Cheapper Than Dirt just doesn't get it...

[The Average Joe]

A little background:

This year I celebrated 20 yrs of employment at my job. With that i was awarded a service award (in the form of a cash gift card) of $750.00. Inwhich I went online and took advantage of the online specials...especially FREE shipping.

I've shopped CDNN Sports, Cabela's, The Sportsman's Guide, Thompson Cigar, Outdoor Bunker, and several others who at this time of year run online specials of free shipping or cheap flat rate shipping specials...and I've patronized them because of that. Most have a set dollar amount, but as Christmas gets closer, the deals get sweeter. Some even run an unlimited purchase amount with free shipping...except CHEAPER THAN DIRT.

CTD ran a "12 Days of Christmas" special, but it was mostly derelict odds and ends that really didn't strike my fancy....and again, no free shipping.

So, I held out.

Today, while talking to a friend via facebook, I noticed that CTD had posted a Merry Christmas photo.

I went to their page and just politely asked ( in a post) if there would be any "After Christmas Free Shipping" specials...

This was the reply:

"Sorry. No free shipping specials. Just try to make sure everything is coming from the same warehouse then the shipping isn't as bad. We know sometimes that can be hard to do."

WTF???

Business must be sweet over at CTD to give a statement like that.

Needless to say I'll be searching elsewhere for what I want...even if I have to pay a higher price....and even shipping costs.

Merry Christmas..

T.A.J.

[Mike.357]

lol

[Guest bkelm18]

I've never bought from them. Never found their prices to be that great.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Here are a few things about CTD.

First I used to order from them on a regular basis. Easrly on, as in 15+ years ago, they were about the only major supplier of all things surplus. Or at least they were the only ones that marketed enough for me to take notice. This was the days when I looked through shotgun news for the various parts to build 1911's which was also in its infancy as far as aftermarket parts for sale goes.

Back to CTD, I had been placing orders with them for a number of years. One day I was looking at my bank statement and noticed $10 being deducted for "Reservation Rewards". Curious about it as I was I just chaulked it up to something my wife was enrolled in even though I couldn't figure why. So almost two years later I noticed it was still on the statement so i asked my wife what those "Reservation Rewards" were good for. She had no clue what I was talking about. So I called them and asked about what it was and how I evidentally enrolled. They said the $10 allowed me to book vacations for cheap. Because I don't do vacations I knew I didn't enroll and neither did my wife. I asked how I enrolled and they said when I placed a CTD order I was automatically enrolled. I then aske dthe important question, how do I get my money back. They said I couldn't. So I made sure I was no longer enrolled and called CTD. I told CTD what I was told and they said that there was no way I was enrolled by them. After a heated discussion with the person from CTD he finally said I should have opted out when i ordered. At that point I again asked for my money back and got a no. I went back through the order process and there was in fact a way to "opt out" of the "reservation rewards" program. It is small and hidden unless you are looking for it so its intent, in my eyes anyways, was to trap customers. Since then I have never used them.

Somethign else I was told was this. I was speaking to a gentlemen about this and he relayed a problem he had with them as well. Well not the company but the owner. The owner walked through a show buying every pound of I think it was Bullseye or Bluedot or ? I can't remember but he bought every pound of that particular type of powder he could from every dealer that had it at that show. The owner made sure to pay with credit card. After the show was over he disputed every single charge that was made when he bought the powders. The show circuit is a small community so when something like this happens everybody knows about it. It took this particular gentlemen 4 months to get his money. This tied up the money for probably dozens of people trying to make an honest living. Now even though it wasn't the actual company that did this it speaks volumes as to how the company is run if it is run by someone who is willing to try this. And imagine how many "free" pounds of powder he got by those dealers who didn't want to go through the hassle of disputing the cost of a pound of powder. Also, who is going to go through cost and the hassle to prosecute someone for a pound of powder?

And this is why I will not deal with CTD. Yes I look at their flyers and their website but ALWAYS buy from someone else. Botach tactical is another comapny tha twill not see any of my money but that is a whole other story of shady business practices.

Dolomite

[Guest Bassman17SC]

I recently ordered some ammo from CTD over the telephone. You reckon they signed me up then? Or is this just an issue with internet orders?

[Mike.357]

I dunno what happened to Dolomite but I have bought from them for as long as I can remember and have not had a problem.

