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SWFA - Constructive Criticism

ctsmith

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 26, 2011
305
5
51
Alabama
SWFA - I hesitate to proceed with this post but I decided to do so because I've seen similar reports lately and I'm afraid its a growing problem. If you are going to accept returns then do what it takes to adequately process the returns. I realize you are a small shop and it is your busy season. Even so, you are in retail, expect it. My return was delivered on Dec 24. I called today to check on the status of the credit which has not been received. The lady in customer service was very polite and professional. I appreciate that. I am confident she will take care of the refund for me. I am not confident that it would have happened anytime soon if I had not called. Customers should not have to call to check on the status of their refund. I have two other returns to separate vendors that were sent after yours. Both retailers processed the refund the day it was received.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Mine took around a month and was $25 short? I guess they have restocking fee?
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

A $25 restocking fee will not work for me.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

I've always exchanged anything I've returned for another item. They handle exchanges very quickly in my experience. Hopefully they can resolve this issue, because they are a fantastic company to deal with!
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Andrew, I have no doubt that SWFA will resolve this. I believe they are honest people. Like many in today's economy, I'm sure they are running a very tight ship to keep their head above water. With that said, slow refunds = poor customer service = lost customers.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Just my .02 cents....

Any returns I have had with any online retailer I typically expect a few weeks to get it processed but I'm not in a hurry. The week they rec'd it was Xmas and the next week was new years. I'm thinking they let their workers off for the holidays and they aren't 24/7. Expecting anything fast during the holiday seasons as well as with the run on everything firearms recently is going to push everyone back with work to catch up on. I say have some patience. SWFA is a great company, give it some time.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

okkaps, I buy almost exclusively online. As such, I have made many returns. I always check the tracking and most all refunds are processed in a day or two. If SWFA relies on customers to have your patience it will catch up to them, and not in a positive way.

I in no way feel that SWFA is trying to cheat me. I do feel like they need to reconsider their order of priorities.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Would have to say that with them getting it back on the 24th and the following week is also another holiday, well that time frame would be typical for many online retailers.
Just because we have all gotten used to things seeming almost instant in this age doesnt mean that it is.

Not meant to be a rant.
I am in retail and get customers calling back from time to time asking why a credit wasnt processed. Sometimes its been because they are in the que for processing and other times we have processed it but there financial institution is sitting on it for one reason or another.
And we cant control that part.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Not trying to be a smart ass but it's on their website.

"Returns are subject to a 15% Restocking Fee"
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

In my case, I ordered two ring/base combinations which I had never laid my eyes on and not knowing which one one I wanted to use. I explained this at the time of ordering and was told it would be no problem at all to return the set I did not choose. Nothing was said about a restocking fee, though I did not specifically ask. I was not aware of their policy until posted above.

Combine the restocking fee with the 10 day return policy and slow refunds and its becoming apparent that SWFA is not really enthusiastic about accepting returns.

I will give SWFA a pass on the slow refund. I WILL NOT ever do business with them again if I get hit with a restocking fee. I realize (now) that it is their policy. However, it was never mentioned when I specifically asked about returning items at time of order and it was never mentioned when I called to get a return authorization number. I don't want to be premature in my reaction. I have a feeling SWFA will not charge me a restocking fee.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Honestly, you seem to be over reacting. Giving the fact that it's the holidays and you were taken care of when you called. I'd pass it up as a mistake (we all make them) and move on.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

DCR, I am not over reacting. I posted this publicly because there has been a lot of smoke recently and SWFA needs to take it serious if they want to be successful.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

I got an order in the other night for some parts that were out of stock and about 20% more expensive at my usual place. No mention of "in stock" or not, order went through and is showing as "pending shipment" or something. It was really easy to place the order this and other times I've used their online shopping cart.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

On the one hand I feel your pain.
But they are a small company.
What I want to know is why, when I debit money from my bank (a far larger, national company) it come out of my account immediatley...but when I deposit money they claim 48 hours before it is available.
Now that burns me.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Wait wait wait here- so to get this straight you expect SWFA to only honor a part of their policy and not the other for you?? You expect them to just forget their restocking fee policy they clearly state because YOU didn't do their diligence?

