OT: Warning - Do Not Do Business With Top Notch

MetalKnight · December 21, 2001, 16:37

Warning - Do Not Do Business With Top Notch.

Top Notch. Run by Wade Bailey. Brother of the infamous Todd Bailey. The guy has no clue how to run a business. Beware if you order from him, but if you do, use a credit card so you can dispute the charges if he does not deliver.

I ordered a SEF semi-auto plastic grip frame & Selector from him. I called him a day or so later and added two 30Rd mags to the order. He only ships weekly, so I knew he had not shipped yet. Wade promptly told me my original order was packed and ready to go so he will add the mags to the order and repackage them. A week later I get the package. Nice grip frame, selector is there...but no mags. A nice invoice is in the box showing that I was charged for the entire order including the mags (and a hefty $20 Shipping & handling charge!) Bummer.

I figure a quick call will fix it up. Called Wade. He was apologetic and said the mags would ship out the next Monday (this was a Thursday). A week and a half goes by...no mags. Another call to Wade. He sounds like this is the first he ever heard of this problem but assures me that it will go out the next Monday. More time passes. I now out of the blue get a call from Wade Bailey who promptly tells me that he has a problem with my "story" about missing mags. He says that the UPS invoice shows a 2lb order and that is what the grip frame, selector & two mags would have weighed. I say Ok, I still have the box & original contents of peanuts...so I check it. It does indeed say 2lbs on the UPS label. Our conversation is escalated by Wade as he all but calls me a liar & a thief! He begins screaming at me as I tell him that he is wrong and the label is wrong, there were no mags in the package (but I was sure charged for them) and I sure as hell do not like his attitude calling me at home and attacking me.

He shows his true colors here. I break out my package scale & weigh all components including the SEF frame, selector the box & peanuts & even the invoice. 10 3/4 ounces all together. This box was never ever 2 lbs. After I thoroughly explain to Wade that I am not a con-man and have no desire to "bankrupt" his "company" he finally flippantly admits that maybe when he repackaged the items (they were sealed before I added the mags to my order, he says) that maybe he weighed the components but did not repackage them all. But he loudly said that he doubted that this could happen because he runs the company and does ALL the order pulling, packing & shipping (but couldn't remember packing my order for some reason). Finally, after causing me way too much aggravation and heated debate he finally says that he will take me at my word and send the mags and hangs up on me. I have very serious doubts about his intention to deliver my paid for product.

I have had very few business deals go sour in my lifetime but never have I had the pleasure of having a business owner call me at home to tell me that I was a liar & thief and yell at the top of his lungs at me. Grrrreeeaat customer service. This guy will go far. I am going to give him 4 days to get those mags here. After that I will dispute the charges to my credit card company and let them deal with ol' Wade. As my wife will attest, I spend WAAAYYYY too much money on toys. Money that will NEVER again be found in the hands of Wade Bailey (Top Notch). And only in the most grudging way possible will I ever do business again with Todd Bailey & Special Weapons. I will also fervently try to dissuade ANYONE from doing business with this charlatan. It is not always how a company delivers to the customer, but how they handle a problem. Wade has chosen to commit consumer fraud.

Thanks again Wade, for the lovely time and stimulating conversation. You went out of your way to lose a customer today and by George, you did it!

MK

**idsubgun** · December 21, 2001, 18:04

What idiots like this don't seem to get is, word of mouth is the greatest form of advertisment. This works both ways. If you f*ck someone and they tell everyone, then you could, potentionally lose several customers, just because of a couple of mags. I know I'm tired of getting the shaft from guys like this and will never do business with this guy, just from your story. I'm sorry, but the slightest hint of BS and I don't do business with them anymore.

Thanks for the heads up.

dexguano · December 21, 2001, 20:42

Was the package shipped UPS? Was it a computer generated adhesive label?

If so he might have been using the UPS On-Line Software that rounds anything less than 2 lbs. up to 2 lbs. (If I remember correctly.) Electronic scale attached to computer that logs actual wgt. but rounds up on the label.

Might be worth bringing up in next conversation with shippers that tell you stuff like that.

MetalKnight · December 21, 2001, 20:55

idsubgun,
That is excactly right. And I expect that word of mouth and these very internet forums are thier proving grounds. I do not see much else in the way of advertisement from them.