[The Average Joe]

It's been years since I've ordered anything from CTD.

The last time I even considered them (as CTD isn't really cheaper than dirt...they're actually pretty expensive on some items) was when they spiked their costs on ammo back when Barry O was elected.

I was determined never to buy from them ever...but I've calmed down, plus I've found an AR-15 compensator that only they carry at this time.

I figured if they ran a "free shipping Christmas deal", I'd try them out.

Looks like CTD has dropped the ball, yet again. I'm back on the wagon with the rest of the TGO crowd and will more than likely stay there.

Dolomite_supafly,

I've heard the stories about Botach Tactical, but have ordered from them several times without a problem.

However, the first time they drop the ball on me, I'll be posting here...Hell, I'll be telling everybody.

In this cyber world of ours, word travels far and wide...quickly.

FYI: If you ever order business cards from Vistaprint, you be reciving a free one year subscription to a randomly selected women's magazine.

On my last order, I was signed up for "LUCKY"...it's a women's shopping magazine. It's runs out and I never get charged, but I get a lot of weird looks from the admin who delivers the mail from the front desk...

Thanks for everyone's input on this.

[strickj]

Here are a few things about CTD.

First I used to order from them on a regular basis. Easrly on, as in 15+ years ago, they were about the only major supplier of all things surplus. Or at least they were the only ones that marketed enough for me to take notice. This was the days when I looked through shotgun news for the various parts to build 1911's which was also in its infancy as far as aftermarket parts for sale goes.

Back to CTD, I had been placing orders with them for a number of years. One day I was looking at my bank statement and noticed $10 being deducted for "Reservation Rewards". Curious about it as I was I just chaulked it up to something my wife was enrolled in even though I couldn't figure why. So almost two years later I noticed it was still on the statement so i asked my wife what those "Reservation Rewards" were good for. She had no clue what I was talking about. So I called them and asked about what it was and how I evidentally enrolled. They said the $10 allowed me to book vacations for cheap. Because I don't do vacations I knew I didn't enroll and neither did my wife. I asked how I enrolled and they said when I placed a CTD order I was automatically enrolled. I then aske dthe important question, how do I get my money back. They said I couldn't. So I made sure I was no longer enrolled and called CTD. I told CTD what I was told and they said that there was no way I was enrolled by them. After a heated discussion with the person from CTD he finally said I should have opted out when i ordered. At that point I again asked for my money back and got a no. I went back through the order process and there was in fact a way to "opt out" of the "reservation rewards" program. It is small and hidden unless you are looking for it so its intent, in my eyes anyways, was to trap customers. Since then I have never used them.

Somethign else I was told was this. I was speaking to a gentlemen about this and he relayed a problem he had with them as well. Well not the company but the owner. The owner walked through a show buying every pound of I think it was Bullseye or Bluedot or ? I can't remember but he bought every pound of that particular type of powder he could from every dealer that had it at that show. The owner made sure to pay with credit card. After the show was over he disputed every single charge that was made when he bought the powders. The show circuit is a small community so when something like this happens everybody knows about it. It took this particular gentlemen 4 months to get his money. This tied up the money for probably dozens of people trying to make an honest living. Now even though it wasn't the actual company that did this it speaks volumes as to how the company is run if it is run by someone who is willing to try this. And imagine how many "free" pounds of powder he got by those dealers who didn't want to go through the hassle of disputing the cost of a pound of powder. Also, who is going to go through cost and the hassle to prosecute someone for a pound of powder?

And this is why I will not deal with CTD. Yes I look at their flyers and their website but ALWAYS buy from someone else. Botach tactical is another comapny tha twill not see any of my money but that is a whole other story of shady business practices.

Dolomite

A lot of online retailers offer stuff from 3rd parties like that.

There's usually a little box to check or it gives you the option to "continue on" to sign up. It can be a little confusing and misleading when you check out if you don't know what it is.

You should have contacted your card company and disputed the charges.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Just to clarify this was at least a decade ago, not recently.

Dolomite

[Mike.357]

Dolomite told me about that at the range last week. It is weird for sure. I almost think someone did something inadvertantly when charging a purchase he made. Who knows? The big lesson here is to check all credit card statements closely every month so something like this does not slide by.

