Vanguard

Flying Pig · July 17, 2009, 04:22:15 PM

I just received my shipping confirmation that my stock, off the shelf polo shirt shipped today. Just the generic shirt with only the CAP seal on it. It took 7 weeks for them to just drop it in the mail. I forgot I even ordered it.

RiverAux · July 17, 2009, 04:28:53 PM

Ah, the wonders of privatization....

JC004 · July 17, 2009, 04:43:33 PM

I was calm until you had to go and bring up Vanguard.

DC · July 17, 2009, 06:19:09 PM

That's really sad...

I've had good luck with them lately, but there seems to be very little consistency in their service. You never know when you'll get your order or if it'll be correct unless you fork over $45 to overnight it...

O-Rex · July 17, 2009, 08:40:06 PM

How many of you have had VG at your WingConf?

If so, did it seem that the inventory was a bit heavy on "clearance items??" I mean how many CAP shield 'marble-ite' paperweights and CAP-logo sewing kits can a person buy?

DC · July 17, 2009, 08:43:29 PM

Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 08:40:06 PM
How many of you have had VG at your WingConf?

If so, did it seem that the inventory was a bit heavy on "clearance items??" I mean how many CAP shield 'marble-ite' paperweights and CAP-logo sewing kits can a person buy?

They were at the last FLWG conference I was at, and it was mostly uniform stuff, with a few little novelty things.

They're probably trying to get rid of that stuff, I can't imagine they sell much of it on the website.

O-Rex · July 17, 2009, 09:01:43 PM

Quote from: DC on July 17, 2009, 08:43:29 PM
Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 08:40:06 PM
How many of you have had VG at your WingConf?

If so, did it seem that the inventory was a bit heavy on "clearance items??" I mean how many CAP shield 'marble-ite' paperweights and CAP-logo sewing kits can a person buy?
They were at the last FLWG conference I was at, and it was mostly uniform stuff, with a few little novelty things.

They're probably trying to get rid of that stuff, I can't imagine they sell much of it on the website.

They weren't at the last FLWG WingConf-money was tight and the Wing foots the bill for the room they occupy.

They should ditch the souveniers and stock more uniform gee-gaws: after the mad dash on Friday afternoon when it opens, the pickings get lean...

DC · July 17, 2009, 09:05:07 PM

Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 09:01:43 PM
Quote from: DC on July 17, 2009, 08:43:29 PM
Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 08:40:06 PM
How many of you have had VG at your WingConf?

If so, did it seem that the inventory was a bit heavy on "clearance items??" I mean how many CAP shield 'marble-ite' paperweights and CAP-logo sewing kits can a person buy?
They were at the last FLWG conference I was at, and it was mostly uniform stuff, with a few little novelty things.

They're probably trying to get rid of that stuff, I can't imagine they sell much of it on the website.

They weren't at the last FLWG WingConf-money was tight and the Wing foots the bill for the room they occupy.

They should ditch the souveniers and stock more uniform gee-gaws: after the mad dash on Friday afternoon when it opens, the pickings get lean...

I wasn't at last year's so I wouldn't know. I think the last one I went to was in 06 or 07...

davidsinn · July 17, 2009, 11:22:26 PM

Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 09:01:43 PM
Quote from: DC on July 17, 2009, 08:43:29 PM
Quote from: O-Rex on July 17, 2009, 08:40:06 PM
How many of you have had VG at your WingConf?

If so, did it seem that the inventory was a bit heavy on "clearance items??" I mean how many CAP shield 'marble-ite' paperweights and CAP-logo sewing kits can a person buy?
They were at the last FLWG conference I was at, and it was mostly uniform stuff, with a few little novelty things.

They're probably trying to get rid of that stuff, I can't imagine they sell much of it on the website.

They weren't at the last FLWG WingConf-money was tight and the Wing foots the bill for the room they occupy.

They should ditch the souveniers and stock more uniform gee-gaws: after the mad dash on Friday afternoon when it opens, the pickings get lean...

Why is the wing paying Vanguard to come and make money? Let me put it a different way: Why is a non profit paying for a for profit business to come make a profit?

EMT-83 · July 17, 2009, 11:33:44 PM

This is CAP. Please do not attempt to apply logic or common sense.

davidsinn · July 17, 2009, 11:42:52 PM

Quote from: EMT-83 on July 17, 2009, 11:33:44 PM
This is CAP. Please do not attempt to apply logic or common sense.

You're right. I'll start beating my head on the wall now. It has the same effect

LtCol057 · July 18, 2009, 12:25:09 AM

I must be the exception to the rule, but I've never had any problems with Vanguard. I ordered some stuff ($200+ worth) on a Friday, and got it in less than a week, including nametags. Maybe it's because I'm about a 3 hour drive from their VA site where all CAP orders are filled.

Actually, I stand corrected. The only problem I've ever had was about 18 months ago. I went to their store in VA and picked up several items, including nametapes. Paid with a credit card. About 2 months later, received an envelope from FedEx with the exact same items I already got. No extra charges on my card. I know there's supposedly a 2 week delay in getting nametapes and nametags, but I don't recall every waiting 2 weeks unless I forgot to order them.

JohnKachenmeister · July 18, 2009, 08:24:09 PM

Yup. You're the exception!

PHall · July 18, 2009, 11:03:38 PM

And the stupid thing is that their service when you're using the "regular" web site to order "military" stuff is usually much better.
Kinda shows where their priorities are at.

Hawk200 · July 19, 2009, 02:05:03 AM

Quote from: PHall on July 18, 2009, 11:03:38 PM
And the stupid thing is that their service when you're using the "regular" web site to order "military" stuff is usually much better.
Kinda shows where their priorities are at.

Now that I think of it, I did get stuff faster when I had military items in the order.

AC · July 20, 2009, 03:05:47 PM

I got a free leather namepatch from them about three weeks ago. They sent the one for the leather jacket. I ordered the one for the flight suit. I told them about it and they sent the right one in about a week. No add'l charge.

I went on ebay and got an A-2 jacket for $75. Too bad I can't wear it, it fits perfectly.

Thrashed · July 20, 2009, 05:17:59 PM

I ordered two little things for a uniform for $9 and the cheapest shipping was $9.50! It will weigh a couple ounces and fit in a small evelope. Hock shop was out, so what choice do I have?

NC Hokie · July 20, 2009, 05:19:31 PM

Quote from: Thrash on July 20, 2009, 05:17:59 PM
I ordered two little things for a uniform for $9 and the cheapest shipping was $9.50! It will weigh a couple ounces and fit in a small evelope. Hock shop was out, so what choice do I have?

Check with your squadron mates (or squadron supply officer) to see if they need anything and split the cost of shipping.

alamrcn · July 21, 2009, 01:39:53 AM

Me also...
I just split an order with another guy, wo we each paid half the shipping.

If you've never "downgraded" from their default UPS Ground to USPS Priority, you save about a dollar. However, they have a pop-up window that tried to scare you out of selecting it!

Eclipse · July 21, 2009, 01:50:29 AM

Quote from: Thrash on July 20, 2009, 05:17:59 PM
I ordered two little things for a uniform for $9 and the cheapest shipping was $9.50! It will weigh a couple ounces and fit in a small envelope. Hock shop was out, so what choice do I have?

It depends, what are you ordering?