So I placed an order prior to the "Thanksgiving" rush. It was during the time of the weekly "Black AR" sales. I ordered early to avoid any delays.

After waiting two weeks of watching my order sitting in "processing" I sent an email to customer service.

I am told that due to a "system failure" the sale items are out of stock and unavailable with no expected fulfilment date. But all the items I paid full price for are being shipped.

Why wait over two weeks to tell me the sale items are now out of stock?  Why ship me useless items that no good to me without all the parts needed?  Why not at least offer me the 10% discount you had going over the weekend?

They are having all sorts of problems. Whoever decided to move warehouses AND change order systems in the middle of the biggest shopping time in the country must have their head up their ass.

This just gets weirder and weirder.  

I had sent Brownells an email about the two week delay in my order, and was told the "sale" items were no longer available.  I sent a polite but to the point email back explaining my dissatisfaction.  

Now, I'm being told the sale items are "in our warehouse, but unfortunately not in a packable location".  

But they did give me 10% off and free shipping for the items they can find and ship.  So there is that.

I'm still confused and doubting if I'll ever receive the "Black Rifle" sale items I ordered last month.

Going to edit this post.  

I have received an invoice and tracking number 2 hours after posting.  Invoice shows everything being shipped and overnight shipment.  

Sorry to hear about the delay and lack of information regarding your order. I will send you an IM so we can get you some info and hopefully expedite your order.

Order was just dropped off by UPS.  

Thanks for doing the Overnight shipping.  I would have been happy with just an honest order / shipping status.  I appreciate the expedited overnight shipping, that was above and beyond.

Thanks Brownells.  

Remember back in the good old days when you could order on a Monday, and it would be waiting for you Friday after work?

Yeah, but Brownells wasn't moving their warehouse at the time.  That tends to complicate things.  

They just got a large part count order out to me in three days in the middle of a warehouse move - I'd say that's pretty damn good performance.

Update 1/16/15:

Part of this order was the AAC Nitride Barrel Brownell's had on sale for $119.  

When I received the barrel I noticed the inside of the barrel extension area is brownish red. I can't tell if the barrel extension was installed after the nitride finish. I clean out the funk, apply oil, and to me, it looks like the barrel and inner barrel extension are bare metal. The brownish red stuff is only rust, not grease.  I figure with the price of the barrel, I'd try and clean out the rust and see what it looks like.

I wanted to mock up the upper, and went to loosely install the barrel, upper and PSA SPR hand guard. The barrel index pin is too long and sticks out too far so the barrel nut can't thread over it.

Due to the Christmas holidays I didn't run out and send the barrel back right away.  I'm sorry but I didn't feel like waiting inline for hours just to send this back.  I did return the barrel after the holiday.  As of today I have not heard anything from Brownells, nor know if they received the package.  Good thing I have the tracking number that shows it was returned.

Pics of the AAC barrel below.  I posted about this in the AR build section also.  Not about Brownells, but about the quality of AAC.

Index pin too long:


Inner Barrel extension pic.  This was after I cleaned it out and degreased it.:

I would of just sanded the pin a little.

Yeah, thought of that.  It was the rusty barrel extension that bothered me the most.  I ended up getting a good deal on a PSA upper that I was able to give as a gift.  

Brownell's gave me credit back today.    My plans are now to save up another $100 or so and build myself a decent upper with the other parts I have on hand.  I'm looking at the Brownell's house brand Nitride barrels.