FX Airguns - Notice
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I think you are all missing the boat here. My Daddy taught me that if I see a situation like this that doesn't make sense to look for the dollars. The bottom line is always the dollars. So think about this scenario for a minute... FX supplied AOA with lots of airguns to sell and even let them have the Warranty Repair Work plum to go along with it. AOA was making lots of dollars on the sales of the airguns, but AOA was also making lots of dollars on the Warranty Repairs too.
Did you guys think they did all that Warranty work for free? No, FX gave them all the parts for free, but AOA billed FX for every hour they spent on Warranty Repairs. Maybe FX thought they were paying AOA way too much for Warranty Repairs and decided to build their own Warranty Repair Facility in Wilmington, North Carolina... which has its own Customs port of entry by the way.
Now is where I remind you that it is the accountants that are usually responsible for decisions like this. It may be the owner or president or CEO of a company that makes the announcement but the decision itself is driven by the accountants pointing to the bottom line of the ledger books.
So now lets remember that FX USA opened in November of 2017... so it would only be good business for FX to compare how much it cost them for a whole year or so of Warranty Repairs at the Wilmington facility, versus how much they previously paid out to AOA each year for those same Warranty Repairs. The dollar difference of that comparison may have been very dramatic...is it possible that the difference was so pronounced as to arouse some suspicions and raise some eyebrows? Is it possible that someone got caught with their hand in the cookie jar? We will never know the whole truth of it but like I said in the beginning, look for the dollars and see where they lead you.
I have a friend that owns a car dealership who once told me (under the influence of too much alcohol) that it is a common practice to charge for a few extra things when a car or truck comes in for a Warranty Repair. He said that some dealerships make more on Warranty Repairs than they do on all the cars they sell put together. He basically told me that Warranty Repair and Insurance Collision Repair jobs are essentially a license to print money.
I doubt that the owner of AOA was as "shocked" and surprised by this as he purports to be. Business is all about making money and for FX to drop AOA like a hot potato is akin to cutting off their own nose to spite their face because there is no doubt that AOA sold a lot of FX guns and made FX a lot of money. So the reason for FX dropping AOA was very, very serious indeed! And you can bet it was All About the Benjamins!
All the best, Chuck
Did you guys think they did all that Warranty work for free? No, FX gave them all the parts for free, but AOA billed FX for every hour they spent on Warranty Repairs. Maybe FX thought they were paying AOA way too much for Warranty Repairs and decided to build their own Warranty Repair Facility in Wilmington, North Carolina... which has its own Customs port of entry by the way.
Now is where I remind you that it is the accountants that are usually responsible for decisions like this. It may be the owner or president or CEO of a company that makes the announcement but the decision itself is driven by the accountants pointing to the bottom line of the ledger books.
So now lets remember that FX USA opened in November of 2017... so it would only be good business for FX to compare how much it cost them for a whole year or so of Warranty Repairs at the Wilmington facility, versus how much they previously paid out to AOA each year for those same Warranty Repairs. The dollar difference of that comparison may have been very dramatic...is it possible that the difference was so pronounced as to arouse some suspicions and raise some eyebrows? Is it possible that someone got caught with their hand in the cookie jar? We will never know the whole truth of it but like I said in the beginning, look for the dollars and see where they lead you.
I have a friend that owns a car dealership who once told me (under the influence of too much alcohol) that it is a common practice to charge for a few extra things when a car or truck comes in for a Warranty Repair. He said that some dealerships make more on Warranty Repairs than they do on all the cars they sell put together. He basically told me that Warranty Repair and Insurance Collision Repair jobs are essentially a license to print money.
I doubt that the owner of AOA was as "shocked" and surprised by this as he purports to be. Business is all about making money and for FX to drop AOA like a hot potato is akin to cutting off their own nose to spite their face because there is no doubt that AOA sold a lot of FX guns and made FX a lot of money. So the reason for FX dropping AOA was very, very serious indeed! And you can bet it was All About the Benjamins!
All the best, Chuck
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Chuck - Quote, "I doubt that the owner of AOA was as "shocked" and surprised by this as he purports to be. Business is all about making money and for FX to drop AOA like a hot potato is akin to cutting off their own nose to spite their face because there is no doubt that AOA sold a lot of FX guns and made FX a lot of money. So the reason for FX dropping AOA was very, very serious indeed! And you can bet it was All About the Benjamins!"
You might just be right. I believe (My opinion) AoA had been slowing FX sales for some time. I called a while back for some help with my Impact and they started talking down FX and talking up Brocock. The split has been building for some time. No surprises to those involved, maybe just the timing was faster than anyone thought it would be. AoA was nice, but shipping was incredibly slow. Spent $1500 on a used Impact and took about a week just to get shipped. Then I tried to order an X Barrel kit. Weeks went by, nothing. Finally cancelled the order, and bought from UA. They put up with me changing shipping address and a couple other weird requests due to my moving and such. Stellar service and in my hands within a few days.
Whatever the reasons for the split, we'll never really know. I do wish both companies best, but since I'm already an FX Fanboy, I'll probably switch all business to UA, besides UA is within driving distance.