You must be one of those kids raised never being punished and getting awards for participating. This however may be a good life lesson that there's this thing called personal accountability.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ctsmith</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In my case, I ordered two ring/base combinations which I had never laid my eyes on and not knowing which one one I wanted to use. I explained this at the time of ordering and was told it would be no problem at all to return the set I did not choose. Nothing was said about a restocking fee, though I did not specifically ask. I was not aware of their policy until posted above.

Combine the restocking fee with the 10 day return policy and slow refunds and its becoming apparent that SWFA is not really enthusiastic about accepting returns.

I will give SWFA a pass on the slow refund. I WILL NOT ever do business with them again if I get hit with a restocking fee. I realize (now) that it is their policy. However, it was never mentioned when I specifically asked about returning items at time of order and it was never mentioned when I called to get a return authorization number. I don't want to be premature in my reaction. I have a feeling SWFA will not charge me a restocking fee.
</div></div>
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ctsmith</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In my case, I ordered two ring/base combinations which I had never laid my eyes on and not knowing which one one I wanted to use. I explained this at the time of ordering and was told it would be no problem at all to return the set I did not choose. Nothing was said about a restocking fee, though I did not specifically ask. I was not aware of their policy until posted above.

Combine the restocking fee with the 10 day return policy and slow refunds and its becoming apparent that SWFA is not really enthusiastic about accepting returns.

I will give SWFA a pass on the slow refund. I WILL NOT ever do business with them again if I get hit with a restocking fee. I realize (now) that it is their policy. However, it was never mentioned when I specifically asked about returning items at time of order and it was never mentioned when I called to get a return authorization number. I don't want to be premature in my reaction. I have a feeling SWFA will not charge me a restocking fee.
</div></div>

I should just keep my mouth shut, but for some reason I can't. I have to tell you running a small business in this economy is not easy. Honestly you sound like you were planning to be a pain in the rear end from the beginning. You ordered two sets of rings knowing one wouldn't work, without reading their return policy and are complaining about a "slow" refund during the holidays and busiest time of the year for most retailers, seriously? You could have fixed the situation from the get go by figuring our what rings you really needed. The ring offsets can be found out fairly easily. I completely understand their 15% restocking fee, even though we don't personally have a policy. We also don't see see many if any returns. Have you ever thought that it took someone time to find your rings, package them up, create and print an invoice, print a shipping label, notify the shipping company and get your order on a truck? Time = money, and the company had to pay someone to do that. Now they have to receive your rings that they just sent out, un-package them, add them to the inventory, find your original invoice and CC number, refund the amount of the rings and in the mean time they had to field a phone call from you. Again, someone was paid by the company to do that all because you couldn't figure out what rings you needed.

Who is in the wrong here?

I'm hoping you can take my above post as simple "Constructive Criticism". The way you come off in your posts, you sound somewhat "entitled" to preferential treatment and expect SWFA to cut you a deal and take a loss on an item.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

Ctsmith I'm sure they're better off without your money.
 
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Big Dog and jtv, most customers are not of the same mindset as you are.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ctsmith</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Big Dog and jtv, most customers are not of the same mindset as you are. </div></div>

Woohoo guess that means I was spot on... Lol
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

chakup, I simply stated that if I get hit with a restocking fee I will never do business with them again. Your life lesson derived from this statement is quite amusing. I never even considered a return fee because I've never been charged one. None of the below have ever charged me. I'm sure there's more, but these are the places I normally shop. And to be clear I will state it again, SWFA has NOT charged me a restocking fee.

Sinclair
Cameraland (their "policy" is a return fee, but I had a return and was not charged)
Cabelas
Bass Pro
Midway
LL Bean
Backcountry
Brownells
Landcaster Archery
Overtons
West Marine
Performance Ski and Surf

 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

SWFA sells GREAT products at very competitive prices. They've listened to the needs of our sector of shooters as well as darn near any company. When you call them, you speak to a living, breathing person. They stand behind their products.

They are a very good company.

Before a person launches an online "constructive criticism" rant about such a company, they need to inform themselves. I agree MOST consumers, like the above consumer, FAIL to inform themselves BEFORE BUYING of the policies a company has.
In this case, it appears the ^ consumer failed to inform themselves of the product they actually need.

