Whats up with Midwayusa

[aarolar]

Seems every time I get on there to order something its all out of stock. What gives with that lately? Im not just talking reloading supplies but gunsmithing tools and gun parts as well.

[6bg6ga]

Its probably JIT "Just In Time" ordering. When you order they order and thus they don't have to pay for a part sitting on their shelves that they will have to pay tax on. Anymore its a common practice.

[oldred]

Careful I got flamed pretty heavily some time back for asking the exact same thing, but you are right. I would expect to see odd and/or slow moving items to be kept short stocked with a long lead time to replacement but even common items are so often out of stock I just found it nearly impossible to complete an order without having it shipped (at my extra expense) in multiple shipments.

Woe be on to those who would complain about his highness Larry but it got me to shopping around and I find that there are several places who can supply my needs without nearly the frustration of trying to order from Midway. The real deal breaker was when I posted a negative product review, the product was in a tiny bottle of inletting black that was only half full (less than 1/2 of the one ounce claimed) and I pointed that out. I was polite and pointed out the other attributes and plainly said it was a good product but the small 1 oz bottle was only half full, one other person had pointed out the same thing but rated it three "stars" anyway. I gave it a one star rating due to the tiny amount (basically 1/2 oz of lamp black mixed in a heavy mineral oil but I didn't say anything like that) but otherwise gave it a good review, they posted this review after the verification period along with one other new review of three "stars". About a month later I was looking for some other items and I noticed the high rating on the inletting black so I checked it out, my review had been removed along with the others that were not overly impressed! There was nothing left but glowing reviews that indicated everyone loved this stuff and any trace of complaints about the tiny amount had been deleted even the three star ratings! This ticked me off to no end and I immediately complained about it, I got a reply the same day explaining that they don't do such a thing as that and they would check into it to find out what happened. A few days later I got an Email explaining that I must have been mistaken that they could find no record of my ever posting a review but that's pure 100% USDA certified BS because I saw it posted right there on the web site! They DO doctor those reviews, at least they certainly did that one because now it shows nothing but glowing satisfaction with all 5 "star" reviews except for one and it's 4 "stars" but curiously enough while just now checking the reviews I see this rave product has been discontinued.

[Screwbolts]

Seems every time I get on there to order something its all out of stock. What gives with that lately? Im not just talking reloading supplies but gunsmithing tools and gun parts as well.

As someone that helps run a small business, I can say first hand that the world economy is Greatly Stressed.

THE LANGUAGE I WOULD LIKE TO USE TO DESCIBE THE WORLD ECONOMY WOULD GET BE BANNED.

IMHO, unless someone has their head buried in sand, it should be very self evident why companies are keeping minimum stock on hand.

Ken

[Handloader109]

At least they have an active stock system. You can tell hen they have an item in stock. One Major supplier does NOT, you order and then get an out of stock email a week later.......But I'm not complaining, just stating differences.

[nekshot]

I hear you loud and clear! It is mind blowing the volume of gun stuff now moving thanks to the dude in the big house. One thing thing about ole grinning Larry they have a exellent backorder policy and they do come thru when the goods come in. I waited 7 months for some Savage bolt head parts but finally they came

[lefty o]

just one of the multiple reasons i rarely use midway anymore.

[gpidaho]

I buy from Midway but have found Mid-South to be a couple bucks cheaper on most items and Brownell's pays the shipping on back-orders if products can't be shipped when ordered. GP

[MBTcustom]

Careful I got flamed pretty heavily some time back for asking the exact same thing, but you are right. I would expect to see odd and/or slow moving items to be kept short stocked with a long lead time to replacement but even common items are so often out of stock I just found it nearly impossible to complete an order without having it shipped (at my extra expense) in multiple shipments.

