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Posted: 6/25/2008 11:57:01 AM EDT
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Late last week, American Tactical Imports (ATI) received their third shipment of GSG-5 rifles from Germany. It was a long journey plagued with delays, but they're finally here. That's the good news. The bad news is that Tony Dichario, president of ATI and Amchar Wholesale, has made a very hasty, last minute decision not to fulfill GSG-5 orders that he promised dealers-- orders that distributors, dealers, and end-users have patiently waited weeks and months for. Instead, Amchar is abandoning the distribution channel-- refusing to sell to Lipsey's, Sports South, Ellett Bros, and other distributors. In addition, ATI is requiring dealers to purchase an additional firearm with every GSG-5 they order. That means dealers need to purchase a Springfield XD, Kel-tec P-11, Bushmaster M4, etc. just for the "privilege" of acquiring a GSG-5. This 1:1 plan isn't "crazy" since ATI/Amchar is the exclusive importer of the GSG-5-- but it IS very stupid. And it has already angered a good many of us! The policy wouldn't be such a bad idea if Amchar Wholesale actually stocked a broad-line of products like RSR, Lipsey's, Sports South, Ellett Bros, and other distributors. However, a third tier, backwoods distributor like Amchar doesn't afford dealers the same kind of luxury we've come to expect from others in the distribution channel. Luxuries like reliable service and predictable and ethical business practices. It would be fine if dealers could source hot-selling brands like S&W, HK, Glock, and Springfield Armory from Amchar. Unfortunately, they only sell S&W to law enforcement end-users and they never have enough Glock, HK, or Springfield Armory products in stock. To make matters worse-- Amchar's pricing isn't even inline with other distributors. So, to add insult to injury, it costs dealers more to purchase firearms from them! According to an inside source at Amchar, the problem is with their cash flow. Amchar/ATI resources are stretched paper thin and they can't come up with the necessary capital to purchase the next shipment of GSG-5, which is already ready to ship from Germany! They're cash poor and desperate. Their solution: force dealers to buy an additional firearm with each GSG-5 they order. Problem solved? Hardly. To say the fledgling GSG-5 has experienced growing pains is an understatement. ATI/Amchar's failure to execute timely distribution to dealers clearily demonstrates the staggering ineptitude of both firms and their boss, Tony Dichario. However, distribution problems by themselves are not enough to kill the GSG-5. Quality control issues are problematic for the brand and threaten its future. Several of our clients have already documented poor fit and finish, loose screws, cracked buttstocks, missing parts, cracked bolts, broken receivers, firing pin issues, stripped screws-- and an inability to get any service from ATI or Amchar Wholesale. These problems, coupled with the fact that the manufacturer in Germany (German Sport Guns) has a background primarily in airsoft guns, don't inspire confidence. ATI/Amchar/GSG need a quality product delivered in a timely fashion at an attractive price point-- period. Presently, they're failing to deliver on all counts. http://www.onpointsupply.com/images/gsg5_cracked_bolt.jpg Cracked Bolt on GSG-5 http://www.onpointsupply.com/images/gsg5_stripped_bolts.jpg Stripped Screw Holes The hysteria surrounding the GSG-5 is well documented. GSG-5s were selling upwards of $600 on Gunbroker during its highly-anticipated launch. Now, there are no bids on those auctions and dealer profit is suffering on these $405 rifles. If a dealer can only make $100 on one of these (and that's a big IF at this juncture)-- why would he buy another gun at a higher cost from a distributor that he cannot trust in the first place? We're at a crossroads with the GSG-5, my friends. Demand increases, but a move by Amchar/ATI has created a bottleneck in the supply chain. Customers who have been waiting for weeks and months are frustrated to the point of cancelling orders and swearing off the GSG-5 altogether. The GSG-5 is a novelty item. It's a fun little plinker, but not much more than that. It should be cheap and easily produced in mass quantities. We've seen this time and time again in the firearms industry: a firm comes out with a hot new product-- a product that won't be available for months and months. People lose interest and spend their money elsewhere. In this economy, I can't blame them. Just wanted to let you guys know what's going on. We're done doing business with ATI/Amchar. A lot of other dealers feel the same way. Take care and as always-- stay On Point and God Bless. -- Evan |
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To our valued consumers and distributors, As some of you may already know, a recent negative review of the GSG-5 carbine and our company American Tactical Imports surfaced online. Although we are not at liberty to publish the name or web address of the person responsible for this review, we would like to take this opportunity to rebut the untrue and defamatory accusations about our company and our product and address any concerns you may have concerning these issues. We here at American Tactical Imports understand that with the high demand for the GSG-5 carbine, product availability has been stretched. We assure you that this has nothing to do with any lack of expertise on our part in the importing or distribution of our product. Our dedicated staff works long hours to ensure that the firearms are distributed immediately upon receiving shipments from Germany, often turning them around and sending them out to distributors the same day we receive them. As for the number of firearms shipped to the country, many of you are already aware that we have recently begun receiving 40 foot containers of product, doubling the amount of firearms we are importing in an attempt to keep up with consumer demand for these fun and excellent weapons. We also understand that there have been many issues raised by our customers