Order Backlog
Quote from Reloader on February 13, 2013, 7:16 pmI know a few of us have commented in various other topic threads about the current state of affairs with orders, backlogs, and the guessing game.
I thought it might make sense to have a thread dedicated to that topic, so others can look here for information, updates, or sometimes to express their frustration and ask questions. This isn't in an effort to give us a place to throw sticks and stones at Dillon, but I think some fair Q&A is a reasonable expectation.
I was getting (did I say 'was'... I mean 'am') frustrated because I ordered a 550B on Jan. 11 with all the accessories and dies, and goodies - only to learn that my timing couldn't be worse and things are backed up. Okay - we all understand what's going on right now in the world of shooting-related products and anything to do with ammo. Just bad timing. But then I starting seeing folks who ordered WAY after I did recieving their orders, which didn't seem fair. Dillon has tried to explain that they hold orders for completeness before shipping, but allocate ordered items to them in the order they were taken. Confusing? Yeah, it is to me too.
But I thought a central topic where folks could update one another might relieve some frustration without Dillon having to answer all the questons. I can only imagine how busy they are. I have no doubt that they want to help every one of us just as soon as the possibly can... I just don't think they are capable of handling the perfect storm that has engulfed them, and still provide interactive customer service.
To put things into perspective - I placed my 550B order on Jan 11. On Feb. 8 I placed a new order for a caliber conversion and quick change kit... I subtracted the first order number from the second order number (assuming they increment "1" for each order placed) and the result was 12,223. In less than one month, that is over 12,000 orders! Now, I have no way of knowing what is normal for Dillon - but I'd bet that is probably nearly a full year's worth of orders. Not all will be for machines of course, some might be for spare parts or seldom sold accessories. But I'm willing to bet the lions share of that business is for reloading presses, dies, etc.
My point is, I think we all have to be patient with Dillon. I hate being patient. I like being the Coyote and getting the delivery just seconds after placing the order... but alas, that isn't going to happen. I do wish Dillon were being a little more communicative with us, so that expecations can be realistic.
I hope this post helps others understand what we're caught in here. And I hope it helps Dillon to understand that we're not trying to be a**hole customers, we just want information.
I know a few of us have commented in various other topic threads about the current state of affairs with orders, backlogs, and the guessing game.
I thought it might make sense to have a thread dedicated to that topic, so others can look here for information, updates, or sometimes to express their frustration and ask questions. This isn't in an effort to give us a place to throw sticks and stones at Dillon, but I think some fair Q&A is a reasonable expectation.
I was getting (did I say 'was'... I mean 'am') frustrated because I ordered a 550B on Jan. 11 with all the accessories and dies, and goodies - only to learn that my timing couldn't be worse and things are backed up. Okay - we all understand what's going on right now in the world of shooting-related products and anything to do with ammo. Just bad timing. But then I starting seeing folks who ordered WAY after I did recieving their orders, which didn't seem fair. Dillon has tried to explain that they hold orders for completeness before shipping, but allocate ordered items to them in the order they were taken. Confusing? Yeah, it is to me too.
But I thought a central topic where folks could update one another might relieve some frustration without Dillon having to answer all the questons. I can only imagine how busy they are. I have no doubt that they want to help every one of us just as soon as the possibly can... I just don't think they are capable of handling the perfect storm that has engulfed them, and still provide interactive customer service.
To put things into perspective - I placed my 550B order on Jan 11. On Feb. 8 I placed a new order for a caliber conversion and quick change kit... I subtracted the first order number from the second order number (assuming they increment "1" for each order placed) and the result was 12,223. In less than one month, that is over 12,000 orders! Now, I have no way of knowing what is normal for Dillon - but I'd bet that is probably nearly a full year's worth of orders. Not all will be for machines of course, some might be for spare parts or seldom sold accessories. But I'm willing to bet the lions share of that business is for reloading presses, dies, etc.
