Customer service you won't get from most places

(crossposted from Middleoftheright.net)

So about 12+ years ago I purchased a GPI fuel transfer pump. I have several diesel vehicles and I needed a pump to transfer stored diesel to the appropriate vehicles. I generally buy diesel from the stations when the price is down (I might buy 150 gallons at a time if the price drops far enough) and store it for when the price jumps or when I just need to fuel the tractor or generator or whatever.

Now, this fuel pump has worked well for me for several years. I replaced a hand powered pump because I just got too lazy to pump 20 gallons or so of diesel by hand (do you know how many strokes of a hand pump that is?) I'd bet that this pump has moved in excess of 5 thousand gallons, both into and out of the fuel tanks.

Sadly, earlier this year, the pump no longer moved fuel. The electric motor would run but no movement of fuel. For a while,I was using a different pump I had because I was too busy to take the broken pump down and open it up to see what was wrong.

I got an exploded parts breakdown off the website and took the time to observe the pump and determine what parts I needed. When I called GPI to see where I could buy the parts, the conversation went like this:

"Hi, I need to order a gear and key set for a 150S pump. "

"Ok".

"and a gasket kit for the gear plate."

"Ok"

"And any other parts you think I need"

"Does the pump prime?"

"No"

"then I'll send you a poppet valve kit too....I need your address"

"123 XXXYYY City state"

"Cool, I'll get those out today"

"How much will that be?"

"I'll send them to you"

"Yes, I got that, how much and do you take Visa?"

"I'll send them to you"

"yes, and what are the charges?"

'I am sending them to you at no charge. "

"Oh, Thank you"

Didn't expect that, and the pump is 12+ years old. I doubt that the parts cost them that much to make, but still, this is well beyond what I expected as customer service. Hell, I'd have at least expected to have to pay for postage.

Oh, and BTW... these fuel pumps are MADE IN AMERICA.

Little Big Shot

Hose nozzle. Comes highly recommended by Partner. Made by disabled US veterans. I will be picking one up tomorrow to test for myself.  Ten bucks or $20 for three.

Trusty Cook Dead Blow hammers

Someone just gave me one- and I was very pleased to discover 'made in the USA' on the handle. very nice. Also supposedly awesome for tenderizing steaks, or so I'm told.

Made in America: ProShot Cleaning Products

I spent yesterday in the factory where most of this stuff is made. Very, very very high quality stuff, made by a hardcore gun nut who understands how to be obsessive/compulsive about quality. Buy some of their stuff, you will not be disapointed.

I had to move around my emergency kit some last weekend (the truck version) and came across my emergency flashlight. I store it without batteries and have a fresh unopened set of batteries and the flashlight in an old sock, together. Now, I love my Maglites. I love my little LED lights. I love my Surefire. That said, when I think "Flashlight" this is the image that comes to mind. .

  The Brightstar is the quintessentail "original" Flashlight and they are as durable as a brick. They're all plastic on the outside, which means they can be used inside electrical cabinets (Some older models had metal screws holding the switch on but I think that is now gone on all models) and a three D cell version costs $11 something. They are designed for industrial use- the light wands you see cops using and most airport ground people are usually brightstars. No, it doesn't have high technology ultra super bright bulbs or whatever, but they work for about 19 hours before needing battery replacement. Brightstar has moved up to some fancier models and they certainly do compete with the higher end flashlights in many arenas, but the original, ubiquitous BrightStar, still the familiar black and yellow, still damned near indestructible, is still Made in the USA. At $12, I find myself wondering why I don't have a few more of these. 

Texas Jeans

100% Made in the USA!

Texas Jeans Company (made in Asheboro NC) are 100% made in the USA.  All components are sourced from vendors in the USA. Fabric, buttons, zippers etc are sourced from US vendors.

These are good jeans. well made, double stitched, well made buttonholes etc. Like Levis used to be.

I found that the sizing was slightly smaller than what I normally wear. I had to go up a size or two, but other than that, they are perfect for me.

Pricing is excellent, at $29.99 for the basic jeans Some as low as $19.99. ($45.99 for the concealed carry jeans and the flannel lined version) Shipping is reasonable. You'll find that even with shipping, the price is comparable to what you'll buy in stores for a comparable pair of jeans.

Check them out!

(cross posted to both MiddleofTheRight and Made in America)

Edge Pro Knife Sharpening systems

I've been sharpening knives by hand for all my life. Not everyone has learned this skill, and if you haven't, this appears to be a good solution.  Comes highly reccomended by reader Roger.