The story does get better. I posted this problem on HK91.com and even in Todds Playground (HK54.com) while this site was down a couple days ago. Here is what happened shortly after my original post:

Now, this part is either funny, sick or just more proof that these guys are wacko. I got a call yesterday again from Wade. For a second I thought he was calling to apologize and tell me that my order has been shipped. Only a second though. Wade starts tearing into me about posting my bad feedback on the internet! Whining like a little baby (Hmmm...Todd and Wade Baby, has a ring to it)
and get this, he tells me that I am NEVER to call him to place an order again. Yup, I'm banished from Utopia. Bummer. But I think my post clearly stated that I would NEVER do business with this idiot again. Just goes to show ya what kind of people you are dealing with. I hope all goes well for everyone that deals with them, I really do. But God help you if there is some kind of a problem because these guys are too arrogant to believe that they could possibly make a mistake.

OK, Wade, I guess I can expect another harrassing call from you. But since you do read these posts, I request you send my paid for merchandise immediately or a issue a complete refund. I have sent you a certified mail on this matter. Please don't let it escalate any further.

MK

MetalKnight · December 21, 2001, 21:04

DexGuano,
Yup, it sure was a computer generated UPS adhesive label. I suspected that the weight was simply manually entered as a best guesstimate but if it automatically rounds up to 2 lbs., that would also account for it. Thanks for the info. I'll follow up on that.

It is amazing how such a trivial issue on such a small purchase could be blown into a full blown battle. The guy keeps no records and keeps no inventory documentation. I know this because he told me so when I suggested he check his inventory for an overstock. This would have solved the question immediately. What kind of business person operates off-the-cuff like this? A very very poor one.

MK

skfullgun · December 21, 2001, 21:06

Man...kinda reminds me of some of the A##holes I've run into from time to time in the firearms business! Thank's for the wakeup call!

jeffa · December 31, 2001, 16:59

Thanks for the heads up, word of mouth is the best way to go. I'll steer clear of this one, why create a headache when there are so many other reputable dealers out there.

Offctr · December 31, 2001, 17:13

You need to call your credit card co and contest the charges on the mags on the basis that you paid for something that was not delivered let them go after him.

slash-5 · January 04, 2002, 17:40

My UPS computer generated labels are all rounded up to two pounds by the program.

December 21, 2001, 16:37	#1
MetalKnight Physical Quantum Mechanic FALaholic #: 3984 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 259	OT: Warning - Do Not Do Business With Top Notch Warning - Do Not Do Business With Top Notch. Top Notch. Run by Wade Bailey. Brother of the infamous Todd Bailey. The guy has no clue how to run a business. Beware if you order from him, but if you do, use a credit card so you can dispute the charges if he does not deliver. I ordered a SEF semi-auto plastic grip frame & Selector from him. I called him a day or so later and added two 30Rd mags to the order. He only ships weekly, so I knew he had not shipped yet. Wade promptly told me my original order was packed and ready to go so he will add the mags to the order and repackage them. A week later I get the package. Nice grip frame, selector is there...but no mags. A nice invoice is in the box showing that I was charged for the entire order including the mags (and a hefty $20 Shipping & handling charge!) Bummer. I figure a quick call will fix it up. Called Wade. He was apologetic and said the mags would ship out the next Monday (this was a Thursday). A week and a half goes by...no mags. Another call to Wade. He sounds like this is the first he ever heard of this problem but assures me that it will go out the next Monday. More time passes. I now out of the blue get a call from Wade Bailey who promptly tells me that he has a problem with my "story" about missing mags. He says that the UPS invoice shows a 2lb order and that is what the grip frame, selector & two mags would have weighed. I say Ok, I still have the box & original contents of peanuts...so I check it. It does indeed say 2lbs on the UPS label. Our conversation is escalated by Wade as he all but calls me a liar & a thief! He begins screaming at me as I tell him that he is wrong and the label is wrong, there were no mags in the package (but I was sure charged for them) and I sure as hell do not like his attitude calling me at home and attacking me. He shows his true colors here. I break out my package scale & weigh all components including the SEF frame, selector the box & peanuts & even the invoice. 10 3/4 ounces all together. This box was never ever 2 lbs. After I thoroughly explain to Wade that I am not a con-man and have no desire to "bankrupt" his "company" he finally flippantly admits that maybe when he repackaged the items (they were sealed before I added the mags to my order, he says) that maybe he weighed the components but did not repackage them all. But he loudly said that he doubted that this could happen because he runs the company and does ALL the order pulling, packing & shipping (but couldn't remember packing my order for some reason). Finally, after causing me way too much aggravation and heated debate he finally says that he will take me at my word and send the mags and hangs up on me. I have very serious doubts about his intention to deliver my paid for product. I have had very few business deals go sour in my lifetime but never have I had the pleasure of having a business owner call me at home to tell me that I was a liar & thief and yell at the top of his lungs at me. Grrrreeeaat customer service. This guy will go far. I am going to give him 4 days to get those mags here. After that I will dispute the charges to my credit card company and let them deal with ol' Wade. As my wife will attest, I spend WAAAYYYY too much money on toys. Money that will NEVER again be found in the hands of Wade Bailey (Top Notch). And only in the most grudging way possible will I ever do business again with Todd Bailey & Special Weapons. I will also fervently try to dissuade ANYONE from doing business with this charlatan. It is not always how a company delivers to the customer, but how they handle a problem. Wade has chosen to commit consumer fraud. Thanks again Wade, for the lovely time and stimulating conversation. You went out of your way to lose a customer today and by George, you did it! MK __________________ Militavi Non Sine Gloria