Woe be on to those who would complain about his highness Larry but it got me to shopping around and I find that there are several places who can supply my needs without nearly the frustration of trying to order from Midway. The real deal breaker was when I posted a negative product review, the product was in a tiny bottle of inletting black that was only half full (less than 1/2 of the one ounce claimed) and I pointed that out. I was polite and pointed out the other attributes and plainly said it was a good product but the small 1 oz bottle was only half full, one other person had pointed out the same thing but rated it three "stars" anyway. I gave it a one star rating due to the tiny amount (basically 1/2 oz of lamp black mixed in a heavy mineral oil but I didn't say anything like that) but otherwise gave it a good review, they posted this review after the verification period along with one other new review of three "stars". About a month later I was looking for some other items and I noticed the high rating on the inletting black so I checked it out, my review had been removed along with the others that were not overly impressed! There was nothing left but glowing reviews that indicated everyone loved this stuff and any trace of complaints about the tiny amount had been deleted even the three star ratings! This ticked me off to no end and I immediately complained about it, I got a reply the same day explaining that they don't do such a thing as that and they would check into it to find out what happened. A few days later I got an Email explaining that I must have been mistaken that they could find no record of my ever posting a review but that's pure 100% USDA certified BS because I saw it posted right there on the web site! They DO doctor those reviews, at least they certainly did that one because now it shows nothing but glowing satisfaction with all 5 "star" reviews except for one and it's 4 "stars" but curiously enough while just now checking the reviews I see this rave product has been discontinued.

Actually Red, it was me that "flamed you pretty heavily" because you chose to make your opinion known in a thread that a guy had started, praising MidwayUSA for doing him a favor on his birthday, and that just rubbed me wrong.
First of all, Midway's propensity for showing me pictures of things they will not sell me hacks me off just as much as anyone else, and I have written them about it.
Second, at the time I didn't know you from Adam, and if I had, I wouldn't have gotten up in your grill so heavily, and I apologize for any disrespect.

I still like doing business with MidwayUSA when they make it possible to do so, but I'm not too tore up about it one way or the other.
At the end of the day, when I need something, I'm going to get it one way or the other, and sometimes Midway has cast their net in my part of the river, and when they do, I patronize them. If they don't, then I give the benefit of my business to someone smart enough to help me.
No big deal.
I too miss the days when MidwayUSA was my one stop shop for Gunsmithing, reloading, and casting, but I'm afraid those days are over. At least till somebody else steps up with the fire in the belly to service the shooting community so broadly.

[texassako]

I still like doing business with MidwayUSA when they make it possible to do so, but I'm not too tore up about it one way or the other.
At the end of the day, when I need something, I'm going to get it one way or the other, and sometimes Midway has cast their net in my part of the river, and when they do, I patronize them. If they don't, then I give the benefit of my business to someone smart enough to help me.
No big deal.
I too miss the days when MidwayUSA was my one stop shop for Gunsmithing, reloading, and casting, but I'm afraid those days are over. At least till somebody else steps up with the fire in the belly to service the shooting community so broadly.

I like this description of how it is these days. It has been a long time since I could save a bit of shipping by finding everything in one spot, whether at Midway or any of the other online stores.

[rbertalotto]

Yup....I've tried to order at least two dozen times over the past couple years and more than 50% of the stuff I want is out of stock. The shipping gets way too expensive if I just order half the stuff. I want to buy from Midway, because I think the Potterfields are the real deal and really support the game, but I can't if they don't have what I want. What amazes me is Amazon usually has what I need! And as a Prime customer I get everything in two days with no shipping charge. Can't be beat!

Brownells has a new "Prime" customer deal where if you join and pay something like $49 a year, shipping will be free or greatly reduced. But I don't see any info on this on their web site.

[oldred]

I think I got ticked off over that review deletion more than anything else, and then they tried to tell me I hadn't even posted a review after I saw it right there on their site! To ad insult to injury mine was apparently not the only one that was eliminated but somehow all the glowing reviews of that particular product missed the delete button, maybe my timing was off on that post but doing what Midway did with that review is a rotten way to do someone. If they had of looked at the review and decided it was out of line and had never posted it in the first place I probably wouldn't have thought much of it but they posted the darn thing days after it was submitted so obviously it was approved but THEN removed a couple of weeks later!

