I can't wait any longer. 1+ year after the initial delivery date.  I simply sent a letter requesting a SHIP date and if they could not provide one to refund my money immediately.  I am upset as I believe ARES did not bargain in good faith, took our money so they could redesign the upper to sell later.  It appears they have also bought several new machines to try to produce the upper in house.  The contract we all signed gave a delivery date of 3/1/03 with possible delays due to vendors.  The contract did not say they would have to redisign the gun, purchase a machine shop then ship in 1 to 2 years.  They have since updated their website about a month ago removing the update section.

Steve

Good luck, keep us posted.

It is too bad that you decided against the wait.  I have my money down on ARES also.  I ahve been waiting for the Shrike since it was first talked about about five years ago.  I figure a little bit more time is not going to kill me.

I do agree with you on the wait, ARES could have done a better job on the PR front.

Maybe we can get ARES to throw in the rail handguards for the first order guys.  then again, I just wish I the upper.

Hahahaha, Ares doing what for us?  I deem at this point they'd think they're doing US a favor by shipping it at all.  Ares is a weapons development and design company, but honestly you'd have to try real hard to mess up the PR as badly as they have (and still are!), and knowing full well the discontent that exists in its customer base, that they have little to no communication and info that sheds any light  indicates they're without a doubt just indifferent to its customer that have floated them with their deposits and they don't give a crap.  I find this take it or leave it attitude unacceptable.

But what else can I do, I with every other customer that sent in a deposit can do nothing but wait.

I really wonder if they will be able to survive after the initial shipments.  There are only really a hand full of full auto AR15 owners that will be buying one.  And at 3500 a piece now I bet they won't be selling but 100 a year at most after the initial units was about 600 I had heard.

I bet they lose money on the first shipments ($2500 orderd)which is why they aren't shedding any tears for losing them.  They probably feel they are making $1000 for every early depositor that cancels.  Without a military contract I don't think they will survive.

Quoted: I really wonder if they will be able to survive after the initial shipments.  There are only really a hand full of full auto AR15 owners that will be buying one.  And at 3500 a piece now I bet they won't be selling but 100 a year at most after the initial units was about 600 I had heard. I bet they lose money on the first shipments ($2500 orderd)which is why they aren't shedding any tears for losing them.  They probably feel they are making $1000 for every early depositor that cancels.  Without a military contract I don't think they will survive.

I totally agree with you. This is my theory, they will ship the first batch and by that time they will be totally broke. Then they'll discover problems in the first production run and there will be a mad dash to try to get them all fixed. With the bad PR that they all ready have, this possible problem will escalate them right into bankruptcy. I'm getting flashback of the Bren Ten again.

Even though they talk big and have some good ideas, I have a feeling that they could be financially broke within a minute's notice. When I talked with Jeff at the SHOT Show, he didn't give me the "warm fuzzies". He seems more like a used car salesman then a weapons designer.

I'll give it one more month, if I don't see results, I'm asking for my deposit back as well.

Now when I hear the Ares name, I get the Creeps...

I was tempted to put a deposit down while I was very excited about a belt fed version, I decided against it and I am glad I did not.

you could have bought a lighning link for 3k a little over a year ago.  sucks that you gave them an interest free loan.  i have no money involved but i've been following this fiasco for a while.  i'm really surprised at the civility that is being displayed towards Ares.  if this were any other company i think everyone would have ripped them a new one by now.  [cough]special weapons[/cough]...

When I was at the Shot Show, Ares had it all locked up in a glass case so you coulnd't inspect or touch it.    

Kisara,
When I was at their booth w/one of our machinists, two different uppers were accessible to anyone who wanted to handle them.  IIRC, one was 16" with "regular" HG, and other was shorter with quad.
We FF'ed them for several minutes, talked to two of their reps who answered all of our questions and showed us tear down and reassembly, and I really liked what I saw.
I almost jumped i on the initial buy a couple years ago, but decided against for a number of reasons.  I do believe that they will produce a working product, but also believe that the very limitted demand for it will either have them shopping it out to another company with military sales capability, or closing up shop due to high cost, low demand, and limitted production potential.
Sluggo

Quoted: . . . I simply sent a letter requesting a SHIP date and if they could not provide one to refund my money immediately... Steve

I hope you sent it registered mail.
I would also follow up with a phone call.

