Retailer Reviews - A Tale of Two Orders

Well, three actually... but that's only on a technicality.

Hero Army Surplus:

I placed two orders in a short period of time with a total value of over $200.00 of minor gun upgrades and some protective equipment. All of the items were on the website and the sizes/variants I ordered were all listed as available. When I finally got to the shipping screen, I was told that the items would be in the store in only a matter of days but this was not to be the case.

I got calls the day after each order was placed telling me that the items I had ordered were either discontinued, not in stock, extremely difficult to get ahold of or otherwise unattainable before I was set to leave for my Pennsylvania trip (which is the reason I'm doing my upgrades now anyway). On top of being told that my orders were not going to be possible, during the first call the Hero representative tried to "up-sell" me to a much more expensive pair of slider shorts. I told him that I was on a budget and unless the upgrade was being provided at the same price as the shorts I'd ordered that I wouldn't be able to stretch my budget.

Now obviously I didn't get a discount on better merchandise based on their screw ups but I was told that I'd be kept in the loop as to when my shorts would come in. I decided to order some small gun upgrades and a pair of protective gloves in the hopes of having SOMETHING for my trip but received a near-identical call the next day during which the same representative tried AGAIN to upsell me to a tricked-out (used) Tippmann A5 even AFTER acknowledging that I was the person with complications on the previous order... You'd think he'd have remembered the whole "I've set my budget and I can't break it" part of our conversation.

End result? A cancelled order, wasted time, and a lot of aggravation. Will I be dealing with Hero ever again? Maybe, but only to pick up the odd bottle of marker lube or other very small purchases.

Tactical-Mod.ca:

A paintballing friend of mine, Rikk Angel, referred me to try out tactical-mod.ca a while back but I just didn't have the cash at the time but with my trip upcoming, and my Hero order being cancelled, I decided that so long as I could get my gear in time I'd be placing an order.

As it happens Tactical-Mod.ca WAS able to ship my order in time and had the majority of the pieces that I'd been looking for. In the end I wound up getting better upgrades at a better price and with FAR better customer service than I'd seen from Hero.

I'll soon (as of this monday) be the proud owner of the shroud upgrade kit featured on the left as well as an 18" fluted barrel to go with it. I'd been informed by my teammates for the upcoming event that the engagements I'd be seeing would mostly be long and medium-long range firefights so a grip, longer hold profile and more accurate barrel would be preferential.

So, to sum up my experience with Tactical-mod.ca... Amazing service, great pricing and the speed of shipping? Absolutely fantastic. I don't know about going west from Oshawa/Toronto but my merch shipped out of St. Laurent, Quebec and having ordered it just this past Thursday my items will be at my doorstep on Monday. I couldn't be more impressed.

Final Delivery:

When I take possession of my gear on Monday morning I'll be posting a number of photos and videos of my newly shrouded A5 aka "Mandy".  Stay tuned to see how the project turns out ;) She's gonna be a real hot ticket.

Oh and as always...

Keep calm and throw paint!

Joshua J. Taylor - the 'Noob' Baller

Shopping List - A5 --> M4 Modern Assault

So I've decided on where I want my A5 to go as far as shrouds are concerned and here's what I'm looking at...

The Modification Station:

This here is the Tactical-Mod M4 Modern Assault Kit for the Tippmann A5 2011-Present. It includes:

• 1 x 416 Body Shroud
• 1 x CTR Stock w/ Metal Shaft
• 1 x M4 Gas-Through Magazine
• 1 x AFG Angled Fore Grip
• 4 x Ladder Rail Covers

Now I'm looking to add a red dot to the top rail as well as a flashlight to the right side front rail but all things in due time. As-is, with just the conversion kit and dot sight I'm looking at it's going to cost me around $200.00 before taxes so budgeting is a serious concern. I also have to accommodate for the fact that the M4 kit doesn't have iron sights along the top rail so a sight of some sort is going to be a must. If I get the sudden inspiration to blow an extra chunk of cash I might go with the ACOG replica over a red dot but it all depends on the almighty dollar am i right?

So what do you guys think? I know it's a personal choice, but I always like input. I'm hoping to add a little more control to my marker as well as some improved accuracy. Now, I realize that improving a marker's accuracy comes down more to barrel type and ammunition but having a sight system that you can work with? Hey if you're able to have more effect than just firing from the hip it's always a good thing.

Honestly folks, I learned a lot about how I like to play from my weekend balling at the PRZ field opener back in April and I'm going to run with that instinct. I hope that you'll all run with me on this one because I'd love to share my experiences with you.

ION Update:

As many of you (and all of my avid readers will know), I'm heading down to Pennsylvania in July for Skirmish Paintball's Invasion of Normandy scenario. What you might not know is that I sent my $$$ down to a friend in order to reserve some half-priced paint for the event and the money arrived safe and sound. I am now officially 'in' for 165$ and my nerves are starting to jump.

I should also note that ALL credit to getting me registered goes to my father who let me use his credit card for the online registry. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be going at all so thanks, and a happy belated birthday to ya daddyo!

As always folks... Keep calm and throw paint!

Joshua J. Taylor - The 'Noob' Baller