Online Order Shipping Trends

[RGRobinett]

My opinion is this if you want to blame anybody blame the virus that was brought upon us as far as I'm concerned Graf and Sons is one of the finest companies around been dealing with them for years and I got to contend with the same thing your going through they're doing the best I can.

Stan is correct! Once the packages are out the door, in the carriers hands, the actual delivery date is, "anybody's guess" - I've had shipments delieverd two days early, and others take a full four weeks! Not being able to help customers is a BIG PINTA. Currently, especially as Stan and Nick have pointed out, that's our reality - what good would it do the have two shipments floating about, "who knows where", going to the same person? Just yesterday, I received a package (Fed-X) from Graff & Sons pretty close to the three week prediction. The stuff was all in stock, and I was advised that it may be three to four weeks to delivery - I was good with that. RG

 

[pirate ammo]

Stan is correct! Once the packages are out the door, in the carriers hands, the actual delivery date is, "anybody's guess" - I've had shipments delieverd two days early, and others take a full four weeks! Not being able to help customers is a BIG PINTA. Currently, especially as Stan and Nick have pointed out, that's our reality - what good would it do the have two shipment floating about, "who knows where", going to the same person? Just yesterday, I received a package (Fed-X) from Graff & Sons pretty close to the three week prediction. The stuff was all in stock, and I was advise that it may be three to four weeks to delivery - I was good with that. RG

I'm with Stan, Nick, and MR. Robinett, the shipping world is upside down right now and all the complaining
in the world is not going to help. I think they had the office people from Grafs helping out the warehouse
crew last week, my package yesterday was packed very neat.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Took me awhile to get some Peterson Dasher Brass but I did get it and it was worth the wait. Have always got good service from Graff's and they can't control the shipping companies regardless of who they use. Be patient, it's winter, It will give you something to look forward to.

 

[JMS597]

I placed 2 orders from Graf's 2 days apart. One was 12-5, and I received that one a couple of days ago. The other order was 2 days later, and I'm still playing USPS roulette with that one.

Their web site has a large banner across the top spelling out the delays. I ordered anyway since everybody else was out of stock of what I wanted.

I have another one coming from MidwayUSA, but it's coming UPS MI which means we're back to USPS roulette. Luckily, I'm not in dire need of the items.

 

[457ciSBC]

Larry Pothead hasn't had a problem keeping up with orders, or with shipping same day. I've spent several grand in the last month at Midwayusa...................nothing better. Not to mention they have had free shipping over $49 a few times the last month. I don't see anyone else offering free shipping, not to mention actually shipping within a few days of your order.

However, they are a much much bigger operation with multiple shipping locations and the customer service has gotten worse, especially this year. They have THE WORSE packaging practices. They use boxes way oversize and toss smaller items right in with the larger so the larger loose items can roll over them and don’t get me started on the cheesy plastic box of bullets that act as missiles inside the oversize containers, but those cheap air pillows are supposed work right. I have had at least 3 orders with loose bullets in the main container this year. In a rush to fulfill orders they just toss everything in the box.
About 4 years ago I ordered a double Pelican rifle case from them, it was shipped in box that was an 3/4” too short which prevented it obviously from closing and sealing all the way one end, with only a strip on tape on each securing it. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that the tape will tear and the case will slide out. Low and behold in its travels it did exactly that and chipped a piece out of the end. I called them and the CS rep wanted me to send that heavy azz case back to them at my expense. I explained that I have been 20+ year Midwayusa customer, back when the company was just Midway and free shipping was all that was offered. You can issue a will call tag so UPS can pick it from my front porch and send me a correctly packaged new case. At one time you could actually contact Larry P directly, not anymore.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

At least Graf’s takes backorder’s on powder. That may be our only hope in obtaining our favorite’s.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

They may have local government COVID restrictions to work around(work station spacing,ppe standards, or just staffing issues). I don't think they have the automated order picking like Midway.

 

[hogpatrol]

Help me out here. Unemployment is up and these companies can't keep up? Brick and mortar retail stores always hire extra help for the holidays. Why haven't the gun supply vendors done the same? Shipping carrier issues aside, these companies are in full FAIL mode. Two weeks just to fill an order is inexcusable. Different strokes but I have crossed off ALL future purchase from some of them. I'll buy from LGS and pay more before I buy from them again. YMMV.

 

[barracudadave67]

Grafs is an excellent co. I have been with them since before on line ordering, and have always had good results ordering from them. I think they are quite a bit smaller than Midway, and the family still does a lot of the physical work, similar to Mid South, and Natchez. I buy lots from them.
Dave

 

[Liven The Dream]

Well ! Order place 11/09/20 MidSoulh Shipped 12/22 do 1/4/21

 

[457ciSBC]

Grafs helping out the warehouse
crew last week, my package yesterday was packed very neat.