My point is, I think we all have to be patient with Dillon. I hate being patient. I like being the Coyote and getting the delivery just seconds after placing the order... but alas, that isn't going to happen. I do wish Dillon were being a little more communicative with us, so that expecations can be realistic.
I hope this post helps others understand what we're caught in here. And I hope it helps Dillon to understand that we're not trying to be a**hole customers, we just want information.
Quote from Reloader on February 13, 2013, 10:59 pmI also placed an order on Feb 23 for a 550 press and 2 conversion kits. After they took my order and Credit card number and my info I asked for an order # or a conformation email. I was told No, I would not be bill until the order was ready. I have not herd a word from them; I don’t even know if my order exists. I also don’t have 45 min to stay on the phone waiting for a service rep. Yes this is very frustrating, simple communication would go a long way.
I also placed an order on Feb 23 for a 550 press and 2 conversion kits. After they took my order and Credit card number and my info I asked for an order # or a conformation email. I was told No, I would not be bill until the order was ready. I have not herd a word from them; I don’t even know if my order exists. I also don’t have 45 min to stay on the phone waiting for a service rep. Yes this is very frustrating, simple communication would go a long way.
Quote from Reloader on February 14, 2013, 12:31 amUpdate: I received two email shipping notices. One for a package of 25+ lbs., and one package of 18+ lbs. My credit card was also charged for a number very close to the balance of my initial order. So... I should be lucky and receive my machine and accessories early next week.
My hunch is that the dies were probably the hold up. My advice to folks placing new orders - break your orders into bite-sized chunks if you can. Order a machine separately from other parts. Order dies separate. You get the idea...
I'll update again when I receive my shipment.
Update: I received two email shipping notices. One for a package of 25+ lbs., and one package of 18+ lbs. My credit card was also charged for a number very close to the balance of my initial order. So... I should be lucky and receive my machine and accessories early next week.
My hunch is that the dies were probably the hold up. My advice to folks placing new orders - break your orders into bite-sized chunks if you can. Order a machine separately from other parts. Order dies separate. You get the idea...
I'll update again when I receive my shipment.
Quote from Reloader on February 14, 2013, 2:17 ami ordered on feb 3rd for the square deal machine and on feb 4th ordered the 650 machine just got an email with tracking being del. the 15th of feb not bad at all
i ordered on feb 3rd for the square deal machine and on feb 4th ordered the 650 machine just got an email with tracking being del. the 15th of feb not bad at all
Quote from Reloader on February 15, 2013, 6:49 pmWell I am going on 35 minutes being on hold just to ask about my order. I just ordered some parts and powder funnel and its been on back order since early January. Like most here, I know they are swamped and doing their best to fill orders, however the status of backorders would be nice so I don't have to wait to call someone and tie up their phones and someone from their staff with my stupid questions. Nothing on the web site shows anything about any of my order being on backorder.
Well I am going on 35 minutes being on hold just to ask about my order. I just ordered some parts and powder funnel and its been on back order since early January. Like most here, I know they are swamped and doing their best to fill orders, however the status of backorders would be nice so I don't have to wait to call someone and tie up their phones and someone from their staff with my stupid questions. Nothing on the web site shows anything about any of my order being on backorder.
Quote from Reloader on February 16, 2013, 10:01 pmSame story as everyone else. Placed my order on Jan 15th and started playing the waiting game. I spent 45 minutes on two different calls to get ZERO information. No time estimates were given on back ordered items.
Yeah I got it, the world is upside down and everything from anyplace is gone. Just be nice to have a better tracking system on the items you purchased. Might be time to figure out a plan "B".
Same story as everyone else. Placed my order on Jan 15th and started playing the waiting game. I spent 45 minutes on two different calls to get ZERO information. No time estimates were given on back ordered items.
Yeah I got it, the world is upside down and everything from anyplace is gone. Just be nice to have a better tracking system on the items you purchased. Might be time to figure out a plan "B".