Geez, I wonder what would happen if everybody request/demanded a refund.  WOW what a headache.

Quoted: Geez, I wonder what would happen if everybody request/demanded a refund.  WOW what a headache.

Bankruptcy.

Quoted: Quoted: Geez, I wonder what would happen if everybody request/demanded a refund.  WOW what a headache. Bankruptcy.

I think it only takes a handful of people to request a refund and they'll go BK. I better get my money back ASAP.

ls

It might be a good thing to research, but if you put your down payment on a credit card and then they don't deliver, how long do you have to "dispute payment". That might provide some protection in the event they do go Bankrupt and screw everyong (ALA sableco.net)

hinking.gif

Ha they already thought of that.  No credit card payment was allowed.  Apparently they have better foresights in human behavior than their release dates.

Quoted: Ha they already thought of that.  No credit card payment was allowed.  Apparently they have better foresights in human behavior than their release dates.

I had the insight to use a credit card check so I do have a paper trail.

SCR1

It sucks when people have to think along these lines...

Well they've always sent the refund when requested so this isn't an issue.   You've waited this long, why not stick it out for another few months?  
I'd like to see mine too, but in the scheme of things, getting it now doesn't help me or make me happy, so I'll find myself some other instant gratifications

Exactly.  If you want a refund, ask for it and they will give it.

The Shrike isn't the only thing these people do, it's not their only project and not their only source of income.  I don't see them going bankrupt anytime soon even if a bunch of people ask for refunds - some of which already have and the only result I have seen is ARES acquire a bunch of new equipment and run some expensive ads.

I don't understand why this all keeps coming up.  No amount of whining will make the product come out any faster.  Those that can't take the wait can get out.  Those that want to tough it out can.  Ultimate satisfaction may come at a price not all are willing to bare, as in all things.

Sure, the bitching makes us feel a little better I suppose.  Misery loves company.  The shoulda, woulda, coulda what I did with my deposit is as pointless as any other investment - no one knew at the time and hindsight always shows you what else you could have invested in like always.  The price of the unit keeps going up.  The increase in value for what I have deposited has exceeded any normal investment as long as the product eventually comes out and the price continues to rise with the length of delay. If it doesn't come out and I get my refund, it's simply a profit I didn't make, I didn't lose any principal.  This outcome happens with other investments I have made though usually those are at an actual loss in principal.

Quoted: Well they've always sent the refund when requested so this isn't an issue.   You've waited this long, why not stick it out for another few months?   I'd like to see mine too, but in the scheme of things, getting it now doesn't help me or make me happy, so I'll find myself some other instant gratifications

My letter was short and to the point, give me a delivery date OR refund my money immediately.  SO, I guess it is up to them if I get my refund right?  I did not order the shrike as an investment.  We'll see if they say anything.

I may have about 6000 links for sale if they refund my money.

You know, I wouldn't mind spending the $$ if there was a drop dead date for getting it.  Or at least an update would be nice to know.  I don't know about you all, but I wouldn't have the kinda money laying around that I could put out $1k and forget about it.

Speaking for myself, if I didn't put it away, it would have been spent long ago

WELL I AM AN IDOT BUT THE ONE THING I KNOW IS IF THE COMPANY GOES CHAPTER 11 KISS YOUR MONEY GOOD BYE. IF it were me i would wine like a bitch, 1000$$ is a brand new mrp. if they do go bankrupt youll have the piece of mind knowing that you helped build one of the greastest ar uppers in history so you guys can take comfort in that.

LASTLY WHICH FUCKER BUYS A SHRIKE TO INVEST, INVEST IN AMMO BELTS AND A CLASS 3 LOWER, SHRIKES R 4 when the SHTF

Anyone know what the average turn around is for refunds?

I think 2 weeks at the most.  As to whining, since no amount of it has helped, we just vent these days to feel a little better, Ares doesn't care.

You guys need to get out the torches and pitchforks.

Quoted: You guys need to get out the torches and pitchforks.

you mean the 'tactical lights and CQB carbines', right?
MM

I got my deposit Check today from ARES Defense.  There was no comment to my request for a delivery date.  Good Luck Guys to the ones still in it.

Steve