Vanguard complaint

[RiverAux]

Why can't Vanguard be like every other online clothing store I've ever been to and have one listing for each item, and then after you choose that item, let you select color, size etc?  It is incredibly unwieldy to look at individual mini-photos and item descriptions for every single size and color of each uniform while trying to find the one you want. 

Are they really that inept? 

[Al Sayre]

Yes!

[mikeylikey]

But isn't that how Vanguard works on the military side.  Just like you described above?  They are treating the CAP business as pennies, it don't matter to them.  Anyway, they are making all their money off shipping.  They are scamming all of us!

[Indaweeds]

I'll just add my two cents (since many others have weighted in on other posts) that it is nearly unbelievable how many misspellings and missing pictures accompany listings on Vanguard's site.  Being a fairly new member of 4 months, it leaves me with a poor impression along with giving me severe reservations about steering future prospects/new members to such a poorly organized site.

[Major Carrales]

I'll just add my two cents (since many others have weighted in on other posts) that it is nearly unbelievable how many misspellings and missing pictures accompany listings on Vanguard's site.  Being a fairly new member of 4 months, it leaves me with a poor impression along with giving me severe reservations about steering future prospects/new members to such a poorly organized site.

I will, however, point out that Vanguard is the official place from which to get CAP items.   They are professional in their sales to US military and should extend the same respect to us as customers. (note the HOCK SHOP does exist as well)

The monopoly they have goes to demonstrate why competition in a free market is necessary to our Republic.  If we had other choices...we could likely chose elsewhere.

[Nomex Maximus]

Vanguard has sent me lots of stuff that is out of date - smurf colored flight suit when I ordered navy blue, "CIVIL AIR PATROL" tapes when I asked for "US CIVIL AIR PATROL" tapes... and then they don't stock hats larger than 7 5/8 which is a nuisance for me as I have a freakishly large head... I have to buy my hats at the uniform store at an AFB.

[addo1]

Like Major Carrales said as well, the Hock Shop does exist!  They always get my U.S. Civil Air Patrol tapes right and they do sell a couple of hats larger than 7 5/8. And who said we had to buy our stuff at Vanguard anyway?  If we do not like it, go somewhere else! There is no need to have an silly thread just to complain.  

Vanguard has sent me lots of stuff that is out of date - smurf colored flight suit when I ordered navy blue, "CIVIL AIR PATROL" tapes when I asked for "US CIVIL AIR PATROL" tapes... and then they don't stock hats larger than 7 5/8 which is a nuisance for me as I have a freakishly large head... I have to buy my hats at the uniform store at an AFB.

[SDF_Specialist]

The problem with Vanguard (IMHO), is that they are just a little money hungry. They know that they are going to be the only place for that one item (whatever it may be), so they jack the price up, and send you the first thing they grab off of the shelf. They don't seem to care when you call and complain that you ordered something a month ago; they just make up excuses. I try to stay away from Vanguard unless it's something that I absolutely have to have for my BDUs, or TPU. It's times like waiting for my Vanguard order that I think "Maybe the CAP bookstore wasn't so bad......"

[a2capt]

Maybe the "new guard" (that we hope is to come) at NHQ will cut loose on some of this availability blocking, if the DoD at large does not back exclusivity for their items, why should CAP do it, when it's painfully obvious that Vanguard just blows.

At the last CAWG conference, the Vanguard display was just awful. A swapmeet south of the border was better class. It was just purely awful. The presentation of the merchandise, etc.

Why other vendors are stifled and the Hock Shop is allowed to continue, they're pretty prominent. Perhaps bad PR to shutter one of their own members?

There are two cadets in my unit waiting for SIMPLE stuff for nearly two months now.

Is this how they treat service members too?

Heck, the Hock has quality issues but at least you get stuff. Even though it too, takes a bit of prodding.  It generally does come.

[Psicorp]

But isn't that how Vanguard works on the military side.  Just like you described above?  They are treating the CAP business as pennies, it don't matter to them.  Anyway, they are making all their money off shipping.  They are scamming all of us!

Which is why it's a good idea to combine shopping lists within your unit.  Every order I place gets to me with Vanguard having paid more in shipping than I did.     It's the little things like that which brighten my day.

[♠SARKID♠]

What I want to know is why Scamguard is still our official supply depot.  Its obvious that they suck, and I'm sure that they know it full well up at nationals.  Heck, we STILL havent gotten a correct guidon after 3 #$%^&ing YEARS! (http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=582.0)  There has to have been enough complaints sent up to nationals to warrant a change in venue...or a swift kick in the [CONNECTION LOST]

[SDF_Specialist]

Why can't we petition the AF to give us back the CAPMart? They were great! I've never heard anyone complain about them.

[Al Sayre]

There's a reason it was called "Crapmart"...

[SDF_Specialist]

There's a reason it was called "Crapmart"...

Would you take "Crapmart" of Scamguard though? It's all about who was faster, and lead you down the shorter BS path.

[Al Sayre]

Personally, I tend to go with "none of the above".

[♠SARKID♠]

Yeah, but Crapmart actually sent me my stuff.  Scamguard still owes me a white corporate shirt or a refund for it.

[SDF_Specialist]

Yeah, but Crapmart actually sent me my stuff.  Scamguard still owes me a white corporate shirt or a refund for it.

Good luck to you sir. The Browns have a better chance at a Super Bowl than you do getting money back, or the shirt.

[FlyingTerp]

I remember reading this thread and thinking, "I've never had a problem with them."  Well, I just had my first "Scamguard" experience.

I ordered a blue polo and the order has been marked as "pending" since Sunday.  I decided to call today and change the order to add embroidery of my name.  Since the order is "pending" it shouldn't be a problem, right?

Well, I got a rude - "No changes to on-line orders."  Then I asked if I could cancel and reorder with the embroidery -  "No - your credit card has been charged, so you'll have to receive the item and return it."

What a joke.  I can't believe the lack of customer service!

Anyone have a good source to embroider the blue polo?

[RiverAux]

Actually, I've never had a problem with them (other than the high shipping price for even minor items)...just hate their web site. 

[Cecil DP]

Why can't we petition the AF to give us back the CAPMart? They were great! I've never heard anyone complain about them.

The CAPMART was had good customer service, but they would intoduce something sell it and then claim it was illegal to wear on the uniform. Anyone remember the NSC badges, grey corperate neckties, etc. Besides they went from being a moneymaker to a big loser (especially when they had to absorb the Supply Depot's losses). Vanguard which actually does make the insignia seemed like the logical choice by cutting out the middleman. I wonder though why you can buy CG Aux insignia in the Clothing Sales Store, but not the AF Aux insignia?