Swfa

[MachAF]

Is SWFA the new Botactical (back-order tactical)?

I placed two ordered recently. Never heard a peep from them. I log back into my account and see both items are back-ordered. Why not have a in-stock indicator and some communication thats the ordered was back-ordered? At least botach had the courtesy to send an email stating something is back-ordered.

Guess I'll spend my money else where from now on.

**Rant over**

 

[Paladin4Christ]

Thats funny. The two times I have tried to order from SWFA, this exact thing has happened.

The first time I purchased the scope and waited for two days for the ship notice. I then went into my account and it was back ordered. I called and they couldn't even give me an estimate as to when they would have the item.

The second time, I called to check inventory. They said it was in stock, so I placed the order. I checked the next day and it was on back order. I called back and the CS person said that it must have sold out in the 15 seconds it took for me to complete the transaction.

Haven't ordered from them since.

 

[DuneBoer]

They tried to charge me 34 bucks shipping on a 28 dollar flash light. I pitched a fit and they made it right though.

 

[roggom]

If you buy enough from various vendors you really have to call ahead and ask if any item is in stock. Sure we can have an idealistic view of how the online experience is supposed to be, but sometimes it doesn't go as smooth. I have ordered four times from SWFA and have always had them come through.

Optics Planet went through some growing pains, but feedback to the company and on this forum and they did up their game with real time inventory updates.

 

[seanh]

There isn't a single company out there that is run the way customers think it should be run. Sooner or later, there will be a certain percentage of pissed off customers that insist on doing things their way. Never cater to those few minimal paying customers as you'll be fighting a losing battle.

 

[aur0ra145]

SWFA has always treated me well. Great company from my experiences.

 

[700sendero]

If I were orderin [email protected] service is top notch

 

[E. Bryant]

I'm not in retail, I have little knowledge of back-office systems, and so maybe I'm missing something... but it's a complete mystery to me why a company the size of SWFA cannot figure out a real-time inventory system. At the very least, provide a response (automated or otherwise) within a reasonable amount of time (say, 24 hours) if something is backordered.

 

[stinkyDrunk]

SWFA has always treated me well. Great company from my experiences.

+1

As an IT guy, I have some sympathy for vendors who attempt to run a real-time inventory tracking system across thousands of different products, especially larger vendors. Between multiple sales weenies, web store, return processing, and stocking new inventory, it's got to be difficult as all hell to keep that "number in stock" accurate.

 

[Cobracutter]

There is no reason whatsoever to order from SWFA, unless you need a NEW SS.

Triad, Liberty, Euro, Sport optics all carry the same gear, usually a better price (if you call) and support this board and the community.

 

[Cobracutter]

+1

As an IT guy, I have some sympathy for vendors who attempt to run a real-time inventory tracking system across thousands of different products, especially larger vendors. Between multiple sales weenies, web store, return processing, and stocking new inventory, it's got to be difficult as all hell to keep that "number in stock" accurate.

As long as the backend and database are good, its very easy. Everything that comes in gets scanned or has a inventory sticker affixed. Everytime a order takes place, a debit is made to the inventory in the system and when it shipps out, it is scanned again to confirm the inventory. Not only would this help with lost items/missing, it would make doing audits that much easier. It would also give them the ability to use real time invetory, making for happy customers and much less time putting out CS fires and dealing with people(who just like 90% of the population, are dumb as dog shit).

 

[Paladin4Christ]

If I were orderin [email protected] service is top notch

+1

He was awesome in both of my transactions - the ones I mentioned above where SWFA couldn't get their ducks in a row. He is my go to for glass.

 

[savages]

I have a TRS-25 on back order for 3+ weeks now with them.
I cancelled another order for scope rings and a base because they had an indefinite back order on those also.

Scott and Liberty Optics got my business for a PST and rings. I still have a wait time because supply and demand is insane still, but he has kept me informed.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

I agree with everything being said about Scott at Liberty Optics. Great communication and customer service. I am glad I listened to the hide and picked up my PST and rings there first.

 

[den42]

Just my 2 cents, I have ordered scopes from swfa and everything went smooth, have had no problem from them.

 

[ORD]

I have never had a single hiccup from SWFA in the 10+ years I have been doing business with them, but as a rule, I don't order from them until I have a response e-mail saying that the item I want/need is in stock and ready to roll. Now, I can't explain how some people do just that, place orders and then find out the product was not, in fact, available when they ordered, but shit happens sometimes and nobody is infallible (nor is any real-time inventory system so don't just go off assuming that's a fix-all in situations like these).

By way of example, just last week I checked in about Seekins iRMT-3 upper receivers. As most know, these have been difficult to come by and finding them for sale for non-gouging prices (like $400 or considerably more on GB) has been a chore. E-mailed them last week...in <5 minutes I heard back from Kody that 6 units were in stock and ready to roll. Placed an order about 10 minutes later and three business days after that (from TX to WV no less), I had my upper in hand for the usual retail price of $284 + $12 S/H/I.

While I understand the frustration on backorders and the annoyance of not having real-time inventory on their online store, all it takes is 2 minutes of your time to send an e-mail to inquire about availability and you will avoid these issues in their entirety in my experience. SWFA has always done right by me in the past, has always been more than willing to address any questions, concerns or complaints I've had in a more than timely and appropriate manner, and they'll continue to receive my business from time to time as they have things I want/need for reasonable prices.

As for other Hide optics vendors, including Scott at LO, Doug and the guys at CameralandNY, Alex at EuroOptic, and a few others doing business here on the Hide...they are all GTG as well based on my dealings with them and I'm sure that they'll welcome business from folks who chose to shop with them instead of others.

 

[JB02]

it's a complete mystery to me why a company the size of SWFA cannot figure out a real-time inventory system.

lack of incentive. companies invest in their infrastructure (yes IT is infrastructure) if it will improve their reputation or bottom line (a better reputation almost always translates to a better bottom line). the only way to force this is for customers to voice their displeasure and take their business elsewhere. i think opticsplanet got the message by developing real time inventory tools on their website. i have noticed that the companies with the best quality and most favorable attention by members on this forum pay particular attention to these details. that said, it's overly optimistic to expect 5 star level service at 3 or 2 star level prices

 

[KillShot]

I use Sport Optics when I'm buying new glass. Jay and Chris have always had what I wanted in stock, including the new ATACR that I'll be taking delivery on tomorrow.

 

[wdebo]

I second sport optics. Jay and Chris have always treated me well.
I also ordered from SWFA some in stock items and weeks later I call to see why they had not arrived. They stated they had no idea when more was coming in. So I cancelled my order and Sport Optics had the same product at my doorstep in 3 days.

 

[RGraff]

I'm kind of a dinosaur anyway so I don't mind picking up the phone and calling. After a couple calls and a couple weeks of waiting on SWFA's inventory I finally got to place my order, with a human, and all went well. I like the accountability of talking with someone in person and they can offer alternatives if what I want is not readily available.

I like the idea of real time inventory online too, but I don't mind calling either.