Author Topic: Midway "bait and switch" (Read 2497 times)

SharonAnne · « **on:** May 09, 2013, 09:52:59 AM »

for over a year Midway has advertised a Les Baer bolt carrier assembly. The picture was white with LBC stamped in the forward part. The advertised price was $229.99. The description said it was chromed. I ordered one.

What I got was black without the LBC stamp. When I complained suddenly Midway had two Les Baer bolt carrier assemblies in the catalog. A black one for $229.99 and a chromed one stamped LBC for $349.99. I emailed them and said I wanted the one they advertised. They said no, it was a 'typo'. For a year?

Today I got a phone call from them and was told if I wanted the chrome assembly I would have to pay the difference. I told her that an angry customer was a very bad thing and I would tell everyone I know about how they tried to cheat me with the old "bait and switch".

I also sent an email telling Midway I will be consulting the Post Office to file an interstate mail fraud complaint.
Also said I would give Brownells all my business.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2013, 10:22:59 AM »

Heck SharonAnne, Send Larry Potterfield an Email , better yet review your purchase on the website and state your objections.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2013, 10:27:36 AM »

FWIW , years ago I had a pack of deer dogs and ordered collars with name plates/tags . They had my name , address and phone number on them. Like with your order what was in the magazine wasn't close to what I received. The print was so small you could not read it .They could care less and after several phone calls I got pizzed and sent the collar tags , a copy of the cat. and a history of my phone conversations to a Postal inspector as they were mailed US MAIL. A few days ater it was over I had what had been ordered. Seems you can't use the US Mail to do stuff like that. Did they retract their mistake in writing ?
GOOD LUCK

SharonAnne · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2013, 12:47:45 PM »

oldshooter, who is Larry Potterfield?

Shootall, I have the complete transcripts of all the emails exchanged. While there were no US Postal mails exchanged the incorrect bolt did arrive by US Postal Service.

In the email they do state that the bolt is "not as advertised".

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2013, 03:25:07 PM »

Larry Potterfield is the owner of Midway USA. He is the dude in the commercials with the Coke Bottle Glasses. He ALWAYS says... Quote.. Thanks for you Business. If he truly thankful for your business, he should make this right for you.

Track him down, leave an email, leave a voice mail. Ask to talk to him. Tell him what happened to you. Midway was always a great company to deal with. Maybe they got to FAT.... with OUR Business.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2013, 06:48:34 PM »

I went round and round with about the same circumstances on a scope years ago. My orders get split through, natchez, midsouth shooter, brownells, amazon, wholesale hunter and ebay now. Potterfield would not resolve the issue for me, had to get the post office to resolve it through mail fraud. Wouldn't order another thing from them if it were half price of the other guys since they have no intentions of doing the right thing unless pressed by a power with more clought than a customer.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2013, 02:35:45 AM »

Quote from: SharonAnne on May 09, 2013, 12:47:45 PM

oldshooter, who is Larry Potterfield?

Shootall, I have the complete transcripts of all the emails exchanged. While there were no US Postal mails exchanged the incorrect bolt did arrive by US Postal Service.

In the email they do state that the bolt is "not as advertised".

Sounds like you have a good case ! Why wait ?

Oldshooter · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2013, 03:00:18 AM »

Quote

oldshooter, who is Larry Potterfield?

Sorry I havn't been back to answer but PAHunter04 did............

Quote from: PAHUnter04 on May 09, 2013, 03:25:07 PM

Larry Potterfield is the owner of Midway USA. He is the dude in the commercials with the Coke Bottle Glasses. He ALWAYS says... Quote.. Thanks for you Business. If he truly thankful for your business, he should make this right for you.

Track him down, leave an email, leave a voice mail. Ask to talk to him. Tell him what happened to you. Midway was always a great company to deal with. Maybe they got to FAT.... with OUR Business.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2013, 07:37:40 AM »

I sent Larry Potterfield an email making him aware of a price switch on a special order and how rude one of his online reps was to me when he told me nothing could be done about the price and I would "have to live with it." Never heard a word from Mr. Potterfield and I've quit doing business with them. He sure doesn't stand behind his commercials.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2013, 09:49:53 AM »

I have printed out all of the emails back and forth. I retained the bubble envelope with the USPS tracking bar codes. I will be paying a visit to my local Post Master on Monday.

drdougrx · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2013, 05:11:15 AM »

Good luck with that Sharon.....I had a beef with MW as well and even spoke to LP. They advertised a Lee factory Crimp die for the 35whelen for $19 on line. I ordered one and the receipt at the end of the transaction said $41. I tried again and the same thing happened. I called them and was told that this was part of an inventory reduction and that they met the quota, hadn't changed the website yet and all other product would be sold at the normal price, or $35. I told the supervisor that that was bait and switch and that they should sell the item at the advertised price. He disagreed and asked if there was anything else that he could do for me. I said no thank-you and fired off an email to LP. He did email me back and said that he would evaluate the program that eventually he hoped to have me back as a customer......I never, ever said that I wasn't going to do business with them at any time (even though I had decided this already).

As a result, I bought the die from elsewhere and continue spend an average $600-$800 a year elsewhere as well.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2013, 06:55:28 AM »

Well yesterday I went shooting and a buddy got a 30-06 case stuck in his Garand,
So I went to order one and remembered what you said about the lack of customer service from Midway and I purchased from Brownells as Mid South did not have one in 30-06.
I also ordered a bunch of other items for about a $100 order that Larry Potter field lost from me even though he had the same items and some were a couple bucks cheaper.

FPH · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2013, 07:27:37 AM »

So far that's Dicks and Midway that wont see any of my money.

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:29:43 PM »

That is really to bad about Midway. But where there is smoke there is fire.Seems to many complaints in the customer care department.