On a positive note, PA how has FX Dreamlines listed on their web site. You can bet that AoA seeing other dealers cutting into their turf, it didn't help the relationship with FX.
You might just be right. I believe (My opinion) AoA had been slowing FX sales for some time. I called a while back for some help with my Impact and they started talking down FX and talking up Brocock. The split has been building for some time. No surprises to those involved, maybe just the timing was faster than anyone thought it would be. AoA was nice, but shipping was incredibly slow. Spent $1500 on a used Impact and took about a week just to get shipped. Then I tried to order an X Barrel kit. Weeks went by, nothing. Finally cancelled the order, and bought from UA. They put up with me changing shipping address and a couple other weird requests due to my moving and such. Stellar service and in my hands within a few days.
Whatever the reasons for the split, we'll never really know. I do wish both companies best, but since I'm already an FX Fanboy, I'll probably switch all business to UA, besides UA is within driving distance.
On a positive note, PA how has FX Dreamlines listed on their web site. You can bet that AoA seeing other dealers cutting into their turf, it didn't help the relationship with FX.
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Oh mein Gott! This is the first time for me hearing about PA selling Dreamlines! I just went to PA website and looked at them in disbelief! My God, first FX kicks AOA in the nuts and then cuts them off completely... and to add insult to injury FX gives the dealership to Pyramyd! This is too too funny! You couldn't have made this up if you tried!
Part of me wants to say that it serves AOA right for all the hundreds of hours I spent on hold! Especially when we can call Palm Beach Airguns at 2:00 a.m. and he will answer the phone and will get up take our order! Hell with AOA! There is nothing they sell I can't get elsewhere nowadays! They don't have us all over a monopoly barrel anymore that's for sure!
I just went to PA website and looked at them in disbelief! My God, first FX kicks AOA in the nuts and then cuts them off completely... and to add insult to injury FX gives the dealership to Pyramyd! This is too too funny! You couldn't have made this up if you tried! Part of me wants to say that it serves AOA right for all the hundreds of hours I spent on hold! Especially when we can call Palm Beach Airguns at 2:00 a.m. and he will answer the phone and will get up take our order! Hell with AOA! There is nothing they sell I can't get elsewhere nowadays! They don't have us all over a monopoly barrel anymore that's for sure!
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In case you didn't know: AoA is a retail storefront with a larger business behind it. They manufacture, import - some as sole source into the U.S. market, sell to other dealers, etc. The "conflict of interest" could very well be in any part of that chain, or even with another manufacturer that the larger business holds import rights to. Whatever the issue is it shouldn't change your opinion of FX or of AoA. It is also unfair to project your bias into the separation (e.g. FX is bad AoA is good, or AoA is bad and FX is good) if you already held that opinion before the announcement. If they are both smart business managers, and I assume they are, they will eventually part amicably in order to retain their reputation in the industry. Any other form of public, nasty parting of a past partnership only tarnishes both party's reputation no matter who is at fault.
I will continue to wish them both the best. One for advancing technology and pushing other brands to also advance technology to stay competitive. The other for expanding the U.S. market for air gunners on the retail and wholesale side and for manufacturing products that many on here enjoy.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
I will continue to wish them both the best. One for advancing technology and pushing other brands to also advance technology to stay competitive. The other for expanding the U.S. market for air gunners on the retail and wholesale side and for manufacturing products that many on here enjoy.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
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Thanks all for your opinions, for a new guy on this world (me). is interesting seen that at the end all business problems are similar. Since there is no explanation for either party (and they do not need to explain anything also, at least to us) our imagination play a rol on it, and we know that imagination can be "unlimited". (But I have to say: My curiosity jumped high when I read the press release)
My guess: AoA will be Ditribution Center for Daystate/Brockock (if not already, and that is only my guess) + Fx Creating a own DC (probably less expensive) + Other problems (AoA & Fx related) are the ingredients for this fast rupture (for us, maybe this has months or even years of cooking), divorces are never good and usually end bad.
And Now Pyramyd Air is selling Fx (Dreamline ... and no press release?! ). At least for me that is good. I Buy online Only (in the US), and I have bought in AGD, PA, UA, MW & AoA and I have had good experiences with the first 3 (I include UA, they took longer to ship, but they did it ok), and bad with the last 2, and AoA do not have Paypal and not even answering emails. (just my buy experience, NADA BUENO)
My guess: AoA will be Ditribution Center for Daystate/Brockock (if not already, and that is only my guess) + Fx Creating a own DC (probably less expensive) + Other problems (AoA & Fx related) are the ingredients for this fast rupture (for us, maybe this has months or even years of cooking), divorces are never good and usually end bad.
And Now Pyramyd Air is selling Fx (Dreamline ... and no press release?!
). At least for me that is good. I Buy online Only (in the US), and I have bought in AGD, PA, UA, MW & AoA and I have had good experiences with the first 3 (I include UA, they took longer to ship, but they did it ok), and bad with the last 2, and AoA do not have Paypal and not even answering emails. (just my buy experience, NADA BUENO)Upvote 0
I think the discussion is about played out. Until the players (FX and AoA) come forward with more details, speculating seems to have run the gamut. I think we can sum it all up in, "We wish both profitable futures in their chosen paths".
