Fact is 6xcKY, they advertised this stock as their "own" part, "AR Stoner" which I knew was a contract as they don't manufacture shit. But it was an A2 stock advertised as milspec and I've known other AR Stoner parts to come from reputable makers before. I expected a stock similar to what I got issued in Ft. Benning. Not polystyrene with all plastic parts. Even the damn sling stud was plastic! They then proceeded to argue with me about it and sent the same shit back, twice, insisting it was correct. They've lied to me too, most notably saying they went "personally" to the warehouse and checked it. Which is apparently impossible, and that person was supposed to be fired for telling me that? That's the action that's supposed to make me feel better about them/the situation? Whatever.
And Arfcom. You seem to know much more about what's going on over there than I do so I'll leave it at that. From what I understand, it's not hard to be an expert around there. But thanks for demeaning my knowledge carte blanche without any meeting or elaboration regarding the incidents nonetheless.
Buy American... Why not when you can? And from small, reputable makers and dealers at that! If the product contains parts made or is made overseas altogether, at least buy from a reputable US company with good CS that won't send (x) packed like a child did it and give you shit over it being wrong or broken later. And yeah, if I can find it down the street at any of the places that know me by name and will order shit explicitly for me or save it when it comes in, then I do so. You would too if you knew what was good for you. I've never had Rainier Arms, The Marksman or any local place in which I have a rapport give me shit, and I've never had a small operation give me shit either except in rare instances (AAC). But I've heard my fair share of corporations give the company "go away, we accept no responsibility" line. Always saying sir, always in that nice tone, but never able to rectify shit. I get PR, not CS.
Look. I had a lot of good experiences with Midway too. Then, in a nutshell, a couple years ago shit went South and they never recovered. I don't know if it was a change, if they stopped caring, if they outgrew their operation, got too greedy, or if it's just that they treat all customers that way who spend more than $10 per day with them. But fact is, they did go to shit and I wasn't able to get ONE order right out of three in a row, on top of other more random fuckups. Once they became predictable at it, I did what logical persons do:
I changed course of action. It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and expecting different results. Well, that's my sole reasoning for dropping them. I'd be fucking insane to put myself through that again, knowing what will likely happen, when I can order elsewhere.
I went through the "I'll bite the bullet, Midway has it and I'll give it a try hoping against odds they'll pull it off" phase, but it was always the same. So no, I don't go there at all, ever, period. I need powder. Bad. But I don't even check them. I don't care. Not worth the hassle if they get it wrong. They've made it painfully clear that my business isn't important to them, while others have strove to do the opposite.
Thousands spent...multiple problems back to back...full time hassle on the phone...ran through the wringer...months back and forth, still couldn't get it right...no trust on their behalf AT ALL...pinning blame on customer...
And after all that, even when ASKED, no gift card, no discount, no free shipping, no nothing! No consolation! Nothing to make up for it, to show customer appreciation, to say sorry, nothing, so yeah, I got the point. My business isn't needed there.
So there, take it for what it's worth. That's my experience. It's like a dope book: if you order one or two orders, not enough data. They likely got it right and you were happy. Order enough and long enough to compile data and spot trends and that's a different story. That's all I'm saying. Good luck with whoever you go through and have a good holiday!