Another reason the hobby is dying out

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Fred A

Sometimes you sleep through a trend until something wakes us up. The changes at MACs when they went Eckler was sobering and changed my buying habits. Here in California we are on track to be the tax state, but for quick parts, C&G is a good in-state resource, however I could not ignore a small gasket ordered that could have been slipped into a birthday card cost $9 to ship. I tried to complain at the Big three but was met with rather blank stares. Mark it up to mark it down. Higher prices hide lower shipping. Good Luck: Fred A

Could you have driven to C and G and back for $9?

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

I ship something every day and dont even look what it costs. Whatever it costs is what it costs.
I dont even charge the customer for shipping anymore because of complaints, we just raised the cost of our products and include shipping (except overseas).
Shipped three distributors today and they cost me 12-16 and 24 to ship. Win some lose some.
Gasoline isnt 24 cents a gallon like it used to be and cigaretes ( i heard ) aint 10 cent a pack either..
No complaints here on shipping.......

Bubba: One of those must have been mine that you did for me. Looks super. Going in my parts trunk in Apatchy's bed. Thanks a million.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Karl

I once brought a part for my Model A from a supplier . A single condenser of all things and was charged about $40 postage and it took 3 weeks to get here . When I queried the postage I was informed they didn't set the rates US post did and it was implied that US post was superior to all other postal systems including our postal system here in New Zealand. To make a point I returned my used condenser to them with a rude letter included via New Zealand post . I tracked it and it took 5 days and cost me the equivalent of US$ 4 - Never heard anything -Never brought from them again .

I will take issue with "Rotorwrench" (who I usually agree with) about high volumes and the reliability of the USPS vs. Fedex and UPS. Some vendors will gouge you every chance they get, no matter what. In the last couple of months I have sold several of my "trash can" condensers to folks in Australia and New Zealand. In no case was USPS first class shipping over $15, and they got there in the proscribed 5 to 8 business days. I have never lost anything using the USPS. On the other hand, I will never use Fedex again after they "lost" a set of fresh '55 Chrysler hemi heads I sold to a guy in Wisconsin, one state over. I filed a claim and two weeks later received one greasy SBC "smogger" head from them, after which they refused to talk to me, stating that the issue had been "resolved".

[leon bee]

One thing I been noticing is when somebody like UPS, DHL, Fedex, hauls your purchase around for a week or so then hands it over to US Postal. What the hell? I almost always prefer it when USPS brings my stuff.

[VeryTangled]

35fordTN adds $1 to each package.

I hate packaging. As stated, if done well for odd or valuable parts, there are several preparatory steps. Then get it to the shipper. Ugh.

I'd willingly pay a whopping $2 each, and the shipper is still underwater.

Ever try to package 20 boxes in a day? I have.

I also get pretty cheesed if I pay $9 for something "that could fit in a birthday card!"

[Karl]

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Originally Posted by philipswanson

Shipping costs has nothing to do with the hobby. Everybody pays it and it reasonable. Especially the pre-paid boxes at the USPS. Yes, UPS is too high. I do avoid them like the plague.

I don't believe that shipping is reasonable and you agree at least for UPS . Every one does pay because what choice do we have . Try shipping any thing you buy 12000 miles.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Shipping can only be profitable if sales volume is very high......

Why should shipping be profitable ? Surely you make your profit on the parts you sell . I agree you don't want to loose on shipping so a packing fee is reasonable but personally I don't think inflating actual shipping costs to increase your profit margins is not ethical, fair or perhaps even good business practice . You run the risk of losing customers by doing this -I am aware of many who do but they don't get my business -Karl

[1948F-1Pickup]

Originally Posted by leon bee

One thing I been noticing is when somebody like UPS, DHL, Fedex, hauls your purchase around for a week or so then hands it over to US Postal. What the hell? I almost always prefer it when USPS brings my stuff.

Happens all the time. I had a rare item (non car part) go West, past my
house, and then go East, past my house, before it made it onto a truck for
residential delivery. Added about 2-3 days additional to what wasn't fast
shipping to begin with.
I know for a fact that it traveled in this manner because I tracked it.
UPS and Fedex both do this and I've also noticed this situation with
shipments carried by those guys and then handed off to USPS for
completion at the residential level.

Oh, here's another good one courtesy of USPS...... a 1500 mile 1st class mail shipment
(two wheel seals) that took a week to go to a postal sorting facility 12 miles from my house
where they sat for another week before being delivered to me. Just for kicks I sent one
of the wheel seals back to the seller 1st class mail. The return trip took only 3 frikkin days.

[paul2748]

I don't sell much, but I almost always use USPS. They haven't lost anything yet (of about 60 or so shipments) and delivery time is usually within a day or two of the estimated date (did have one that took longer). I always charge actual shipping, no "handling " fee because I use boxes I have saved. Only where there is a special box that must be purchased do I add something (telling the buyer). I sell only spare parts, not in the business of buying/selling. Tape is just a part of selling.


I find heavier items (like cylinder heads) may be cheaper using UPS

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by TJ

Could you have driven to C and G and back for $9?

I can go to C&G for $9 from my house but I don't use them. The CA sales tax nails you. In most cases, it's cheaper to order from Carpenter (same stuff) and avoid CA sales tax and pay shipping. Not worth my time in the car either.

[Brian]

Being a Kiwi, cost of freight from the US is considerable. I always ask if the seller can send via USPS, as their charges are the most reasonable down to here.
I used to use Speedway Motors a few years back, and they would oblige to my request, then suddenly they began to use UPS as their sole carrier, as UPS did the whole job of labelling etc...to use USPS they had an addition exorbitant fee. They lost a customer....