I just put together a list of oddball crap I need from Amazon. Tapes, chalk lines, chalk, prybars, and some other odd ball stuff. When I went to place the order I realized that almost every item is going to be sent from a different ‘source’. So I ended up with $5.95 in shipping on this one, $16.00 in shipping here, $12.00 over there, etc.
What’s up with that crap? These are all ‘supplies’ that I’ve ordered from them in the past with no problems. Nothing unusual that I’d expect would need to get drop shipped from some specialty place. It used to all just come from them or ‘Tool Crib’ and come in one box with one average shipping charge. Now some of the items would cost more to have shipped (because it’s coming by itself) than the actual cost of the item?!?!
Even though I know it’s not really a ‘scam’, it kinda feels that way. What’s going on over there, anyone know? This happen to anyone else? I’m canceling the order right now.
Replies
I'm thinking the contract they have with all the different suppliers warrants the seperate shipping charges somehow, be it that company's way of operations or some legality thing they have to cover.
be all that glitters isn't gold
40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
Well if that's the case, good luck to them. I'm done. I'd use them again if I was getting a good deal on a single item, but a lot of times I use them to 'shop' for a bunch of knicknacks that I don't necessarily need right now, but will need in the near future. So I'd just throw a bunch of crap in the cart and order it all. A week or so later I'd get a big box of treats on the front porch. What's so hard about that?
If I have to pay a seperate shipping charge for every item I order...... I'm out.View Image
Just did this as well recently. I like the convenience of having all my stuff on one wishlist, and Amazon does offer some nice discounts and deals pretty often, they have that wonderful thing known as Free Super Saver Shipping, and well, I've just never had a bad experience with them, though I know others have. Alot of the tools I've bought recently have come via them.
I have double checked pricing on items shipped by them vs. direct from the vendor, and they are the same, no skimming off the top. FWIW, it seems once the order is placed, the actual vendor takes it from there, but the charges are made as one purchase on Amazon.com. Not sure about returns, etc.
PJ
All of those things are being bought from companies other than Amazon/Tool Crib.
And those other companies have there own policies. They just use Amazon as way of advertising and order taking.
It is similar to some department (and even discount stores). Certain departments in the stores are actually operated by other companies. Shoe and jewerly are common.
And I have found that often the identical items or for more generic items. similar items, are also available from Tool Crib. But they might not be the first items that show in the catagory. You have to look farther down the list.
Or they not listed in the catagory that you expect.
Sounds like the stuff you were getting wasn't sold "by" Amazon, just "through" Amazon. I buy a fair amount of stuff from Amazon, but typically avoid the "through" unless I can't get it anywhere else. The listing of the item will tell you whether it is sold by Amazon or someone else. Knock on wood... so far I haven't had a bad experience with Amazon. Now Buy.com I'd never use ever again!
The only times I've paid for s/h with Amazon was the rare "through" item. Otherwise it is typically free when you get over $25. Even for some bulky items. Plus, you're not paying sales tax (7.25% here). Plus if you wait long enough, a deal will crop up.
Plus, if you use your Amazon card (really a Chase card) a lot, you get gift certificates from them. Like $25 for every 2500 you spend. I've been putting most of my renovation items through the Amazon card, so I've gotten several gift certificates. Plus, when you sign up for the card, they give you $30 off your order (and in my case, my order went on the card as I applied for it).
Amazon also has an eBay-like branch where individuals sell stuff and Amazon just acts as the intermediary.
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
I realize that Amazon isn't a big store where someone hand picks my order from their shelves and sends it off to me.
My point is that these are all items that I've ordered in the past and they all came directly from Amazon and not 100 other suppliers. When I placed the order, all the computer receipts showed one shipping and handling charge. But I then recieved confirmation emails from 4 different companies and also recieved four seperate shipping and handling charges. That's my beef.
I too have always had (many) good experiences with Amazon. "Farming out" my order to this extent is a new one for me. I'm positive that these were items that I got directly from them before, and that's why I'm asking if anyone else had noticed a change. View Image
A lot of items have a button on the right side of the screen that says "more buying choices" it lists several places (and prices) for the same item. You can see this in the screen shot that i attached.
I always check who the seller is prior to adding items to my cart.
When I was buying a Bosch router a couple of weeks ago, it originally came up as being offered by someone other than amazon. Going through the other buying choices, I found it through amazon and qualified for the $25 off $199 order promo.
Something else to watch out for is your wishlist. Every so often items that I have added to the list sourced from amazon get outsourced. Just another thing to be careful of.
Cool thanks. I had the same thing happen with a Seiko watch that happened with you router. But this time, by using their other supplier I got the watch for over a $100 less. Gotta shop around a bit, huh?View Image
Check out http://www.contractorstools.com they don't have everything that amazon has, but they are close.
