I'd like to give some credit where credit is due....

I've placed several orders with Sinclair (www.sinclairintl.com) recently. Each time, I got exactly what I ordered, in the correct quantity, caliber, etc., and it always arrives on time - usually 2 days!

Sure, you bargain hunters can pay less elsewhere, but when was the last time you ordered something, couldn't wait to get it, then had to send it back, or got the wrong thing, etc? If you're anything like me, it was recently. I think that Customer Service and a decent work ethic have gone right down the tubes in most places nowadays, but it's good to see that Sinclair holds to a higher standard. Keep up the good work!

(P.S. - As much as I hate to support "big business", I've never been disappointed by any order from Cabela's, either).

Erict,
How do you think Cabelas got to be "big business" I also share your opinion of Sinclair. Always on time and order always filled correctly. Jim

I used to compare shipping, minimum, and prices to try to find a deal.
I would look at a hundred sites to buy a box of bullets.
I bought from Midway [before the minimum + shipping], Widner's, T&T, or whoever would save me a penny.

Then I figured out that screw ups were costing me time, money, and aggravation.

Just like cheap scopes, cheap bullets, cheap barrels, cheap surplus ammo, cheap dies, and cheap synthetic stocks, I finally learned to pay a few pennies more for handloading supplies and enjoy it.

I now like:
1) Lock Stock and Barrel
2) Brownell's
3) Sinclair
4) Graff
5) Forster
6) Manson Reamers

I try to avoid, but still do business with:
1) Numerich
2) Sarco
3) Midway
4) Centerfire Systems
5) Federal Arms Corp.

FWIW,
I agree completely. Sinclair International is first rate and worth the price. IMHO.

Regards, Matt.

Best service I have received was from Sinclair. Always very communicative - whether the issue be back orders or something in my order that was not quite right. Also seems to be the only shop that *publishes* the procedure for export. Prices are not always the absolute lowest, but you've got to love Sinclair's!
- mike

[ 09-04-2003, 16:15: Message edited by: mho ]

I have ro disagree with Clark's assement of Midway. I've been doing business with them for many years and have never had a problem. Sinclair is good and they have things you can't get anywhere else. I do business with both.

I have had excellent results with Midway. Haven't purchased any major things; but bullets, brass, dies, cleaning etc. is always fast and accurate. Sinclairs is first rate and I have had excellent service from Bruno's Shooter's Supply and Kinnemans as well.

After doing business with Natchez Shooter's Supply for quite a few years, I can't see any reason to do business with anybody else. Price, service, on time delivery, technical help and selection are all first rate. They will typically ring in quite a bit cheaper than others and give you the friendly Mom and Pop store kind of service in the process.

Paul

I'd definitely agree with what's been posted about Sinclair. My experience with Midway is not quite as good - about a year ago I ordered some stuff from them, they sent the wrong thing, and wanted me to pay postage back to them??? I got it straightened out, but they should never have asked in the first place.

Another place that has great prices, selection, and service is Midsouth Shooters Supply!

I was looking for an odd item (bolt holster) Sinclair used to carry and couldn't find it in their new catalog. While on the phone with "Bill" yesterday placing an order, I asked him about it and he gave me the name and number of one of their competitors that did carry the item.

You just can't beat that; a company concerned enough about their customers satisfaction to cheerfully send them somewhere else.

Whatever happened to bolt holsters, anyway?

Lock, Stock and Barrel is definitely my #1 choice, with Sinclair a close second. What I like best about these two places is that if you have a question, they have real, live people who reload that can give you a technical answer (I really hate the "buy RCBS, it's green!" or "buy Dillon, it's blue!", or whatever, answers), instead of 'telling you what the catalog already states'. Both places have actually talked me out of a purchase or two after talking with the techs.

Can't complain about Graf, Midsouth, Cabela's, or Natchez either. Had one raw experience with Graf a few years back but they made it right in the end.

I'll second Paul on Natchez. I have also had very good results in dealing with them. There prices are substancially cheaper on many items. Bill T.

I deal with Sinclair when possible. They really have a top notch group there. Recently your U.S. State Dept. has forced us to become licensed importers to get bullets, primers and powders by mail from the U.S. This has caused some degree of confusion among foreign buyers. Sinclair has been very helpful in walking us through this procedure. If you have any problems with your orders ask for Cindy Gravitz. This lady really knows her stuff and is most helpful. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Midsouth and Natchez are the same place at the same address, with the same employees, like Johnson and Evinrude outboards.

Natchez:
Natchez Shooters Supply
P.O. Box 182212
Chattanooga, TN 37422

Midsouth:
PO Box 2159
Clarksville, Tennessee 37042

hrm...

I like Sinclair a lot. I called to ask about some accuracy enhancing reloading gadget (can't remember what), and the guy on the phone talked me out of buying it. He said if I was shooting quarter inch groups and wanted to get below 0.2", this is something I might consider; but this was not apt to shrink my 1.5" groups to below an inch; more likely make them 1.45" groups and I wouldn't notice the difference.

H. C.

I use Sinclairs almost exclusively. My emails are usually answered within a few hours and if I feel like I need to call them, they absolutely know what they are talking about. I've spent probably 3 grand there just in the last two years and I've never had to return one single item.