I can say as a business owner I strive very hard for customer service. I may not be any where near as big as Midway USA. But I live and die by my motto: Above All Else, Quality & Service.

The last thing I want is a pissed off customer for any reason.

Regards J.C.P.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:36:55 PM »

Quote

Above All Else, Quality & Service.

The last thing I want is a pissed off customer for any reason.

That is an excellent business model Friend I hope you do well!

SharonAnne · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2013, 10:55:15 AM »

no joy on the 'bait and switch'. Since the USPS was used only as a delivery device they say no Mail Fraud ensued. I tried the credit card service but they say since a part was advertised for a price and I received a part with an invoice for the stated price they won't get involved. Oh well, just a pissed off customer for ever more who will tell anyone who will hold still.

FPH · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2013, 11:02:23 AM »

A few years ago I ordered a large amount of .223 from Midway. The AD clearly stated it was with made with brass shells. I received steel shells. No progress with my complaint.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2013, 11:04:22 AM »

UHHH I think the the saying used in "modern vernacular" today is " YOU GO GIRL ! "

Who knows SharonAnne, maybe someone who can help may see this thread. and care enough to help!

mauser98us · « **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2013, 12:33:26 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on May 12, 2013, 06:55:28 AM

Well yesterday I went shooting and a buddy got a 30-06 case stuck in his Garand,
So I went to order one and remembered what you said about the lack of customer service from Midway and I purchased from Brownells as Mid South did not have one in 30-06.
I also ordered a bunch of other items for about a $100 order that Larry Potter field lost from me even though he had the same items and some were a couple bucks cheaper.

My stuck case remover is a cleaning rod,the collar to keep the rod from hitting the crown, and a small hammer. Cheap,easy availible.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2013, 05:24:59 PM »

Quote from: mauser98us on May 19, 2013, 12:33:26 PM

Quote from: mcwoodduck on May 12, 2013, 06:55:28 AM
Well yesterday I went shooting and a buddy got a 30-06 case stuck in his Garand,
So I went to order one and remembered what you said about the lack of customer service from Midway and I purchased from Brownells as Mid South did not have one in 30-06.
I also ordered a bunch of other items for about a $100 order that Larry Potter field lost from me even though he had the same items and some were a couple bucks cheaper.
My stuck case remover is a cleaning rod,the collar to keep the rod from hitting the crown, and a small hammer. Cheap,easy availible.

I told him to stick a foam ear plug in the case pour in some penetrating oil and get a 44 caliber brush. Put the cleaining rod down the barrel int othe action. Attach the 44 caliber brush and in the same direction as screwing it on twist the case and push.
He said it popped right out. Like it has done with me in the past.
But now I have an 06 ruptured case remover that should work with my 30-06 and 308 and probably the 7X57 and 8X 57 as well to live in my range bag and when they get in some more 223 I will get one of those as well. since I often do not carry clearing brushes with me to the range and especally not for guns I did not bring to the range.

JohnnyMac007 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2013, 06:17:51 PM »

I'll say this for Midway USA.

They donated upwards of $500 worth of shooting supplies to a youth Shooting sports team I used to be affiliated with. They even paid for the shipping. They do the same for many similar groups.

They have also raised millions of dollars on behalf of the NRA via their "NRA Roundup" program, which they started. The business matched a large sum donation,in support of the NRA,
when the gun grabbers started pulling their tricks after the last shooting.

Midway maybe in the wrong on y'all's disagreement. If so, I truly hate to hear it. However, I know them to be good people and I also know there is no company out there doing more to support our rights and hobbies.

I do hope that you can reach an amicable solution to your issue.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2013, 03:54:14 PM »

if they were 'good people' they would have shipped what they advertised for the advertised price. They did not. This does not qualify as 'good people' to me.

I tend to judge people and companies by what they do when no one is watching. Big public displays are one thing, cheating an individual tells the truth.

JohnnyMac007 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2013, 04:51:55 PM »

Quote from: SharonAnne on May 20, 2013, 03:54:14 PM

if they were 'good people' they would have shipped what they advertised for the advertised price. They did not. This does not qualify as 'good people' to me.

I tend to judge people and companies by what they do when no one is watching. Big public displays are one thing, cheating an individual tells the truth.

Two questions for you regarding the matter.

Does any other vendor offer the product that you wanted for the price (or close to it) you paid?

Do you believe Midway USA did in fact use an illegal marketing ploy or could it be they made an honest mistake?

If you are truly that bent out of shape about it, why not just return the item for a full refund?

SharonAnne · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2013, 04:37:31 PM »

i saw no other vendor offer the product, period.

Yes I do believe Midway used an illegal marketing ploy since the product was advertised as I described for over a year. Only one Les Baer bolt carrier assembly was advertised. After I complained suddenly there were two.

btw, that was 3 questions.

#3, I am.

texagun · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2013, 02:28:41 AM »

I rarely buy from Midway anymore. Often their shipping and "special handling fees" are ridiculously excessive and exceed the amount of the order. Brownell's will usually have the same product for a dollar or so more, but their shipping charges are much less and the total cost of the order will be significantly less. And Brownell's customer service has been excellent.

drdougrx · « **Reply #25 on:** May 23, 2013, 03:09:57 AM »

I think that Midway is not deceptive....I think they are sloppy and when this is brought to their attention, they are big enough to "blow it off." That's my gripe. SharonAnne and I both caught them, brought it to their attention and were not treated reasonable or equitably. For the few dollars, Midway has lost a couple of folks who whose lifetime spending with their company would more than compensate for the miniscule loss.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #26 on:** May 25, 2013, 04:44:03 AM »

You can open a claim with the better business bureau.

Graybeard · « **Reply #27 on:** November 27, 2019, 05:00:28 AM »

Let's bring this one back up and see if folks might want to talk more about it.