Preorder an Airgun, your thoughts

[FL22]

This poll is about preordering in general, not about any specific brand or dealer.

Your vote will be anonymous, to the extent that I selected that option for the purpose of this poll. But please voice your opinion and reasons if you feel so inclined.

You may change your vote anytime and make up to two selections.

 

[Murfdurf82]

I understood w my snowpeak max 1 being late that anything ordered from the Oriental side of the world wasn't going to be on time. So the buster is no surprise, ordered mid march. I would have been mad if I had ordered in December. Like a fella who's let it be known in this space, I may not pre order after that experience. That's a bit long.

 

[Pumacarl]

I completely understand both sides of this topic, that's for sure. It feels good to be decisive but I also know to never say never too. It comes back to bite you as much as a pre-order can.

 

[Solo1]

I really hate being a beta tester

 

[Luis Leon]

Voted “no, under any circumstances”… For me it has to be a platform proven over time. I refuse to be a guinea pig …

 

[FL22]

My vote is skepticism for several reasons.

I don’t like the idea of paying for an Airgun that hasn’t even been built, especially if it’s completely new and unproven. I also don’t like the idea of paying in full to provide a pathway to market.

Doing 100% preorder business, in my opinion sure makes it safe for the manufacturer that they are guaranteed to sell whatever they make. Good or bad for the consumer.

I wonder if pre-orders will eventually become an acceptable and normal part of purchasing to most Airgun consumers. So it will then become a standard practice? I for one do not want that .

I would be okay a small deposit on a well-known quality Airgun from a reputable dealer if I really wanted it and was concerned about limited availability.

But for the most part my opinion is simply that if they don’t have it they shouldn’t sell it, likewise I shouldn’t buy it.

 

[PapaT]

I don't mind beta testing airguns. I got the Crosman 3622 when it first came out, and I got the Pinty Timber when pinty first released their pcps, long before they had anything more than a product number for a name. That being said, I have had a 50/50 experience with a different company and pre-orders of their guns, and a less than 50% success with their guns in general. But being someone that shares his experiences on YouTube weighs into my decision making, especially when they release a concept I am excited for.

I'm not sure that I will pull the proverbial trigger again any time soon...

 

[Pumacarl]

This is a problem for the ages. Does Kickstarter ever work? Where do people with a good idea go if they need starting capital, and don't want to give up their IP for a loan? I guess it's about whether you enjoy gambling or not. If you've never been to Vegas, you're probably not going to start now.

 

[jps2486]

I voted No also. I'm not giving a dealer my money for a product with no determined delivery time. It could be months or years before it arrives. Further, I would NEVER order a new model gun. They are full of bugs that have to be worked out. A Gen II would be a better option. I bought two early model FX rifles; they were ok, but soon traded them when the next Gen came out.

 

[BBGunn]

I would never pre-order any item. On the other hand, I have/would pay in advance for an item that a dealer would 'special order' for me at my request.

 

[old navy]

dont think i want to tie my money up and not even be able to hold or see how a gun feels that is brand new,
especially if I dont know the makers reputation, its a shot in the dark at best-then you have to deal with delays in shipping and manufacturing, as we have seen lately with some
like making a cash loan with no collateral,