To be fair Midway is good too. I bought a new Weaver T-36 from them in the Spring along with some Bergers, but frankly, I can get Bergers for a buck-fifty less from Sinclairs. Since almost half of my internet dollars are spent on slugs, that means Midway lost a bunch of money. -Rod-

While we're on the subject, let me run something by you.

My neighbor just ordered some target turret knobs (Stoney Point) for his Leupold scope from Midway. The package is similar in size and weight to a scope ring package. Midways "Fair and Honest" shipping charge is $7.95. This seems a little high. What do you think? The knobs were defective so he called Midway about returning them. They said OK, but he would have to pay return shipping and a $7.95 restocking fee. He would also need to include a photo copy of his driver's license. The knobs cost S49.95. To get that back he would have to pay (according to Midway) $7.95 to ship it back and $7.95 restocking fee. So he's out $7.95 X 3 ($23.85) because the item Midway sold him was defective. What do you think? Do other mail order busnesses operate in the same fashion? For those of you loyal to Midway this isn't intended to be inflammatory, I am really curious.

Thanks
Paul

HenryC470,

I agree with your comments and that has been my experience. Sinclairs is world class

http://www.sinclairintl.com/backorder_policy.html

I believe they may have changed the policy, I simply didn't read it when I placed and order with Sincliar and it cost me an arm and a leg in shipping by the time I had it all here, one piece at a time as it was shipped.

I ordered it over the computer, and they do not show if it is in stock or not, and I hadn't really even thought of that part at the time either. I selected priority mail, didn't need the 40 dollar UPS bill. All done and said, my $15 dollar shipping bill was over $50 freaking dollars!! I think I got 5-6 packages, all ranging in shipping price from $8 - $18. 4 or 5 of the 10 things I had ordered weren't in stock.

When I finally got the 300 RUM bushing Nk die, it was in a box labled 7mm Rem Mag and kind of scared me for a moment. I did have to return one item, can't remember what it was but it was not what I ordered, and I did pay the small shipping charge too. I don't remember if I got a credit or not.

They appoligized for not indicating on their website if items were in stock, and said the feature would be added, that was last November, it still doesn't show you if its in stock or not, just so you are aware of it.

I will definitely pick up the phone when I order from them next time, no way I'm wondering if they have it or not when I order, although it does seem like they will only charge for a few reloading components if back ordered. It still seems like a grey area so I'll avoid hastle and call.

I'm so glad I never specified UPS as my shipping choice, I bet it would have been a $200 dollar bill, just for shipping.

I never did ask them if they were paying shipping on the BO stuff, just assumed the first charge paid for it all already, but they all had shipping charges on the invoices as they came in. I never did call them on it either.

Nice, helpfull people tho.

My dad ordered some 270WSM brass from them for his 6.5WSM, he got 7mm WSM brass and had to return it for the 270 stuff, headspace is different on the 7mm. He paid shipping and didn't ask for a credit. In his mind, it wasn't worth the hastle, I'd have bitched over that one.

That was the first time he'd ever had a problem with them, and he gets stuff from them almost bi-weekly.

BTW, where the hell the link on the word credit in my previous post came from, I have no idea, I never put the damn thing in there...

This is where it went tho. Some credit card outfit..

Some new form of hacked BS "pop up" advertisement, or is Saeed just letting them advertise in this way?

http://www.globalmcard.com/?wm_login=popjob

Paul,
Midway's "Fair and Honest" shipping charges are what pays for Potterfield to go on those safaris.

[ 09-09-2003, 07:03: Message edited by: Clark ]

Brent, when ordering via the computer, and worrying about items not being in stock, backorders and extra shipping costs. I usually just fill in the comments field of the ordering page with a remark that 1) I'd like all items shipped together and that 2) if anything is going to be backordered for a long time, could they please contact me (via mail) for me to decide whether the double shipping charges might be worth it. That usually does the trick.

This is where I really appreciate Sinclair, they will actually get in touch with you about issues on your order. As much as I have liked doing business with Midsouth over the years, Sinclair is head and shoulders above Midsouth in terms of service and communication.
- mike

mho,

Thanks for the suggestion. Glad to hear they read them. I bet that's a big consideration being in Switzerland for sure.

I generally buy local but I did purchase from FMreloading.com and was very impressed. Pricing was excellant and shipping was the most reasonable of the companies that I have shopped. Just another name to add to the pot.

Brent,

I just ordered several reloading components from Sinclairs and 2 of the items were on B/O. They sent the 2 B/O items separately and didn't charge any additional shipping for either - I had confirmed this on the phone when I ordered and was told the 2 items were B/O, and the customer service rep stated there would be no additional shipping charges for the B/O items.

Both B/O items were shipped and received within 8 days - excellent service in my book. By the way, one of the items in the original order that was shipped the next day was a 15 pound bag of heavy sand for my new Protector #18 rear bag. Shipping total for the entire order, including the B/O items, was $7.95 ........ how can you beat that?

I'm a Sinclair fan from the past and into the foreseeable future.

Regards,
Clay

CT,

Thanks. That's pretty fair, I'll say!