Checked my email and found a special notice from Midway. This notice, in a nutshell, said that the included shipping is NO Longer included but the prices will be lower. They are also going to charge shipping on backorders and are increasing their restocking fee. I've always counted the included shipping as a plus to Midway and have recommended Midway because of this and the overall low prices of their products. If you don't appreciate their change in policy I would encourage you to write their CEO @ larrypotterfield@midwayusa.com and tell him of your displeaures. I also didn't like that the note came this morning and the new policy takes effect today. Pretty sneaky huh? Thought you all would like to know. sgt

Yeah, I'm not too pleased with the change either, but I'm not really surprised. I often wondered how they managed to do what they did and still be competitive - especially with the freight companies charging "fuel cost subsidies". Oh well, another deal bites the dust. I'll still buy from them. But I'll miss the included shipping costs. [sniper]

Here's the txt of the msg: Dear Customer: Effective May 25, 2001, MidwayUSA has made several important changes to the way we do business--beginning with lower prices. These changes have been made with great deliberation and we believe the vast majority of our Customers will welcome them, especially the new lower prices. While many good people here at the Company have been involved in making these changes, the final decision was mine and mine alone. As always, your comments are welcome. Please call, write or email me directly. Larry Potterfield President/CEO Voice mail: 573-447-5117 Email: larrypotterfield@midwayusa.com Regular mail: MidwayUSA Customer Comments Attention: Larry Potterfield 5875 W Van Horn Tavern Rd Columbia MO 65203 Explanations of Changes to Marketing Service Policies Lower Prices: We have lowered prices, effective May 25. These lower prices appear on our web site and in our June and later catalogs. Lower prices are possible because of the following changes: Shipping charges are no longer included as part of the price. Shipping charges are now added to each invoice, including special order shipments and back order releases. Yes, I understand how popular our postage paid program was--many Customers have told me so. Unfortunately, it wasn't fair to some of our Customers as it was forcing us to charge higher overall prices and it no longer worked well for us. Concerning postage on back order releases, we understand that it isn't the Customer's fault when merchandise is not in stock. We ask those Customers to try to understand that it isn't our fault either. In every Company, something is always out of stock. MidwayUSA is one of the best in the business at filling orders as our order fill rate consistently runs 95-98%. A Small Order Fee of $4.00 will be charged on all retail orders under $40.00. Dealer orders under $60.00 will be charged a small order fee of $6.00. There is no minimum order. If a Customer wants to order a shell holder for $5.00, we will gladly accept the order as a convenience for our Customer. By charging a small order fee, we are simply asking our Customers to pay a fair price for the convenience and help defray our costs of processing the order through our system. A Restocking Fee of 15% will be charged on all authorized returns, except in the case of damaged or defective product, or if we have made an error. It costs a considerable amount to process and ship an order, then to "unprocess" and return the product to inventory or back to the manufacturer. We are now asking our Customers to pay a restocking fee to cover these costs, so that we don't have to pass them on to our other Customers. The Postage Paid Order Form Insert has been replaced by an order form on a standard page in the catalog. True mail order (post office) has been steadily declining to the point where it is no longer economical to serve such a small percentage of Customers with this order form.

So what kind of price difference will we see? Their included shipping was always good if you wanted less than $100 of stuff. Otherwise, Wideners or Natchez were just as cheap or even cheaper.

I like the old Midway. No smoke and mirrors pricing. This sucks! I hope that they stay in business. Too many gun stores are going under. I probably will keep using them, but will shop around more.

I ordered one pair of scope rings out of there dealer catalog $32. The regular Natches catalog was only $25 for same rings. so that was $7 shipping. They shipped them first class that was about $1.50 to do plus .30 for the bubble envelop. If I have order out of there regular catalog at Midway it would have been $38 for the rings.

The main thing here is to email, call or snail mail them to let them know that you don't appreciate the "new" midway. You know the squeaky wheel. And if you don't like their practices don't buy, buy from somebody else. They need to know that we pay the bills. SGT

Funny thing about that. I don't mind the new policies. A business MUST make money to survive. When I order, as they say a $5.00 shell holder, I would expect to pay additional for the small order, or I would do without until I am ready to make the minimum order. If their new prices are lower, and they charge actual shipping, I would probably save money. If they charge some rediculous handling charges or $30 to ship 1 lb of merchandise that costs $800 (like a scope)--then I will look elsewhere for my stuff. AFARR

At least they clearly stated their new policy and aren't doing anything sly.

I really liked the simplicity of their old policy. But usually I could get stuff cheaper elsewhere and never seemed to get around to ordering a lot of "neat" stuff I saw in their catalog.

Well I used to order all kinds of bullets and stuff from them just because it was free shipping. I'm talking the bulk packs. 2000-3000 on an order. Don't think I'll be doing that anymore. Shipping on that amount of weight will be outrageous. Wideners is free shipping I think.

I used to order alot from MIdway. I then found Wideners. Many times they beat the prices. Also I did not have towait for midway to put something on sale. Sad since I was just ready to put an order in to Midway.

"Free" shipping is a scam. All it means is that shipping to the farthest point is included. If you live on the opposite side of the country, it is fair, but if you live closer, you are being ripped off... It is a clever marketing trick that works on people who can't do math...

I will continue to support Midway. They have good customer support and good prices generally. If there's a lower price somewhere I go for it, but Midway contributes much to the NRA in it's Round-Up program and that in itself is worthy of some respect. Dillon is another example of a responsible retailer who contributes to the gun rights cause.

So a small order is accessed a $4.00 surcharge ontop of inflated shipping? Screw that! I'll stick with Brownell's, at least they only charge actual shipping.

Wideners still has fair pricing.And with orders over $100.00 usually shipping included.

I have a hard time paying $7 for S/H on a part that fits in a first class envelope. There are lots of parts I've passed on because of the shipping charge. Shipping is the weak link in e-business. Head to your local dealer and order the part. They have the volume to be able to get parts without shipping charges. You may wait a bit longer . . . but on the other hand, you may even get it a bit faster, and cheaper.