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Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.com

10K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  haertig  
#1 ·
I have ordered from www.opticsplanet.com before, and although I have experienced some shipping delays (never more than 3 business days) I have been happy with thier prices/service. However, last night I ordered a set of Trijicon night sights for my S&W 6946 and apparently there is a problem. The item was listed as in-stock, but I called them today to check the order and they now say that they don't have them. Apparently, although they don't have them in thier warehouse, they assume that Trijicon does and will drop-ship them to me. So they list them as in-stock simply because they assume someone has them somewhere. That is kinda shady to me, and I think from now on I will call first to verify that THEY have the item in stock. I ordered these sights from them because they were roughly $118 with free UPS shipping, plus I had a coupon from a previous order for 5% off. That is a pretty good deal, I just hope that I don't have to wait too long to get them.
 
#2 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

I have placed four orders with Optics Planet.  Each of those has ended up with at least one backordered item on the order.  Their shipping is slow, they're backordered on a lot of things, but their prices combined with free shipping are the ones to beat.  Don't order from Optics Plant if you're looking for super fast turnaround.  That's what Midway is for.  But to save money on things that don't have a critical date you need to receive them by, Optics Plant is very good.  You can always call and they can check actual availability for you over the phone.
 
#3 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

Just got a call from them. The sights that I ordered are backordered from Trijicon, maybe a 30 wait. I opted to change from the green front/ yellow rear to green/green because OP had those ready to ship today. I really prefer the contrasting colors, but these will do. I wish Trijicon would warranty the orange lamps for 12 years like the green and yellow lamps. I have Williams Firesites on a pistol using green front / orange rear and that is super nice.
 
#4 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

They are using a "third party" (in this case the site is hosted by Yahoo! Store) and communication between the two don't always mesh - yes, it results in some delays (but the lower cost can out-weigh the inconvenience)

"Uncle Mikes" (handgun accessories) also uses a third party - "TheConsumberLink.Com" - and the same thing frequently happens with them. I just went through the EXACT SAME thing with a conceal carry holster that I ordered on 1 February and got it via UPS today (it was on back-order at UncleMikes but the actual point of sale at TheConsumerLink.com didn't show it that way)

Wanting it and buying it and THEN finding out about the extra-wait time is FRUSTRATING!

WHENEVER POSSIBLE - I buy from MIDWAY.... they are only 5 miles down the road from me (no, they have a wierd Missouri license that prohibits actually SHOPPING there/onsite) - but I can order on the phone and pick it up in 10 minutes.
 
#6 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

Speed41ae said:
They have not sent any Emails to me yet.
Something is wrong with thier email system as I didn't get the confirmation/shipping emails either. I called them and they resent them. Update on this: They shipped my order last night, so atleast there wasn't much of a delay.
 
#7 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

Another note on Optics Planet: They do not charge your credit card until the order ships, HOWEVER, they put a temporary hold for the full purchase price immediately.  Then they actually charge the card when the order ships and the temporary hold is removed.

This is not a terribly unusual practice, however, most merchants just run a test charge (temporary hold) through for maybe $5 or $10.  Optics Planet runs the full order cost as a temporary hold.

This will only really affect you if you use one-use credit cards (a feature from my bank).  When I want to buy something, I just create a new one-use CC number online for that purchase.  I specify the max amount that can be charged and the expiration date.  Once a merchant charges against that card, no other merchant can (only the original merchant - this protects you if your CC number is stolen from their database).

So, for Optics Planet, if I want to buy something for $50 I have to create that one-use CC number to allow $100.  To accomidate the temporary hold in addition to the actual charge.  Normally I just create the CC amount as $10 above the purchase price and this works with other merchants with smaller temporary holds.  But not with Optics Planet.  Nor for REI either.  These are the only two merchants that I've run into who run the full purchase price as a temporary hold initially.
 
#8 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

I sent them an Email asking about it and got this back.

Greetings from OpticsPlanet.com!

Thank you for your order. We apologize, but your order has been temporarily placed on hold because we have just run out of stock on:
==================================================================
Lasermax Laser Sights for ParaOrdnance 1911 (5 in. barrel) $329.99
==================================================================
They are very popular and hard to keep around. We do expect to receive the merchandise back in stock within 3-4 weeks. We will not charge your credit card until we are able to ship the order. You will be automatically notified with your tracking number when your order ships.

We do have some other great products that compare very well with your item. Please take a look at the Lasermax Laser Sight for Para-Ordnance; 5in barrel; polished stainless finish located at http://www.opticsplanet.net/lasermax-laser-sights-for-para-ordnance-1911.html. This product is in stock and ready to ship. If you would like, we will change your order immediately and ship it out right away.

If you would like to explore some other options, we have a warehouse full of similar products and I would be happy to help you find a suitable replacement.
Thank you!

Best Regards,

David Turover
Sales Force Specialist

Please send replies to:
david.turover@opticsplanet.com
Sales@opticsplanet.com
US Toll-Free Phone: (800) 504-5897 xt368
Intl. Calls. (847) 513-6201
Fax: (847) 919-3003
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com

I do not want the stainless and I am not in a hurry, so I will just wait.
 
#9 ·
Re: Something you should know about OpticsPlanet.c

"They are very popular and hard to keep around."
Yes, they say this about everything that's backordered.  I ordered some oddball cleaning pick once and they said these exact words too.  I was thinking to myself, "I'll bet I'm the only person who has EVER ordered this thing!"  But at least they're honest, kind of.  I have found in three out of four cases that their estimate of back-in-stock date has been quite optimistic.  But on that one other time, they were right on in predicting when they would get it in stock.