Sinclair international ?

[Frankr]

I almost hate to ask this as I do not wish to start a bashing incident that is not my intension. so don't do it.
I was wondering if any long time Sinclair international customers have noticed a HUGE drop in good quality customer service as I have since Brownell's took over ?

maybe it's just me. I have had a few unpleasant dealings with brownells . I personally am done dealing with either.
I would pay more money elsewhere just to not deal with them.AS this is a shame. I have dealt with Sinclair for over 15 years and have always had great service.That was the biggest reason I dealt with them great service and they had the kind of stuff I wanted. always had what I needed or wanted. My favorite place to buy,i even paid more for some things I knew I could get cheaper elsewhere but I like to try and make everything one order so I almost always ordered from Sinclair.

 

[digrazir]

I placed an order with Sinclair last week early on Monday. It arrived Tuesday about noon. I have not had any problems with them since they were bought out by Brownells. If any thing it's better because between the two of them they now have a much larger selection..saves on shipping. Ray

 

[Lucky6547]

I placed an order online last Thursday, selected the 3-7 business day shipping...still haven't recieved a shipment notice, so I called today...the woman said since I selected the economy shipping, that they don't ship those orders right away and now it's 5-10 business day shipping even though their website says 3-7...and that my order will be shipped within the next 48 hours...so their 24-48hr shipping promise is only if you pay for expedited shipping...probably won't use them anymore if I can find it somewhere else...

 

[Uthink Uknow]

It just isn't the same as calling Sinclair and asking for and speaking to guys I know and have shot with. Bill Gravatt, Geoff Esterline, Larry Castone, and Steve Theye were all good shooters and ambassadors for Sinclair and their products. As we would go to matches in St. Louis, Ohio, Michigan, and elsewhere they would bring whatever we ordered to the match with them. So we've lost that. I can't speak about the cost now as the cost of everything has gone up. Shipping went up with the price of fuel but guess what? It's still high with the cost of fuel down.

 

[chkunz]

I had concerns about this also but I can say that I have not noticed anything negative in my dealings with Sinclair since they have been bought out by Brownells. Some things were out of stock for a while like most places but seem to have returned to normal. I have been buying from them since they first went into business and appreciated the new and innovative products they have developed over the years.

 

[Shynloco]

In reading the OP's comments, I can't help but see this as nothing more than "human nature" playing out, sorta like foods you used to like (years ago) and now can't stomach. People develop a "taste" for doing business with certain firms, not only because of the products they sell, but because of the way they are treated by the seller. In short, buyer's become "accustomed" to a certain level of service and when they feel that service is no longer provided, they go elsewhere to buy whatever and then convince themselves they are happy for doing so, even if they pay more. We've all seen this play out over and over again, even with vendors on this site who get bad mouthed for one reason by one person, and then someone else comes along and sings the praises of the business in the products they sell and the way they were treated. Bottom line, gotta buy from places that make you happy all the way around. I myself, have been in that boat and used to buy from a few place that I wouldn't consider ever buying from again. And it wasn't so much their products, but because I didn't feel like I was a "valued customer" anymore. So much for my philosophical approach to buying. But I doubt those business I left and no longer buy from, would even bother to say ADIOS!

Alex

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I buy some things from Brownell's / Sinclair now and then but do not like to use them if I can get it some place else. The Brownell website doesn't have much detailed info on individual products like some others do and the way they arrange their electronic merchandise just takes longer to scan for what I am looking for. They both confirm an order and then a day or so later I get a "sorry, one of the products you ordered is out of stock / backordered". This shouldn't happen in this day and age but it happens all too frequently with Brownell's and Sinclair. I don't buy from Midway unless I absolutely have to because they are the slowest shippers on the planet and they keep using something called UPS Innovations which means that UPS ships it to your town in one or two days and then it is turned over to USPS and it sits for days before they deliver it. No more Midway for me. I try to order as much as I can from sites like Bullets.com and Cabela's because they tell you what is happening and you almost always get your order before the estimated date. So I am like some others here I guess. I buy from places with good customer service and fast shipping even if the price is a little higher. Heck, if I didn't need it tomorrow I would have waited longer to order it

 

[swehrman]

I placed an order online last Thursday, selected the 3-7 business day shipping...still haven't recieved a shipment notice, so I called today...the woman said since I selected the economy shipping, that they don't ship those orders right away and now it's 5-10 business day shipping even though their website says 3-7...and that my order will be shipped within the next 48 hours...so their 24-48hr shipping promise is only if you pay for expedited shipping...probably won't use them anymore if I can find it somewhere else...

When I placed an order with Brownells last night the following banner was on their web page as I checked out,

"Due to increased order demand and a move to our new warehouse, we are not able to guarantee our usual same-day shipping."

-- Scott

 

[butchlambert]

I don't buy a lot and don't get in a hurry. Brownell and Sinclair technical support is great. I wouldn't order from Midway if it were given to me.