Last order that I had with Midway that had loose bullets about in the main carton, I mentioned that the shipping managers should take a field trip over to Grafs to see how orders are packaged as though someone actually cares!

 

[Mr. Zorg]

I ordered in-stock brass from Graf's on December 13 and used their $9.95 shippig, just brass, no HazMat items or ammo. No indication it's been shipped yet, and I'm honestly not concerned much about that, I'm more concerned about the potential for my order to be lost by the shipping company or be sent on some grand tour of the lower 48 by the shipping company before it's delivered.

My last order with Grafs was placed on October 1 with $9.95 flat rate shipping via USPS and delivered October 13 with no special holiday season pressure on Grafs and the shipping company, just the COVID-19 impacts at that time.

If I decided either ordrer was more time sensitive I would have chosen a different shipping option at additional cost to me, as well as tried to find if my items could be expedited between being ordered vs shipped not only at Grafs but any other retailer that might have had the items in stock. But I had my eyes open when I placed both orders and agreed to those conditions when I placed my orders.

 

[ronemus]

I don't see anyone else offering free shipping, not to mention actually shipping within a few days of your order.

Optics Planet Has very good prices on brass and bullets with free shipping; their backlog is less than a week. I made 3 purchases in the last month and had no problems. They're not the first place that comes to mind for reloading supplies, but they do have a very wide range of brass and bullets (no primers or powder though).

 

[Fotheringill]

I ordered and received an item near mid- October. They were up front about the delay and it arrived when they said it would.

Although I like Brownells and have Edge, they shade the time, don't process as fast as they should and consider printing a label as being in transit. All I ask is that vendors be up front about what they are doing. M admiration for Graf's increased a bit.

 

[LHSmith]

Larry Pothead hasn't had a problem keeping up with orders, or with shipping same day. I've spent several grand in the last month at Midwayusa...................nothing better. Not to mention they have had free shipping over $49 a few times the last month. I don't see anyone else offering free shipping, not to mention actually shipping within a few days of your order.

IMHO "Free Shipping " is a gimmick. I hate gimmicks. Shipping and handling is a cost of doing business, and Harry Potterfield is not going to absorb that cost, he re-coops that fee by charging higher prices throughout the product line. I care about final price delivered to my door .....with no worry if my intended purchase is being offered "free shipping" IF I jump through all the hoops and barriers that the seller requires. Graf and Sons is my #1 choice and has been for several years. I used to use Midway until I saw his gowdawful gunsmithing videos- the guy doesn't have a clue.

 

[sdean]

All this online shipping mess might make local retail look better.

 

[JayHHI6818]

IMHO "Free Shipping " is a gimmick. I hate gimmicks. Shipping and handling is a cost of doing business, and Harry Potterfield is not going to absorb that cost, he re-coops that fee by charging higher prices throughout the product line.

I placed an order at Midway the other night and free shipping on $49 orders is now on certain items. Found free ship code so I got free shipping

 

[457ciSBC]

I placed a Grafs order on 11/27, it was shipped the 9th and it arrived the 21st. Their stated shipping has been at least 7-10 business days since early summer and weeks ago extended to 10-14 business days. Then, next add the USPS delays on top of that and the arrival date will be even longer. I placed an order last night and chose UPS Ground as the carrier.

Order I placed on 12/23 arrived today. Hats off to them as it was within their promised window and shipped on 1/12, FedEx 2 day express.

 

[hoz53]

Ordered some Lapua brass that Graf's showed in stock. Paid with my CC. It's been two weeks and still their website shows not shipped yet. WTF Graf's? Hire some help.

ive got some back ordered stuff at midway to. at least a month-- it occured to me lately these companies sure have alot of our money laying in their bank accounts while we are waiting for our stuff. the companies dont pay for the stuff until after they receive it so there is millions of dollars out there they are making $ on -on the float.

 

[hoz53]

Larry Pothead hasn't had a problem keeping up with orders, or with shipping same day. I've spent several grand in the last month at Midwayusa...................nothing better. Not to mention they have had free shipping over $49 a few times the last month. I don't see anyone else offering free shipping, not to mention actually shipping within a few days of your order.

Midway has really upped their game in the last few years for sure. However Ive got stuff on backorder there, that was supposed to be in stock and there are other companies with free shipping and just as good a service so they arent necessarily better than everybody else either.