The evolution of RCBS

[Jose_Luis_G]

Hi guys,
I just want to send a warning message about RCBS is behaving with customers.
Before, I must say that all my reloading bench is green, you know what I mean.
I have always had a nice response to any question to the RCBS service, in terms of time and solutions, but when I bought recently, after the years, one Case Master Gauging Tool, it all started.
I discovered very soon that my cartridges had misaligned bullets, far beyond the reasonable limits described in the instructions of the Case Master.
I got in touch with the Service of RCBS and they gave me some recommendations that my grandson could also give from the kindergarden.
A lot of e-mails back and forth ended in a silence from RCBS, when I came to the conclusion that both RCBS Competition Seater dies I own, were misaligned causing the out-run of the bullets.
As soon as I let them know, the silence began.
Further information for the curious is that the top punch in the head of the die is badly built and pushes the nose of the bullet sidewards.
It is very hard for me to understand how in a time of recession, a company like RCBS decides to behave in such way, when it should be the opposite.
Just for you to know!

 

[novalty]

Have you just been sending emails, or have you called and spoken with them on the phone?

 

[Rule3]

I have had nothing but over and above customer service from them. As good or better than the Smurfs

 

[Jose_Luis_G]

Have you just been sending emails, or have you called and spoken with them on the phone?

Just mails. Take into account that I'm sitting in Spain and phone should mean a fortune!

 

[Maximumbob54]

Other that the high price of everything they sell, I don't see how they make money enough to stay in business. To support my own morals, ethics, or stubbornness… I decided to stop calling them. I have been given several pieces of team green's gear. I would call or email them about missing or damaged parts. I was always upfront with them that I didn't buy the equipment new and I don't expect them to honor any sort of warranty. I just wanted to order the parts from them direct t make sure I get the right thing so I don't play the parts fit guessing game. Each time they shot me down on payment. My conscience won't allow me to keep feeling like I'm taking advantage. So I just started buying them from MidwayUSA, Graf and Sons, or wherever had a decent deal and didn't try to rake me over the coals on shipping and fees. I like a manufacturer who stands behind their product as far as defects goes, but I really feel like they have left themselves wide open for being taken advantage. I would rather have a year or two of use to discover manufacturer defects in equipment and then the cost shouldn't be so high for the equipment. Maybe I'm just being stubborn. It reminds me of a guy I knew that would scour flea markets and garage sales for Craftsman tools and other lifetime warranty tools. He would have them all swapped out and then sell them for some good money. I know that is blatantly taking advantage, but there is nothing illegal about it. I have already met one guy that has had RCBS replace one Rock Chucker since he wrecked it trying to swage bullets on it. He admitted he was abusing it right to my face but said he didn't care because they would just give him a new one…. I just don't see how it's right unless you bought it yourself and it was a defective part.

 

[Rule3]

I don't follow. Doesn't Dillion charge a high price???

Dillon, Hornady anything from Sinclair, they all offer no BS warranties.

 

[novalty]

Just mails. Take into account that I'm sitting in Spain and phone should mean a fortune!

So their toll free number (1.800.533.5000) is not international?

This is the contact info I found on their site for Spain. Hope it helps.

Armería A. Izquierdo S.L
Contact name: Vanesa
C/ Gral. Muñoz Grandes, 6
13630 Socuéllamos (C. Real)
Spain
Phone: +34-926-531146
Fax: +34-926-530257
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.a-izquierdo.com

 

[kennyb]

RCBS is the best game in town..very nice to deal with and exceptional products

 

[Jose_Luis_G]

So their toll free number (1.800.533.5000) is not international?
This is the contact info I found on their site for Spain. Hope it helps.
Armería A. Izquierdo S.L
Contact name: Vanesa
C/ Gral. Muñoz Grandes, 6
13630 Socuéllamos (C. Real)
Spain
Phone: +34-926-531146
Fax: +34-926-530257
Email: [email protected]
Website: A. Izquierdo

No, toll free is not international. If you dare to call, they tell you to hang on immediately.
No long distance calls allowed!

I know IZQUIERDO quite well.
They do not cover any kind of complaint.
I would say more, they do not have the slightest idea of what reloading or equipment is about.
Simply price and deal. No technics around, unfortunately.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Other that the high price of everything they sell, I don't see how they make money enough to stay in business. To support my own morals, ethics, or stubbornness… I decided to stop calling them. I have been given several pieces of team green's gear. I would call or email them about missing or damaged parts. I was always upfront with them that I didn't buy the equipment new and I don't expect them to honor any sort of warranty. I just wanted to order the parts from them direct t make sure I get the right thing so I don't play the parts fit guessing game. Each time they shot me down on payment. My conscience won't allow me to keep feeling like I'm taking advantage. So I just started buying them from MidwayUSA, Graf and Sons, or wherever had a decent deal and didn't try to rake me over the coals on shipping and fees. I like a manufacturer who stands behind their product as far as defects goes, but I really feel like they have left themselves wide open for being taken advantage. I would rather have a year or two of use to discover manufacturer defects in equipment and then the cost shouldn't be so high for the equipment. Maybe I'm just being stubborn. It reminds me of a guy I knew that would scour flea markets and garage sales for Craftsman tools and other lifetime warranty tools. He would have them all swapped out and then sell them for some good money. I know that is blatantly taking advantage, but there is nothing illegal about it. I have already met one guy that has had RCBS replace one Rock Chucker since he wrecked it trying to swage bullets on it. He admitted he was abusing it right to my face but said he didn't care because they would just give him a new one…. I just don't see how it's right unless you bought it yourself and it was a defective part.

