I hate Kimbers!

[amd5007]

It's possible that Kimber has crunched the numbers and made a financial decision not to spend money on good CS. What percentage of Kimber owners shoot enough to uncover problems? What percentage of Kimber owners who do uncover problems were going to be a future customer anyway? If Kimber spends money on advertising instead of CS, is that financially smarter than providing good CS? I'm not sure you can really know for sure. I tend to believe companies like SA and S&W invest the money in CS because it's the right thing to do more than because it makes them money.

I think you mean "QC" (Quality Control). Their "CS" (Customer service), that is the people answering the phones and handling the issues first, are really quite pleasant and efficient in my experience and others. They've even sent me a new thumb safety for my Warrior because I didn't like the ambi safety. The QC is what is lacking.

[Bret]

It's possible that Kimber has crunched the numbers and made a financial decision not to spend money on good CS. What percentage of Kimber owners shoot enough to uncover problems? What percentage of Kimber owners who do uncover problems were going to be a future customer anyway? If Kimber spends money on advertising instead of CS, is that financially smarter than providing good CS? I'm not sure you can really know for sure. I tend to believe companies like SA and S&W invest the money in CS because it's the right thing to do more than because it makes them money.

I think that from a sales standpoint, Kimber's advertising helps to overcome the badwill created by their quality and customer services issues. However, you've missed my point about the cost. If they are in fact choosing to invest less in quality and customer service, the amount they're saving is almost certainly offset by the additional cost of repairs and lost future business. Think of it this way. It costs more money not to have good quality and customer service than it does to have good quality and customer service.

[WillBrink]

I think that from a sales standpoint, Kimber's advertising helps to overcome the badwill created by their quality and customer services issues. However, you've missed my point about the cost. If they are in fact choosing to invest less in quality and customer service, the amount they're saving is almost certainly offset by the additional cost of repairs and lost future business. Think of it this way. It costs more money not to have good quality and customer service than it does to have good quality and customer service.

We have wayyyyyyy too many examples of that in the firearms industry not being the case much less the non firearms industry. As Mencken said:

"No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American"

Marketing and BS wins over QC/CS most of the time sadly. There's a bunch of gun companies we could point to.

[Bret]

We have wayyyyyyy too many examples of that in the firearms industry not being the case much less the non firearms industry.

I didn't say they couldn't exist or turn a profit if they don't do quality and customer service right. My point is that they would be better off financially if they did, but it's not easy. Those running the business have to actually have knowledge about how to do it.

[WillBrink]

I didn't say they couldn't exist or turn a profit if they don't do quality and customer service right. My point is that they would be better off financially if they did, but it's not easy. Those running the business have to actually give a shit.

Fixed it for ya

[Bret]

Yep, that too.

[browneu]

Sadly their products are overpriced. Save your money and buy a quality 1911 instead of getting instant gratification.

[Rinspeed]

I'm no fan of newer Kimbers but to be fair they do sell a shitload of 1911s. I have a couple of their early models and they are well put together and will hold their own with any modern 1911 under a grand as far as accuracy. Their mini 1911s suck, as most do, and they can't seem to fix a dog to save their life. It's no wonder so many people can't stand the company.

[Rico 05R]

Over the years I've owned just about every brand of 1911, including Kimbers. And out of all of them only two have never malfunctioned...my Springfield Champion (go figure) and my Para Nighthawg. I won't buy another Kimber.

[Bret]

Sometimes I think it's just the luck of the draw. The fiber optic front sight fell off my Springfield Champion the first time I shot it.