The funny part is, they most likely will not apply their standard restock fee for you. It would be a shame for you to dismiss this companies offerings based solely on ~$20 restocking fee that is a posted policy.

On top of everything, being the holidays, if it takes the USPS 10 days to move a letter across country why would any other slammed company be different?

I severely dislike a person publicly bad-mouthing a companies future business based on...whatever the above is based on. Very little.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

C2, bad mouthing and criticism are two different things. I have done no bad mouthing.
 
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So by your logic since those companies don't, no one should?? So since good ol .gov gives handouts to the lower class, should SWFA also? Since Rock River inlcudes magazines with purchases should SWFA? What about the numerous companies that offer ZERO returns or HIGHER restocking fees? How does all that balance into your wonderful ideal???

See what happens when you ASSume something with doing no foot work and hoping for the best. Again- PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY! And I have this crazy hunch they even have a terms and conditions listed at checkout that I'm sure you just blew by ASSuming they must have copied their TOS from one of the other companies you've bought from....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ctsmith</div><div class="ubbcode-body">chakup, I simply stated that if I get hit with a restocking fee I will never do business with them again. Your life lesson derived from this statement is quite amusing. I never even considered a return fee because I've never been charged one. None of the below have ever charged me. I'm sure there's more, but these are the places I normally shop. And to be clear I will state it again, SWFA has NOT charged me a restocking fee.

Sinclair
Cameraland (their "policy" is a return fee, but I had a return and was not charged)
Cabelas
Bass Pro
Midway
LL Bean
Backcountry
Brownells
Landcaster Archery
Overtons
West Marine
Performance Ski and Surf

</div></div>
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big Dog Steel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You could have fixed the situation from the get go by figuring our what rings you really needed. The ring offsets can be found out fairly easily.</div></div>

They already bent over to help you out because you cannot figure out what you actually want/need on your own and were even polite while doing it. Its your money and your decision as to how you want to feel about the situation but in my opinion they did their part and then some.

Im not defend every vendor type of guy, but Im just not seeing a reason to be critical. Especially if 2nd contact was made and it is getting handled.

If you shop online as much as you say (and return lots as well), I just dont see how a restocking fee could take you by surprise.

I can tell you that I shop online regularly and return items rarely. I am not interested in turning a lack of research and decision making ability on my part into someone else's problem if I can help it.

 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

chakup & nly, I said I would not do mail orders with them, or anyone else, if they charge a restocking fee. It is their right to charge it, it is my right to decide where I do business. Pretty simple really. This is a general statement. <span style="font-weight: bold">AS I've said repeatedly, SWFA has not charged me a restocking fee</span>
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

I don't see what the big deal is with SWFA

Their prices are mostly MSRP can be easily beat.
They make you do the work for a competitive price. "price match"
Restocking fee
Slow returns

I have nothing really against them but they are not in the top 5 places I look if I need optics.

Graf and sons for bushnell optics can't be beat most of the time.
Optics planet returns are all automated and they take anything back no fees 5% off with "thehide" code etc
 
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I have yet to see anything I was looking for less expensive somewhere else?
 
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are these all of the places you have returned stuff to? I typically make sure the item im ordering will work for me so that im not out a restock fee, return shipping, time, fuel and anything else before making an online order or even asking to special order something. Its rediculous to not expect to be charged a fee for being a pain in the rear and buying whatever you see and then returning it because you dont like it or didnt take the time to take a simple measurement.
 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

I must be crazy for not deciding on a new product before I have seen it, especially considering swfa's policy. How dare I return something I am not satisfied with. Whycanti, you were being facetious, right???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We do business based on a very simple idea. If you are not 100% satisfied with our products or service, we'll refund your money! </div></div>

You guys are belaboring a point that is mute to me. Vendors can charge restocking fees, I can do business elsewhere if I don't agree with it. Its not complicated.




 
Re: SWFA - Constructive Criticism

FWIW I used to work in retail and know for a fact we would process CC returns same business day and still would take 2-3 weeks to hit the customers bank account. Actual Credit cards seemed to be faster but when we did returns to Debit cards ran as credit it was always a PITA for us and the customer. The smaller the bank typically the longer it seemed to take.