You have to scroll down on the main page to see all the vendors.
I use them often, and never had a problem they didn't fix.
Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Edited 4/28/2006 3:31 pm ET by dustinf
Yes, I have. I ordered a bunch of stuff a few weeks ago (some big, some picky) and I expected to get free shipping and all that, and I noticed that it was coming from all over the place. Then I started looking closer at all of the items and right there below the picture it says something like "Sold by and Ships from Amazon.com". So now I look at every item and if it does not say that, it does not get ordered. I am not paying $16.00 to have a hammer sent to me.
I don't know when that became more of their standard procedure but it definitely requires a lot of checking on the user's part. A real PITA. I guess it makes economic sense for them but it sucks for us. Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
Amazon, despite some of their faults has always been very good with customer service and customer satisfaction. Have you tried complaining to them about the extra shipping charges. Since you got the online shopping cart that showed only one shipping charge and weren't hit with the others until; the order was finalized, I'd think you have a fairly good case. The worst that can happen is that they won't do anything and you'll just chalk it up to a learning experience. Or they could refund the extra charges or (more likely) give a coupon/credit for the amount or more on a future order.
Thanks John, I understand the process though. My point is that this order was quite different than others I've had in the past and was wondering if anyone else had noticed a change or an increase in the number of items that Amazon is using seperate suppliers for. Not that I'm as smart as Jerrald Hayes or anything, but I do grasp the concept.
I also found it odd that only two of the items on my list were eligible for super saver shipping, and yes it was the two that came directly from Amazon.
Must not be my day.View Image
The other day they had that 1 day special going on and I was going through there like a kid in a candy store till I say the tally and all these extra shipping charges added in.
That made be scale back big time and review my order until I almost closed the thing and ordered nothing.
But ya can't have too many clamps.Roar!
be hoping it doesn't come back and bite'm in the azz
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
I ordred 8 50" K-body's
They all shipped indvidualy, so I've recieved one clamp a day for the last 4 days with 4 more to come...
the UPS guess is getting a kick out of it at least
No kidding?
Eight 50" Besseys and they are shipping them all to you one at a time? What's with that?
Bet your glad for free shipping on that order.
be all miter stands should have wheels
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
Sounds like you just need to turn the PC off and take DW out for a nice dinner and a quiet (or not) night at home ;)
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
The other day I was trying to look for a new bench grinder. There were 400+ plus choices to sift through. Alot of them were the same thing but sold from multiple vendors other than Amazon.
It would be nice if there was some sort of check box that allows you to only look at stuff sold directly by a given provider (e.g, Amazon). I hate having to sift through stuff to see if it's sold by Amazon or someone else.
Amen to that! They need to allow you to filter the results better, or to have stuff arranged into better groups.
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
Not that I'm as smart as Jerrald Hayes or anything, but I do grasp the concept
A lot of us in that boat.
Live the Good Life in the Permian Basin.
Just a suggestion. The few times I've ever had a problem with Amazon they have cleared it up after I contacted them with my concern.
Two quickies...... I was charged more for a pre-ordered book than they were selling it for once it was released. I squawked.....they credited me the difference. Another time, an item that was guarenteed to be delivered by a certain date wasn't and was then put on "back order". After contacting Amazon, they sent me the $149.95 item free of charge.
The only time I order tools through them is large items that are on sale.....I never pay shipping.
Don't know that it will do you any good as it seems they are only acting as a "broker" in your circumstance.....but it can't hoyt.
Although I'm not happy about the way they seem to have morphed from a warehouse into a brokerage firm, I have never had a problem with them thus far. (Knock wood)
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I too have no problems with Amazon (Tool Crib) and in fact they are one of my preferred suppliers. When you think about it though if Amazon didn't "drop ship" items from other Amazon sellers and some manufacturers they would then have to keep huge inventories in stock all in one complex and the base retail costs of those items would then reflect the increased cost of keeping all those items in inventory and they wouldn't be so cheap or readily accessible anymore.
Edited 4/28/2006 3:43 pm ET by JerraldHayes
I don't know if you use Tajima's, but I've bought them and a few other things from Coastal lately. Their prices aren't too bad and the shipping doesn't hurt much. I guess I've bought chalklines and flexeels from them; it feels like you're helping the little guy out too! Whether that's really the case I don't know.
Coastal Tool is now my default first place to look. Prices are usually competitive (even with the shipping) and it just feels good doing business with them.
You're right about them - Coastal tool rocks.Check out ToolBarn.com - I just heard of them and they have an extensive web site with some very pro-oriented brands.For instance, in the air compressor section - they have a ton of RolAir and Thomas listings - not often you see those at the normal guy's sites.JT
Why don't You suport the suppliers locally who suport You?
