OpticsPlanet - False Advertising, Lousy Service, 2 thumbs down

[TCups]

About last July, I was looking for a particular scope:  A Leapers MiniSwat MilDot with mounts. Their site listed it and did not show that it was out of stock.  After giving all the CC info and pushing the button, the order was confirmed.  The next day, via email, I was contacted and told the item was on back order.  I responded and requested the order be canceled. I thought that was the end of it.  About one or two months later, I had a similar experience with a Leapers R/G dot scope I was looking at.  Order confirmed, then delayed notification that the item was back ordered.  I cancelled again.

This morning, surely 5 or 6 months later I receive an email confirmation that everything I have ever ordered from OpticsPlanet is being shipped with a UPS tracking number and $189.82 in charges on the CC.

Now I don't know what planet the Optics Planet folks are on, but first, it is a lousy policy and false advertising to list items that are not in stock.  Most every other reputable dealer lets you know when something is out of stock BEFORE you order.  Not OP.  And now, at this late date, shipping the order as if, over the last 5 or 6 months I would have just been waiting patiently for them to restock and sending two separate orders, both of which I cancelled, REALLY IRKS ME.

I hear others often speak of Optics Planet as the source for best price optics, and it may be so.  But their ordering policies and false advertising is unacceptable to me and I for one will never do business with them again (if I can help it).  I guess I will call them and see what they have to say.  Perhaps I can call and cancel the CC payment and refuse to accept the shipment and let OP deal with it.


. . . and their horse!

[TCups]

Oh, yes, here it is.  Memory fails.  The order date was July 11, 2008 for all three items!  The Leapers mil dot, the Lepers R/G lighted dot, and a 30mm Leapers Accushot HP mount.  Good work, OP.  Only a 6 month delay, and never mind the cancellation.

[CharlieDaTuna]

My ain't we gittin' a bit grumpy in our old age....lol... Yeah Tommy... it seems like they dropped the ball on this one and something like this can sure be frustrating. I think that they are good people though over-all and will probably resolve it to your satisfaction. Keeps us up on it.

[TCups]

Yes, grumpy. Grumpy, too, about the 30 minutes or so of phone time during office hours it took to find out what is going on.  Grumpy because their best excuse is "its better to talk to one of our sales reps in person than to order on the internet . . ."  Grumpy because even though I spoke with a rep in October and cancelled, it got shipped anyway (free) but if I send it back, I am responsible for return shipping (and maybe a restocking fee?) but I can call and challenge the charges for that and they will "probably take care of it for you".  OK, Thanks.  

Want to order from Optics Planet?  Forget their web site and check with a live person (if you can get one on the phone) before you order.  Or deal with someone like Natchez Shooter's Supply who won't confirm an online order for products they don't really have.

Cheers.

[CharlieDaTuna]

That does seem to be a bit ridiculous. Why even have an on-line ordering system if it's not valid. There is a real communication real problem within their ordering system it would seem. It would appear that the buck stops wherever. Things must have changed because in the past they have been pretty good to deal with. It's good to be small and humble and where customer service is of the utmost  priority.

[TCups]

I have an email paper trail.  They twice confirmed the full order shipment within days of the initial order, but shipped it incomplete with a back order notice in the box.  Then, they fnially notified me October 27 via email that the scope was finally back in stock.  I called them and gave them "what for" and cancelled the order back in October.  Obviously they got the message as they didn't ship the scope in October when they said they had it.  Then today, they notify me that they have shipped the full order.  I called and confirmed that in fact, they are shipping only the back ordered item (will see).  My credit card was charged on July 11 for the 2 items they actually shipped.  My credit card was charged today for the Leaper's Mill Dot Scope.

Sorry, this is wrong.  Optics Planet has no excuse for this kind of on line service.  Actually, the scope is probably a good scope at a good price, and I may keep it rather than suffer the problems of trying to return and re-cancel, then contest the shipping charges, and re-stocking fees, if any.  But what I know I will do -- never do business with them again.

[TCups]

Well . . . After getting cut off and told to leave a call back number on my first attempt this morning, I got through to a live person on re-try, resulting in what I posted above. I then  get a call back just now from another customer service rep, checking up on the problem, apparently resulting from the call back number I left this morning.  So I give this second guy the full story, get his email and forward all the emails including this morning's re-confirmation of shipment of the back-ordered scope.  And now the story is , "Oops, sorry, it appears that order WAS cancelled last October and the email you got this morning with the same order # must have just been a mistake. . .  And it seems your credit card has been canceled"  Well, yes -- the credit card used for the original order had been cancelled and re-issued for a completely different reason several months ago.  I somehow suspect the order was actually cancelled when the charge re-submitted on the old CC# didn't go through.  But all's well that ends well, I guess.  Now to wait and see if, somehow, the purloined order actually does show up on my doorstep.

[CharlieDaTuna]

What a bunch of hoops to have to jump through.  OK.... one for Tommy.... I guess     ....maybe..

[longislandhunter]

Tommy,,,, I ordered a scope from them today.  Immediately got an email confirming the order, then 30 minutes later got another email informing me that the scope is on backorder but will be in stock within 7 days.  The 2nd email offered me the opportunity to cancel the order if I wanted, but I left the order in place. I've had this happen several times with orders from them for the same scope I ordered today (it's a popular model and out of stock alot) but they've always been on the money with their estimates of when it will be back in stock and they've always kept me advised with emails as to what was going on with the order.    I agree they shouldn't have treated you the way they did with your order,,,,, I guess it happens sometimes I don't know,,, but I just thought I'd let you know I've ordered from them quite a bit and never had any problems.  They do have good prices and good shipping.  Anyway,,, hope it works out for ya.....

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Wow Tommy you sure have the hair standing up on the back of your neck buddy.. I must be the luckiest guy in the world who buys from Optics Planet and Natchez almost exclusively. I own over 30 air rifles and pistolsall scoped,and all of my scopes have come from Optics Planet or Natchez.. Never once have I had a problem.. Guess I have just jenks myself now..

[shadow]

I did business with them  a long while back and had good service all around. I hope this is not a hit and miss thing for some of you guys. :0   Ed