surrounding the customer service and repair department for the GSG-5. We do have an on staff and full time gunsmith who was trained in Germany at German Sport Guns to service the GSG-5 who has been fielding all calls and issues that come in to ATI. We are also aware that many of you have been in direct contact with German Sport Guns for your repair issues, and have read that the service was exemplary and satisfied all of your questions concerning repair of your firearm. Both American Tactical Imports and German Sport Guns have listened to consumer feedback and are using that to help improve our products – a good example of this is the issue surrounding the rear sights and the buttstocks for the GSG-5, both issues that were brought to light by the consumers and have now been addressed in the design of the latest GSG-5 models. There have also been false accusations placed that American Tactical Imports is requiring “dealers” to purchase additional firearms in order to receive their GSG-5 and GSG-5P firearms. This is wildly false. American Tactical Imports, as many of you already know, does not sell to dealers or individuals at all. The GSG-5 is purchased by distributors who in turn sell them down to the dealer level. Any sales terms about additional firearm purchases with the GSG-5 are up to the distributors, not to American Tactical Imports. It is unacceptable to hold us (American Tactical Imports) accountable for distributor sales terms as that is completely out of our hands. The bottom line is this – both American Tactical Imports and the GSG-5 are still relatively newcomers in the firearms market. We are extremely pleased with how well received our product has been and appreciate the overwhelming support and enthusiasm that has been shown for it. With your continued support we will keep growing and improving both our company and our product line. Brenton Chapman American Tactical Imports |
That is not entirely true. ATI=Amchar Amchar is requiring dealers to purchase 1 additional firearm PER GSG ordered. YOUR company, ATI, owns Amchar. I believe you are actually in the same offices. Also your company (Amchar) is allocated about 90% of the GSG shipment. |
DING DING DING! We have a winner! The problem is that Tony Dichario is owner and Pres. of BOTH ATI and Amchar. As such, ATI cannot simply wash their hands clean of this ordeal. Todd Bailey tactics at play...? |
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Besides, you post 31 times in 5 years this smells of troll account. Guys, don't buy into the negativity, we need ATI/AMCHAR to know we have their back. They haven't left one GSG-5 customer witha problem in the dark yet, and until they do they have my complete support |
+1 The rifle has definately had some growing pains, but I have called Amchar twice for a few small parts and Ray sent them the same day. Michael at GSG has sent me a new stock and rear sight and I had both of them from Germany in less than a week. Sounds like top notch customer support to me. |
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I posted the thread at uzitalk and as stated there I just know I'm out 6+ months wait and now have to get on the bottom of somebodies list of many more then when I got on the list to get a rifle! I'm probably just going to get another .223 and be done with it!!!! Mike |
There are planty GSG-5's around, Atlantic Arms had dozens, hell they still might have more for Ar15.com members. Call and ask. I ordered 2 last month and got them in about a week. |
Same here. I E-mailed them, told them I was an Arfcom member, and like magic, a week later; I had my GSG. |
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Looks like On Point Supply posted this same message on there page. They are also requiring customers that have placed a back order to either cancel there order, wait until the issue is resolved, or buy another gun from Amchar. This is getting ridiculous. Ive been waiting to get one through my local dealer, but, it will be a cold day in hell before I purchase another gun in order to have a GSG-5. On Point Statement |
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True or not.. My GSG-5 has been on order somewhere between 4-6 months (at this point I stopped counting). I'm just not going to wait anymore regardless if this letter is true or not (but it's the icing on the cake). I have requested a refund of my deposit from my selling dealer after I recieved this letter via email yesterday. Sorry GSG-5, you lost my business for now. Prolly a good thing, I'm sure the longer I wait the better they will get with more R&D. No biggy, got plenty of other options. I will continue checking this site for updates |
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Some info from Michael on this: "I read all the conservation on the Internet. I hate this kind of stupid conservation, because everything is based on implications without having facts on the hand. I would like to point out that my company is a trusty, correct working company with a perfect team and a perfect partner ATI in USA. I know by sure that ATI is doing a correct job 100% and they have a correct distribution system. We deliver each month a container to USA and today we ship again a 40' container to USA. So per month we deliver around 2,800 GSG-5 only to USA. Also if we consider the huge volume we have produced worldwide, we have a minimal complaint rate at all and we fixed all customer problems immediately by our service department. By the way, some people think we never produced real firerams before: completely wrong: we produce since 2003 a complete pistol line (until now 100.000 pcs. total) for one of the biggest German Law Enforcement Pistol manufacturer under their own brand !!! Best regards from Germany, Michael" "One more information. The cracked bolt cover (the bolt itself never cracked) was from the O-series and gun number 1032. We sold the O-series (around 1,200 pcs.) in Germany and European Countries only in order to make all improvements on the guns not overseas. We replaced 5 bolt covers overall in Europe and improved in fullseries this point with new screws which became loose sometimes before. So the gun with the serial number M261031 was never sold to USA !!! So you can see that the informations are completely wrong. Best regards, Michael" |