Quote from Reloader on February 18, 2013, 6:33 pmI made a purchase (2/14) for a RL550B plus accessories. Like many, I didn't receive any confirmation email which was concerning. I wondered, did they even get my order?
Today, I created an account (so I could post on the forum) using the email address I gave when I placed my order. Surprisingly, I clicked on "my account" after logging in and then clicked on "view order history" I could see my order. Clicking on the order number only shows my order and the status reads "finalized". My credit card has not been charged yet so I'm not sure on the wait time, but at least I can see that they have my order and maybe get updates through the website.
Hope this helps.
I made a purchase (2/14) for a RL550B plus accessories. Like many, I didn't receive any confirmation email which was concerning. I wondered, did they even get my order?
Today, I created an account (so I could post on the forum) using the email address I gave when I placed my order. Surprisingly, I clicked on "my account" after logging in and then clicked on "view order history" I could see my order. Clicking on the order number only shows my order and the status reads "finalized". My credit card has not been charged yet so I'm not sure on the wait time, but at least I can see that they have my order and maybe get updates through the website.
Hope this helps.
Quote from Reloader on February 19, 2013, 10:01 pmHang in there everyone. I just received my machine today!!! (happy dance). I am still unpacking parts and accessories, but already have the machine bolted to the workstation. Except for one bolt, because they had a wrong sized nut in the hardware kit (go figure). I've emailed them asking for another and will make do until then.
Looking forward to getting it all set up and ready to use. I can tell already that this is some seriously good quality equipment!
Hang in there everyone. I just received my machine today!!! (happy dance). I am still unpacking parts and accessories, but already have the machine bolted to the workstation. Except for one bolt, because they had a wrong sized nut in the hardware kit (go figure). I've emailed them asking for another and will make do until then.
Looking forward to getting it all set up and ready to use. I can tell already that this is some seriously good quality equipment!
Quote from Reloader on February 19, 2013, 11:35 pmI've had a 550B for about 3 years now. Very satisfied. For those just getting started I'd advise don't rush reloading. Fair amount of art form involved getting the feel of what you are doing. Find a couple of online forums and ask questions. Also several reloading manuals. "Lyman Reloading Handbook" and "Reloading for Handgunners" by Patrick Sweeney are good references. Save bet you may have to borrow a copy as I suspect, like everything else, they are in short supply.
When I first started, I didn't have my rhythm down and had a squib. Suspect these and don't try to shoot them out.
Stick with jacketed bullets to start with as there is much more info out there than for lead.
Take care that the primers are in the primer tube the right way. Daydreaming and upside down primers go hand-in-hand.
Frankly, I don't think reloading saves any money because I just shoot more.
Get access to a chronograph to help check loads.
I've got the basic equipment and 6 sets of pistol dies, but waiting on .223 rifle dies, case gauges and other rifle stuff. I can't believe 6 months ago I could order from Dillon and get my stuff in a few weeks. POLITICS !!!
I've had a 550B for about 3 years now. Very satisfied. For those just getting started I'd advise don't rush reloading. Fair amount of art form involved getting the feel of what you are doing. Find a couple of online forums and ask questions. Also several reloading manuals. "Lyman Reloading Handbook" and "Reloading for Handgunners" by Patrick Sweeney are good references. Save bet you may have to borrow a copy as I suspect, like everything else, they are in short supply.
When I first started, I didn't have my rhythm down and had a squib. Suspect these and don't try to shoot them out.
Stick with jacketed bullets to start with as there is much more info out there than for lead.
Take care that the primers are in the primer tube the right way. Daydreaming and upside down primers go hand-in-hand.
Frankly, I don't think reloading saves any money because I just shoot more.
Get access to a chronograph to help check loads.
I've got the basic equipment and 6 sets of pistol dies, but waiting on .223 rifle dies, case gauges and other rifle stuff. I can't believe 6 months ago I could order from Dillon and get my stuff in a few weeks. POLITICS !!!