I've been buying stuff from Midway for a while now. Got their latest flyer and they had magazines for my Winchester 75 Target "on sale" for $15.99, down from $18.99

"Okay", sez I, "I'll get one".

When I got to the checkout page, there's a little fine print stating "$3.00 Special Handling Charge" (there goes the "sale" price) and they wanted $11.75 to ship a 6 ounce package via UPS.

The "Special Handling Charge" ticked me off a fair bit, but the $11.75 UPS fee for a 6 ounce package blew the sale right out of the water.

Numrich had the identical item, cheaper, no handling fees, and $5.75 postage.

Midway is about to lose a customer if they keep up with this sort of shenanigans.

Midway usually has very fair shipping, call them and ask them why.

They have a minimum order of $25, hence the $3 fee. The shipping seems a bit high though.

Midway usually has very fair shipping, call them and ask them why.

I sent 'em an email, I'll let you know what I hear back.

They have a minimum order of $25, hence the $3 fee. The shipping seems a bit high though.


Ah. I seem to recall that, now that you mention it. Problem is, everything else I wanted is on backorder, which involves yet ANOTHER shipping fee.

Might you have been offered USPS rate, too, for less?

In my experience Midway only charges 1 ship fee, regardless of whether they have to split the shipments.

When you go to check out with Midway, they will figure the cheapest and best way to ship.
You might not have gone that far on your order.

If you have any questions with Midway, drop them an e-mail, and in less than an hour, you will get a good response.

Great people at Midway with great customer service.

I also like Graf&Sons.
I just ordered some .41Mag brass that was much cheaper than Midway, with no shipping costs.

Eric

It always helps to get your order up to 25 bucks. I never seem to not need enough to get over the 25 buck amount. I'm going to order one of the new Phoebus paddle holsters for my Taurus Tracker at the end of the month, their on sale for 16 dollars. I've got one for the 38 snubby and it's great. It just slips into your jeans and can be worn either cross draw or as a regular holster. I might as well get a couple of extra Lee turrets while their on sale. There's my 25 bucks.

Midway has always been a great company to do business with for me. Shipping is getting high for everyone.

When you go to check out with Midway, they will figure the cheapest and best way to ship.
You might not have gone that far on your order.

If you have any questions with Midway, drop them an e-mail, and in less than an hour, you will get a good response.


Eric

I did get all the way to checkout before I cancelled. I didn't see any shipping options offered, but I'll admit I might have missed something.

I did email them, and all I got was a boilerplate reply saying "We do our best to keep costs down".

Might you have been offered USPS rate, too, for less?

In my experience Midway only charges 1 ship fee, regardless of whether they have to split the shipments.

My last order was split due to a backorder. According to the paperwork that came with the part of the order they had on hand, I'll be paying separate shipping for the part that is back ordered.

When I started buying from Midway shipping was included in the price. That was a long time ago! But their shipping is higher than several places.

The last few times i've tried to use their website to look up something, I gave up because it was so slow.

The last two times I ordered from them I thought the shipping quote was high but ordered anyway and the final cost was $3.00 less than the quote both times U.S.Priorty mail. olddudeone

I used Midway for many years, but quit them about 3 years ago when their shipping/handling charges went out of sight. Too bad, because they always seem to have what I need. I now use Graf & Sons when I need reloading stuff not locally available, and Numrich for parts.

I have dropped Midway the last few years due to shipping costs, I also remember when their shipping was included. In fact i still have some 150 grain Core-lokt bullets that came to my door at under a dime apeice, sadly no more
Things change Lolo Sporting in Lewiston up near Bob used to sell Speer bullets buy the pound but that is no more too. It would be nice to know who if anyone gets those bullets nowdays.

I've been using Midway, Midsouth, Natchez, Lock-Stock and Barrel, Cabellas and other cut rate online and mail order supply houses since most opened. I just received an order from Midway on Saturday, and for a very long time I have NEVER been offered anything but the lowest priced shipping on the items I ordered...NEVER...BUT you have to know the rules on how to order and be able to read the fine print.

Stop blaming Midway for YOU not understanding how to mailorder or the fact that fuel cost has increased the price of EVERYTHING using petroleum products.

'Njoy

If I recall correctly (it's been some time since I last dealt with Midway) they used to charge shipping dependant on the total cost of the order and that was fine by me. Then, they said customers living in their area were complaining about high shipping costs and customers living farther out were being subsidized by the ones living close in so they initiated actual shipping costs and added the service charge for orders under a certain minimum. Prior to that, I was a regular customer and have bought a lot of things from them especially off their sale page. My last purchase was a large box of tumbler media which they had on sale. Unfortunately, the shipping came to almost equal the price of the media so at that point, I started shopping around whereas before I would automatically order from Midway.

