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Just a little FYI guys.

Be sure to ask what the shipping cost is in advance from any of the vendors you order parts from.

I just ordered a pedal spring from Pantera Parts Connection in Reno which maybe weighted 1 oz. and cost $26.90. It came UPS and I was charged $10.95 just for the shipping. Could have been put in an envelope and sent for 37 cents.

Lession learned once again since this is not the first time this has happened with this vendor. Once before I was charged over $17.00 just for the shipment of a shift gate rubber boot that only cost $15.00 and the shipping cost more than than the boot itself..

Buyers beware.
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A lot of companies make profit from shipping. They can advertise and sell for lower prices knowing that they'll make if back on exaggerated shipping. I once ordered a set of suspension bushings and stainless flex brake lines from a vendor. It could have fit in a USPS flat rate box for $8.10 anywhere in the US but it cost me $60 UPS. Many refuse to send via USPS flat rate that should tell you something. I think that they get kick backs from the shipping companies to use them. As you say Coz, ask for the shipping cost first and compare. Just because the product is cheaper doesn't mean that the end result will be. Once a vendor does this to me, I never use them again. I've been told by companies that they don't have time to take it to the post office but nowdays you can make arrangements for the postman to pick up packages so there is really no excuse to use USPS except to make money.
I'm not trying to make excuses for the vendors, but I think many times they just do not take the time to even look at the cost to the customer for shipping. In todays way of doing business, many just punch the info into the computer for an invoice and do not even look at the cost. I know that all my invoice's are done on computer and many times I may not catch a price unless someone brings it to my attention. So many things become automatic, I forget to think about those things. For example, I used to know all my phone numbers by memory, but now I just hit the speed dial number. Yesterday someone asked me for my wifes cell number and I couldn't remember it at all. Now I know there are people who try to make a buck on every penny spent, and they really irritate me. I guess I am just trying to remain positive about the few Pantera vendors that we have. Hoping that they are not pulling this kind of thing on purpose!
I sell medical supplies and equipment and I see vastly different shipping charges from one vendor to another. I have confronted more than a few about the disparity and they just can't imagine how other vendors "get such a deal". Yeah...right. There is no doubt that some profit by inflating shipping/handling charges, or they charge full cost and then get bulk rebates from the shippers.
I have had vendors magically reduce the rate, after the fact, on a shipment when I complained. How did they do this? They knocked off their add-on charges. Of course the next time I ordered I got shafted again.
What sucks is, I can't get some specialty items anywhere else...but that's all I will order from them. They will never know the amount of business they lose because of their short-sightedness. Too bad.
Mooso
Pantera Parts Connection, Larry, is all around a pretty good guy most of the time. He comes up and remakes many of the parts we need which is great for all of us.
But his shipping costs are just a bit out there.
I ship 15 pound bowling balls from Arizona to New York for 11.00 each. So 10.95 for a 1oz spring from Nevada to Arizona just pissed me off a little bit.

I just hate being bent over.
Coz,

Vendors should be willing to work to get their coustomers the best shipping rate, in the Pantera World they too have a limited market, little stuff like customer sevice can mean the difference between repeat business or not.

No excuses, but knowing Larry he probably throws all his outgoing packages in a crate and has UPS pick it up, without thinking. His heart is in the right place and he means well, but I think he's off racing his Pantera sometimes, even when he's in the office, if you know what I mean. Big Grin

When I got my GT4 flares home I was keen to see how they looked against the car, lucky I did as one part was missing. Went back to Larry and we find that some guy in Norway was about to get an extra part in his set. Thankfully a) I was local to be able to just pop back b) I didn't just put them aside until I was ready to do the conversion and c) the Norway set hadn't been picked up for shipping yet.

I'm literally 3 doors down from PPC in Reno, if shipping costs are an issue on small parts etc. I'd be happy to pick them up and mail on to you brother, just be aware that tax is 7.35% for in state sales!

Julian
Thanks Julian....Appreciate the thought and the effort on your part. It means a lot.

I just won't do anymore business with him and that will solve my problem with his shipping costs.



quote:
Originally posted by Joules5:
Coz,

Vendors should be willing to work to get their coustomers the best shipping rate, in the Pantera World they too have a limited market, little stuff like customer sevice can mean the difference between repeat business or not.

No excuses, but knowing Larry he probably throws all his outgoing packages in a crate and has UPS pick it up, without thinking. His heart is in the right place and he means well, but I think he's off racing his Pantera sometimes, even when he's in the office, if you know what I mean. Big Grin

When I got my GT4 flares home I was keen to see how they looked against the car, lucky I did as one part was missing. Went back to Larry and we find that some guy in Norway was about to get an extra part in his set. Thankfully a) I was local to be able to just pop back b) I didn't just put them aside until I was ready to do the conversion and c) the Norway set hadn't been picked up for shipping yet.

I'm literally 3 doors down from PPC in Reno, if shipping costs are an issue on small parts etc. I'd be happy to pick them up and mail on to you brother, just be aware that tax is 7.35% for in state sales!

Julian
You guys are lucky that you don't have to deal with an International border. A UPS shipment that would be $12 within the states jumps to almost $100 when it needs to get 1 hour north of the border. All the major carriers (except the post office) charge a customs clearance fee that is usually aound $50 (on a $200—$500 value) and then we get to pay an additional 15% tax on top of everything. The fees are included on air/express deliveries which often makes faster delivery cheaper for us. Just try to get a vendor to understand that he’s NOT saving you money by shipping UPS ground instead of FedEx overnight.
That's why when you're a Canadian, you plan Pantera parts purchases before every trip. I rarely go to the US on business or on holiday without getting a FedEx package at my hotel. Then I bring it back and pay nothing.

Since I told Carmen how to do it, while he was in Vegas he brought home a complete new A/C system in a $19 rolling suitcase he bought on the strip. Saved about $600 in shipping, duties, brokerage fees and taxes.

In any case, Canadians should always send the vendor the enclosed NAFTA doc to complete and attach to the outside of your package. Saves a lot of money. Try it!

Attachments

I've sent a lot of things over seas and to Canada as gifts or return of merchandise after repairs. They have all gone through without duty or taxes. :-)

In any case, Canadians should always send the vendor the enclosed NAFTA doc to complete and attach to the outside of your package. Saves a lot of money. Try it![/QUOTE]
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