AR 500 Unprofessional Behavior

[Cali-Shooter]

I've only ordered from them once, and I went in knowing that they could be behind/swamped on orders (mine arrived about 1 month later than they stated), but that didn't get to me because they mentioned that it could be the case on their website. That being said, I would definitely buy from them again. Yes they will take care of you, but their customer service can be slow to respond at times, that's my only complaint. Know what you're getting into, people...

[TireIron]

I have to side with the OP on this. If a company gets so swamped with orders that there are huge delays, why not start changing the lead times to something longer?

For instance if you increased the lead time to a certain set of ballistic plates to 16 weeks, as a consumer I would know what I'd be getting into in terms of a long lead time. And if you're able to get those plates to me in in 14 or 15 weeks, I'd be happy to get them early. But if you put on your website that the lead time is 4-6 weeks, and you send them a few weeks late, I'd be upset by that. But the OP's case seems to be the norm in that his lead time has practically doubled, and he still hasn't received his products. $1000 is a lot of money to some people. And that type of misrepresentation of leads time is piss poor. Just put realistic numbers on your website. Under promise. Over deliver. Good businesses do that.

And I get that you're swamped with orders. Some places shut down on taking new orders so that they can fulfill their current ones. I can respect that. And I like that. But if you keep taking new orders, it'll be a vicious cycle of never ending delays that'll cause you to lose repeat and future customers.

Body armor isn't something that a person will buy a lot of. So if you anger a customer after the first set of body armor, he/she will probably not buy any more from you. And eventually you'll run out of people wanting to buy armor because they'll either already have a set from you or someone else, or you pissed them off from the first purchase that they won't buy from you again. So while AR500's business may be booming now, the way they're treating customers isn't setting themselves up for future sales down the line.

I've been seeing more and more reviews online of how upset customers are with their lack of communication and long delays. And because there are other companies out there starting to sell armor, I doubt I'd buy from AR500.

[SchottFamily]

I appreciate info like this. I don't have money to burn, and agonize over my purchases, so I expect customer service just as much as a quality product for my buck. Thank you, OP.

[TheTargetMan]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that Spartan Armor Systems/The Target Man may be another option for you. Our website is www.spartanarmorsystems.com and everything usually ships within 3 to 5 business days. If you have any questions feel free to give us a call M - F 9am to 5pm

[cmb41]

Been out of the country on business for the past 3 weeks. Here's the latest update. After my $31.00 shipping charge was refunded I have not heard a peep out of these guys. Tried calling yesterday and did not get through. I am now 17 weeks out from my original order. My order was paid for with PayPal so the refund request goes out tomorrow. I will also be writing a letter to the FTC and may explore further legal action if I find more people who want to participate. For the record, I don't really believe in the whole suing thing ( I'm still a handshake guy) but if enough people have been mistreated I am also not one to take it lying down. Thanks to everyone for your opinions, good and bad. This is what forums are supposed to be about.

[6TSicks]

I ordered from them and received my order almost 8 weeks past the expected ship date. I emailed them and they responded with a few more weeks out etc. They seem to have a high demand product and they are trying to do the best they can with keeping up with orders.

I just received a holster that took 38 weeks to finish as well. I know going in that quality products take time to create and I've grown enough as a person to have a little patience when wanting some of the nicer things in life.

[ambiguous216]

Legal action? Go see Judge Judy. Come on. Dispute it with PayPal and dunzo. No need for FTC and Judge Judy.

Been out of the country on business for the past 3 weeks. Here's the latest update. After my $31.00 shipping charge was refunded I have not heard a peep out of these guys. Tried calling yesterday and did not get through. I am now 17 weeks out from my original order. My order was paid for with PayPal so the refund request goes out tomorrow. I will also be writing a letter to the FTC and may explore further legal action if I find more people who want to participate. For the record, I don't really believe in the whole suing thing ( I'm still a handshake guy) but if enough people have been mistreated I am also not one to take it lying down. Thanks to everyone for your opinions, good and bad. This is what forums are supposed to be about.

[SchottFamily]

Just saw this alert reported on TS

[Foebia]

Avoid these guys like the plague, waited ~ 3 months for stated 4 week lead, only to get baited along. They STILL have 4 week lead on the website, they just couldn't care less about CS
They did refund promptly upon request.

[OCEANCRITTER]

I'm another hopeless customer of ar500. Their cs staff are as useless as tits on a bore. I may have made headway this week. I have the name and email of the cs dept manager. If anyone needs it pm me

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[gesundheit]

Like most companies that have a good following, they have back orders because they offer deals that production can't keep up with demand.

It is normal that the customer has to wait for the product.

Quit *****ing and wait for your order.

If you want next day order from Amazon prime.

WE don't live in Soviet Russia, Comrade Tekguy, where the plumber comes after 10 years of waiting.

[Crf450rr]

I wish I saw this thread before placing an order with these guys.

[TOM_ONE]

****!

I was about to post a thread and saw this.

I placed an order 2 months ago (back when wait time was 8 weeks) so I checked today, and lo and behold now the wait time is 18 weeks. I'm going to see if they give me a refund. I'm pretty sure I used my CC anyway.

[mossy]

Glad I saw this thread, I will buy my armor from someone else now. Thanks for saving me from a major headache OP.

[Crf450rr]

I take back what I posted in post #28. I placed my order on 5/4 and it was delivered today.