Large Scale Central

I hate this

General Discussion
#1

I hate this:

I need one specific item and can only find one online source for it. It’s a very small item, but this supplier has a minimum shipping fee that is excessively high for small items. So ok, I order a couple more small things that I don’t really need at the moment but I’ll probably need them later.

As I’m completing the order the website asks what I want them to do if anything is out of stock. I’ve never seen this question on any other site that I order from, and since I don’t know whether they’d charge me for backordered stuff that may not arrive for months, I choose to have them send only in-stock items.

So… you guessed it… the package arrives and the one and only item I really wanted is not in it. The other small item which I’m not in any hurry to get, now cost me more than twice its actual value due to the excessive shipping fee, and now if I ever manage to get the item I wanted, I’ll have to pay shipping again for that.

I really, REALLY hate this!

#2

Ray most reputable retailer’s charge you for shipping on the whole order, and then if something is back ordered, they send it out when it comes in for free, because they have already charged you for the whole lot you ordered originally, if they don’t, I wouldn’t do business with them ever again!! The Regal

#3

The choices given were:

  1. Ship only in-stock items and don’t backorder anything. I choose this option, for the reasons described below.

  2. Ship in-stock items and backorder out of stock items to be shipped later for free. Yes, the backordered item would be shipped free, but when? A few days later, or a few months? And would they charge my credit card while waiting for this item?

  3. Hold the order until all items are ready to ship. Again, would I be billed for the stuff while they wait to backorder the out of stock item? And the one thing I really wanted might be sitting in the shop for who-knows how long, if it turned out the other item was the one that had to be backordered.

As you can see there were potential drawbacks to all three options. No matter which one you pick, there’s still a chance you’ll get the short end of the stick.

#4

This example is why I do not use the Internet for ordering stuff.

I much prefer to use inexpensive long distance telephone rates, to call and talk to the retailer, who tells me if the item is actually in stock. At the same time, this human being, establishes the shipping costs, so that I do not have any nasty surprises.

If a retailer won’t deal by telephone, he/she/it, doesn’t get my business.

The Internet may be to some people, the only way to fly, but there sure seems to be a great number of people that run into such problems as this one, while I haven’t had a problem at any time dealing by telephone with a human being.

But what do I know; I still brush my teeth without the aid of an electric tooth brush, and flush the throne without an auto flush feature…!!!

I’ve even been known to WALK to the corner store…egads, I’m a novelty…!!!

#5

Most internet sites have a contact number. Most times that is the route I use. Then I am speaking with someone and you still get the internet price.

#6

Ray,
What are you looking for?
One of us might have it.
Or was this personal…:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#7

I find a phone call to a live person to make sure what I want is in stock and shippable, saves me alot of grief.