New CAPMart problems???

[capchiro]

Has anyone successfully found any CAP stuff on the Vanguard site that replaced CAPMart?  How did you do it and are the prices more than before? Have we lost a bunch of CAP distinctive stuff?  Help, inquiring minds want to know.  Thanks.

[shorning]

Call them.

[pixelwonk]

Initially, CAPmart's site said Vanguard was "supposedly" not going to have CAP swag on their site until the 6th, but is avail by phone on the 3rd.

They have since removed that message and simply stated that the merchandise will be available by phone on the latter date.

They also provided an email address for Vanguard: CAP@Vanguardmil.com

[MIKE]

I have heard a rumor that the shipping rates and/or unit cost isn't any better or is worse than CRAPMart was.  Anyone have any intel?

[SarDragon]

I may head up there Monday and check things out. It's about a 40 mile drive, one way, but will probably be worth the effort.

[BillB]

The price Vangard charges for the reverse US flag is $3, The Hock has them in sale at $1.40, regularly $1.65. Loking at the prices of items under USAF that CAP can use, the prices look to be about 50% higher than CAPMart was. I have no idea about shipping since I didn't even lookat that after seeing their prices.

[Pylon]

The price Vangard charges for the reverse US flag is $3, The Hock has them in sale at $1.40, regularly $1.65. Loking at the prices of items under USAF that CAP can use, the prices look to be about 50% higher than CAPMart was. I have no idea about shipping since I didn't even lookat that after seeing their prices.

My gut feeling on this is that The Hock will be the way to go for most of our uniform needs in the future. 

I don't feel like padding NHQ's pocket with more of my cash than I already sacrifice for the organization.  It's bad enough how much it costs to be active in CAP to begin with.  I think it's repulsive that they keep trying to market a bookstore with a for-profit business model, when the only customer base is the group's own membership.   

[md132]

Here is from the Vanguard Webpage:

"Vanguard Industries has taken over operations for CAPMart, your suppliers for Civil Air Patrol requirements.  Please bear with us as we are re-do our Civil Air Patrol web page.  Please dial 1-800-211-1264 for all you Civil Air Patrol"

[SarDragon]

That's new since my last post at 1709. I'm still going up there Monday.

[flyguy06]

Ok, forgive my ignorance. I have been out of the loop since November 2004.

So, ther eis no more CAP bookstore at Maxwell? What happened and what is the process now? Thanks

[Pylon]

Ok, forgive my ignorance. I have been out of the loop since November 2004.

So, ther eis no more CAP bookstore at Maxwell? What happened and what is the process now? Thanks

See www.capmart.org for a bit of info on that.

CAP sold the operation's rights to Vanguard.  Vanguard will sell all CAP products needed (supposedly), and CAP NHQ won't have to worry about "running a side business."  Vanguard will increase prices so that both NHQ and Vanguard can have a slice of the pie. 

The recipie for "the membership is wincing because you already cleaned them out of more money than they could afford" pie should be on the Vanguard website within the week.

[SarDragon]

Why should Vanguard be increasing prices? They are a manufacturing facility, so NHQ becomes the "middle man" and everybody stays happy. In fact, things might even get a little cheaper if they do the "deal" right.

Also, would you prefer better "Made in USA" stuff for a little higher price, or cheap overseas stuff?

Also, would you rather pay through Vanguard to NHQ, or just get another dues increase? Either way, NHQ gets more $$$ to run the organization.

[SarDragon]

OK, folks, since I'm going to Vanguard Monday, I guess I'll take a list of questions with me.

Here's what I have so far:

What items from the old CAPMart stock will they be carrying?

Prices compared to CAPMart?

Shipping costs?

Turnaround time?

If you have any others, put them up here before midnight Sunday. No wise-guy Qs please.

[footballrun21]

How about: "How frequent are back orders?"

[SarDragon]

How about: "How frequent are back orders?"

I can tell you up front that they might not have a good answer for that. This will presumably be a new product line and the demand figures won't be accurate for a while. Also, as a manufacturing facility, they will have better control of their stock. I will also be asking if they were a prior supplier for CAPMart.

[Pylon]

How about: "How frequent are back orders?"

I can tell you up front that they might not have a good answer for that. This will presumably be a new product line and the demand figures won't be accurate for a while. Also, as a manufacturing facility, they will have better control of their stock. I will also be asking if they were a prior supplier for CAPMart.

Hallmarks (or often called maker marks) indicate that Vanguard did indeed manufacture some CAP insignia, including ribbons.  Although they seemed to have stiff competition from Denmark's Military Insignia in Astoria New York (the very common D-22 hallmark).

[flyguy06]

Ok, I live in Atlanta. I used to get up and drive to Maxwell to shop at the bookstore in person. Its a very small looking warehouse. Are you saying that that facility is no longer there?