 

[Comrade Terry]

I've got two Sinclair orders coming. The first was delivered (by UPS) to the local USPS at 12:15 AM last Saturday. It's still not out for delivery this (the following Tuesday) morning.

The second order was placed and confirmed last Wednesday afternoon. It still has not shipped.

I'm done with them.

 

[butchlambert]

I've got two Sinclair orders coming. The first was delivered (by UPS) to the local USPS at 12:15 AM last Saturday. It's still not out for delivery this (the following Tuesday) morning.

The second order was placed and confirmed last Wednesday afternoon. It still has not shipped.

I'm done with them.

Looks like to me that you need to quit UPS.

 

[LHSmith]

I don't buy a lot and don't get in a hurry. Brownell and Sinclair technical support is great. I wouldn't order from Midway if it were given to me.

My feelings also.
It's a shame that a few don't want to support a business that carries so many unique shooting sports products catering to those obsessed by Accurate shooting.
Don't count on Midway to fill in the void for these products unless you believe Caldwell, and other Battenfield Products possess sufficient quality to allow you to achieve your accuracy goals.
By supporting Sinclair, you also are supporting this website.... Midway...they contribute nothing.

 

[jimcasey01]

I don't buy a lot and don't get in a hurry. Brownell and Sinclair technical support is great. I wouldn't order from Midway if it were given to me.

My feelings also.
It's a shame that a few don't want to support a business that carries so many unique shooting sports products catering to those obsessed by Accurate shooting.
Don't count on Midway to fill in the void for these products unless you believe Caldwell, and other Battenfield Products possess sufficient quality to allow you to achieve your accuracy goals.
By supporting Sinclair, you also are supporting this website.... Midway...they contribute nothing.

I agree. I placed an order Friday afternoon, is scheduled for UPS delivery Wednesday(according to UPS website). Standard delivery Iowa to Florida. I have no complaints, only praise. Can not say the same for other vendors.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I'll just add this:

Most items offered from Sinclair are made in the USA. Virtually everything from Midway labeled "Caldwell" is made in China.

I must be fortunate, in that I've never had a bad experience with Sinclair, but in truth, I have not ordered anything for over a year.

 

[gaboon]

I don't know why these businesses wont start using or offer an option to ship by USPS flat rate shipping.

 

[joejo]

I don't know why these businesses wont start using or offer an option to ship by USPS flat rate shipping.

+1 million


you can stuff a lot of shooting tools in a flat rate box and ship anywhere for 6 bucks. I was going to order a die blank and a shell holder from another online shop, but they want 17 bucks to ship! really? it would cost no more the 3.50 for a padded envelope. and 6 for a small flat rate box.

 

[butchlambert]

I don't know why these businesses wont start using or offer an option to ship by USPS flat rate shipping.

+1 million


you can stuff a lot of shooting tools in a flat rate box and ship anywhere for 6 bucks. I was going to order a die blank and a shell holder from another online shop, but they want 17 bucks to ship! really? it would cost no more the 3.50 for a padded envelope. and 6 for a small flat rate box.

Some of the larger companies have folks that pick up from their place of business. My merchandise will not fit in a flat rate box. I buy boxes and bubble wrap. My Post Office of choice is either 15 miles each way or 26 miles one way. I do have to buy petrol. I do use padded envelopes to ship the Farley tension screws, but I tape them together first, put them in a small baggy, and then a padded envelope. The actual postage is about $1.80. I do have to pay for the tape, baggy, padded envelope, postage, and petrol. If you have purchased from me, you know that I do so immediately. If I have one small padded envelope, I take it to the post office and don't wait for extra orders.
Jojo, you are a little off on your pricing. Shipping people draw salaries and benefits also.

 

[gaboon]

I don't know why these businesses wont start using or offer an option to ship by USPS flat rate shipping.

+1 million


you can stuff a lot of shooting tools in a flat rate box and ship anywhere for 6 bucks. I was going to order a die blank and a shell holder from another online shop, but they want 17 bucks to ship! really? it would cost no more the 3.50 for a padded envelope. and 6 for a small flat rate box.

Some of the larger companies have folks that pick up from their place of business. My merchandise will not fit in a flat rate box. I buy boxes and bubble wrap. My Post Office of choice is either 15 miles each way or 26 miles one way. I do have to buy petrol. I do use padded envelopes to ship the Farley tension screws, but I tape them together first, put them in a small baggy, and then a padded envelope. The actual postage is about $1.80. I do have to pay for the tape, baggy, padded envelope, postage, and petrol. If you have purchased from me, you know that I do so immediately. If I have one small padded envelope, I take it to the post office and don't wait for extra orders.
Jojo, you are a little off on your pricing. Shipping people draw salaries and benefits also.

Nevermind..

 

[butchlambert]

gaboon,
Not speaking of myself, but the larger companies have shipping depts. and have to take care of their employees.

 

[dogdude]

If you want to post about shipping, called Wilson tool and order a seating stem $22 plus $18 to ship!! UPS is the only way they ship