Are you saying that you will not support FX or AoA because a.) FX hasn’t delivered the rifles in the amount of time you expected, or b.) AoA took your deposit and you are upset that they can’t sell you a product that they don’t have in stock yet, or c.) you’re just upset that AoA hasn’t sent you regular updates regarding the anticipated arrival of the Impact?The numbers change because the products usually go through some changes between IWA and full production. Which is why you can never rely on any numbers until the product is in full production.Historically speaking (at least the last few years), FX has been introducing their concept products at the IWA in Germany, then they bring a few with them to EBR in Arizona, then they make the product available to the public shortly thereafter. I was at Airguns of Arizona when FX arrived with a few boxes of parts and started putting the Impacts together. As far as I know there are only 6 Impacts in the US at this time. Fredrik raffled off 2 units at the EBR banquet, left one with AoA, gave one to Ted, one to myself, & another to the “Wildcat” Tominco. I assume this was a strategic move to try and get some publicity. These were all “pre-production” rifles and we are essentially the guinea pigs on the farm. Bottom line… the Impact is so complex (yet simple to use) that it is taking FX longer than expected to bring it to market. The last thing they want to do is release a new product that hasn’t been thoroughly tested.On another note please share with us (in a separate topic) how you upgraded your other two rifles to fill the niche.Thx
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It wasn't my intent to get into a debate, Michael; I was merely stating the decision I've made as the result of how this roll out has unfolded. But to answer your questions, it's yes to all three and more. A primary tenet in quality improvement is that you exceed the customers' expectations. In this case both FX and AoA have done just the opposite. FX unveiled the Impact and Wildcat at IWA and AoA placed the both items on their website with prices. I was obviously monitoring AoA's website and, as stated, placed my order within 30 minutes of the price being posted and have subsequently heard nothing as "expected delivery dates" have come and gone with no further communication while the 5.8 lb Wildcats have turned up in members' hands weighing 7 lbs and the 6.1 lb Impact is weighing 7 lbs as well.
Let's take this out of current context. Suppose I went to my local hardware store and saw a poster advertising a new drill lighter in weight and filled with lots of neat features. The manager says he expects to have the new drill within a couple of weeks. I place my order and go home. Weeks go by and I hear nothing from the manager of the store. A couple of months later I hear from my neighbor that he has one of the drills. It's not as light as advertised, and it doesn't have all the variable speeds advertised, but he's enjoying it immensely. I would make the same decision I'm making now; not only would I not be interested in purchasing the drill, but I would also decide that in the future I would likely find another hardware store for future purchases. I make this decision not because I think the manager of the store is a bad person but because I perceive in his behavior that he has little or no interest in me as a customer, that he has adopted an all too frequently encountered mindset in today's business world that moving product is the objective and individual customers are irrelevant ("if he doesn't buy it then someone will").
For me the decision to spend $2000 on an airgun is not taken lightly. Such a sum represents a substantial portion of my expendable income and I would like the business to whom I'm sending that money to appreciate that and treat me accordingly; that's part of my definition of a quality experience. Sure, I'm only one of 500 or 2000 people making the same purchase, but the fact that they made me think that my purchase was as important to them as it was to me demonstrates to me that they value me as a customer and consequently I value them as a partner in the pursuit of this wonderful hobby we all enjoy so much.
From a manufacturer I expect honesty in advertising. If you state a product weight, then I expect the product to weigh that weight. If the product advertising is misleading, then I have to wonder what other liberties you might be willing to take with facts. As I've stated in previous posts, my airgun focus is hunting, so how much a gun weighs is an important detail when I'm hiking up a 12,000 ft peak here in Colorado. My perception is that FX has been less than honest in their product descriptions, hence my decision to refrain from purchasing their product.
Now, regarding the mods; yes, I will post those projects when they're completed. Thanks to fellow member Baxter Walton, I now have a bullpup stock kit in which I'm placing my old Hammerli Pneuma to make a neat, lightweight .22 hunter. Still assembling it, but I can already tell you that it's beautiful (thanks again, Baxter!) and snuggles into my arms like a warm puppy. Now if it only shoots half as good as it looks I'll be happy.
The other objective was a lightweight, high-powered .30 caliber hunting gun. I have decided to install a .30 caliber big bore kit in my Condor SS along with a carbon fiber tank. Again, I'm still waiting on some parts but I can already tell that it will be light (less than 6 1/2 lbs with scope) and I have hopes it will be powerful and accurate (I've heard good things about TJ barrels so I'm hopeful) as well. As noted, I will provide details later.
At the risk of being redundant, I am not interested in starting a debate. I am merely stating the decisions I've made and the reasons for making those decisions.
