Is it just my luck or has Brownells got really lax about prompt shipping after you order. I’ve experienced this more often than not in the past 2 years. They blame it on order volume but something should have changed by now
Gunsmithing Brownells disappointing service after placing order
- Thread starter Average guy
- Start date
Mine have always shipped within a few days. I have Edge free shipping, don't know if thats making any difference...
My orders from every other retailer ship next day. Brownells is 4 days to over a week. Seems like they are falling behind
I avoid brownells for the same reason. Their shipping has been horrible for as long as I can remember. I dont get along with their website very well either, just kindof a mess. I couldn't find a particular bullet once, got on their backorder, they shipped them eventually and I noticed they were 50% more than most other vendors. They could not have cared less when I contacted them about it.
I’ve had the same experience lately. They seem to be too worried about being big shots and not tending to business
No problem here. I've ordered thousands of dollars of stuff from them using their regular shipping service.
I keep hearing about delayed shipping but I have never experienced it myself. I am usually ordering about 5-6 times a year.
The only time I've experienced lag is when I use a free shipping option. I can't fault them for shipping it as cheap as possible.
I've been buying from Brownells since long before they were on the internet. Their shipping has gotten real slow in the last couple of years but I blame it on the free shipping that seems to have become the norm. The slow double handling that comes with UPS/Fedex mail innovations is bad enough but they routinely take at least two days to get it out the door. But I guess that's part of what I'm agreeing to by using the free shipping option. Also had the Edge program for a couple of years but dropped it when they started the constant coupons. Believe Edge now includes free 2-day shipping and it might almost be worth it if I was ordering as much as in the past. And as long as I'm bitching, the discounts are pretty much eaten up by state tax these days.
I feel the same. I’m just disappointed in how long it takes them to process an order
I have had pretty good experiences with Brownells Customer Service. They usually ship the following day after I place my order; worst case 2 days.
I bought an item from them when they were running a promotion. They charged me full price, I called, the refunded the difference, no issues.
I bought an item from them when they were running a promotion. They charged me full price, I called, the refunded the difference, no issues.
ive been ordering for brownells for the last 15yrs and have never had a problem other than 1x recently but i dont really care because they have always been fast and on top of things...i also have the edge account and its worth every penny to get small parts next day or 2day free.
all that said they are like every other company in the country right now....way to much work and not enough ppl to get ity done.
all that said they are like every other company in the country right now....way to much work and not enough ppl to get ity done.
I have experienced the slow shipping, but otherwise happy. They used to do a killer deal...free shipping and .01 hazmat fee, but haven't seen that in a while
Have had the same experience lately. Wait a few days, contacted them, no response, contacted again, got what amounts to “we are busy, deal with it”, I’m done with them. Probably should be buying more local and from smaller businesses anyway. I like a deal, but don’t mind paying a couple bucks extra to help out those that help back...
I don’t shop them that often and I won't stop using them but I went back to check my last order and it took 3 days to send the order ( Sinclair mandrel) and I paid economy shipping. It took a total of 9 days from order to delivery???? What the hell is up with economy shipping? Do they pass it back and forth to hitchhikers? ?
They are a good source with a wide variety but my experience with them is that their shipping has always been slow. And for heavens sake, don't wait on their backorders!
Also a multi decade customer. I too have noticed slow shipping. I have a small order in now for tempilaq and a box of bullets. Both in stock. I ordered Tuesday mid day. It has yet to ship. Glad I'm not in a hurry.
Midwayusa on the other hand either has a tracking number that day or the next morning latest.
Midwayusa on the other hand either has a tracking number that day or the next morning latest.
I avoid UPS Mail Innovations and FedEx Smart Post or whatever it’s called like the plague. Stuff takes forever to get since the package gets handed off to the USPS.
Brownells became my last resort after a somewhat heated discussion regarding a long delay in shipping one of my orders. The lady finally explained that the "free shipping" orders get placed behind rush orders (overnight, 2nd day) that came in after mine because those folks were paying extra. Notice I said that these orders were placed AFTER mine. I was also told that in some cases the free shipping orders were slipped back more than once, maybe three times thus I would guess the 4-5 day lag in shipping.
Brownells shipping selection now has these choices:
Flat rate, 2nd day, screw Average guy, 1 day air, .....
Flat rate, 2nd day, screw Average guy, 1 day air, .....
spent literally thousands there the past few years. outside of the "bubble" times, i always get it shipping w/in 24 hours. Not sure where you're located that causing the issue, but between coupon codes, shipping time, and the return policy (which i also take advantage of quite a bit), I dont see how someone like Midway, CTD, etc compare
fyi, add a small, cheap box of .22 ammo to your order and you avoid the USPS.
(shhhhhhhh. You can also change the free shipping from the default 5-7 or 7-10 to the preferred 3-5 option usually. I imagine the complainers just didnt take the time to look at what they had selected, which, of course, is the cheapest option to the shipper when they offer it for free)
I stopped using them when they started charging tax. Would much rather pay 5% more to people I know and am friends with locally haha but it is tempting sometimes like sales on geissele triggers and things
To be clear, they didn't start charging tax on a whim, the SCOTUS ruled that they are now required to charge tax.