When Kimber first started selling 1911's, you had to buy a Daewoo with each Kimber. This is nothing. Seriously, the problem isn't "buy another gun with the GSG5", but more than AmChar doesn't have a lot of "another gun" to choose from. If you wanted to add a glock or keltec, they are out of most! (SIG Mosquito's had a restriction at first also. Buy 3 guns, get the chance to buy a mosquito.) |
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AR15.Com gets GSG-5's from Amchar/ATI and outside of the normal shortage of rifles that everyone is facing, everything has been exceptional in terms of quality and response from them. I think it's pretty well known that GSG is producing and shipping them as quickly as possible and very open to answering questions from their customers. We know first hand that ATI is getting them in and turning them around immediately, working very damn hard to be fair in distribution. We also have never heard of the "additional rifle requirement" being discussed, although that does not mean we are privy to any of their relationships outside of our own. In regards to that, it has never come up. To everyone on waiting lists, I feel your pain. These rifles have sold above and beyond expectations and are well worth the wait. (I am JUST getting my hands on one since I preferred to ensure they were making it to the consumers first. We've sold all the rifles we have gotten to date, which unfortunately has not been many.) If you are on a waiting list and a bit tweaked, do not hold anyone accountable except for the rest of us who want them too. Quantities for dealers are so small, even with the most recent shipments, that everyone is pushing what we can out the door. Are we victims of scheming and lies? I really don't think so. It's more a situation where we are victim of the GSG-5's success. Dealers who took pre-orders, assuming no shortages, are probably feeling pressure from the continued quantity limitations after months of shipments and waiting. On a very bright side, we are making our limited inventory available to you. $499, brand new, and available through our store, HERE! We also have a few 22rnd and 10rnd Mags available. Once they are gone, it's another wait until the next shipment, as we do not take advanced pre-orders or sign-ups! |
I do believe the Sig Mosquito is also made by the folks that make the GSG-5. I just wish the "official" accessories would start arriving. |
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Don't know about Amchar/ATI (I live in Europe) but about GSG I can only say that there service is great. The topic starter did use my picture of the broken breach housing (bolt), why didn't he use a picture of his own if this is such a big issue? This problem was solved by GSG just great, I send them a email on Thursday, the send me a new part on Friday, and on Monday the parts were delivered. I am a huge fan of GSG Germany, I never had this much service for any of my firearms (accept for my Leupold scope, the service of Leupold is just as great). |
I hope michael knows no one is badmouthing GSG, at least no one here that i know of. I dont have mine yet (supposed to be here this shipment!!!) but i have heard NOTHING but good things about GSG and the GSG-5. Even the (very few) people who have had problems with their rifles have gotten replacement parts directly from GSG or ATI with prompt service. I'm absolutly satisfied with what i've heard about said companies so far. I dont know where that last rumor about armchar started but it was worrisome, as distributers have done that in the past. Lets hope these ugly rumors die down now and we can all rest! |
That is good to hear. I personally sent an email to Michael about a week ago or so telling him that we have had nothing but excellent customer service from GSG and he should tell all his employees what a great job they were doing. He appreicated the compliment. 
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Ya, michael is good people. I met him at the SHOT Show last February. I went to the HK factory in Germany in December..........Wish I would have gone to the GSG plant instead 
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This needed to be repeated |
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Amchar has a statement on their website reaffirming the quality of the GSG-5 product. There is NO MENTION or refutation of the "Buy x to get y" policy that is at the heart of all of this. Whether they rescinded this or not, this is dirty underwear hung out for all to see. Something's amiss Gub'nor!  |
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I'm really tired of these super low post count, long time members bashing gun companies or distributors. It smells bad, like a ploy of some sort. VWTACTICAL is a spammer and needs to be dealt with. This is the Tech forum and half of the posts bashing ATI/AMCHAR should be moved, or trashed. In fact this thread needs to be trashed it's served no purpose other than bringing negative press to 2 great companies. To all of you that fit in the above mentioned category, what's your agenda? |
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I for one have no "agenda" other then have been on a backorder list for 6 months, made it to #6 in line for the current shipment and because of bad blood/crappy treatment/panties in a wad/whatever am having to start again at ground zero! I could personally care less about any companies or distributors it's all about ME, ME, ME getting my rifle! Good day |
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I waited to see how they held up before I spent any money and tho many seem to be happy, I've seen more issues with these things then almost any other firearm in the past 25 years. For what they cost, these things are CHEAPLY made, as in they should cost $200.00 at most. Until their quality improves to match the price, I'm not touching one with a 10 foot pole. [And yes, I've handled one] |
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