I now tend to shop more at Cabela's inasmuch as I have their VISA card which awards me points from everyday use that can be applied to Cabela's merchandise and at year's end they mail me a discount flier. Last year, I had earned enough points to purchase a hard shell gun case for under $2.

I can't complain about Midway, but have noticed their shipping charges run a little higher than Cabelas.

But a few weeks ago I got a big surprise from Cabelas...they are now charging sales tax on mail orders. At least they are in WA state, maybe because they just opened their first store in this state. THe dang sales tax was almost as much as shipping!

. . . maybe because they just opened their first store in this state. THe dang sales tax was almost as much as shipping!
I think you got it right. If they have a store in your state, they have to charge sales tax to all the locals. If I buy from your Cabela's I will not have to pay the sales tax, at least not yet.

Midway is the only place that I can get .358 Core-Locts, so I still get them there.

No other place to get them.

If I can get the bullets that I want from Graf&Sons, I order from them, because I only pay $3.00 handling charge.

Eric

I got a little put out with Midway not long ago because they held up an order because of a backorder. I needed the stuff that was in stock, the backordered thing I was in no hurry or I wouldn't have ordered it in the first place.

I like Graf also but Midway is more likely to have everything I need. I ordered a $140 worth last night and the shipping was $12 something.

I've been doing more and more business with Natchez and MidSouth. Midway used to ship free to the lower 48, since they started charging for shipping, I've noticed my bucks go much farther at the other two outfits. I've checked the exact same orders through all three and the past several years Midway has been the highest, sometimes by 10 to 15% and their shipping is about 150% on the same items from the others.

I too use Midway and I live in their state, so I pay the additional state tax. However, their prompt and courteous service has been "first rate" except when I insisted they use the postal service for some iron sights I ordered; the order took almost 2 weeks to make the 75 miles because they went 1st class. I hated to pay an additional $5 to UPS for a 2oz package in a box to get it in 2 days (cheap, cheap, cheap) and they didn't suggest another mode. The customer service rep. was not too pleasant when I kept checking on the order, but hey, I made the choice. In most cases I order from Midway rather than Graf's, even though I prefer the "no shipping" charge policy of Graf's; they just don't have the hugh selection of Midway. The shipping costs and tax issue has certainly made me "rethink" what, where, and who I order from and I find I buy more and more from Cabela's or even Bass Pro with their "limited" reloading section. Riley

Midway never seems to have what I want, when I want it. They LIST much, have little.
I like to purchase person-to-person when possible. I can see, handle, pay and carry.

No complaints about Midway USA...until today! Two weeks ago, I got a pair of Schnee's "Arctic's" at a smokin' deal of $120- something - $60-something off regular price - great boots. Today, an eblast of specials, with the same boot for $75!:rolleyes: Well, I was happy with them then, and still am, just too impulsive I guess.

I've gotten great service from Midway and will continue to buy from them. The best way to avoid "excessive" shipping charges is to buy a bunch all at once so they all come in the same box....if there are no backorders.

I've gotten great service from Midway and will continue to buy from them. The best way to avoid "excessive" shipping charges is to buy a bunch all at once so they all come in the same box....if there are no backorders.

I've used Midway, Cabelas, Midsouth, and others over the years. When I first started reloading I pretty much used Midsouth exclusively for my reloading orders. I now use Midway. They get my order here and I can track it to know when to expect it. I also like there description pages and they take customer comments on products. I find very little $$ difference between Midway and Midsouth, but I never order less than $100 at a time, because it just makes more sense to save on the shipping. Nowhere can you order one item and expect to get good shipping prices. I hate USPS and will not use them. They have lost more items of mine than I care to remember.

If you put the item in your cart, there is a box on the left hand side below the item and promotion code box where you can enter your zip and it will quote you shipping, generally a fairly good list, anywhere from USPS first-class to UPS next day. I usually get my orders shipped priority mail, it is cheaper than most options and gets to me on the third day after I order it. The same window that opens should also have estimated delivery times, make sure your browser allows popups from midway

I ran into the same high shipping cost thing with midway about a month ago. It was my first order with them in almost two years, I normally just drive to the local Cabela's a pick stuff up. But for two decapping pins, shipped USPS, not even priority mail, it was over $6.00. If I added enough small items to get over the $25.00 min, shipping was almost $17.00. The package cound not have weighed more than 2 pounds.

Ordered a half dozen boxes of .308 bullets last night.

