"Kudos to the Flag Dude" Topic

I really needed AWI flags (I painted a unit for a good friend of mine as a present) and Rick's always been my "go to" source for flags. I looked at other vendors but nothing appeals to me like Rick's flags.

I sent Rick two emails and didn't get a response – so I looked on his website and he has a phone number listed. I was able to get him on the phone and he was a gracious as always. We spoke a bit, he took my order and it's going out Monday.

In this day and age, it's nice to be able to speak with someone, hear a friendly voice and get what you want. Kudos to Rick aka "The Flag Dude".

Not my experience at all…..

Sent 6 e-mails, no response.
Called the number and left a message, no response.

Gave up and bought GMB, shipped in two days.

This was not a small order either, over $100 USD worth.

OP: Your experience is certainly not typical of almost everyone else who has posted about his service.

Agreed.

Buy GMB, great service, great flags.Some think they are a bit expensive. but I think they are well worth the bit extra.

Funny – I looked at GMB and I still prefer Flag Dude. I guess it's just a matter of taste.

I prefer Flag Dude myself, however my experience with a complete lack of service turned me elsewhere.

Just for my enlightenment, GMB = ?

gmbdesigns.com

I like them both. Never had any problems with Rick's service or GMB's for that matter. Lucky I guess.

Some think they are a bit expensive. but I think they are well worth the bit extra.

I've found out, over the years, the quality of the flag is appreciated long after the price is forgotten :-)

Rallynow – thank you

Always had outstanding service from Rick. For my crimean armies he made the flags exactly as I asked. Very nice. Same with my Rev War. Mad them up just as I ask. Always ready to go when I picked them up at cold war.

I realize I'm late to this party, but I have to join the ranks of those "not satisfied" a la wrgmr1 above. I have ordered flags from Rick and received them no problem. but recently, I wanted to ask a question concerning his flags (trying to ID a flag I picked up with a second-hand unit I bought) and emailed him repeatedly in mid-late Oct and received NOTHING in response. Now being a "semi-retired" AWI reenactor, I'm used to being disappointed and have heard most of the excuses that are applied for explaining the lack of customer service from vendors. I figured Rick was busy getting orders done up for Fall-In, so I waited until AFTER Fall-In and contacted him again, and again, crickets.
Now I tried one more time after reading this thread to see if my experience would change and I would detail it here. But, alas, he has been consistent in ignoring me. It could've been a good-sized order as I was thinking of converting all my F&I units to having Flag Dude products as well of fitting out some AWI units that i have recently finished.
I don't know what the problem is but if he had responded and said he's backed up, etc…, I would understand. However, I cannot accept the silence and am currently looking at other sources to fill my 18th C. flag needs.

From discussions with Rick at FI, I have to wonder if the clock isn't ticking on how long the Flag Dude will be in business. He is retired, enjoying his retirement, but I suspect finding it harder to devote/find time to being the "Flag Dude." It also makes me wonder what the alternatives are when he is indeed fully retired. :-(

Yea, I agree. Nobody else's flags impress me the way his flags do.

Definitely still in business!

Sent an email on Wednesday, got a reply the same night, ordered my flags, received them on Monday the next week.

Good stuff!