Brownells sues midway

Never ordered from Midway, but I've ordered plenty from Brownells and there customer service was fine. When I was just getting started in engraving I talked to one of the people in their technical shop at some length over the style of engraver that would best suite me, he sold me one of their Ngravers rather than the pricey gravermeister and I've been perfectly satisfied with it.
 
Both are excellent companies worthy of our patronage. I buy a lot more from Brownells, especially since I get dealer cost, all I had to do was ask. Brownells sends me a free catalog every year, they don't have a toll free line but that's no big deal since long distance is only 5 or 10 cents a minute anyway if you buy it right.

There is a ton of unique stuff in the Brownells catalog that that hard (or impossible) to find anywhere else. That's the one thing they have (or had) over Midway. Most everything from Midway can be bought for less at Midsouth, D&R, Natchez, etc. Midway does have some good deals on their Sale pages from time to time.

Since someone gave a link to Midway, here's one to Brownells: Get A Catalog.

Sure, it's five bucks but they refund the money with your first purchase, so it's basically free cuz I guarantee there will be something you'll want to buy.

Bottom line is this is probably a good thing since the competition should result in lower prices to consumers (that's us!) -- Kernel
 
On the one hand, Brownells may have a case, for the reasons Mike Irwin cited.

On the other hand, I do know how to read.

Doesn't Brownells' case hinge on defining a "reasonable person" as, quite frankly, a moron who can't tell the difference?

Case in point: my local off-brand cola comes in bold red cans with white print. However, they say "Safeway Select", not "Coca-Cola". What's hard about that?
 
Jeff,

The reasonable person test is not predicated solely on the ability to read. We identify items and objects based on a LOT more than just reading -- shape and other design elements constitute a big part of that, as well.

I just got my copy of the Midway book in the mail.

Quite frankly, I'd say Brownell's has a legitimate complaint, but at the same time I'd say that things might be different enough that a court could find that there is no problem.

It's a toss up, but in my opinion, Midway is REALLY coming close to the line.

As for the Safeway Select (other than the fact that it STINKS), I'd say that if Safeway copied, or came close to copying, the same type of script lettering that you find on Coke they'd be facing a lawsuit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top