Knight and Sportsmens Warehouse - poor quality, poor customer service

[Bob33]

Off season??? That ridiculous.

sent from my typewriter

For a hunting equipment company, it sure is. Add to that a retailer that hides behind a policy and ignores customer satisfaction, and it makes for a bad combination.

[bear hunter]

You should contact them though there facebook page and or hunting form page. 

[swift]

I just bought a mountaineer and been dealing with Knight for my western parts left 3 messages and had 3 return calls from a hell of a nice guy ( can't remember his name) tons of great info on tech questions I had and sold me just a bolt handle and breech plug for $80 instead of a $139 western kit  no complaints here

[Sabotloader]

I have not really replied to this thread yet because I have worked some with Bob33 and the problem through emails and PM's - and mostly because what he has written as his experience and frustrations are correct.

I share his concerns, in fact at the same time he got his new Ultra-Lite I got one also with the same problems.  I was able to work through the problems because I was able to easily understand what the problems were.

Bob and I really had two problem...

1. This run of breech plug was manufactured to short.  The manufacture of the breech plug calls for a plug that is 1.35" long.  The new BP that Knight received were 1.2+".  This is not long enough for the hammer to reach the nipple post.  Knight was unaware of the problem until Bob identified his problems.

2. The hammer shroud or the Western Bolt - either one does or could have a tolerance problem also that can effect the smooth operation of the bolt. And again I believe these were new parts received from the sub-contractor.  I am hoping that Knight responds to the problem and get them corrected quickly.

The off season thing... bugs the heck out of me and I believe even some people within Knight. It comes down to the cost of operation.  I believe they are trying to save money by cutting back staff in what they call the 'Off Season'.  Again my personal belief is there is no 'off season' when it comes to service.

I really do hope Bob or anyone else that gets these problems from the current run of Knight Western Edition ML's gets the problems fixed promptly.

[jackelope]

I really do hope Bob or anyone else that gets these problems from the current run of Knight Western Edition ML's gets the problems fixed promptly.

Sounds like promptly isn't going to happen because it's the "off-season".
 
It would almost make more sense for the Knight people to call their off-season during hunting season...when guys aren't preparing for hunting season by shooting their rifles, load development, etc. That is when their problems are going to be discovered.
This thread has dissolved any interest I had in buying a Knight rifle. I'll stick with my T/C until they get these issues resolved.

[brianmtsinc]

Bob,
So sorry to hear of your problems, but I THANK YOU for posting this.  I am an archery hunter that drew a muzzy tag this year and am only days away from buying a complete set up.  I was leaning towards the CVA until I started reading threads on here about how "superior" KNIGHT is.   

You have convinced me that I will not be doing any business with Knight. 

Any company that has to close down their Customer Service to save costs, is a company on it's way to closing their doors or restructuring their business.... not good.   

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. 
Brian

[The100Road]

Bob,
So sorry to hear of your problems, but I THANK YOU for posting this.  I am an archery hunter that drew a muzzy tag this year and am only days away from buying a complete set up.  I was leaning towards the CVA until I started reading threads on here about how "superior" KNIGHT is.   

You have convinced me that I will not be doing any business with Knight. 

Any company that has to close down their Customer Service to save costs, is a company on it's way to closing their doors or restructuring their business.... not good.   

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. 
Brian

Im sure most have some sort of flaw. Might want to check with CVA as well. I had a elkhorn that the safety worked whenever it wanted to.

[Sabotloader]

Bob,
So sorry to hear of your problems, but I THANK YOU for posting this.  I am an archery hunter that drew a muzzy tag this year and am only days away from buying a complete set up.  I was leaning towards the CVA until I started reading threads on here about how "superior" KNIGHT is.   

You have convinced me that I will not be doing any business with Knight. 

Any company that has to close down their Customer Service to save costs, is a company on it's way to closing their doors or restructuring their business.... not good.   


Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. 
Brian

Brian, that is part of the problem - this new Knight company is recovering the previous owners possible mistakes and now they are rebuilding under new ownership.  In that effort I believe they are trying to be frugal and reduce costs while maintaining a quality product.  That statement does not sound that good right now but the Knight Rifle is a quality rifle and these bumps will be worked out - in fact I am positive one of the two problems has been corrected and the second one is being addressed.

I have complete faith in the Knight rifles that I have and the two news ones that I just received.  Because of my experiences with the new Knight I would still recommend then to most other products.

Like most new companies - I really hope they work through the bumps and continue to offer Knight rifles.

[birddogdad]

social media has a way of "lighting a fire" on those who have substandard business practices... if you have a lack of support or confidence in the product, then by all means post to thier webpages. I have had direct calls from people in charge to correct problems. Also have had no replies on other occasions as well.

the squeeky wheel often works. thanks for this info, i for one, will use as a reference in my future blackpowder decisions....

[Bob33]

UPDATE. "The wheels of justice turn slowly".

Yesterday I spoke with the manager at the Sportsmens Warehouse, and he agreed to exchange the gun for me. Good for them.

This morning I finally (two weeks after having purchased a defective product) received a call from someone at Knight willing and able to assist me. He asked me to not return the gun to the store, but rather return it directly to Knight. He promised that he is shipping me a new rifle directly from Knight, and it should arrive in 5 business days. I should have a tracking number by tomorrow. If I do, and if the gun ships as promised, and if the gun is not defective when it arrives, then my loss is three weeks of test time, which is not insignificant.

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

We shall see.

[Sabotloader]

UPDATE. "The wheels of justice turn slowly".

Yesterday I spoke with the manager at the Sportsmens Warehouse, and he agreed to exchange the gun for me. Good for them.

This morning I finally (two weeks after having purchased a defective product) received a call from someone at Knight willing and able to assist me. He asked me to not return the gun to the store, but rather return it directly to Knight. He promised that he is shipping me a new rifle directly from Knight, and it should arrive in 5 business days. I should have a tracking number by tomorrow. If I do, and if the gun ships as promised, and if the gun is not defective when it arrives, then my loss is three weeks of test time, which is not insignificant.

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

We shall see.

Bob... Knight should have exercised this option in the first place - we both know that! I would bet you a dime to a dollar that one guy in the Knight organization knows that also - just wish he was the owner sometimes.  Although I can not bad mouth the new owners that much because they did rescue Knight after the bottom fell out.

When this is all worked out I am sure that you will like the rifle, the way it shoots and handles.

mike

[bearpaw]

glad to hear you are getting some action from them 

[jackelope]

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

Novel concept.

Glad to hear you're making some headway.

[HntnFsh]

Sounds like they are stepping up to the plate. Sure hope they follow through. I wish that this could have been taken care of sooner. Sure would have went a long ways towards alleviating frustrations and anxiety.

I feel that things like this are bound to happen. Its how they are taken care of that defines a business. They are taking a step in the right direction to redeem themselves.  But with the amount of time it took. They aren't accomplishing that 100 percent.

 I'm still a Knight diehard!

[trophyhunt]

Bob,
So sorry to hear of your problems, but I THANK YOU for posting this.  I am an archery hunter that drew a muzzy tag this year and am only days away from buying a complete set up.  I was leaning towards the CVA until I started reading threads on here about how "superior" KNIGHT is.   

You have convinced me that I will not be doing any business with Knight. 

Any company that has to close down their Customer Service to save costs, is a company on it's way to closing their doors or restructuring their business.... not good.   

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. 
Brian

Hey Bri, let me know when you order that gun.  I'm really interested in the CVA also, very nice looking gun and I love the small holes in the breech!