[Rick Hodges]

I won't deal with Midway, period. I had a couple of dealings with them and consider their business practices deceptive and predatory, even if legal. Smiling Larry can service anyone who wishes to be bent over...fool me once shame on you....fool me twice???? Nope! I am done.

[MBTcustom]

Rick, if I had that perspective I would just get my stuff elsewhere.

Red Personally, I haven't had the experience of having my reviews of products edited or deleted of course, I can't remember a time I felt so poorly about a product that I would give it a bad review. Also, if I had given something a bad review, I would fully expect and appreciate them deleting my review in the event that my complaint was dealt with in a satisfactory manner. In the case of your layout black for instance, if Midway went to the trouble to investigate, forwarded my complaint to the vendor, and received a satisfactory appology along with replacement product, would you want your bad review to stand? I want a satisfactory product, but I would never want to permanently damage a vendors reputation because they made a mistake and sent a run of bottles out under filled.
Now it would give me all kinds of warm fuzzies if Midway sent me another half full bottle of product with a letter of apology before deleting my review, but that's realistically not likely to happen.
Maybe I'm too nice though. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

[freebullet]

Don't sound like they made it right.

I don't buy much from them anymore. Lackluster stock, prices, and sometimes even products. When it's right I will still order from them, it just happens less and less anymore. The clearance section is still worth a look from time to time.

[Bad Water Bill]

Is Larry still running the show or have others taken over and put Larry in a retirement rocker?

His new shipping program has my stiff passing my house on day 3 and finally arriving on day 5-6 .

Also keep in mind that he sold off most of the folks that make many of the items he offers for sale.

[500MAG]

I pretty much give all my business to Natchez. If they are out of stock I put my info in to notify me when it comes in. I get the email hit the link and order. I'll normally hold off on some other things to throw in to help wash out the s&h charges. I've been pretty happy with them.

[Col4570]

I see that Midway UK business has been taken over by Brownells and has a new Web Site.

[Steve77]

I order a lot online and am aggravated when they let me complete my order before letting me know something is backordered. Optics Planet has done this to me several times too.

[oldred]

Rick, if I had that perspective I would just get my stuff elsewhere.

Red Personally, I haven't had the experience of having my reviews of products edited or deleted of course, I can't remember a time I felt so poorly about a product that I would give it a bad review. Also, if I had given something a bad review, I would fully expect and appreciate them deleting my review in the event that my complaint was dealt with in a satisfactory manner. In the case of your layout black for instance, if Midway went to the trouble to investigate, forwarded my complaint to the vendor, and received a satisfactory appology along with replacement product, would you want your bad review to stand? I want a satisfactory product, but I would never want to permanently damage a vendors reputation because they made a mistake and sent a run of bottles out under filled.
Now it would give me all kinds of warm fuzzies if Midway sent me another half full bottle of product with a letter of apology before deleting my review, but that's realistically not likely to happen.
Maybe I'm too nice though. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