December 21, 2001, 18:04	#2
idsubgun "Comfortably Numb" Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 3100 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 9,189	What idiots like this don't seem to get is, word of mouth is the greatest form of advertisment. This works both ways. If you fck someone and they tell everyone, then you could, potentionally lose several customers, just because of a couple of mags. I know I'm tired of getting the shaft from guys like this and will never do business with this guy, just from your story. I'm sorry, but the slightest hint of BS and I don't do business with them anymore. Thanks for the heads up. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum* "If you wish for peace, prepare for war"

December 21, 2001, 20:55	#4
MetalKnight Physical Quantum Mechanic FALaholic #: 3984 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 259	idsubgun, That is excactly right. And I expect that word of mouth and these very internet forums are thier proving grounds. I do not see much else in the way of advertisement from them. The story does get better. I posted this problem on HK91.com and even in Todds Playground (HK54.com) while this site was down a couple days ago. Here is what happened shortly after my original post: Now, this part is either funny, sick or just more proof that these guys are wacko. I got a call yesterday again from Wade. For a second I thought he was calling to apologize and tell me that my order has been shipped. Only a second though. Wade starts tearing into me about posting my bad feedback on the internet! Whining like a little baby (Hmmm...Todd and Wade Baby, has a ring to it) and get this, he tells me that I am NEVER to call him to place an order again. Yup, I'm banished from Utopia. Bummer. But I think my post clearly stated that I would NEVER do business with this idiot again. Just goes to show ya what kind of people you are dealing with. I hope all goes well for everyone that deals with them, I really do. But God help you if there is some kind of a problem because these guys are too arrogant to believe that they could possibly make a mistake. OK, Wade, I guess I can expect another harrassing call from you. But since you do read these posts, I request you send my paid for merchandise immediately or a issue a complete refund. I have sent you a certified mail on this matter. Please don't let it escalate any further. MK __________________ Militavi Non Sine Gloria

December 21, 2001, 21:04	#5
MetalKnight Physical Quantum Mechanic FALaholic #: 3984 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 259	DexGuano, Yup, it sure was a computer generated UPS adhesive label. I suspected that the weight was simply manually entered as a best guesstimate but if it automatically rounds up to 2 lbs., that would also account for it. Thanks for the info. I'll follow up on that. It is amazing how such a trivial issue on such a small purchase could be blown into a full blown battle. The guy keeps no records and keeps no inventory documentation. I know this because he told me so when I suggested he check his inventory for an overstock. This would have solved the question immediately. What kind of business person operates off-the-cuff like this? A very very poor one. MK __________________ Militavi Non Sine Gloria

December 21, 2001, 21:06	#6
skfullgun Moderator FALaholic #: 3756 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,740	Man...kinda reminds me of some of the A##holes I've run into from time to time in the firearms business! Thank's for the wakeup call! __________________ I'd like to spit some Beechnut in that dude's eyes, and shoot him with my ole .45!

December 21, 2001, 20:42	#3
dexguano Registered FALaholic #: 4644 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 125	Was the package shipped UPS? Was it a computer generated adhesive label? If so he might have been using the UPS On-Line Software that rounds anything less than 2 lbs. up to 2 lbs. (If I remember correctly.) Electronic scale attached to computer that logs actual wgt. but rounds up on the label. Might be worth bringing up in next conversation with shippers that tell you stuff like that.

December 31, 2001, 16:59	#7
jeffa Registered FALaholic #: 5040 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 34	Thanks for the heads up, word of mouth is the best way to go. I'll steer clear of this one, why create a headache when there are so many other reputable dealers out there. __________________ "Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance"

December 31, 2001, 17:13	#8
Offctr Registered FALaholic #: 3326 Join Date: May 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,228	You need to call your credit card co and contest the charges on the mags on the basis that you paid for something that was not delivered let them go after him. __________________ The 2nd Ammendment -The Original "Homeland Security" Act !

January 04, 2002, 17:40	#9
slash-5 Registered FALaholic #: 5076 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: AZ Posts: 1,105	My UPS computer generated labels are all rounded up to two pounds by the program. __________________ “I credit a large amount of my success to vending meat snacks.” ---My Boss

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