I may be a new member here but, I've been reading the forums and following the stories for a long time. It seems to me that all the dealer and manufacturer posts in the past have been on a positive note. Their main goal being to boost sales and help the sport advance. Enter this “press release” by FX. I can't think of anyone else that has taken it upon themselves to publicly undermine another company like that. It's a clever post but, that's really what FX is doing, bashing Airguns Of Arizona. And in my opinion, it's a really shi##y thing to do! But, it's especially shi##y when you take into consideration the exceptionally close partnership they used to have with one another!
This has, unfortunately, turned into an "ugly divorce" of two companies. I don't recall Airguns Of Arizona bad mouthing FX publicly. From the rumors I’ve read, when FX decided to start importing their own products, they barely gave Airguns Of Arizona any warning at all. That's no way to treat a business partner. I have no doubt that FX followed a similar timeline when they presented this decision, seeing as they're still advertising the rifles for sale on their website, and they still have a large advertisement on this forum with both business logo's. Airguns Of Arizona could have dropped the FX brand after being treated the way they were treated but, they didn't. They tried, through a strained relationship, to keep the peace and keep the ball rolling for the sake of the sport as a whole. "Bravo, Airguns Of Arizona!"
Of course, FX didn't mind continuing to sell their products through Airguns Of Arizona. They didn't mind continuing to cash-in through the top rated, major seller that Airguns Of Arizona is. But, with the drop of a hat, they no longer want those sales? Come on. They cited a "clear conflict of interest" as the main reason. Why? Could it be because Airguns Of Arizona carries the Daystate brand as well? It’s pretty well known that Daystate and FX have been competing with one another for a long time for the top spot. But, Airguns Of Arizona has carried Daystate and FX together for over a decade! If that is the case, then what about Utah Airguns? They sell both. So does SPAW and many other retailers. What’s the conflict of interest FX? I thought the point of the business was to make and sell airguns.
I think this parting of ways isn't due to a conflict of interest at all. I view it as a petty, infantile, temper tantrum meant to do nothing more than to hurt another company. Read the press release again. Take a minute to compare it to press releases in the past from other companies in this industry. No one goes out of their way to undermine another company like this. Even if you take a look at Airguns Of Arizona's forum topics, they don't bad mouth FX. Quite the opposite! Because they know it's bad form. They know it would only be bad for their reputation and for the entire industry. They made the decision to take the high road and set an example that others could follow. Behavior like FX has just shown, does nothing more than hurt the industry.
I could pull the whole thing apart but, I don't have the time. I did notice how FX states how they're committed to supporting their retailers, how they hold them in such high esteem, and work vigorously to support their efforts. It looks like they've supported Airguns Of Arizona by the shirt collar, held them high up, and worked vigorously to stab them in the back repeatedly. If I were an FX retailer, I'd be paying close attention to the way FX "supports" their retailers. I think the real story is hinted at in the very last line, "further the FX airguns brand". Or in other words, "tow the line" or else.
I hope people who read that are wise enough to see through the veil of this innocent looking press release to see the hypocrisy behind it. These are the true colors of the FX company. It's unfortunate that such a brilliant, creative, and innovative company act in such a back stabbing and spineless way!
Joe B.
(not Brancato)