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Jaws,
Vulcan was a good choice....very well built...consistent, easy to work on if needed (Ive had mine for 3 years no work done yet), just general cleaning maintenance, easy to take apart. Don’t own FX.
Vulcan was a good choice....very well built...consistent, easy to work on if needed (Ive had mine for 3 years no work done yet), just general cleaning maintenance, easy to take apart. Don’t own FX.
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I take it from your statement you are one of the fx cronies huh no hating here just find that fx qc isn’t very good. I know from what my shooting buddy’s is going through. Thank god I almost fell for the hype but held off buying fx with the exception of my monsoon my only fx gun I own is broke and needs to be sent in for repair. Got to show some love for the eastern guns
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Agt is about to get my money on a Vulcan 2 fx isn’t getting another dime from me oh wait they still have to fix my fx monsoon so they will still get their last dime from me. I will keep it as a reminder. Just because it says fx doesn’t mean it’s quality cause it’s not lol
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What did I ever do you that you resorted to calling names? And you decided to pull out a several day-old post to make a personal slam. Based upon your friend's imaginary or self-induced problems with his FX? Yes I know that last part may be hard to accept, but I'll bet it is true!
Do I like FX? Sure I do. I own four of them with the oldest being close to 5 years old and newest, just a few months since purchased. And in total I have shot well over 110,000 pellets through these four rifles, maybe close to 120,000 by now. Other than breech seal replacements when necessary, cleaning the barrels every several thousand rounds and the same for the trigger mechanism - cleaning every several thousand rounds; none of these 4 FX rifles have required any additional parts and/or maintenance. Plus the fit and finish on every one of them was impeccable when new and still is.
As for the "eastern guns", I own a relatively new EdGun Leshiy and after shooting thousands and thousands of rounds through it in both .22 and .25 barrels, I can say with absolute certainty; comparing the Leshiy to an FX is akin to comparing the Leshiy to a Red Ryder. There is just as much difference between any of the FX rifles I own and the Leshiy as there is between my Red Ryder and the Leshiy. So give it a rest on the "eastern gun" thing. They are a crude JOKE!!!!! The Leshiy has a silly, nearly worthless trigger action and a safety that isn't appropriate on a water gun, let alone a high-powered air rifle. Actually, out of the box the Red Ryder trigger and safety action in combination, is superior to the Leshiy. And don't even get me started on the fit and finish differences between the FX rifles and the Leshiy. My Leshiy showed up with an anodized finish that looked like it failed a 7th grade shop class. And it takes only the slightest touch on anything hard to make the finish look even worse. Just cocking the rifle knocks more and more of the finish off. A true, major disappointment!
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I thought this topic was supposed to be about the FX press release regarding dropping AOA like a hot potato ... I thought we were supposed to gossip about that and makeup wild speculation regarding the possible reasons why it happened.
The chance to be trolls for a day so to speak ... you know, a chance to make up stories like "is it possible that the guy at FX caught the guy at AOA sleeping with his wife"? Come on guys let's keep this topic as trashy as possible please?
The chance to be trolls for a day so to speak ... you know, a chance to make up stories like "is it possible that the guy at FX caught the guy at AOA sleeping with his wife"? Come on guys let's keep this topic as trashy as possible please?
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Hey Brother by all means if you got something on your chest this is the place to vent and then feel better. But while we're at it do you have any juicy gossip or wild speculations about FX and airguns of Arizona?
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I think that FX at this past EBR was not happy with the big splash being made my the RedWolf. I think this was one on the reasons FX did what it did. Personally I have had no problems with either company and the competition between the leading retailers will only make it better for us all
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Just my opinion but...Disagreements, conflicts, whatever, should be discussed and settled privately. A public post with a clearly vindictive tone is in very poor taste and is certainly beneath the dignity of a leading manufacturer.
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Now that is the smartest thing I've heard on this subject so far! Competition drives down the prices and forces the air gun companies to produce better products with better quality control and less problems. In the beginning airguns of Arizona had a virtual monopoly on many products, and an attitude towards business as if they could care less.
I am a small businessman myself and I cannot imagine people calling me to spend thousands and thousands of dollars and letting them sit on hold for a couple hours! We will never know how many people got tired of sitting on hold and hung up the phone and called airguns of Utah or airgun Depot or Pyramyd Air ... but I'll bet you one thing by God there's going to be a day when airguns of Arizona wishes they had answered the damn telephone and treated customers like the very important people they are!
I am a small businessman myself and I cannot imagine people calling me to spend thousands and thousands of dollars and letting them sit on hold for a couple hours! We will never know how many people got tired of sitting on hold and hung up the phone and called airguns of Utah or airgun Depot or Pyramyd Air ... but I'll bet you one thing by God there's going to be a day when airguns of Arizona wishes they had answered the damn telephone and treated customers like the very important people they are!
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