I have interacted with Julia's and Rock Island and had very positive experiences with both and would buy from both (plus Josh is a pretty nice guy).
Bill is absolutely correct that the descriptions can be very limited. I have found however that if you request additional information and pictures they are happy to provide not only the pics and raw data but also a one to one opinion like "it's a wall hanger special" Now...it is still just their opinion.
I also judge an outfit on how they deal with a misstep or problem as it is easy to be 'good to deal with' until there is indeed a problem and again, my experience, they bent over backwards with their communication.
I can't say, because I don't know, that RI has a 'Parker guru' on staff but Julia's certainly does.
Short answer I will happily buy from both but I'll ask more details then the catalog description. I definitely would NOT buy from just the catalog descriptions as I ALWAYS learn more from the additional pics and comments.
alone from either house.
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