there is a state recognized holiday.

The only thing I blame S&W for when I purchased the gun was their inability to meet demand. Just seems like they could have handled it better is all.

This is all new to me so I am learning what I did wrong and what not to do the next time.

 

[GKC]

I wish S&W had a rebate program for veterans.

Somewhat off-topic story: when I retired from the telephone company, for some insane reason I bought a dry cleaners. (I sold it a year later.) I put up a sign offering a 10% discount to active duty or retired military, reservists, and veterans; senior citizens; police; firefighters; EMTs; and, teachers. One day a customer came in and was studying the sign. I asked him if he had a question, and he said he was calculating his discount: he was a veteran (10%), senior citizen (10%), auxiliary police officer (10%), volunteer firefighter (10%), and a substitute teacher (10%)...so, he thought he should get a 50% discount!

I thought he was joking at first, but he was serious! So I had to add a disclaimer to the sign: "Maximum discount is 10%"