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Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:53 pm
by LSUTiger
From what I hear SOE makes excellent gear. Their prices are a bit steep. But I have or never will do business with SOE because of the owner John Willis.

Not only is SOE owner John Willis an ardent supporter of alleged military valor stealers , he’s also very hateful to his customers. It would appear that this convicted felon feels it’s a great idea to humiliate his customers.

Just google SOE or John Willis on youtube "order right" and "customer service rant" and "rant" to see how he treats his customers.

Extreme language warning.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:11 pm
by The Annoyed Man
Wow. I did the Google-Fu.

The mouth on that guy. I won't bother either.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:14 pm
by LSUTiger
The Annoyed Man wrote:Wow. I did the Google-Fu.

The mouth on that guy. I won't bother either.
I heard how durable and well built SOE gear was and it got me interested, then in my interweb searching found how bad doing business with them can be.

So it's like a Public Service Announcement. Buyer beware.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 5:17 pm
by Richbirdhunter
Hes as pretty as a princess

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 9:32 pm
by CaptKirk
I don't even know how to respond when John Willis posts come up on forums. Long story short, who cares about his background? The dude makes solid gear. Buy it or don't. If you want good gear and you know the size you need, buy from SOE. If not, it might not be the company for you. Their belts are the ONLY belt I will wear.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:23 pm
by TVegas
SOE doesn't believe that the customer is always right. They will bend over backwards for a customer when they are polite and honest. That said, SOE is more than happy to lose a customer's business when they act overly entitled or when they get upset about the clearly posted lead times.

I don't necessarily agree with Willis' word choice and attitude, but they make great gear, and as long as you read and are honest, you will never have an issue with them.

SOE is also aware that their customers love the rant videos. They definitely subscribe to the idea that there is no such thing as bad press.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:37 pm
by Distinguished Rick
I have ordered about half a dozen times from John and have never had an issue. It is good, high quality gear and I have abused it both in the states and overseas. Yea he might berate the sofa ninja who doesnt know what he is ordering but that is ok. He is entertaining.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 9:43 am
by tomtexan
Even his logo sign has the F bomb in it.

There is really no sense in a grown man acting like that.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 9:51 am
by Abraham
LSUTiger,

"John Willis an ardent supporter of alleged military valor stealers"

Any idea why?

Also, any idea what was he convicted of?

Thanks!

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:14 pm
by gljjt
tomtexan wrote:Even his logo sign has the F bomb in it.

There is really no sense in a grown man acting like that.
I agree. I won't buy from them. It won't make any difference, but on principle I don't reward bad behavior.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:30 pm
by Glockedandlocked
John used to make great gear back in the day, I had him make some pieces when I was at Camp Pendleton a million years ago. When he was a small time custom maker he was much easier to deal with, not sure why he is the way he is now.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:36 pm
by CaptKirk
Glockedandlocked wrote:John used to make great gear back in the day, I had him make some pieces when I was at Camp Pendleton a million years ago. When he was a small time custom maker he was much easier to deal with, not sure why he is the way he is now.
He's not hard to deal with at all. Unless you're really dumb.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:38 pm
by Soccerdad1995
Abraham wrote:Also, any idea what was he convicted of?
According to a quick Google search it looks like he was convicted of multiple armed robberies and rapes

Edited to add that it appears he was later cleared of the robberies and rapes after spending over 8 years in prison. No wonder this guy is irritated at the world.

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:50 pm
by LSUTiger
Abraham wrote:LSUTiger,

"John Willis an ardent supporter of alleged military valor stealers"

Any idea why?

Also, any idea what was he convicted of?

Thanks!

for defending this guy:

(Moderator note: video removed due to visible and verbal profanity)

http://bearingarms.com/range-times-cory ... lor-claim/

No I am starting to see why people dislike James Yeager as well. :shock:

Convicted of selling drugs I think

http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/ ... 1guns.html

Re: Original SOE-Customer Service Warning

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:55 pm
by LSUTiger
Soccerdad1995 wrote:
Abraham wrote:Also, any idea what was he convicted of?
According to a quick Google search it looks like he was convicted of multiple armed robberies and rapes

I don't think that is the John Willis you are looking for.

and FYI http://www.innocenceproject.org/cases-f ... ohn-willis

The SOE John Willis was a drug charge then followed by a gun charge later from newpaper accounts