Does any one else find it exasperating ?

[rsbhunter]

Just bought a single shot custom action...looking to build a 600 yd rifle for local shoots...problem is, I have contacted by phone, and e mail a couple companies looking for information about buying their products......all I get is silence !! No return phone calls, E mails, nothing. It's really getting hard to get people to take my money!!! Im not looking for special deals or anything out of the normal, and I give them up to a week to reply, and multiple contacts....just curious if its a common thing, or ??? rsbhunter

 

[Sandstorm]

It is these days...everyone is short on employees.
Its taking me 3 to 5 weeks to get calls back from reputable firms....if they call back.
Hell forget I called one person that called back...tryin to remember what it was..damn getting old.

 

[rsbhunter]

I understand 110% about the getting old part.....tomorrow marks another year down.....I totally understand the employee situation, even though the "President" keeps boasting of all the jobs he's filled....but what scares me is that the businesses that are so short they can't take care of customers, have a tendency to lose customers.....And it becomes like the toilet bowl tornado.....down the drain....I haven't given up on anyone yet, but if it comes down to the wire, whoever has the time to take my money gets my buisness....just hate that this country has reached this stage..rsbhunter

 

[Sandstorm]

You and me both Sir....
A sad state of affairs indeed.

 

[Ranger188]

I contacted a vendor here ( Pm'd ) and on the website months ago.
Still haven't heard anything. lol
I'm not going to beg someone to take my money, I went else where.
May be they didn't need my business.
Why advertise here if you won't return a simple message.

 

[BlueWater]

Booming business, booming number of contacts/calls, short on staff ... can impact a given business fairly hard, depending.

I tend to be a bit more accommodating of increased delays, during such times. Up to a point.

Of course, good customer service is good customer service. It's one of the indicators, for me, when I go shopping. The "good" ones continue to have a rock solid determination to get it right, even when it's a bit more challenging, a bit busier.

 

[Hengehold]

Whidden Gunworks has always been very responsive.

Whidden Gunworks - Technology Applied To The Art of Shooting

We manufacture some of the most innovative and creative precision products, for the world of competitive and recreational shooting.

www.whiddengunworks.com

They do everything, metal work and stock work in addition to making really great dies. The owner is a multiple time 1000yd national champion so he understands what is relevant for long range precision.
-TH

 

[TrxR]

Borden was extremely quick getting back to me the other year and I didn't even buy direct as I'm in Canada. Jim himself came in out of the shop to call me back and answer my questions.

 

[rsbhunter]

I just minutes ago wrote and gave well deserved praise to the Widden Gun works personnel. I emailed yesterday about a Jewell Trigger that showed out of stock, about a possible b/o or eta. I recieved a e-mail this morning!!!!!! They did have it in stock, and though it had increased in price, I ordered it right then. The price increase doesn't bother me, as all aspects of doing business has increased x fold.And, on top of quick communication, I recieved a tracking # approx. 1 hour later!!!!! This is a company that by this experience alone, has earned my business in the future....and I know John Widden is a very accomplished shooter....and also a very smart and customer service oriented businessman..... rsbhunter

 

[rsbhunter]

I would like to thank Carrie Whidden, as she is the one who so expeditiously answered my e-mails.....This company deserves our buisness! rsbhunter

 

[Sandstorm]

There's still a few that rise above the rest....Whidden Gun Works has always been there
for the Competition shooter...as well a Kelbly's amd Jim Borden. ( a few others too )
These folks will try a step up when ever possible in my experience.

 

[TrxR]

There's still a few that rise above the rest....Whidden Gun Works has always been there
for the Competition shooter...as well a Kelbly's amd Jim Borden. ( a few others too )
These folks will try a step up when ever possible in my experience.

Jim Borden and Kelblys have been great to deal with.

 

[Spoonbill]

I built a rifle last summer. Took me two weeks to locate all the parts. Took my gunsmith a week to get it all back to me. Couldnt believe it. Im in the middle of the same thing again right now. I have the reciever on the way, all other parts are located except the stock. It seems every time I get the bug for a new rifle Im always waiting on the dang stock!

 

[rsbhunter]

I'm old , so I have the luxury of picking and choosing.... And though I might not be able to pick every company I do business with based on their CS, I can definitely refuse to give my money to a company that can't bother to reply to an inquiry that will result in a purchase from that company. In today's world, there is someone who, because of pride, or love of money, will provide the service that we as consumers, deserve. The others, well, A fool and his money is soon parted.....rsbhunter

 

[JEFFPPC]

Kelblys has always been great. Often times businesses falter, then fail as new generations take over. The kelbly family has so far avoided this. I hope they continue there fine service and have seen nothing to indicate otherwise.

 

[rsbhunter]

I will start a list of businesses that the members here place in the " great company" catagory! I totally understand that everybody and every company can stumble, but any company that cannot return an e-mail, or phone call (when no e-mail is listed) within a week or two, and after 2 or so attempts, must have enough business that they don't need mine.....We ,or maybe the new generation's have become so accepting of poor service, that they accept it. I watched a news story about the baby formula shortage, and a lady stated" we are not a third world country". Nobody thinks they have stupid kids either....rsbhunter

 

[M60A3TTS]

I tried for months calling and emailing various big name companies, trying to even get a response, let alone an actual quote. Even tried some back alley contacts. I wanted to rebarrel an action with the possibility of 3 more after. Last two, I tried, one was a virtually unknown smith, who has some youtube vids of his work, and Pac Nor. I went with the unknown guy. I sent off, one project to him. 2 weeks after that I got a reply from Pac Nor. I will be sending a job to them as well, their quote was significantly cheaper.

 

[rsbhunter]

I can accept that the work force is just not what is was, that finding help is hard, or impossible. I know what it's like to try to hire help, when some honestly can't even fill out the application. But, if I had a business that was selling to a target audience, (pun intended) I would hire a person to do customer service, job 1, and busy work second priority. EVERYTIME that phone rings, or the email notification "dings" , that is money in your pocket. Or at least 70%. I don't know many shooters who call a business for any reason other than to research an item they want or need, or to place an order after checking availability. I shop online, I buy through a online order form or by phone. I know alot of businesses don't have large profit margins to hire someone to sit idle by a phone or puter screen waiting to help, but my money is as important to me, as it is to the continued existence of the business . And even though there are other's who will accept the mediocre, or non existant customer service, there are also people who will pay $75.00 a lb of powder, or $200.00 for 1K of primers. But how many, and for how long? But again, I will give my money to businesses that treat me fairly, and pass along the great service I recieved so that their CS is rewarded in some small way.....rsbhunter

 

[CharlieNC]

I can find patience for the proprietor who does it ALL and give leeway as their business is a balance between doing the work and handling all correspondence. Experience will teach the expected response time which is either acceptable or not vs the lead time and quality of the work.

On the other hand before retiring I worked for a large company and often times reached out to potential vendors and never received a response; and that only happened one time with said businesses. Same principle today when dealing with large suppliers who have the resources to allocate between manufacturing vs sales.

 

[ALK]

Left an e-mail for James at Northland Shooters Supply (NSS) yesterday and received a reply this morning. Have always had communication with Northland also a site sponsor.