[Casual Observer]

Placed an order with a reputable online retailer yesterday for a set of road cranks (would have got from my LBS, but couldn't beat the price).

Wanted next day delivery, since it was only like $5 more than ground. Called this a.m. to see about getting a tracking number since I didn't get an email confirmation that the item shipped. They gave me one, I wrote it down and check with Fed Ex. No number. I assumed I might have wrote it down incorrectly, so I just waited until the end of the day for the package. As of 5 p.m., nothing.

I call the retailer back to double-check the number. "Oh, we had a pallett of stuff that Fed Ex wouldn't take yesterday," they tell me. "Oh, they didn't mention that to me this a.m.," I say. "Well, I ordered next day, so are you going to credit me." Sure, they say, and I'm feeling partially like I won this battle. But then they say they are not sure if it will go out today either (why, the CSR cant' tell me). Huh? I can semi-understand if their shipment is too large, and Feb Ex has to leave some behind for whatever reason (space in truck, an some sort of contract or agreement, etc.). But now they are telling me it might not go out today either. Am I going to lose the war?

 

[Dave B]

"reputable" on-line store?........

from what you've posted, I wonder just how "reputable" they are? No shipment and no explanation of why or when it might go? Doesn't sound too "reputable" to me! Sounds like they may not have the item and for whatever reason, don't want to tell you.

 

[uofabill]

Sumpthin' doesn't pass the smell test!

I've noticed that there is a difference in when different mail order houses ship. Some of them, Price Point and Jenson, tell me up front, "that will go out today." Another big one that I won't name always seems to wait a day before shipping no matter what time of day I place the order. I don't know if it's the size of the operation, inefficiency, or a "money deal" where they are using the credit card "float" somehow?
Having said all that, it just doesn't ring true that FedEx couldn't take the shipment. Never heard of that.

 

[dukeblaster]

get pissed in like a day and then threaten to report them to the "Better Bussiness Beauro"... (i can't spell). companies hate that and they'll get their asses in gear if its really them and not Fed X (its not fed x they very rarely F up). Be a dick on the phone too, and accuse them of not having it in stock and lying to you. i did this with Marzchoi and got free **** and stuff when they wouldn't fix a fork under warrenty. If you are younger (ie less then 20ish) get your old man to call up and ***** at them or better yet your *****y mom, lots of times they won't listen to teenagers or young adults because they never stick up for themselves, but the older folk they know not to dick around with. Basically get pissed or sound pissed, and demand they send you something better if they don't have it in the mail by time. If they promised next day delievery tell them they better have it next day, and tell them they can send it Airborne or Team world wide if its really Fed. Don't take no for an answer, because they can do it if its in stock and demand that they send it with no added cost to you because they promised to have it to you. stick it to them. I'm sick of dealing with peoples crap all the time, and you shouldn't have to either. What bastards. Just remember... its somebodys fault and its sure as hell not yours.

 

[fred3]

So basicly you're a jerk and whine and complain till you get what you want?

 

[mward]

Lemme guess, this reputable online retailer is Performance.

 

[Casual Observer]

I did that this a.m., and guess what. Not only did I get their mail room guy fired (whoo hoooo!!!!!!), but the BBB put them on double secret probation, and said the next time they screw up, they will go on triple secret probation. And after that, they will likely shut them down.

Thanks for the very helpful advice.

Actually, the retailer is very reputable (they also have brick and morter, and are very, very well known), and all is well. The item shipped out yesterday (as they had hoped, but could not promise), only a day late. Just needed to vent a bit....that's all. With any luck, they will also send me some stickers!

 

[Casual Observer]

Nope. I'm not really willing to say who it is because it's not a huge deal. Just need to virtually vent a bit. See my post above. I got the item a day late, and they refunded me half of the shipping cost.

 

[dukeblaster]

basically you have to with most major companies if you don't want to be a puss and get walked all over. Big bussieness can take advantage of you extremely easy and rip you off... he paid for something he should get it or they shouldn't promise it. its all about not being a lazy @ss and sticking up for yourself... thats how you get ahead in life. you sit back and say nothing you'll get taken advantage of... its all apart of how the economy works.

So basicly you're a jerk and whine and complain till you get what you want?

 

[Lotusfinger]

Whats the deal with not naming companies? Do you think their watching?

 

[Casual Observer]

No, but I don't a need to slander them for one incident. Like I said, I was just venting a bit. If it happens a lot--like it does at Beyond Bikes, which I made the mistake of ordering TWICE from them--I'd have no problem saying who they are. But I've ordered from them in the past, and just never heard the explanation, "FedEx refused to take our second pallette."

 

[SocalSuperhero]

No, but I don't a need to slander them for one incident. Like I said, I was just venting a bit. If it happens a lot--like it does at Beyond Bikes, which I made the mistake of ordering TWICE from them--I'd have no problem saying who they are. But I've ordered from them in the past, and just never heard the explanation, "FedEx refused to take our second pallette."

I swear, for whatever reason i keep orer from beyond bikes, and the screw it up about 50% of the time. One time the order pick was typed up wrong, and instead of shipping and billing for five completely different things, they shipping me one thing, and billed me for the four other things too. It took numerous phone calls and about a month to sort this stuff out. Oh yeah, all the parts had been order overnight, and it took them a couple days before the one thing was finally shipped...and a month for the rest...no refund on shipping.

 

[Cary]

the BBB put them on double secret probation, and said the next time they screw up, they will go on triple secret probation. And after that, they will likely shut them down.

Ask the guy at the BBB how they plan on "shuting them down?" The BBB is a private organization that merely reports feedback received on businesses and attempts to put pressure on them by saying they will lower the businesses rating if they do not resolve their situation with a customer. The BBB has no legal authority to shut down any business and is powerless to do anything beyond the above.

 

[Casual Observer]

Gosh, that is what he told me. Do you think he was pulling my leg?

 

[GaryS]

Gosh, that is what he told me. Do you think he was pulling my leg?

I think he was just being condesending. CDMC is right, the Better Business Bureau will just note your complaint and the only way people will find out about it would be to enquire about that particular business at BBB. How many people call BBB (do they even have a website?) before ordering from an online retailer?

 

[J_B]

I swear, for whatever reason i keep orer from beyond bikes, and the screw it up about 50% of the time. One time the order pick was typed up wrong, and instead of shipping and billing for five completely different things, they shipping me one thing, and billed me for the four other things too. It took numerous phone calls and about a month to sort this stuff out. Oh yeah, all the parts had been order overnight, and it took them a couple days before the one thing was finally shipped...and a month for the rest...no refund on shipping.

I ordered two tires from Beyond Bikes and they told me it would go out the next day. No biggie I say. Two days later I emailed and called them about the tires. A week later I finally got them. They also did that to me when I ordered my TLD D2. They told me it was in stock, I ordered it in the am and a week later, I have still have no helmet. I email them and they tell me it's out of stock. I call them and they tell me I should just wait for a month for the '04 D2's. I finally get them to cancel the order. I just ordered the helmet from Jenson USA and received my helmet in two days.

I have a great luck with Go-Ride. They are great. I have also ordered from universalcycles and they have done well also.