Vanguard complaint

[Capt M. Sherrod]

It's time to add my .02.

I just got off the phone with them for the second time in as many weeks about an order I placed.

I placed the order on the 10th and a few days later, saw that my CC had been charged.  So, last week on the 20th, I called to check on the status since I hadn't seen it on my doorstep and the website still said "Processing".

The young lady I spoke with told me that I wouldn't be able to see the status on line for phone orders.  I told her that I hadn't placed a phone order, that I had done it on line on the 10th.  That should have been my first clue that something was wrong.  She proceeded to tell me that everything should be in stock, but that it takes 10 days to process name plates and so, it should ship out on 9/27.  Being the tail end of my lunch hour, I didn't have time to argue with her math.  I got off the phone.

Today, I called to just make sure that everything was in stock and that it would ship out tomorrow.  I talked to a nice enough guy who looked up all of my items and everything was in stock until we get to the last item (L/S Aviator Shirt 18 1/2 neck.)  That item is out of stock.  I politely asked when they were expecting more of them in.  He tells me that he sees a large shipment should be coming in for 11/1.  That's right, not for over another month.  He then told me that it only takes about 3 days to get a name tape made and so everything else should be ready to ship.  He took my number and asked to call me back.

Well, he called me back, only to find out that the Name Plate is on backorder as well.  I was then transferred to the CAP Division Manager to talk with him about my thoughts / concerns.  The manager was also a nice enough gentleman.  He told me that he was expecting the shipment of NamePlates next week because he received a shipment of the AF ones and not the Corporate ones.  He also said that he would be calling the Shirt supplier and find out what they had in stock for them already so that he could take care of me.  I told him to just take both those items off the order as I would get them somewhere else.

He went through my order with me, and asked about cutouts and grade since I hadn't ordered them (I already have those items).  He then asked me about braid for the Corporate Service Coat.  I said, "What?!?"  I thought it came with the jacket.  He said, no, it doesn't.  I explained to him that nowhere on the website does it indicate the braid needed to be ordered separately, and that they should fix that.  Either include it with the jacket or put a note in the description about needing to order item # XXXX for braid.  He appreciated the comment about the website.

As gracefully as I could muster, I said, while we're talking about the website, why is it there are 50 pictures of the same thing.  Is there a chance the web folks can do drop down menus, etc.  He told me that they were working on it and that the site should reflect that within the next week or so.

Here's to hoping that I get all of my stuff tomorrow as promised and that the website looks better by the end of next week....  If anyone wants the names of the folks I talked with PM for details.

[RiverAux]

The AF has nothing to do with Vanguard, CAPMart, whatever.  It was entirely a CAP decision to close CAPMART and go with Vanguard.

[SDF_Specialist]

RiverAux, to address your statement, I was told that AF cutbacks was the reason that CAPMart was closing. Either way, it would be nice to have CAPMart back. At least they had an updated website.

2d Lt M. Sherrod, good luck to you sir. There have been many times I've placed an order with Vanguard only to find out that the primary item I ordered had been on back order for a month. It was the same deal with my TPU service coat. They didn't have my size, and never bothered to inform me of this. Then it was a nametag issue.

[RiverAux]

Actually, the reasons for closing CAPMart were laid out pretty well in the National Board minutes.

CAP Mart was just about as bad in terms of their web site structure and unfortunately Vanguard decided to use the same sort of categories. 

[SDF_Specialist]

Actually, the reasons for closing CAPMart were laid out pretty well in the National Board minutes.

CAP Mart was just about as bad in terms of their web site structure and unfortunately Vanguard decided to use the same sort of categories. 

Sir, do you know where or if I could find a copy of those minutes?

[jimmydeanno]

...  I talked to a nice enough guy who looked up all of my items and everything was in stock until we get to the last item (L/S Aviator Shirt 18 1/2 neck.)  That item is out of stock.  I politely asked when they were expecting more of them in.  He tells me that he sees a large shipment should be coming in for 11/1. 

18 1/2 huh?  See here: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2489.msg45740#msg45740

They told me they'd be in at the beginning of August...same shirt.  I just had them switch it to an 18 and got an extender button for my member

[Major Carrales]

Isn't it amazing how "the good old days" seem so much better than whatever the status quo is?  Even when it is not true.

I recall this exact same conversation a few years back only entitled... "The CAP Bookstore Catalog was so much better than CAPMART."  Please people, CAPMART was not the "paradise" some of you remember.

Let's be fair, our present problems are our own and the past was just as bad...or, in some, cases worse.

[RiverAux]

Actually, the reasons for closing CAPMart were laid out pretty well in the National Board minutes.

CAP Mart was just about as bad in terms of their web site structure and unfortunately Vanguard decided to use the same sort of categories. 

Sir, do you know where or if I could find a copy of those minutes?

They're in e-services, but I couldn't tell you which one it was -- you'd have to look back through a year or so to find them.  Sorry. 