I couldn't agree with you more but you understand that you are what can best be described as an anachronism. For the most part they don't make people like you anymore, hence many of the problems in our society today in which people would laugh at you and think you're crazy. But I, and many others on the Forum, don't think that and applaud your honesty. Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[Maximumbob54]

See... Now you made me sad.

And I actually need a part from RCBS right now but don't want to contact them. I broke my small primer part of my bench prime and can't find it for sale as a separate part. I'm going to try and just call them and tell them I need to talk to someone in sales.

 

[Fishslayer]

One (that I know of) of the major West Coast fishing rod blank builders had to abandon their "lifetime, no questions asked" warranty policy for precisely the reason MaximumBob outlined. People would brag about running over rods in their trucks or slamming doors on them and getting a new stick.

 

[Jose_Luis_G]

Good news!!

Nice reaction from RCBS!
They have told me to send the dies to them.
Of course this has been after I sent them the link to this post, so this behaviour is also due to your help.
Thank you everyone!
Anyway, it goes without saying that RCBS has done as usual, and the strange thing was what they did before.
Lets see now what they find in my dies.
I'll keep you posted!

 

[Rule3]

See... Now you made me sad.

And I actually need a part from RCBS right now but don't want to contact them. I broke my small primer part of my bench prime and can't find it for sale as a separate part. I'm going to try and just call them and tell them I need to talk to someone in sales.

Bob, I really do not understand why you feel bad. I understand what you are saying about people who take advantage of the great customer service but if something is under warranty and you are the original owner, it broke through no fault of your own, why feel bad??

You buy a car. if something fails under warranty are you going to pay them for it??

How many folks talk about buying old Dillions and they send them back and completely rebuild them. That is taking advantage as the original buyer is not sending it back, That's part of the reason they cost so much in the beginning, you pay for the warranty up front.

 

[novalty]

Nice reaction from RCBS!
They have told me to send the dies to them.
Of course this has been after I sent them the link to this post, so this behaviour is also due to your help.
Thank you everyone!
Anyway, it goes without saying that RCBS has done as usual, and the strange thing was what they did before.
Lets see now what they find in my dies.
I'll keep you posted!

Glad to hear they are working to resolve your issue. Guessing the main reason for delayed help is due to you being from Spain. Keep us posted on the results.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Nice reaction from RCBS!
They have told me to send the dies to them.
Of course this has been after I sent them the link to this post, so this behaviour is also due to your help.
Thank you everyone!
Anyway, it goes without saying that RCBS has done as usual, and the strange thing was what they did before.
Lets see now what they find in my dies.
I'll keep you posted!

If I were you, I'd pop the extra $ to sent them back air rather than ground.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Bob, I really do not understand why you feel bad. I understand what you are saying about people who take advantage of the great customer service but if something is under warranty and you are the original owner, it broke through no fault of your own, why feel bad??

You buy a car. if something fails under warranty are you going to pay them for it??

How many folks talk about buying old Dillions and they send them back and completely rebuild them. That is taking advantage as the original buyer is not sending it back, That's part of the reason they cost so much in the beginning, you pay for the warranty up front.

Because I got the unit from my cousin and the issue isn't due to manufacturer defect, it was my own hand that did it.

And it's not my job to condemn anyone's ethics, morals, or the status of their soul. It's my job to govern myself, no more and no less. But I still run my mouth and insert foot from time to time. I'm far from perfect.

 

[Bailey Boat]

My bench is also green and I sometimes feel bad when calling for a part that they won't ley me BUY even though it may be something that I screwed up. Maybe thats WHY my bench is green!!!!

 

[Rule3]

Because I got the unit from my cousin and the issue isn't due to manufacturer defect, it was my own hand that did it.

Well perhaps if you had said that in your original post, then the whole thing would be a bit clearer.??

Oh and back at ya.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I've had nothing but great service from RCBS. My old Rock Chucker press finally had to go back to the factory for service after almost 30 years of service, and they fixed it good as new without any problems. The only quirky experience I had with them was with a Universal Decapping Die. The Decapping pins break very easily - even if you are careful and set the die up per the instructions. For a while, the lady I spoke to in Customer Service would send me only one new decapping pin at a time. Get a new pin, install it, decap a few catridge cases, break the pin, call RCBS and request a new pin...you get the picture. Finally, one day I spoke with someone different and he said: "Hell, them pins break pretty easy so I'm gonna send you 5 of them, maybe that will hold you for a while". I wish I had gotten that guys name!

Best of luck,

Dave