American Reloading, the wheels are falling off.

[dieselrealtor]

I have bought a fair amount from them over the past few years with mostly positive experiences.

Over the past 30-90 days, orders are not being filled at a rate escalating to more than 1 in 3, getting emails stating something to the effect; sorry, there was an inventory error & we don't have it, don't expect to get it again any time soon. Got similar news twice yesterday on different orders.

The shipping has been very slow at times (3+ weeks), sometimes causing issues with travel & signature required items. When we didn't have travel plans it wasn't an issue.

I can't be the only one experiencing this.

I have been pleased & posted deals from them in the past, not sure about moving forward though.

If the order is important I will probably look elsewhere.

 

[Creedmoor]

Weren't we just talking about them, for a few weeks there website has been acting stupid for me.
I just ordered $399.00 worth of stuff that came back in stock. I got an instant email back from them so the next few days will tell I guess. I made the order on the 14th and my account says the order will ship tomorrow
This will be my fourth or fifth order from them. A few of those orders I never did get tracking until days after the order showed up.

 

[dieselrealtor]

I had piggybacked on the deals thread the other day, thought I would start a thread specific.

A couple of these orders were placed last year, just now getting news. One was for 180gr xtp's (?) for my 357max project.

 

[Aszerigan]

Seems to be the norm these days with a lot of demilling companies. They bill you then tell you it's out of stock. American is usually out of stock of what I need anyway.

 

[indyblue]

Weren't we just talking about them, for a few weeks there website has been acting stupid for me.
I just ordered $399.00 worth of stuff that came back in stock. I got an instant email back from them so the next few days will tell I guess. I made the order on the 14th and my account says the order will ship tomorrow
This will be my fourth or fifth order from them. A few of those orders I never did get tracking until days after the order showed up.

It took six or seven days for me to get an email update for my order and I got it after 10 or 11 days

 

[TheGrumpyGuy]

Could their business model be structured such that they list product for sale on their website based on ANTICIPATED incoming material, that once received, for whatever reason, generates far, far less than expected available product?

 

[dieselrealtor]

Could their business model be structured such that they list product for sale on their website based on ANTICIPATED incoming material, that once received, for whatever reason, generates far, far less than expected available product?

After having dealt with them for some time now. My mind imagines desks covered with piles of paper in no particular order, stray shipping labels, full trash cans flowing over in the corner, boxes stacked up with sharpie notes on them, etc

I have dealt with agents/brokers like that over the years.

 

[indyblue]

One of their recent emails did mention moving to a new facility, perhaps, in the midst of their move their inventory is not in the optimum configuration.

 

[Mgderf]

It's "supply chain issues".
Get used to it...

 

[dieselrealtor]

I look at the RMR business model, they are demil as well however extremely organized, at least that is my perception of them. In normal times their shipping is lightning fast, many times I received the order before receiving the tracking #.

In busy times they put the heads up that shipping will be delayed for X-days.

They have grown to now being a manufacturer of quality bullets.

 

[dieselrealtor]

It's "supply chain issues".
Get used to it...

get used to it, maybe to keep my sanity.

Accepting or liking it is a different story.

 

[bwframe]

Hate to see this. I've bought a few batches of stuff from them in years past.

They are likely on their last leg of business. Trying to keep their heads above water is a struggle they might not win. This economy is worse for those that cannot readily just raise pricing to cover the steadily rising cost of doing business.

Businesses whose selling factor is low pricing to the consumer are kind of screwed in this economy, as a lot of the behind the scenes costs are surprises that cripple the business, before they can recoup.

Even the cost of labor rising (that most everyone thought was good, ) has not yet fully been incorporated into a lot of business plans. Add in rising costly inefficiencies like work at home, benefits packages, etc. and you have a smaller business problem.

 

[Creedmoor]

It's "supply chain issues".
Get used to it...

That's a cop out. If your 8-10 days behind in shipping. Business for you is good.
Hire more shipping clerks.

 

[Creedmoor]

Hate to see this. I've bought a few batches of stuff from them in years past.

They are likely on their last leg of business. Trying to keep their heads above water is a struggle they might not win. This economy is worse for those that cannot readily just raise pricing to cover the steadily rising cost of doing business.

Businesses whose selling factor is low pricing to the consumer are kind of screwed in this economy, as a lot of the behind the scenes costs are surprises that cripple the business, before they can recoup.

Even the cost of labor rising (that most everyone thought was good, ) has not yet fully been incorporated into a lot of business plans. Add in rising costly inefficiencies like work at home, benefits packages, etc. and you have a smaller business problem.

Why is it so tough for an internet based sales company to change pricing.

 

[racegunz]

My .02, had one (so far only one) order refunded because they admittedly errored on in-stock. My assumption is that their website gets behind or their order queue is not following well so some folks that ordered while the item was in-stock get shafted. Still get great deals on bullets etc. and quick refund. What’s not to like?

 

[bwframe]

Why is it so tough for an internet based sales company to change pricing.

Lots of reasons.

Number one could well be that the timeframe between product ordered and shipped turns up unanticipated operating costs.

Number two could be that raising pricing takes the company out of contention to be the great deal that American Reloading has a reputation of being.

Ate at McDonalds lately? While a lot of naïve folk still go there, those of us who are cost conscious realize they are not a good deal anymore. I'm sure if American Reloading knows anything, it's how competitive pricing effects sales. They are likely operating on close margins and get "caught" in unexpected costs of doing business.

Number three might be that the companies American Reloading is buying from have similar problems. Problems that a lot of small to middle range companies have these days?

Have you paid an insurance bill lately? Bought gas? A new delivery vehicle? Paid a shipper? Had any repair or construction done from a company? Etc, etc, etc...

Everything is effected by a sliding economy. Often before it is realized as such.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

Seems to be the norm these days with a lot of demilling companies. They bill you then tell you it's out of stock. American is usually out of stock of what I need anyway.

Demilling? What is that? Just curious

 

[DadSmith]

I've had all good experiences with them so far.
I've bought bullets, and primers multiple times, received my orders within 5 business days of placing orders.

 

[Creedmoor]

Demilling? What is that? Just curious

Breaking down ammunition from over runs, outdated ammo, unknown mil ammo that's in storage, runs of ammo that was out of spec, first of the run blems when setting up machines. And many other reasons. It's one of the places that "Pulled" bullets come from.

 

[Creedmoor]

Lots of reasons.

Number one could well be that the timeframe between product ordered and shipped turns up unanticipated operating costs.

Number two could be that raising pricing takes the company out of contention to be the great deal that American Reloading has a reputation of being.

Ate at McDonalds lately? While a lot of naïve folk still go there, those of us who are cost conscious realize they are not a good deal anymore. I'm sure if American Reloading knows anything, it's how competitive pricing effects sales. They are likely operating on close margins and get "caught" in unexpected costs of doing business.

Number three might be that the companies American Reloading is buying from have similar problems. Problems that a lot of small to middle range companies have these days?

Have you paid an insurance bill lately? Bought gas? A new delivery vehicle? Paid a shipper? Had any repair or construction done from a company? Etc, etc, etc...

Everything is effected by a sliding economy. Often before it is realized as such.

Do you own or have owned a wholesale of retail business?