They simply denied my ever having posted a review. This review was favorable as far as the product itself and I was polite and to the point, I then stated that I could only give it one "star" due to the tiny amount of product in the half filled jar and this jar was only a tiny 1 oz jar to begin with. The size was clearly stated and I felt that $13 for such a small amount was acceptable but then I find this tiny jar to be half filled, I was not really upset over such a trivial thing although I felt it to be a bit dishonest because there simply is no way that stuff is expensive to produce and you have to admit $13 for a thimble full of the product is being kind of stingy! So when I rated the stuff there was another review who also was miffed a bit at the half empty jar so I wanted to make sure anyone who reads the reviews would be aware that they can expect very little product for the money, although abiding by the rules I did not talk about money only the amount of the product received. I didn't get upset over the product itself, I got upset when my review and the other one letting people know about the short filled jars got deleted and then they denied I even submitted the review! They DO doctor those reviews and that's what I got upset over not the small amount of an otherwise good product, the bottom line is that most people who saw that (and the other) review probably would not spend the $13 for such a small amount and who can blame them? Instead of Midway addressing the problem they tried to hide the information and then denied I even submitted it when they got called out on it! Now mysteriously this product has been discontinued even with rave reviews, could it be there were a lot of complaints of half empty bottles? If they did this with such an insignificant instance as this one what else would they hide? For this trivial amount of money it's not really important but what about someone buying expensive optics or electronics for instance? That's what had me ticked off not the fact I paid $13 for a thimble full of inletting black!

[RogerDat]

I have to say they do have a great website for scoping out a general price or for comparing same product such as die locking nuts from several manufactures. If I want to know the features and relative price (not best price) between say RCBS, Hornady, and Lee for a specific item MidwayUSA is one of the easier sites to find stuff and look through.

I may be able to find a better price elsewhere but I can narrow down which is more expensive and what people think of those features at that price using the Midway site.

[x101airborne]

I bought a 50 Beowulf barrel for an AR from midway about 5 years ago. I started the build and could not find gas blocks or other parts for them. I called Alexander Arms asking for the parts. They asked "was the barrel marked 50 Beowulf?" In fact it was and I sent them pictures. They offered to trade me a fully built upper for the clandestine 50 Beowulf barrel from midway and a copy of my receipt. I also got 4 boxes of ammo and two T-shirts. One hot minute later, midway changed the designation to 50x45 or something like that.
Use your imagination as to what happened.

[oldred]

I bought a 50 Beowulf barrel for an AR from midway about 5 years ago. I started the build and could not find gas blocks or other parts for them. I called Alexander Arms asking for the parts. They asked "was the barrel marked 50 Beowulf?" In fact it was and I sent them pictures. They offered to trade me a fully built upper for the clandestine 50 Beowulf barrel from midway and a copy of my receipt. I also got 4 boxes of ammo and two T-shirts. One hot minute later, midway changed the designation to 50x45 or something like that.
Use your imagination as to what happened.

Love it!!!!! Lol!

[MBTcustom]

They simply denied my ever having posted a review. This review was favorable as far as the product itself and I was polite and to the point, I then stated that I could only give it one "star" due to the tiny amount of product in the half filled jar and this jar was only a tiny 1 oz jar to begin with. The size was clearly stated and I felt that $13 for such a small amount was acceptable but then I find this tiny jar to be half filled, I was not really upset over such a trivial thing although I felt it to be a bit dishonest because there simply is no way that stuff is expensive to produce and you have to admit $13 for a thimble full of the product is being kind of stingy! So when I rated the stuff there was another review who also was miffed a bit at the half empty jar so I wanted to make sure anyone who reads the reviews would be aware that they can expect very little product for the money, although abiding by the rules I did not talk about money only the amount of the product received. I didn't get upset over the product itself, I got upset when my review and the other one letting people know about the short filled jars got deleted and then they denied I even submitted the review! They DO doctor those reviews and that's what I got upset over not the small amount of an otherwise good product, the bottom line is that most people who saw that (and the other) review probably would not spend the $13 for such a small amount and who can blame them? Instead of Midway addressing the problem they tried to hide the information and then denied I even submitted it when they got called out on it! Now mysteriously this product has been discontinued even with rave reviews, could it be there were a lot of complaints of half empty bottles? If they did this with such an insignificant instance as this one what else would they hide? For this trivial amount of money it's not really important but what about someone buying expensive optics or electronics for instance? That's what had me ticked off not the fact I paid $13 for a thimble full of inletting black!

Yeah, that kinda blows, no two ways about it.

