ontarget
Member
Why do so many recommend PSA? Every single time I visit their site they are "temporarily out of stock" for nearly everything? What gives?
Why PSA?
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When something is in stock they have very good prices. If it is in stock. But that could with their very hot or miss shipping keeps me from buying from them.
What Robert said. They have good prices for the quality. The out of stock items, in my opinion, are the result of a run on certain items because of the election year and uncertainty. It's not just PSA. Just wait a bit, and they'll have more stock. But you gotta be ready to pounce!
ironworkerwill
Member
Back last summer they had lots of stuff in stock. It is a popular site. If stuff flies off the shelf for any reason, it flies at PSA first. They have a reputation for low prices, shipping delays, and virtual nonexistent customer service.
Some folks don't realize how much personal service is dying, just like some folks don't realize how much personal service costs.
The company I work for uses one vendor. He owns the company, wearhouses the tools and personally delivers the tools he has. You could shop at Walton-mart or Holmes depot and save a few bucks, but you'll be lucky to see anyone who knows what an "Ideal wire reel" is, where to look for it, will bring it to the jobsite, or honestly gives the tiniest rats pattoot about it.
Some folks don't realize how much personal service is dying, just like some folks don't realize how much personal service costs.
The company I work for uses one vendor. He owns the company, wearhouses the tools and personally delivers the tools he has. You could shop at Walton-mart or Holmes depot and save a few bucks, but you'll be lucky to see anyone who knows what an "Ideal wire reel" is, where to look for it, will bring it to the jobsite, or honestly gives the tiniest rats pattoot about it.
Speedo66
Member
I've read about their poor shipping, but personally have not experienced it.
I received a rifle kit less than a week after I ordered it, and parts I ordered yesterday are already being shipped.
So far no problem with them at all.
I haven't seen another place that offers what they do at the same price point. I got a nice kit, and combined with an Anderson lower, had a complete rifle, aside from a magazine, for less than $430.
I received a rifle kit less than a week after I ordered it, and parts I ordered yesterday are already being shipped.
So far no problem with them at all.
I haven't seen another place that offers what they do at the same price point. I got a nice kit, and combined with an Anderson lower, had a complete rifle, aside from a magazine, for less than $430.
jimbeaux82
Member
People use PSA because it is hard to beat the quality they offer for the price they charge. You just have to watch their website on a daily basis to take advantage of the numerous sales they offer and when you see something you want, don't hesitate - order it immediately.
I have now built 6-7 rifles from PSA parts and am a very happy customer. Yes - their shipping may be slow but they tell you this up front. I can live with that.
JMHO
I have now built 6-7 rifles from PSA parts and am a very happy customer. Yes - their shipping may be slow but they tell you this up front. I can live with that.
JMHO
I ordered on upper from them. I had excellent service and feel like I got an awful lot for my money. I do read about very long shipping times and spotty service quite a bit though. Maybe I just got lucky and caught them at a good time.
I'm building my first AR and decided to get most of the parts from PSA. I ordered a blemished barreled upper, blemished lower, BCG, part kit, etc. on Feb 1st (Mon). The upper and everything but the lower shipped the NEXT day. UPS delivered on the 5th (Fri). The lower shipped on the 3rd and I picked it up from my FFL yesterday (the 9th).
I'm extremely satisfied with PSA and their shipping.
I'm extremely satisfied with PSA and their shipping.
NeuseRvrRat
Member
I had an issue with an AR furniture kit getting shipped with a carbine length handguard instead of midlength. I had to wait on hold for a while, but once they got to me, the service was excellent. A little patience goes a long way. Same applies to their shipping. They are straightforward about their shipping times. If you need it sooner, buy it elsewhere, but you will probably pay more. This is how they keep the prices low, and I'm OK with that.
1911 guy
Member
I use PSA if I'm ordering something I can wait for. If I positively MUST have it in hand by X date, I'll order (and pay more) from someone else.
The longest I've waited for a package from them was three weeks from order to delivery. Not bad, actually, considering the volume the do.
The longest I've waited for a package from them was three weeks from order to delivery. Not bad, actually, considering the volume the do.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Why?
Just last night, I bought a sale-priced $199 middie 1:7" complete upper (minus BCG) and a $129 MOE lower kit from PSA. Add in the $69 BCG that I bought from them last month on sale and the $39 Anderson lower that I bought locally a month before that, and I'm gonna wind up with a AR range toy for my bride that will have cost me well under $500 in parts before I plop an optic on it.
That's why.
Just last night, I bought a sale-priced $199 middie 1:7" complete upper (minus BCG) and a $129 MOE lower kit from PSA. Add in the $69 BCG that I bought from them last month on sale and the $39 Anderson lower that I bought locally a month before that, and I'm gonna wind up with a AR range toy for my bride that will have cost me well under $500 in parts before I plop an optic on it.
That's why.
lysanderxiii
Member
I have never encountered slow shipping or poor customer service from PSA.