Love Brownells. I first check the SH Post Exchange, If I can't find an item on here, 13 hours later after getting completely caught up on Maggies Drawers threads, I then check Brownells.
Best selection of products in the US and their mil/Le discount (I think) is based on the manufacturer, I.E. their actual cost. Example: I got a set up flip up AR sights for 35% off. And when they do clearance, they do clearance. Double gun rifle case for $30 that was originally marked $150.
Best selection of products in the US and their mil/Le discount (I think) is based on the manufacturer, I.E. their actual cost. Example: I got a set up flip up AR sights for 35% off. And when they do clearance, they do clearance. Double gun rifle case for $30 that was originally marked $150.
It's all about expectations...
Amazon has changed that for many, but I keep it all in perspective.
We're so used to having shit in our hands in one or two days, it's become the "expectation" for many.
I get that stuff breaks, and there's always something unexpected, but for me- it's really a matter of being better organized in the shop and not waiting until the last minute to order. Their "economy" shipping is pretty much bullshit- taking a week to get from date shipped, which is why I went to Edge. Like Amazon, I buy enough from them to justify the cost and faster 2-day shipping.
Amazon has changed that for many, but I keep it all in perspective.
We're so used to having shit in our hands in one or two days, it's become the "expectation" for many.
I get that stuff breaks, and there's always something unexpected, but for me- it's really a matter of being better organized in the shop and not waiting until the last minute to order. Their "economy" shipping is pretty much bullshit- taking a week to get from date shipped, which is why I went to Edge. Like Amazon, I buy enough from them to justify the cost and faster 2-day shipping.
For those of you not doing their Edge program, you probably should. Free 2 days shipping(what they call it), usually ships in a day or two, which turns into three or 4 days to my door. I live in a rural area as well. I place two orders a week generally, which means Ive paid for the Edge by the second or third week. It’s nice to be able to order one chicken shit spring or pin and not pay shipping for it.
I’m not super enamored with the website, and the prices have been escalating some. Lots of options though. Do write them a nastygram and let them know what’s pissing you off. Nothing will change if you don’t.
Edit: My most recent order was placed 6 am yesterday morning, shipped today at 10 am, arrives Monday.
I’m not super enamored with the website, and the prices have been escalating some. Lots of options though. Do write them a nastygram and let them know what’s pissing you off. Nothing will change if you don’t.
Edit: My most recent order was placed 6 am yesterday morning, shipped today at 10 am, arrives Monday.
Last edited:
Tested the water today and placed an order for a BCG around 0900 hrs and used the free shipping code and picked the quickest free method. Checked my order status tonight and it shows shipped. In good fashion I’ll prob get the tracking number late tonight early morning.
Glad to see some people are being taken care of. For now I’m going elsewhere for most things. It’s just happened like 5 times in a row. When I emailed my issue I never even received a response.
I think we are getting a bit spoiled. Unless you pay for expedited shipping or they quote you a ship date, ~1 week or less to get something shipped isn’t that big a deal.
We want made in America, shipped next day, and to be able to talk to a human when we call........and we want it as cheap as possible.
We want made in America, shipped next day, and to be able to talk to a human when we call........and we want it as cheap as possible.
I paid for expedited shipping. Just a 4 day wait for them to get it in the mail. I’ve waited up to 10 days. I basically wasted the money on shipping because they fucked around getting the order out.
You likely paid for faster shipping time, not expedited shipping. Two different things.
If you paid for actual expedited shipping, did you ask for a refund on this service?
I.E. when you pay for “3day shipping” you are NOT paying to have it there in 3 days from the time you order it. You are paying for 3 guaranteed 3 days from the time it ships.
I order from Brownells multiple times a month. I am an edge member and for me it pays off to do so. Free 2 day shipping and my orders sometimes arrive before I get the chance to call them to cancel because someone changed their mind about a part of component they wanted... no issues here.
If you don’t like the service they are not the only game in town.
If you don’t like the service they are not the only game in town.
I only use Brownells if I can't find it elsewhere, or if it's a Sinclair product, since they are the sole distributors. Their shipping is slow, and unless you have an account with them, you are paying full retail. The account gets the price of some(not all) items down to where you could buy it somewhere else. Just everyone else ships same or next day.
Pretty sad we have to pay for what other companies provide for free. Either way I believe they need to step their game up a notch. In a couple years they have gone from my go to supplier to usually the last place I look
I avoid USPS at all costs. I ordered from Midway several years ago and had an expensive order that got lost. I checked into it after about a week and they said I couldn't do anything about it until a certain amount of time. So that time went by and I checked into it and they said last place it was, was the facility by st Louis. It took around 17 days to travel what would have took 2 1/2 hours to drive and pick up.
My most recent experience was when a friend shipped me a small package from Texas. It got almost to my house then it turned around and went back to the sender for no apparent reason. That took two weeks before it showed up in his mailbox. Not bad for priority mail.
Similar threads