Cheapest was Natchez Shooter's Supply

Next was Graf & Sons

Following that was Midsouth Shooter's Supply

Most expensive was Midway, USA

It's funny that we should be talking about Midway.
Midway is by far my favorite place to order from, but I saw the same thing today when I was looking for bullets.
Midway was much higher than Graf.
The other week, I ordered some .41Mag Brass from Graf&Sons, and saved around $7.00 a package over what I would have paid to Midway with shipping costs.
I wonder what is going on over there?

Eric

I to think their shipping is just crazy! I've worked up several orders and when I clicked on the estimate shipping button I would cancel the order.
I can't use Natchez since they will not sell to me, great prices but bad policy!
Midsouth doesn't have nearly the inventory of Midway, nor does Graft &Sons.
I try to combine my order with my family members so that we can get the most from our shipping dollars.
Smoky Mountain Knife Works shipps free in the lower 48 and thats UPS. You need to know something about the quality of their products but many great deals await the informed shopper.
They presently have the Super Knife brand folding utility knife like in the Blue Press catalog for about $3.00, where in Blue Press it's $14.95, and in Bass Pro Shopes it's $19.95.

I ran into the same high shipping cost thing with midway about a month ago. It was my first order with them in almost two years, I normally just drive to the local Cabela's a pick stuff up. But for two decapping pins, shipped USPS, not even priority mail, it was over $6.00. If I added enough small items to get over the $25.00 min, shipping was almost $17.00. The package cound not have weighed more than 2 pounds.
You probably would have gotten them for free under warranty if you'd called the die maker. I've gotten pins and even whole decapping rods from RCBS and Hornady.

:D

yeah, i don't know what is up with midway. their prices keep going up and the shipping is getting insane. their dealer pricing is a joke as well. i've started to use grafs more.

I have the opposite observation, I ordered a Turret press, MEC super sizer, powder bushing, two RCBS lube dies, and Nosler #6, and it all came to me for under $20. I just put an order in with Natchez, a pair of Binoculars, a scope, a spotting scope, and two speedloaders for $11 shipping (total bill was $84, they are having a great clearance sale right now on a bunch of stuff) I like the prices of Natchez a lot better but they never have anything in stock. I don't like Midway on gun parts, because they list a lot of generic fitment parts and those never fit. I don't like Natchez item listing and no pictures. I haven't used MidSouth, but Grafs has a website from the stoneage, with zero security, that thing could be hacked in about 15 seconds, I won't order from them.

I think you got it right. If they have a store in your state, they have to charge sales tax to all the locals. If I buy from your Cabela's I will not have to pay the sales tax, at least not yet.

They just started here as well and we've had one for years. Between shipping and tax, I'll probably not order as much unless I have a Cabela Bucks coupon or it's a sale.

No complaints about Midway USA...until today! Two weeks ago, I got a pair of Schnee's "Arctic's" at a smokin' deal of $120- something - $60-something off regular price - great boots. Today, an eblast of specials, with the same boot for $75!:rolleyes: Well, I was happy with them then, and still am, just too impulsive I guess.



Shawn if it was two weeks ago, I'd call them. Many companies will credit you the difference within 30 days if it goes on sale. May be worth it to at least try.

I too have always had good luck with Midway though I do have other sites I found that have better bullet prices. But I can normally count on them to have what I need where many others don't carry it.

Prices? Maybe it's due to all the airtime they spend on the Outdoor Channel.
At least on Wed. nights which is about the only time I watch it.

I have dropped Midway the last few years due to shipping costs, I also remember when their shipping was included. In fact i still have some 150 grain Core-lokt bullets that came to my door at under a dime apeice, sadly no more
Things change Lolo Sporting in Lewiston up near Bob used to sell Speer bullets buy the pound but that is no more too. It would be nice to know who if anyone gets those bullets nowdays.


I started with Midway when shipping was included, too.

I also still have some 185-grain Gold Dot .45s I bought from Lolo by the pound in college. When did they stop doing that? I guess it's been a while since I lived up there...

Shawn if it was two weeks ago, I'd call them. Many companies will credit you the difference within 30 days if it goes on sale. May be worth it to at least try.

I might be able to press that M1, but probably won't. Midway in the past has sent me extra scope mounts free of charge, when the first order wasn't quite right, and never asked for return of the original order, which I'll probably use someday. Unless things really get out-of-whack with shipping charges, I'll stick with Midway who has provided me great service. At this point, it's a few bucks difference between the others, and familiarity and confidence is worth a lot to me.

Maybe I'll order another pair of Schnee's to take to the grave with me, just to get the good price.:p

You probably would have gotten them for free under warranty if you'd called the die maker. I've gotten pins and even whole decapping rods from RCBS and Hornady.

