What's up with FX USA?

[stoti]

Isn’t a major part of the standard retail agreement that you sell at the advertised msrp and don’t divulge the mark up... so that T3P can’t share that information?

Retail mark up, “typically about half” does seem kind of high. I’d like to know what it really is too. That’s crazy man, crazy! Lol

 

[farrahUSMC]

oh oh here I am getting ready to buy the Impact MKII .... well thanks for the heads up guys.... looks like it's down to the Edgun Matador Long or the Leshy.

 

[T3PRanch]

If one is interested in what the dealer markup is on any product then the obvious choice is to become a dealer of said product. Be advised from my failed trial run for a couple of years that it ain't no cake walk and you need DEEP pockets, a good location as well as a good customer base / great support and great customer relations to succeed! What I lacked was Deep Pockets and ANY customer base and although I have a great location for hunting it is the pits for any kind of sales due to it's remoteness (Oh Well can't have it all in one place). Lessons learned with hard cash are hard lessons. The main takeaway for me was that grass always looks greener from the other side of the fence and it takes a special sort of person to succeed in a retail business and that is NOT me. lol

As another poster mentioned: FX-USA is new and has some growing pains like any new business so that ought to buy them a measure of slack with customers imho.

I also learned in my failed venture that some customers have very short fuses and cannot be satisfied and even if given a product for free would complain about it's shortcomings instead of it's innovation and strengths. FX IS the industry innovator. There is NONE other like it.

 

[heavy-impact]

As another poster mentioned: FX-USA is new and has some growing pains like any new business so that ought to buy them a measure of slack with customers imho.

They haven't changed course since their beginning other than customer service getting a little worse. Like another member mentioned they need to have a web store where we can buy any part they make, on our own with no nonsense and no BS. That would free them to do warranty work.

 

[bubblerboy64]

Seems as if a simple recorded message on an answering device might go a long way.

It can be very frustrating. I find sometimes that the right hand doesn’t know what the left is doing making communication difficult . What is worse some times they just don’t care. 

If I was a boss I’d be listening in on the phone conversations because first impressions are important and can make or break a business. 

On the other hand we all know that some of us can be difficult to deal with.

 

[Hyperdave]

As another poster mentioned: FX-USA is new and has some growing pains like any new business so that ought to buy them a measure of slack with customers imho.

I also learned in my failed venture that some customers have very short fuses and cannot be satisfied and even if given a product for free would complain about it's shortcomings instead of it's innovation and strengths. FX IS the industry innovator. There is NONE other like it.

I, too, admire FX's innovations and in particular the smooth twist barrel systems.

However, it could be argued about their newness in the US market... According to Wikipedia: "FX's venture into the North American markets has been a great success, and in 2009 Axelsson decided to shift the company's main focus to America..." The press release introducing FX USA as a distributor came in early December, 2017. So after nearly two years, can we still play the "new to the market" card? Frankly, I'm not at issue with their products or their pricing. But running their repair parts business here in the US like a startup mom-and-pop outfit out of somebody's garage is unacceptable practice for a multi-national company that strives to be a leader in this industry, IMO.

 

[Glem.Chally]

Their main phone and parts order receptionist has had surgery (at FX USA), please have patience? They’re human beings too, things should get better when she returns. Spoke to them today 8/23/2019.

And we're supposed to know this how? Again I've been waiting for a 1 minute phone call for 10 days now, same message as all other times. This is a terrible way to run a business, don't get me started on the 7-10 business days of processing after payment. Like I said weeks ago, buy more phones and pay more people to operate them if they don't want to setup an online parts order system.

 

[Pale_Rider]

The quality of product that a corporation pushes out does not give them permission to run their repair parts service like a “mom and pop outfit”. That is something I expect from new company with no experience or skills in customer relations. A company like FX has been in the game long enough to have the know how and the funds to establish a more professional repair/parts service. It’s like FX airguns is the finest piece of ass you guys have ever had and are willing to put up with whatever just to be with her

 

[Funshine]

FX Corporation need to read this thread... and all the ones like it all around the world where the people, their customers, are being affected by their bad customer "After Sales Service", If they paid more attention to Quality Control, more of us would be happy and they would have more free time to scratch their....heads.

 

[stoti]

oh oh here I am getting ready to buy the Impact MKII .... well thanks for the heads up guys.... looks like it's down to the Edgun Matador Long or the Leshy.

Farrah, don’t let the issues with the phone and customer service scare you away from the Impact MKII. That stuff is a let down right now but the ImpCt MKII is one sweet gun! Everything about it is awesome. Mine did have a leak problem that I couldn’t find but aside from shipping time there and back, they fixed it in 2-3 days. They gave me priority since it was a new gun. It really is an innovative, great gun. There’s also more information on it already than you’ll find on the internet on almost any other guns, which makes it easy to work on. The modularity, power, quietness and accuracy make it so awesome. I love my RAW too but the Impact is just next generation innovation now! Buy it, you won’t regret it!