[Garyshome]

Larry was talking about turkey hunting the other day, so I guess he's still around.

[shoot-n-lead]

I used to buy from Midway, almost, exclusively...but for a number of reasons, in the last 3yrs I have only used them to look up items that I ultimately buy somewhere else. And, I don't really see myself going back to them.

[dakotashooter2]

They are better than they were a few years back but there is still room for improvement. The reason I quit ordering from them was shipping cost and generally 1/2 of what I wanted was on back order. I recently ordered from them again and shipping was reasonable. However the order was not processed till the 3rd day and arrived in 10... Not all that bad but I have received stuff shipped from china in 1/2 that time........

[dragon813gt]

Maybe it's because of my younger age. But I compare prices across all vendors. I never limit myself to one company. Yeah, it takes more time. And if I'm only buying one or two items I don't always do it. Midway seems to get larger orders from me because they have all of what I want in stock. W/ Amazon carrying more products every day they get more of my business. Hard to beat free two day shipping. They were $4 more on a set of dies but after Titan's shipping charges it came out to more money.

You really want to not find everything you want in stock. Start building an AR. And w/ stock constantly changing it's an ever evolving game :laugh:

[jonp]

No need to get aggravated. I open several tabs at once. Natchez, Midway, MidSouth.. and place identical items in each basket to see who has it in stock and who is cheaper

[rmcc]

Same thing with Brownells, shows in stock when you place your order, someone a few clicks ahead of you gets the ONE that was in stock and you are "backordered". Just have to have patience with suppliers, I believe they are doing the best they can. Just my 2 cents.

rmcc

[RogerDat]

I have noticed in the rush to purchase powder that some sites online stores remove the product from stock when placed in basket, others not until the purchase is finalized at checkout. Easy on a high demand item to lose the race to check out. Don't ask how I know that little detail *cough* unique *cough* backordered *cough*

[TXGunNut]

Also keep in mind that he sold off most of the folks that make many of the items he offers for sale....Bad Water Bill


Excellent point. As some people know he used to own several brands and he sold them on his site and to other distributors. I've noticed many of these brands were sold off, not clear on all the details or the implications but things have changed.
In Larry's business you're dependent on your vendors and buyers and if they aren't on top of things shelves are empty and orders go unfilled.

[456ght]

As someone that helps run a small business, I can say first hand that the world economy is Greatly Stressed.

THE LANGUAGE I WOULD LIKE TO USE TO DESCIBE THE WORLD ECONOMY WOULD GET BE BANNED.

IMHO, unless someone has their head buried in sand, it should be very self evident why companies are keeping minimum stock on hand.

Ken

There is something more to it than simply the economy. The old expression "it is hard to sell from an empty cart" is very true. I doubt Midway's lack of inventory is by choice. More likely the cause is the "phone and pen" of our comrade-in-chief through such federal policies as Operation Choke Point currently being investigated by Congress.

[Ola]

I see that Midway UK business has been taken over by Brownells and has a new Web Site.
Yes, the same situation in EVERY European country that used to have Midway. Midway stopped all activities outside North-America and the local businesses made a deal with Brownells. (I heard that Brownells was looking for a way to come to Europe and they found a chain of " soon to be ex-midway" companies with nothing to do..)

For me it did not change a thing. Midway Finland was so expensive that it's ridiculous. Almost double the prices compared to some other companies. Brownells Finland seems to be the same.

[thegatman]

Just ordered from Midway. They shipped fast. One of the parts I ordered came broken. Called them and free part is on its way. I have no problems with them.

[Ola]

Ok, Now I have to point out that you Americans should not complain. You have lot's of companies providing what you need and take a look at the Price we have suffer with this new international Brownells..