I have used CTD since long before Al Gore invented the internet. Clip an order form from a catalogue and send a check with it, thank god them days are over, LOL. They used to pretty much sell only surplus items, now they sell anything. Check out Cheaperthandirt.net. There is no mention of guns or gun stuff without some searching.

I use them if the price is right. And have never had a bad experience in my dealings.

[R1100R]

I just recently purchased two firearms from them and they were cheaper than anyone, even Bud's. The shipping was 10.99 for both of them from the same warehouse, no credit card fee. Plus they were quick. I have been charged up to 45.00 before for shipping. This was a pistol and one long gun.

I know people that accused them of gouging after the Obama election. From my observations it was no worse than some of the local dealers.

I will buy from them again if they have what I need. I didn't notice anything odd when I checked out but this was from the CheaperThan Dirt.COM site.

[Guest boatme99]

I've never ordered from them either. I never found anything that I couldn't get locally on sale or by working a deal with my local stores. Now I

don't reload or get into exotic stuff, so I mostly deal with ammo, cleaning supplies, and ordinary stuff.

[Oh Shoot]

I've bought beau coup from them through the years. Odds and ends, some ammo. For a couple of years they had the cheapest Rem Golden Saber in the US. A lot of their molle stuff is fine and low priced, other odds and ends. Never the slightest prob.

I'm non-discriminatory shopper; best price including shipping (you do have to watch out for the two warehouse thing, though) for what I want gets my bux in general. I'll pay somewhat over that if can find locally, but not usually more than about 10%.

I see that Reservation Reward thing still exists (had to look it up) but never ran into it. Must have been fairly short lived association, never seen it as option on any of the places I buy from.

- OS

[Volzfan]

I've never bought from them. Never found their prices to be that great.

That's been my experience too. I was on their email list but eventually figured that it was a waste of time so I unsubscribed.

[The Average Joe]

I wound up going to Brownells. The price of the 2 items I wanted were slightly more expensive, but the shipping was only $5.95 (snail mail).

I was just really turned off that of all the online tactical merchants running Christmas deals, CTD didn't jump at the chance and frankly, didn't care.

It's this time of year that guys like me get a bonus or Christmas money and can finally cash in on what they've been wanting or needing all year.

I would think that some kind of "special" would be a spur to guide buyers toward them. I know it worked on me with other online merchants this year.

When I get an email advertising free shipping and have Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, I start shopping.

[DWARREN123]

Earlier this year I oedered some trousers (5.11 brand) that they showed in stock. Got a e-mail the next day saying they were not in stock and it would be up to 3 months before they were. Cancelled the order and have not done business with them since.

[kb4ns]

I used to order from them quite often, but haven't placed more than 1 or 2 orders in the last few years. The warehouse thing usually ticks me off. I'll find a few things that I want and all three are at a different warehouse and will cost me $35 to ship. I end up buying elsewhere.

[hornett22]

Never .was impressed with CTD.

Botach Tac are a bunch of clowns. Screwed me once. That's all it takes.

[DaveS]

A little background:

This year I celebrated 20 yrs of employment at my job. With that i was awarded a service award (in the form of a cash gift card) of $750.00. Inwhich I went online and took advantage of the online specials...especially FREE shipping.

I've shopped CDNN Sports, Cabela's, The Sportsman's Guide, Thompson Cigar, Outdoor Bunker, and several others who at this time of year run online specials of free shipping or cheap flat rate shipping specials...and I've patronized them because of that. Most have a set dollar amount, but as Christmas gets closer, the deals get sweeter. Some even run an unlimited purchase amount with free shipping...except CHEAPER THAN DIRT.

CTD ran a "12 Days of Christmas" special, but it was mostly derelict odds and ends that really didn't strike my fancy....and again, no free shipping.

So, I held out.

Today, while talking to a friend via facebook, I noticed that CTD had posted a Merry Christmas photo.

I went to their page and just politely asked ( in a post) if there would be any "After Christmas Free Shipping" specials...

This was the reply:

"Sorry. No free shipping specials. Just try to make sure everything is coming from the same warehouse then the shipping isn't as bad. We know sometimes that can be hard to do."

WTF???

Business must be sweet over at CTD to give a statement like that.

Needless to say I'll be searching elsewhere for what I want...even if I have to pay a higher price....and even shipping costs.

Merry Christmas..

T.A.J.

Just wondering....why do you require "free shipping" just to order from someone?

Just curious is all......

Dave