I can speak to my buying experience.
My local dealer was listed on RA's site, so I stopped by to see if he stocked them. He is not a dealer I usually use and I don't know him. Anyway, turns out he sold the M96 back in the day, but had not dealt with RA recently.
While I was in the shop he call RA to get prices for me, but had to fax in an FFL. He took down my information and said he's get back to me once he got the information from RA. I guess with the M96 RA set him a whole packet of info and he was expecting the same thing for the XCR. That was the last I heard from the guy. I never call or went back since I figured based on some of his other prices I'd be getting screwed anyway.
So I then called my favorite FFL and asked if he could get an XCR even though he did not deal with RA. He was able to get pricing for me in a few days and we had a deal.
He did have a few complaints about the process of dealing with RA.
They asked for the FFL on three separate occasions. A mistake here could end it for RA, so I understand the need to be certain, but three times was a hassle for my FFL and it makes you wonder what is happening to the paperwork.
My FFL had to pre-pay. Not before shipping, but to secure the order. So my rifle was paid for 8 weeks before shipping. I can understand prepaying a few weeks before shipping, but not at the time of order when the backlog was quoted at 6 week. The price I was quoted did not include tying up capital for so long, but my FFL did not complain. I just felt bad and actually sent the FFL a check. (he refused to cash it until the transfer)
The rifle did not ship when they said it would ship. It went out a week late with no explanation.
So overall a few minor issues, but I can see how for some guys it is not worth it when ARs are selling well and capital for stock is tight.
I'd have to say the RA is working hard on customer services and it certainly shows on the forum.
My local dealer was listed on RA's site, so I stopped by to see if he stocked them. He is not a dealer I usually use and I don't know him. Anyway, turns out he sold the M96 back in the day, but had not dealt with RA recently.
While I was in the shop he call RA to get prices for me, but had to fax in an FFL. He took down my information and said he's get back to me once he got the information from RA. I guess with the M96 RA set him a whole packet of info and he was expecting the same thing for the XCR. That was the last I heard from the guy. I never call or went back since I figured based on some of his other prices I'd be getting screwed anyway.
So I then called my favorite FFL and asked if he could get an XCR even though he did not deal with RA. He was able to get pricing for me in a few days and we had a deal.
He did have a few complaints about the process of dealing with RA.
They asked for the FFL on three separate occasions. A mistake here could end it for RA, so I understand the need to be certain, but three times was a hassle for my FFL and it makes you wonder what is happening to the paperwork.
My FFL had to pre-pay. Not before shipping, but to secure the order. So my rifle was paid for 8 weeks before shipping. I can understand prepaying a few weeks before shipping, but not at the time of order when the backlog was quoted at 6 week. The price I was quoted did not include tying up capital for so long, but my FFL did not complain. I just felt bad and actually sent the FFL a check. (he refused to cash it until the transfer)
The rifle did not ship when they said it would ship. It went out a week late with no explanation.
So overall a few minor issues, but I can see how for some guys it is not worth it when ARs are selling well and capital for stock is tight.
I'd have to say the RA is working hard on customer services and it certainly shows on the forum.