America: 26 dollars and change
http://www.brownells.com/reloading/bullet-casting/lube-amp-sizer-dies/bullet-sizing-dies-prod42798.aspx

Europe: 50 euros!!
http://www.brownells.fi/epages/Suomi.sf/fi_FI/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Suomi/Products/42798749012501/SubProducts/100020186

I truely miss the possibility to order from the original Midway and Brownells..

[Ola]

And now it is 55 euros! A nice 10 % increase in 2 weeks..

Just unbelievable.

[troyboy]

I just bought a bunch of components from Midway. Every vendor dealing with firearm related items is having inventory issues. I will continue to purchase from them.

[JWT]

Given the choice of ordering from Midway or Amazon I will always take Midway. Midway supports the shooting sports, Amazon is only about profit.

[Loony44]

I use to buy most everything from Midwayusa but they will not get another penny. A couple years ago they had Winchester 22lr for sale and I ordered 10 boxes (3,333 rds) of course it was back-ordered. Every so often they would send a e-mail saying to make sure credit card was current. Than one day they canceled my order. When I call to find out why. They said I ordered the 22 ammo on 2013 price and they could not buy and ship to me as they would lose money.
I do understand but it is not my fault, and I bet a lot of other people are just like me.
I know my business will not hurt them but I will do without or pay more but they will not get another penny from me.
Dale

[jcwit]

So you would expect them to sell to you under their cost?

I expect you also would go to work with no compensation?

[Loony44]

No, they should have only sold what they had in stock and not allow back-order.

[Fishman]

My last order from midway was at my door in 36 hours, pretty darned good. Of course the same day I ordered some legos off Amazon for my son, prime shipping, and they were at my door the next day before noon. I must live in the right place.

[Case Stuffer]

I have placed four orders with Midway in the past couple of weeks, all shipped same day as ordered and were here in three days. The fact that Larry donated $1,000,000.00 to NRA a couple of years ago still carries a lot of weight with me and makes my token NRA round ups look like chump change.

[dtknowles]

No, they should have only sold what they had in stock and not allow back-order.

What is fine print relating to back orders, do they guarantee the price or just you position on the waiting list. I seems they did not follow either common policy. They should not have cancelled your order without contacting you to see if you wanted the product at the new price, thus preserving you your place in line. If there is a back order button on the website there should be a description of the policy somewhere on the web site and if it was a phone order the sales person should have been able to explain the policy.

Tim

[kyswede]

I hear you loud and clear! It is mind blowing the volume of gun stuff now moving thanks to the dude in the big house. One thing thing about ole grinning Larry they have a exellent backorder policy and they do come thru when the goods come in. I waited 7 months for some Savage bolt head parts but finally they came

I had 13k rounds of 22lr ammo on backorder for over a year when Midway cancelled all 3 orders. They had some of the ammo in stock 2 weeks later at a higher price. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth after waiting a year for nothing.

[Motor]

I still like doing business with MidwayUSA when they make it possible to do so, but I'm not too tore up about it one way or the other.
At the end of the day, when I need something, I'm going to get it one way or the other, and sometimes Midway has cast their net in my part of the river, and when they do, I patronize them. If they don't, then I give the benefit of my business to someone smart enough to help me.
No big deal.
I too miss the days when MidwayUSA was my one stop shop for Gunsmithing, reloading, and casting, but I'm afraid those days are over. At least till somebody else steps up with the fire in the belly to service the shooting community so broadly.[/QUOTE]

Yes I like this description too. I used to be able get everything one stop. Now it seems every time I got some project going like starting to load a new caliber, no one place ever has everything I need.

I did get a very pleasant surprise recently. Actually twice. That surprise was Brownells. The first time I was looking for Williams fiber optic sight sets for T/C Renegade and they had them and their shipping charges were very competitive.

Then recently I was looking for a RCBS "X" die set. Guess who had them in stock at a good price and again good shipping. Only Brownells.

As far as posting reviews on Midway goes, you can do that any time. You don't even had to have purchased the item from them. If I found they removed my review of something I would simply re-post it.

Motor