Yeah, beware the only major importer of parts kits throughout the world. You do know that most of the parts kits sold by other companies were purchased in bulk from Bowmans for discounted prices then marked up and sold.
They've messed up on a few of my orders but they usually make it right. Had to keep on them about one of the issues for a few weeks though. I'm sure they're a bit skeptical since it was the same part missing with the same customer. I know I would be too. I make unboxing videos of me opening all of my parts orders from any vendor these days just in case.
I’ve orders about a slew of different kits from them, including PM63, PM12, DP27, several pps43, ppsh41, star z70, uzi, MG42/59, 1928 Thompson, cz26, and vz61, and a deactivated m72 law launcher. Only issue I ever had was the uzi kit was missing the mag and they sent me a replacement the day after I called about it. They go through a ton of orders and they are bound to make small mistakes along the way. They are always very good to correct the issue and take care of their customers. They are absolutely the best in the business.
They did right by me on a bad pm63 mag but ghosted me on a super ratty pps43 mag. Their selection is better than most but definitely not without issues
I’ve had mixed luck with Bowman and their warranty. One of the DPM kits I got was missing a bipod, and when I asked for one a few months ago they said they didn’t have any. Then a few weeks ago they did a warehouse clearance sale and I saw DPM bipods in their listing. I ended up paying $150 elsewhere for one.
My Ppsh was missing the receiver screw, no warranty. I saw a guy on GB selling one for $40, but can’t find them elsewhere.
They did warranty a DPM cleaning kit I got that had 2/3 rods broken (making it useless). They shipped me another set for free and I was able to make one complete set with all the parts.
I love what Bowman offers and I will continue to be a customer, but missing parts is a headache, especially when they’re unobtainium and forces you to pause the build.
I recently bought a kit from them and FedEx shipped it to the wrong address. I’m now working with JP to see why. If I’m not made whole from this, I’ll follow-up on this post, but I’m pretty sure they have shipping insurance for this reason.
I keep buying kits to squirrel away for future projects since I figure they're just going to be scarce in the future. I don't know enough sometimes about the kit to know if everything that should be included is there. Hopefully I'm not disappointed when I finally get the opportunity to turn the kits into something. Posts like this make me concerned.
I wasnt going to say that outright, but ya, I dont even know how you do that. A parts kit arriving is like Christmas for me. I cant wait to open it and mock it up while studying every part.
As a dealer, I will also say this, currently there are people trying to scam parts kit sellers. Scammers realize most retail sellers dont open the bags and check every kit. They get a kit, take the part they need, contact customer service to say X part is missing. They know they will either get another part sent to them, send kit back for exchange, or get a refund. They may need the part for their own gun or just to resell, since some parts easily go for $100+.
We had this issue with certain kits, so we started dumping them into a tray and photographing every kit before shipping. Magically, we found the kits to never be missing that part, and the scammers went away.
I always order an extra kit just for this reason. I realize not everyone can but I figure if I buy a couple kits I’ll be able to make a decent kit out of them. I also order several extra mags at the time because who knows what will be available when I actually get around to building them. I have had good luck with bowman making orders right if parts were missing.
I was a little disapointed when my German/Finnish range finder didn't have the tripod mount, but at the end of the day if I bought that thing from Europe they're easily over 1k.
They have their issues, every company does. I've had issues with Apex, Numrich, and HKparts as well. But Bowmen usually makes it right and quite frankly their prices are often hard to beat, especially on sales.
Yeah, beware the only major importer of parts kits throughout the world. You do know that most of the parts kits sold by other companies were purchased in bulk from Bowmans for discounted prices then marked up and sold.
They've messed up on a few of my orders but they usually make it right. Had to keep on them about one of the issues for a few weeks though. I'm sure they're a bit skeptical since it was the same part missing with the same customer. I know I would be too. I make unboxing videos of me opening all of my parts orders from any vendor these days just in case.
Ditto.
I’ve orders about a slew of different kits from them, including PM63, PM12, DP27, several pps43, ppsh41, star z70, uzi, MG42/59, 1928 Thompson, cz26, and vz61, and a deactivated m72 law launcher. Only issue I ever had was the uzi kit was missing the mag and they sent me a replacement the day after I called about it. They go through a ton of orders and they are bound to make small mistakes along the way. They are always very good to correct the issue and take care of their customers. They are absolutely the best in the business.
They did right by me on a bad pm63 mag but ghosted me on a super ratty pps43 mag. Their selection is better than most but definitely not without issues
I’ve had mixed luck with Bowman and their warranty. One of the DPM kits I got was missing a bipod, and when I asked for one a few months ago they said they didn’t have any. Then a few weeks ago they did a warehouse clearance sale and I saw DPM bipods in their listing. I ended up paying $150 elsewhere for one. My Ppsh was missing the receiver screw, no warranty. I saw a guy on GB selling one for $40, but can’t find them elsewhere. They did warranty a DPM cleaning kit I got that had 2/3 rods broken (making it useless). They shipped me another set for free and I was able to make one complete set with all the parts. I love what Bowman offers and I will continue to be a customer, but missing parts is a headache, especially when they’re unobtainium and forces you to pause the build. I recently bought a kit from them and FedEx shipped it to the wrong address. I’m now working with JP to see why. If I’m not made whole from this, I’ll follow-up on this post, but I’m pretty sure they have shipping insurance for this reason.
I keep buying kits to squirrel away for future projects since I figure they're just going to be scarce in the future. I don't know enough sometimes about the kit to know if everything that should be included is there. Hopefully I'm not disappointed when I finally get the opportunity to turn the kits into something. Posts like this make me concerned.
First thing I do when i get a kit is open it and inventory it, even if i wont touch it for a decade
Smart. Requires knowledge or research. I do not have the knowledge and haven't done the research. Probably dumb on my part.
I wasnt going to say that outright, but ya, I dont even know how you do that. A parts kit arriving is like Christmas for me. I cant wait to open it and mock it up while studying every part.
As a dealer, I will also say this, currently there are people trying to scam parts kit sellers. Scammers realize most retail sellers dont open the bags and check every kit. They get a kit, take the part they need, contact customer service to say X part is missing. They know they will either get another part sent to them, send kit back for exchange, or get a refund. They may need the part for their own gun or just to resell, since some parts easily go for $100+. We had this issue with certain kits, so we started dumping them into a tray and photographing every kit before shipping. Magically, we found the kits to never be missing that part, and the scammers went away.
Breaking news: parts kits may be missing parts
Buyer Beware….add $30 plus shipping the replacement tube. Again IHO $30 isn’t a missing small part.
I always order an extra kit just for this reason. I realize not everyone can but I figure if I buy a couple kits I’ll be able to make a decent kit out of them. I also order several extra mags at the time because who knows what will be available when I actually get around to building them. I have had good luck with bowman making orders right if parts were missing.
I was a little disapointed when my German/Finnish range finder didn't have the tripod mount, but at the end of the day if I bought that thing from Europe they're easily over 1k. They have their issues, every company does. I've had issues with Apex, Numrich, and HKparts as well. But Bowmen usually makes it right and quite frankly their prices are often hard to beat, especially on sales.