So, low prices and good quality means high demand, which leads to quick depletion of stock.
So, low prices and good quality means high demand, which leads to quick depletion of stock.
I used them a few years ago when I decided I wanted an AR. The blemished rifle kit I ordered was there within a week. The blemished lower took 3 weeks to ship but it came & it was inexpensive. The shipping times on the magazines, sights, red dot etc. were reasonable.
I bought a pistol from them last year. I ordered it online on a Saturday & picked it up at my FFL the following Friday. More recently I ordered their enhanced polished fire control group. It took 2 weeks for me to get it.
I know they are sometimes slow to ship. I also know I usually get a lot of value for my money when I deal with them. The answer to your question about, "Why?" is easy though. As others have said they deliver quality parts for reasonable prices. If you want to catch the deals before they run out of stock subscribe to their E-mails.
I bought a pistol from them last year. I ordered it online on a Saturday & picked it up at my FFL the following Friday. More recently I ordered their enhanced polished fire control group. It took 2 weeks for me to get it.
I know they are sometimes slow to ship. I also know I usually get a lot of value for my money when I deal with them. The answer to your question about, "Why?" is easy though. As others have said they deliver quality parts for reasonable prices. If you want to catch the deals before they run out of stock subscribe to their E-mails.
I bought one of their premium uppers several months ago and have been happy with its performance, but after continuing to monitor their website on a daily basis since I've noticed a dearth of premium uppers. From about the past few months their uppers have turned to almost all ptac and freedom. I don't know the difference between the brands, but it's noticeable.
meanmrmustard
Member
I've had similar experience other than shipping. Every rifle kit or upper I've purchased has been at my door within a week.
Yes, check their site daily. I built a coyote/deer thumper for $415 by using their rifle kit and stripped Anderson lowers.
meanmrmustard
Member
PTAC and Freedoms are GTG. No complaints here after purchasing seversw kits based on those.
Jackal
Member
PSA kits are great if you want to slap together a decent AR for a decent price. Personally, I prefer to source individual parts and "build" from the ground up though. Then again, my basic AR's rarely cost less than $900.
I have built 1 Ptac kit. I rebuilt their upper using proper torque specs (PSA, please stop torquing barrel nuts to 150lbs...). After rebuilding the PTAC upper, the $400 AR runs better than it should. Kinda makes me pissy when a $400 rifle will almost keep up with a $1000 rifle...
I have built 1 Ptac kit. I rebuilt their upper using proper torque specs (PSA, please stop torquing barrel nuts to 150lbs...). After rebuilding the PTAC upper, the $400 AR runs better than it should. Kinda makes me pissy when a $400 rifle will almost keep up with a $1000 rifle...
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
My only quibble with their shipping is that they use UPS over Fedex. At least on Miami, FedEx is much better suited to residential deliveries as they will hold packages at a local store longer. UPS packages can only be picked up at one inconvenient location, and will be Returned to sender pronto. This can be an issue with PSA since you can't estimate which week a delivery will arrive. This probably doesn't matter to most people, but if you don't want gun parts delivered at your office and travel often or work late you wil be limited when you can order from PSA.
All depends what you're looking for. During non panic times they have usually had what I was looking for. Most times that was just small parts or a lower. I've had friends that built complete rifles from them. Had everything they needed. Obviously, their price to quality ratio is the biggest draw.
AKElroy
Member
I am a PSA fan, and I have had no issues with shipping. I called to confirm stock when I ordered, and they were honest and accurate for the two orders I placed with regard to it taking awhile for the items to go out. I am very pleased with my purchase, a bargain at $550 for the basic gun. With a trigger upgrade and good glass, I am getting sub MOA w/ m262 loads. VERY pleased.
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hemiram
Member
I don't know why, but the last few things I've ordered from PSA came very quickly. Last thing before the recent stuff was when I ordered my upper and it took over 2 weeks. All the stuff I ordered recently, in three separate orders, came in 4 days or less. My Taurus PT111 G2 showed up in 3 days. Not bad.
Inazone
Member
Their shipping times seem to be improving, and if something requires more time, it's typically stated right on the product page. The only issue I had was that I ordered some in-stock ammo (according to the website) but they ran out, didn't get more in, and I was still charged the full shipping price. It wasn't a big deal, and it's the only time I've encountered such a problem after many PSA orders, so I let it go.
Aside from the occasional human error that can happen in any transaction, the only "problem" I see with PSA is that their sales volume is outpacing their operational capacity in the current market environment. If they hire a bunch more employees and then business conditions cool off, they'll be laying people off, probably carrying fewer products and/or stocking lower quantities, etc.
Aside from the occasional human error that can happen in any transaction, the only "problem" I see with PSA is that their sales volume is outpacing their operational capacity in the current market environment. If they hire a bunch more employees and then business conditions cool off, they'll be laying people off, probably carrying fewer products and/or stocking lower quantities, etc.
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