Stoti

 

[socaloldman]

We all understand medical issue etc , however plenty of temp help is available and those holes can be plugged really fast by good management. I'll bet there are 100 airgun guys in the area who are retired and could step in and do a credible job almost free to help out. my .02

 

[JoeKool]

Their main phone and parts order receptionist has had surgery (at FX USA), please have patience? They’re human beings too, things should get better when she returns. Spoke to them today 8/23/2019.

And we're supposed to know this how? Again I've been waiting for a 1 minute phone call for 10 days now, same message as all other times. This is a terrible way to run a business, don't get me started on the 7-10 business days of processing after payment. Like I said weeks ago, buy more phones and pay more people to operate them if they don't want to setup an online parts order system.

 

[Glem.Chally]

Their main phone and parts order receptionist has had surgery (at FX USA), please have patience? They’re human beings too, things should get better when she returns. Spoke to them today 8/23/2019.

And we're supposed to know this how? Again I've been waiting for a 1 minute phone call for 10 days now, same message as all other times. This is a terrible way to run a business, don't get me started on the 7-10 business days of processing after payment. Like I said weeks ago, buy more phones and pay more people to operate them if they don't want to setup an online parts order system.

Good point Joe! 2 months ago I bought an Impact x MK2, sighting it in took all the clicks of the scope to get it centered. Was hitting 4 inches right. Took a while to figure out the outer barrel is tweaked. Like by a good bit, been waiting to get a new one. On the 23rd of JUNE I was told fxusa was setting one aside for me on their next shipment. Delays because fx Sweden takes long summer holidays, rmac and others. I'm waiting for a simple yes or no if they have the shipment yet. Tell me you wouldn't be annoyed Joe.

 

[jking]

Several months ago I actually talked to Jon there at FX USA about this same issue. He said he monitors and keeps up with AGN so I’m kinda surprised he has replied to this subject. The way he described the situation was that at the time they were understaffed but he also pointed out that they are just a service center and not a retail business so things don’t operate like a PA, UTA or PBA. Not making excuses but I did understand what he was saying and lightened up a little with them. Sounds like it might be a little worse presently. 

Jimmy

 

[Strobing_NYC]

I did try and go through who I purchased from originally they said "sorry FX said we can no longer warranty or even get you parts" have the email! That's what is so so so frustrating, I get we are all human but business is business and I paid a lot of $$$ for a paperweight right now. 

 

[Strobing_NYC]

I'm sorry but when you spend 2K of hard earned $ on a air rifle that you use for "your business" and depend on I find this to be a highly serious issue for the company. I own 3 FX rifles and love them, but this parts thing in the USA is Making me want to jump ship! There is always an excuse ALWAYS either personal for the employees or "promotional" out shooting at a comp... To me it's simple sell as many new units as possible...... To bad they forgot the guys that got them where they are now, and stood by through all the BS.. 

 

[cfs916]

I agree with the online parts website. It’ll make things a lot easier for them and us. If not, they should supply dealers with them so they can handle that task instead of having frustrated customers

 

[Peskådot671]

I agree with the online parts website. It’ll make things a lot easier for them and us. If not, they should supply dealers with them so they can handle that task instead of having frustrated customers

This

Also waiting for this thread to get locked. 

 

[Smitty911]

STO your WAY off target with your dealer markup statement ..... WAY WAY off Target. No airgun retail dealer on the planet gets that kind of money not even if the retail dealer is also the importer!

Standard retailer markup, across industries, is 40%. FX products are even protected by MAP and in some cases regional restrictions. I genuinely curious though, what is the markup on FX guns and what is the markup on other brands?

Not to ruffle feathers, but what difference does it make to the consumer? If they 100% plus markup, or are selling at a 50% Loss on each unit. Price and Service are not mutually exclusive and people now a days seem to be less likely to want to pay for service.

There are only two prices in the world anyway. 1. How much does someone want to sell it for? and 2. The most important - What is someone willing to spend on it? Any other issues is A. None of other parties business and B. Doesn't mean anything. I've been in sales off and on for many years, sold Boats, Cars, Jewelry, Steak & Seafood, Hair Care Products, LIfe Insurance, Boat Insurance, etc. etc. Price has never sold anything, Value is what people buy.

I've put on my Flame Proof Suit, Fire away.



Smitty

 

[zx10wall]

I suspect that the bulk of the FX USA “uppers” have their attention and focus on the Pyramyd Cup. A lot of them compete in higher profile events such as this which occur about 3 times a year.

Preparation & travel are all part of it. Rubbing elbows with others there and caring for their shooters takes time and effort. How well you do as a manufacturer in these events is very important. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday still holds true. 

I’ve dealt with FX USA once. It couldn’t have gone any better really. Called, ordered, received their email to complete payment in short order. Parts received in 5-6 days. However, obviously my experience is unlike many of what you have gone through. 

If the event has consumed their attention away from the “average joe consumer”, that is a big mistake. These average consumers are the heart and bulk of their sales. Piss folks off to a certain level and no matter how good your product is, you’ll be despised! Staff-up and refocus on what’s most important. Just my measly .02.