After watching the reloading series (thanks Jim!) and then doing some additional research, I have finally taken the plunge into a 30 year desire to get into precision handloads. I made a budget, listed the items I wanted, and I have been ticking them off the list over the past 3 months. Now I have a fully setup loading bench. It feels great and looks awesome!
I started ordering my components this past week. I found primers and I know that they have been in high demand and limited stocks but I found what I was looking for at a seemingly reasonable price of $85/per 1000 at Midwest Reloads online. I bought two boxes and they added a $25 hazardous materials shipping fee. Sounds reasonable (is it? I’ve never ordered hazardous components before). My order total with shipping was $205.
I received tracking information from a company US Postal Mails (never heard of them before) and it shows that the primers were picked up in Iowa and are now here in my town of Asheville, NC. They were supposed to arrive yesterday but I received an email instead saying the following:
SHIPMENT HAS NOW ARRIVED AND READY FOR DELIVERY BUT WILL REQUIRE A REFUNDABLE HAZMAT DEPOSIT OF $150 (which will be repaid upon delivery) AS THIS PRODUCT IS A HAZARDOUS PRODUCT. NB: ALL DEPOSITS MADE ARE REFUNDABLE BACK TO THE RECEIVER OF THE PACKAGE UPON PACKAGE DELIVERY AND MUST BE MADE BEFORE ANY SHIPMENT HEADS TO ITS FINAL DELIVERY LOCATION.
What? This makes no sense to me. Is this (or anything like it) normal for hazardous materials? It has shipped all the way from Iowa but now to make it 5 miles across town they need $150 to deliver it and then supposedly refund the $?
Does anyone have any advice here? Any experience with Midwest Reloads? It’s a Sunday morning so they are closed of course and the shipment email demanding the $150 says I have 24hrs. I’m not paying it until I know what’s going on but I think I am about to loose my primers, my money, or both. Any thoughts?
Sorry, but I do believe that’s a scam site. I’m so sorry that happened to you. There are HUNDREDS of scam reloading component sites since the items are in such high demand.
I almost pulled the trigger like this. But how can some unknown online site have stuff that the big stores like midway or bass pro or brownells do not have? I would think component manufacturers are going to fill those shelves first.
After all the scam sites popping up and hearing many others getting scammed I only buy off Gunbroker now. I might pay a little extra but I know everyone there is legit.
Well, it looks like I was taken for $205. Thanks for the responses and the warnings going forward. Man, it really ticks me off that some jackass is out there scamming people in this small community.
I’ll do what I can to try to warn others and report this guy but… damn, that puts a damper on my getting started off. I spent the day in the mountains with my boy today shaking this loss off and will tighten up and only buy components from reputable sources moving forward.
It’s a shame. I like supporting Mom’s and Pop’s stores and small businesses. I have had so many positive online experiences with finding great deals and gems with smaller shops. Unfortunately, it looks like the reloading side of the business is tainted.
Clark…sorry that happened to you. If you paid by credit card report it, and start the fraud claim. You might be able to have the charges removed.
I work in Cybersecurity and you would be shocked at what lengths these dirt bags will go to to steal from honest people.
There’s a ton of these sites out there and they always seem to incorporate part of a reputable sites name within their fake store name. There’s a couple things to be on the lookout for when you come across these sites.
They always seem to accept Zelle or Bitcoin.
They always seem to have hard to find items in stock.
Many will have a chat bot pop up somewhere on the page.
If they have social media links to Facebook, Instagram etc… they WILL NOT be active, live or set up at all.
Google their address/phone number and see what comes up. Also check the address on Google maps. Many of these places will be an empty lot or some random house.