[SDF_Specialist]

They're in e-services, but I couldn't tell you which one it was -- you'd have to look back through a year or so to find them.  Sorry. 

No problem. Thank you for the start.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

...  I talked to a nice enough guy who looked up all of my items and everything was in stock until we get to the last item (L/S Aviator Shirt 18 1/2 neck.)  That item is out of stock.  I politely asked when they were expecting more of them in.  He tells me that he sees a large shipment should be coming in for 11/1. 

18 1/2 huh?  See here: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2489.msg45740#msg45740

They told me they'd be in at the beginning of August...same shirt.  I just had them switch it to an 18 and got an extender button for my member

Yes, I remember this thread.  And the entire time I was on the phone with him that was lurking in the back of my mind.  The problem I have now is that the "other place" only has 18 1/2 with a long sleeve (36/37) instead of the 32/33 that I need.  So, I guess I'll have to go to my local pilot shop and pick one up.  I'll let you all know if a package from Vanguard shows up today as promised.

[SJFedor]

I've managed to not buy a single thing from Vanguard in a long time. Last time I bought something was probably when I promoted to SFO. Since then I've found people with stockpiles (and patience to deal with Vanguard) and some very awesome friends here on CAPTalk.

As I sit here reminiscing, remember the days when the CAP Bookstore and the early days of CAPMart had *free* shipping?  I do miss those days.

And CAPMart may have had it's issues, but I never heard of someone recieving a flightsuit nameplate with "CAP AIRPLANE PILOT" printed on it instead of the wings. I've seen and heard it multiple times with Vanguard, even as of recent.

[SDF_Specialist]

So why doesn't someone report them to the BBB? A majority of people on this thread don't care for Vanguard, and there are more than enough complaints to shake them up, and hopefully get them flying right.

CAP AIRPLANE PILOT? Ok, not that's ridiculous. Which kind of pilot?

[SJFedor]

No lie. I ordered one for a cadet in my unit who had just gotten her private and passed her F5, and clearly spelled out "CAP AIRPLANE PILOT WINGS, THE WINGS, NOT THE WORDS" But alas....

And, it took 3 months, 10 phone calls, 5 emails, promise of my first born son, and a small miracle from the man upstairs to get it corrected.

I have a picture of it on my other computer, I'll hafta post it.

[JC004]

No lie. I ordered one for a cadet in my unit who had just gotten her private and passed her F5, and clearly spelled out "CAP AIRPLANE PILOT WINGS, THE WINGS, NOT THE WORDS" But alas....

And, it took 3 months, 10 phone calls, 5 emails, promise of my first born son, and a small miracle from the man upstairs to get it corrected.

I have a picture of it on my other computer, I'll hafta post it.

It's true!  I saw them!  I know of other people who had this happen too.

Where are the pictures, Fedor? 

[Capt M. Sherrod]

Well, the package did arrive.  I got the Service Coat and it's the right size.  It's a good thing that I know my size.  The "free" silver braid was there.  As well as the other items that I had ordered.  Now, we'll see how long it takes to get the shirt and the nameplate.  It doesn't look like they were "credited" from the order.

[SDF_Specialist]

Well, the package did arrive.  I got the Service Coat and it's the right size.  It's a good thing that I know my size.  The "free" silver braid was there.  As well as the other items that I had ordered.  Now, we'll see how long it takes to get the shirt and the nameplate.  It doesn't look like they were "credited" from the order.

The shirt, I would say probably another two months before they realize that they have a pile of back orders to fill. The nameplate, well good luck. They may start production on that for you after they ship our your shirt.

[♠SARKID♠]

I've managed to not buy a single thing from Vanguard in a long time. Last time I bought something was probably when I promoted to SFO. Since then I've found people with stockpiles (and patience to deal with Vanguard) and some very awesome friends here on CAPTalk.

As I sit here reminiscing, remember the days when the CAP Bookstore and the early days of CAPMart had *free* shipping?  I do miss those days.

And CAPMart may have had it's issues, but I never heard of someone recieving a flightsuit nameplate with "CAP AIRPLANE PILOT" printed on it instead of the wings. I've seen and heard it multiple times with Vanguard, even as of recent.

I SO want to see that!

I pulled this pic off of the Vanguard website...BWAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

[SDF_Specialist]

False advertising?

[jeders]

False advertising?

Very much so.

Fortunately, the only thing I've ever had to order from Vangaurd was my nametag for my flightsuit. Everything else came from The Hock and I was quite pleased.

Vangaurd first took a month to even process my nametag, then the order just disappeared for some reason, then 2 more weeks to get it the second time I ordered. Fortunately though they sent it with the wings printed, not the words.

[SDF_Specialist]

Fortunately, the only thing I've ever had to order from Vangaurd was my nametag for my flightsuit.

Did it say "CAP AIRPLANE PILOT"?