I wanted to order a couple RINGS Blueguns magazines for my Springfield XD. Why? So I can safely practice reloads with a magazine that has the heft/weight of a real loaded magazine. Trouble is, finding a retailer that has them in stock.
Google said that Alamo Tactical had them. Now of course, maybe they don’t have them in stock, but they are listed as something one can purchase through their website. And hey, they’re just down in San Antonio. Sounds good to me. I put in my order for 2 magazines.
That was 3 weeks ago.
Immediately after placing my order I received the automated email confirmation of the order.
That’s all I’ve received.
I have emailed them a week ago asking for order status. Nothing.
I have telephoned them on numerous occasions. There’s never a response. No one picks up the phone. I couldn’t figure out a way to leave a message or even if their phone system supported that.
I called American Express and while the order was authorized it has not gone through.
The only way to cancel my order? Send Alamo Tactical an email. A few minutes ago I sent them an email. But given their lack of responsiveness so far, I’m wondering if the order will cancel.
I did a little bit more Googling. Seems the company isn’t very well regarded. Here. Here. Here. I’m not sure what the deal is, and I’d like to give the benefit of the doubt. But if these stories are true, damn…. yeah maybe you’re busy, but being an asshole isn’t a great way to build your reputation and give people a desire to do business with you. And even if you are busy, the amount of time I’ve waited seems like too long to have to wait. If you’re that swamped, maybe you need to hire some help. This is not a way to succeed in business.
I don’t write this to badmouth. I write this to convey my experience, which was a poor one. I don’t know what gives with the company, but I sure hope they can get their act together.
Updated 2 Feb 2010:
I just received an email regarding the cancellation of my order:
It has been cancelled.
Sorry for the lack of service on this order. We have been forced to move
into our new location over the last few weeks or so before it was ready for
us to move into. The data and phone service has not yet been moved over
here so we are answering emails from a single laptop with a wireless aircard
that has taken a while to get setup correctly so that our emails are
actually going somewhere- and even that is still hit and miss. I sincerely
apologize for your experience.Chris
Well, it was nice to receive a reply. It was nice to receive an explanation. It was nice that he was nice (given a lot of other things I’ve read have demonstrated the owner was very caustic and rude).
But that said, if the above is the case, why is that not communicated to customers? Why isn’t that put on your website? Why isn’t that included in the order confirmation email? Why isn’t there an automated response whenever an email is sent to the contact email address? There’s little reason to not relay such important information to customers.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Hey man. For what it’s worth, they get an “F” on the BBB site. You can check their entry here: http://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/army-and-navy-goods/alamo-tactical-in-san-antonio-tx-90035777
There’s an additional phone number on there too. Good luck – post up how it gets resolved!
Geez. Not good.
Alamo Tactical has always been a pain, even when trying to deal with them in the store.
Chalk this up under things I wish I knew before I did what I did.
At least you got some resolution in the end. You are correct on the lack of information side of things.
watch out for these guys, been waiting 7 months still don’t have the item
Wow. That’s not right. Have you been able to contact them and get the skinny on what’s going on?
I received a similar response to Hsoi’s, at/about the same time frame, in regard to a transaction I placed … AFTER I placed a Better Business Complaint (Alamo has 20 documented complaints with an ‘F’ rating). The owner/company refused to respond to the BBB. They also refused initially to respond to the complaint I filed with the consumer protection division of my state’s department of justice. It was only after repeated requests from the consumer protection officer, that “Chris” responded … his responses were inflammatory & child-like. I would steer clear from this company … just do a google search for “alama tactical fraud” and you’ll see what I mean!
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I just finished getting a refund on an item (knife). It took them FOREVER (over 3 months) to finally tell me they don’t have the item, then took FOREVER to give me a refund. Plus poor customer service. Never use them again.