So a couple of weeks ago, after reading some posts, I decided to order a set of stainless steel french locks, oh yeah and two plastic door lock knobbies from Paragon. Total cost $19.

I figured the combined weight to be about an ounce and a half. They almost could have stuck everything in an envelope.

A couple of days went by, and I get a nice courtesy call leaving me a message that the items had been shipped, and the total cost with shipping was $39. OK, I know it's a little more expensive to ship to Canada, but that was ridiculous.

I phoned them up right away and asked if the shipment had really already left. The nice lady said it was still sitting in the shipping room. I told her to forget shipping the items. "Why?" she asked. DUH?? $20 shipping for $19 worth of stuff?

She said, I can send it cheaper by USPS for $13 if you like.

Reluctantly, I agreed. (I really wanted the stainless locks).

Yesterday their parcel arrived in a box 14" X 14" X 4" and, oh yeah it turned out to be $14 for shipping not $13. Guess why so big. They included their sales catalog!, (unsolicited).

As expected, the actual items were almost lost with the packing and would have fit in a spark plug box.

If there's a next time, I'll make sure to tell em to keep their friggin catalog.

(Thanks for letting me vent)

YV

 

typical vendor ripoff.

 

I feel your pain, i just ordered a pair of seat belt reinforcements and I was told that one was back ordered and would ship when it came in (about 2 weeks). the 1st package shipping cost $50+ and 2 days later the 2nd package arrived costing $50 for shipping. They both would have fit in the same box for the 1 shipping charge.

Steve

 

This has been bugging me too for a long time. They don't even try to keep the cost down and the catalog is for their benefit so why should you pay for shipping it , especially when you probably already have two or three from previous orders. They always tell you that they use UPS or FedEx for shipping but if they won't ship USPS , I tell them to forget it. You usually get the item faster with USPS anyway and it's a lot cheaper.

 

Here is another one for you. If you want the catalog, just call them on the phone and they will mail the sucker to you on their dime. I guess you call and order a few parts from them so they can cover mailing out all those free catalogs.

I agree with you and it burns me too. Summit will do the same thing but, they only charge a handling fee of $10 for most items. If you order one spark plug or 50, $10 is the fee.

 

To Canada UPS and FedEx rape you with the brokerage fees USPS is better if it gets there I've been waiting since the begining of Dec for a package from Cali. a couple years ago it to 12 weeks to get a shipment from Minnesota. it's a crap shoot. so now my carpet from Wilcox is expected in march (ordered 3 weeks ago)

Steve

 

At least you didn't get the UPS guy at your door looking for their "brokerage fee"...talk about a rip-off.

 

Yup, I learned that lesson years ago when a $40 item cost me $75 worth of shipping and fees. Right after that I got myself a maildrop in Washington St., (40 min. drive) and lots of bucks cheaper.

I figured on no brokerage fees this time because of the small value. Don't get me wrong, $14 won't kill me...........it just, well..... bugs me


YV

 

Can't figure this out, it's been 9 weeks and no package from Cali but the Carpet I ordered from Wilcox came today (shipped out Jan 25th) and no brokerage fee just GST, PST and a $5 handling fee for USPS

Steve

 

If you can, next time specify priority U.S. mail. Many items can be shipped in a flat rate envelope (like your Paragon order) for a flat rate just over $5. comes in 2 to 3 days in continental U.S. We're shipping sidepipe stainless steel heat shields www.steelshields.com in a 34X8X7 box weighing 10 lbs. for $28.50 via this method with 2-3 day delivery. The one and last time we shipped UPS it cost more, took longer, and the box was pilfered by someone inside UPS. All the guy got was the brackets to hang the missing shields.

 

If you think domestic shipping is expensive try getting the stuff sent to New Zealand! I break into a cold sweat every time I think of doing another order.

 

I hear ya, we send stuff to our youngest daughter in little Cayman Island....10lbs about $50 from Buffalo and cross your fingers for 2-3 weeks

 

where are we going with this? Are we supposed to boycott Paragon because of the USPS? Of course Paragon sent a catalog. Every order I received last year from every company (jegs, summit, CC etc) sent a catalog with my orders.

it was ONE DOLLAR more?

WOW

(translation = BIG DEAL)

 

Actually when it's coming north it is a BIG DEAL without the catalog the parts fit in a small envelope that comes right to your door with out added taxes or brokerage/handling fees from USPS or UPS.

 

Canadians complain all the time about shipping from the States. Why don’t you open a corvette part company up there? If the demand is not there then you have to pay more. If I liked some pos European car I would expect to pay more for parts. If you don’t like the way a company does things don’t buy from them.

 

If you paid $50 to ship a $30 part you would complain to. the same part can be shipped most anywhere in the 48 states for 1/2 that or less

 

I can’t disagree that is hwy robbery! We have to pay those fees coming the other way too. I bought a set of heads from Canada and had to pay ~$100 above the shipping cost in duty or some sheit.

 

I ordered my parts on a start to finish program with Corvette Central, they told me I would only pay shipping once for the order even if it was split up plus they would take care of the brokerage fees.
Has worked out great so far, still pricey but the ups guy just leaves the boxes at the front door, no fees required.

 

I used CC as well and tried to buy these outer reinforcements there, after e-mails back and forth they told me they could get them for me as a "special order". After I placed the order I recieved a call from them telling me that despite being told they could get them they couldn't so I had to go elsewhere for them.

 

Here in Ontario we have a lot of Corvette parts suppliers, but sometimes the parts are cheaper from the US, except when some overcharge for shipping.
Anyone wants some other Ontario suppliers, just PM me and I'll send the name and contact number.