Price / Quality / Customer Service: Can we only ever have 1 or 2 at a time?

S

Smaug

New member
I've always been considering an HK. An HK45 would be great. I'd settle for a USP 45 too, to save a couple hundo. They have a great reputation for quality. Price was high though, and their customer service doesn't have the best reputation.

Ditto with Sig Sauer.

Ruger has the price & customer service, but the level of finish of internal parts can be lacking.

S&W has quality & customer service, but price is a tad high for their new guns. (especially revolvers)

Glock: Quality & price are good, customer service is ... about middle of the road? Their variety is lacking.

In 1911s, there is the gamut too. From a $400 RIA to a $2500+ Baer.
 
Springfield????

Decent price, and in my limited experience, excelllent quality. I haven't needed customer service, which is a good thing.
 
Pick two of the three. Quality with customer service will be pricey. Cheap with customer service won't be quality. 'Ya can't have all three. :(
 
i've had nothing but good experinces with Sig. I guess it all depends on who you talk to. They got a lady there named Victoria, she has helped me a few times and has been great.
 
Yea,you can-and the business will go out of business everytime.

That's why Colt no longer makes revolvers.

And why Smith charges four arms and three legs for theirs.

In todays business environment where everyone is being attacked by super cheap labor from overseas,it is a miracle that there are ANY American gun manufacturers anymore.

A miracle.
 
I hear ya Smaug. Awaiting a response from Hk regarding a spurred hammer.

There has got to be one company that exhibits all 3 attributes...Phoenix Arms perhaps...
 
I've never had to deal with customer service so I've never really thought about it. I did ask some friends and got an intersting story so I figured I would pass it on to you guys. One had a Taurus PT 92 and the other had a Beretta 92. They decided to see who had the better gun so they went to the range and put a few hundred rounds through each when the Taurus broke a spring. They thought they had their answer until the Beretta broke the same spring two days later. They both contacted customer service. Beretta told him that he must have been shooting faulty reloads or exotic ammunition so he had to pay out of his own pocket. Taurus sent the other guy a brand new part, no money, no problem. I don't know all the different variables, so I don't know which gun is truly better, but this is just for customer service.
 
I just picked up a brand new S&W 642 (the new no-lock model), and because it was an FFL transfer, I didn't really look at it much and just took it home.
Later, I noticed a rough patch on the top of the frame at the back right where it breaks downward toward the grip.

It turned out to be a blemish in the clear that was obviously overlooked at the factory, and it was disappointing as hell after paying over $500 for it total.

I figured I had nothing to lose so I gave it a light sanding with 600 grit wet-or-dry and then polished it back to a soft luster with car polish. At least now, you don't notice it unless you're actually looking at it just right in the light.
The reason I noticed it when I did was because the area was rough to the touch.

No big deal; it's just a carry pistol and it will show many more signs of "abuse" as time goes on.
It's just aggravating to have to accept something at that price, from that company, and with an obvious lack of quality control.

Rant over...
 
How would Hi-Point fit in here? I've shot two of their pistols, a .45 and the smaller 9MM. They were good shooters. I'll be nice and say that they aren't the easiest on the eyes. But, I looked at their website and they have an unconditional-no reciept-any owner-lifetime guarantee. Pretty good considering that their MSRP for a new .45 is $189.00!

I wonder if they get 'em back to you in a timely fashion.
 
The only CS I've dealt with has been S&W, SigSauer and Ruger. Having called and spoke to each CS rep., two did not charge me for the shipping and repaired parts. I think all gun owners know which of the listed three is "always" free. I'm amazed when someone reports, it depends who you talk to. That seems like a strange way to operate a company...if you talk to Sue on the second Thursday of the month between noon and 2:30 pm it is free S&H. If she's not at her desk, you pay. :confused:
 
9mm1033 said:
CS I've dealt with has been S&W, SigSauer and Ruger. ... I think all gun owners know which of the listed three is "always" free.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure. Would you enlighten us? I'm only ruling out Sig Sauer. I've read good things about S&W service, and experienced good Ruger service too.
 
Just goes to show it is a mixed bag at SIG. I had to get my feedramp polished on my P239. Called up SIG and was emailed a UPS label. Had the gun back in a week. So it worked out for me.
 
CortJestir,

I believe you and you are lucky. I'd like to know how CS personal are trained. What book of rules are they required to follow for proper/correct service to their buying public. Are the phone calls recorded? That is one fine gunmaker, but has a strange hit or miss CS department.
 
Yeah, from what I hear it's hit or miss with SIG and I do feel I lucked out. Maybe everything aligned for me...good customer rep who was in the mood to offer free shipping and a low workload for the armorer got my gun back to me quickly and with no out-of-pocket expenses.

Hard to say what SIG's CS training or protocols are, but one thing is for certain, it is not consistent.
 
Price, Quality, Service. Pick any two.

The title of my post is a statement of truth for business in general. I run both my business's with that thought firmly implanted.

While of course I strive to deliver all three, only two of those three items can be acheived consistently, and remain in business.

If you really stop and think about it, that's the bottom line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top