[SarDragon]

CAPMart (a.k.a. The Bookstore) has ceased operation. As for the physical facility, I don't know.

BTW, my trip to Vanguard has been postponed until tomorrow.

[capchiro]

Anything new on the visit to Vanguard or the overall situation with capmart?

[BillB]

I just called Vangard for prices.  Nice try but no answers. Looked for Mess Dress shoulder boards.  all they could find was a stock number, no price. And they didn't know if they mounted mess dress medals.
They said the CAP page on their web site should be up by March or April.

[Pylon]

I just called Vangard for prices.  Nice try but no answers. Looked for Mess Dress shoulder boards.  all they could find was a stock number, no price. And they didn't know if they mounted mess dress medals.

Oh, nice.  Smooth transition, CAPMart.  Real smooth.   

They said the CAP page on their web site should be up by March or April.

Awesome.  I can see everyone was really prepared for this changover.  A lot of planning and forethought must have went into this.



I can see all of that planning right now:

One of the Vanguard executives comes into his office one morning.  A couple of guys in some strange blue uniform are in his office screaming at the top of their lungs, "Take it!  Take the whole operation!  Gaaah!"

The Executive says:  Uh... ooohkay.  But only if we can keep all your royalties and pad prices an extra 5%.  When do we start?

The CAP staffers, with more of a sigh of relief, resoundingly say:  End of this week! 

[BillB]

Where does that 5% come from.  From what I see the difference is over 33% On the reverse flag for BDU's and jackets Vanguard charges $3.00. The Hock charges $1.40 (on sale regular price $1.65). Vanguard charges $7.00 shipping for one pound (their lowest shipping price for ground service)The Hock charges $4.  And Vanguard still hasn't called with the price on mess dress shoulder boards.
It does seem like there was no planning on the changeover from CAPMart.

[Eclipse]

I wouldn't jump on Vanguard about one specific product - I got flags from 1800nametapes.com for $1.00 each, so at that even the Hock is expensive.

I have no inside info here, but based on CAP's past performance, likely they were
told "we're discussing it, we're discussing it", then a the 11th hour - perhaps when the word got out publicly via a CAWG posting, they pulled the trigger with little notice to the new guys.

I would also guess that stocking at CAPMart was not exactly mil-spec in.

Strangely, I received some ES vests, on back-order since August, in mid-Deember after
expecting to never see them in my lifetime.

[SarDragon]

I just got off the phone with Vanguard in San Diego, after talking with the Sales Manager. Here's what I got:

Merchandise will be carried at the Norfolk, VA location, so if you have called San Diego, they might not have been as well informed. NORVA # - (800) 221-1264, ask for the CAP department

He thinks that they will be carrying about 80 - 85% of the old inventory items, but didn't know exactly which items were being dropped. The VA people will know better.

Prices should remain the same for the short term. Some may change depending on volume of demand. They are going to try to maintain the same catalog numbers and descriptions as the old CAPMart catalog, so if you need to order something, give them that information.

Shipping will generally be through UPS or FEDEX, and currently has a $7 minimum.

Turnaround time on orders is usually three days or less, from order in to shipping out.

The web site change is in work and is supposed to be done in the next two weeks. I will keep you posted as I get word.


I suggest we go easy on the complaints for a while, until they get the operation fully functional. It seems like all that many of you look at is the negative side of things, and not any of the reasoning behind the way things happen. Remember - "You can win people to your side more easily by gentle persuasion and flattery than by hostile confrontation." Pissing these folks off at the outset with a bunch of "Why can't you [insert complaint]?" questions is not the best way to start a business relationship.

[md132]

I took a chance with Vanguard and placed an order.  It took 5 days after I placed to order to be processed and took 2 days to get from VA to MD.  Shipping time wasn't too bad but the processing time was.  Also I had an item on backorder that they did not tell me, even though they didnot charge that item to my card, I would have like to have known that the item was on backorder.  Some items was a little cheaper than Hock shop.  Proccessing time was just as bad as CAPMart.

[JAFO78]

I would care to guess the best for everyone is to use The Hock Shop.
I am sure Tom as been swamped with business since CAP switched to Vanguard.
I know from being on The Hock Shop web site, Tom is a little behind But, I think he has a real loyal clientele.

My hat is off to Tom Owner of The Hock Shop. :clap:

[Xeno]

Ok.
Placed an order on 2/1/06. It has been 10 days and I'm still waiting for order confirmation. Spoke with a Vanguard Rep around four days ago and hoped that would settle things, but no... My order is still listed as pending and awaiting confirmation, nothing has been charged to card at least (WHY! WHY WON'T YOU LET ME PAY YOU!).

Now as for prices, They weren't actually that bad, I didn't notice much of a difference compared to CAPMART as far as nametapes, rank insignia (metal and cloth), and ribbons/ribbon holders are concerned.

I had a fairly large order but hopefully nothing will be backordered.