Shipping is getting to be a cost to figure in when buying and if you pay return shipping

Hmmm...I don't think I've ever had an order messed up from either 3Rivers or Kustom King.  One time Kustom King was out of stock of some of the items I ordered so I had to wait a bit longer, but nothing was never messed up.

Stay with the smaller Sponsors here on TG instead of the larger trad or discount companies. Not only get personalized service but usually...they never screw up an order.

When I had my Trad shop opened and mailed out many items both large and small...I triple checked all orders, double checked the packaging and always had a tracking # form USPS when I shipped them out. When I shipped out a custom bow...I spent the extra money to have the customer sign for the goods.

I would trust any of the Sponsors here on TG.

I buy from sponsors, and occasionally from well spoken of non-sponsors, frequently. Usually over the phone. Have had pretty good luck, with only a few exceptions. There's a place or two that are now pretty low on my list, and if I have repeat issues with one place, I look elsewhere. I also prefer the smaller vendors when possible. Good recommendations in the above posts.

I have accounts with Big Jim,Lost Nation,and RMSG,and I like all three of them. I do all my stuff on line with these three and have never had a problem.

QuoteOriginally posted by TxAg:
I didn't read all the replies, but I'll say I order from Braveheart and Big Jim 99% of the time. Never had an issue with either....and that's about 3 or 4 years worth of ordering.

Me too..

I ordered through Big Jims, sent them a money order via snail mail, they sent me my goods.  No worries there.

I have well over 100 online orders from TradGang sponsors and members both large and small.  Never had a problem yet.  Must just be lucky.

In numerous and multiple transactions from each, I've never had a problem with 3 Rivers Archery, Surewood shafts, Grizzly Broadheads by Zipper Bows, Kustom King, Raptor Archery, Big Jim's, Black Widow Bows, SBD Strings, OneStringer Arrow Wraps, or Brave Heart Archery. My transactions with each and every one of these sponsors has always been awesome!

Must be I'm the fall guy!       :p

Most places do pretty good, both the large and small shops. Multiple messed up orders quickly get your attention and prompt you to look elsewhere.
I feel that the real proof shot is how an outfit handles the occasional screwup. Did they apologize and send you the right item before you had a chance to send the mistake back? Did they apologize and do whatever they could to make things right? Or did they essentially tell you to pound sand... or even totally ignore you?
I've been told to hit the road and been ignored by two large vendors. I don't shop with them anymore, not at all.
When an occasional mistake happened with one of the smaller shops, left wing instead of the ordered right wing, they quickly made things right. I still shop there and recommend them to everyone I meet.
Buffalo chips happen to the best of us. It's what happens after we've stepped in it that really matters to me.

Guy

My fav shop is 750 mi away, I know there are shops way closer and if I were a compound shooter no problem. I have no reservation shopping on line at Raptor Archery-the distance is meaningless..

The Nocking Point gets my business and has for several years. Never worry about my order and really appreciate how they handle shipping on smaller orders. Mike Horton just sold the business to a good friend in Oklahoma. I'm looking forward to working with the new ownership, who I have had dealing with in the past. I'm confident he will make Mike proud.  

Braveheart is excellent - cheap shipping too.

Hard to beat Tim at Braveheart. If he has it he gets my business  

What irritates me is that when the retailer is at fault for sending the wrong merchandise, the burden is on me for the cost of return shipping back to them.  

In my profession.....when I make a mistake the customer does not bear ANY burden.  It is me that fully is responsible for restitution.

Doug

Give The Nocking Point a try:::New owner with reasonable prices and shipping  

QuoteOriginally posted by dougedwards:
What irritates me is that when the retailer is at fault for sending the wrong merchandise, the burden is on me for the cost of return shipping back to them.  

In my profession.....when I make a mistake the customer does not bear ANY burden.  It is me that fully is responsible for restitution.

Doug

Bingo!!

3R is great, especially if you have multiple items that you want in one shipment. For a single item you can sometimes find a better price by going to the manufacturer directly. Most of them have their own website as well they sell through  the big sites 3R, braveheart ect..  Plus you if you call them they will have the best support and answers on their products. But 3R cant be beat 9 times out of 10 on shipping and support when you are purchasing multiple items. Get on their mailing list for the best deals. $5 shipping usually makes the price better than anywhere else you can find.