:D

You just maybe right, if only I would have order them new. I bought them for E-bay (:() And when I got them, I never really checked them out, I saw three dies, and put them into the drawer. When I went to use them I found the decapping pin missing, so I figured why buy one when two will be the same shipping.......

[quote=tom vito;320745]. . . if only I would have order them new. I bought them for E-bay (:() . . . quote]
Some of the customer service reps don't even ask where you got the item (maybe unless it's an expensive part), they just send you the parts. I remember calling Saeco asking for some high temp sprue plate washers. Told them I got the mould on eBay and offered to pay for them, still they sent me the washers NC.

You just maybe right, if only I would have order them new. I bought them for E-bay (:() And when I got them, I never really checked them out, I saw three dies, and put them into the drawer. ...
Doesn't matter - I got a whole kit of parts that were missing from my RCBS ammomaster I'd bought second hand. I just said I was missing parts. Their only question was "which ones?" It was even a model they don't make any more!

:D:D:D:D:D

. . . I remember calling Saeco asking for some high temp sprue plate washers. Told them I got the mould on eBay and offered to pay for them, still they sent me the washers NC.
I called Saeco with trouble I had with a second+ hand Lubrisizer. They insisted on sending me the upgrade seal cup for free. I relented.:D

:):D:):D

On 2/18, I wanted to buy a hogue grip for my 45, a Lee factory crimp die for .30-06, and a bikini scope cover. 2 of the items were on sale at Midway.

When I started the order, it gave me a price for UPS shipping that I thought was high. When I got to the end of the order, the actual UPS shipping was $3 higher still.

I found all the same goods at MidSouth, and they weren't on sale - their regular prices were about the same as Midway's non-sale prices. Proceeded to check out, and when all was done, Midsouth's cheaper UPS shipping put them $3 lower than Midway. So, I finalized the deal.

Sent all the above info to Midway, who thanked me for the feedback.

:confused:

I just checked my last 5 MidwayUSA receipts and calculated shipping cost as a percentage of the total order prior to adding shipping.

Shipping Costs as a percentage:

1) 13.65% (This one had a large cast-iron vise)
2) 6.34%
3) 5.63%
4) 3.99%
5) 5.11%

All of these orders were fairly large orders and in 2007. I suspect there is a handling charge for each order which can be spread out over larger orders (don't know this for a fact). For this reason, I try not to do small orders with Midway (never have a hard time finding enough stuff to increase spending -- hmm, maybe I should run for Congress :p ). I figured the vise order would inflate shipping, but the sale price made it worth it. Most of the other orders weren't exacly light (brass, dies, & bullets were significant portions of these orders). Considering sales tax in Texas is 8.25% and Midway has such a great selection, it's worth it. Plus, I don't have to waste gas and time in traffic, and I sit on my comfy chair and order from home. Per kdub's post on Cabelas taxes, I probably won't be ordering much from them unless the price is so low it makes it a wash or it's just a gotta have product I can't find elsewhere.

I ordered up some bullets from Midway, 2000 .45 ACP bullets, and 750 Nosler .204 bullets, that came to me for $9, over $420 in bullets.

I hate shopping for the right stuff. I know that the main place that I buy stuff locally does have higher prices, but the guys are good to talk to, and they have a lot of guns to fondle. I hate going into stores that are packed to the brim with people only to find they are out of stock on the item I wanted anyway. Plus where I live, its going to cost me at least 2 gallons of gas to get to the nearest store and back. Its worth it to me.

I've made a couple of orders to Midway recently and one return. Their service has been fast and efficient. The return (my mistake) was credited quickly to my CC. As a percentage of total cost my shipping to PR was rather expensive, but I ordered USPS Priority Service which got me the stuff in 4-5 days, and bench rests are heavy. So I have no complaints on that score.
I just made a list of other odds and ends I need and did a comparison with Brownells.
Out of nine items from Midway's, Brownell only had two items which were the exact same. A Williams receiver sight Midway $58.99, Brownell, $49.95 and Uncle Mike's 1" sling swivels Midways $8.49, Brownells $8.76. I'm getting some other stuff from Brownells, But it would not be fair to compare as they were not the exact same stuff.
I'm happy with both.

I WAS going to make an order from Midway but after seeing this;


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=402 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=346 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>In Stock Item Total:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>$52.84</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>Postage, Handling & Insurance:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>$26.27</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>Special Handling:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>$0.00</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>Sales Tax:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>$0.00</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>Adjustments:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>- $0.00</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD width=270 height=2>NRA "Round-Up" Contribution:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=76 height=2>$0.00</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I decided not to finsih the order. It was the cheapest shipping, UPS ground.