The costs for all the small hand tools are not much, and You're
helping a guy that may be there one day when You need them.
Thanks for the lecture.
Wanna see my reciepts I just put together for the tax man 'supporting' New Hampshire Tool Outlet last year? Somewhere in the neighborhood of $18,000. They make their money on power tools and all the nails I buy from them. My salesman, Tony, and I have a very good long standing relationship, so trust me when I tell you that he doesn't want to be bothered with chalklines, pencils, and 5 gallon bottles of chalk bro. But thanks for the loving post anyway.View Image
I just read a piece in the NYT about Amazon. It seems they are struggling to keep their volume up, but at the same time, they are under intense pressure from the Wall Street types to better control their costs. And shipping is the big culprit. Gas prices have had something to do with it, but I didn't realize how much shipping prices have increased until I returned a couple pair of pants to Cabelas. UPS charged me a little over $13, and those pants didn't weigh more than 2 or so pounds. I don't know why Amazon has chosen to open their web site to other suppliers, but it does seem like they are deliberately trying to create a certain amount of confusion as a way to keep their volume up, and then getting customers to pay more of the shipping costs.It will be interesting to see what happens over the next year or so as they search for a new paradigm for doing business. I predict they will tick a lot of people off, as they did with you. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Yeah, I found it really frustrating. It used to be that the item's page had a notation to tell you that it's coming from a different supplier. Now the notation seems to only be there if it is coming directly from Amazon. But even that isn't totally consistant, so I still had to put stuff in my cart to see where it was actually coming from.
I just spend about a 1/2 hour playing around on Amazon to see what gives. It's always been such a good resource for me, but now it seems to be all mucked up. I put two Stabila levels in my cart and when I went to "cash out" (I was just playing around) it showed me that the levels were coming from two seperate places, would be billed seperately, and had two different S/H charges. To make matters worse, the torpedo level had a higher S/H charge than the 48", in fact the S/H was only $4 less than the level itself was?! Add to that that the expected arrival dates were about a week apart and I'll call that a failed venture.
I really hope they get it sorted out, because the whole thing has a bad vibe to it right now and is more hassle than it's worth.
I also don't understand "inventory reduction" sales where it's not even their inventory that they're selling off? View Image
amazon sucks.
Tool Crib "was" great ... till they were bought out.
and amazon sucks more and more as time goes on. That said ... I do buy from them. Alot.
I'll buy from who ever has the cheapest price. But I have also noticed lately the exact same thing you posted about ... suddenly all the different shipping rates.
I usually cancel the order when I see that ... pretty much kills the late-nite impulse buy. I just got a pin nailer from Tool Barn ... so they're now on my OK List.
for all the little things like U mentioned ... I usually hit the also much hated local HD or Lowes ... just spent $80 today on a sawzaw blade restock.
Jeff
sometime next week ... I'll get my dewalt mitersaw stand on my porch .. from amazon
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
You might want to cancel that dewalt mitersaw stand.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKY63G/qid=1146358325/sr=1-24/ref=sr_1_24/104-6137271-3176742?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013
sure it's a few bucks more, when I saw it in the local tool store it looked very sweet.
On board, power, small storage, a vice, and a silly little light
"Shipping Weight: 75.0 pounds."
Count me out!
had to go and check ... the dewalt ships at 46lbs ... weighs 35. It's the best/lightest stand I've worked around ... always thinking about the SawHelper ... but for the money ... I don't think the DW can be beat. Besides ... it hit my porch this afternoon and me and the kid put the saw on it about an hour and a half ago ...
It's already loaded in the van.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
oh well then ;)
I've used someone elses dewalt, it seemed like a good stand.
I'm telling you though, that other stand is sweet.
Neil,
I had never noticed that stand before you mentioned it. I went to Amazon and looked at all the pictures and read all the reviews. It looks nice. Very similar to the T3 I have now, but with more options. One of the reviews mentioned a lot of plastic parts and some rust. You said you've seen it in person, right? Did it seem cheaply made to you? Think it would hold up all right with jobsite use?
I may end up just getting another T3 or even one of the Dewalts, but I'm looking pretty close at that one now too. The thing I like about the Dewalt and the T3 is that they're basically all aluminum, so no rust if (when) it gets wet. The comments about the plastic pieces braking off makes me nervous too. But you never know who's writing the reviews... could be some ignorant gorilla who threw it in the back of his pick-up and then piled a load of lumber on top of it.View Image
Brain,
I googled at it while I was in the tool store, I've never seen one out in the field. From what I remember it made a good impression, I don't recall it looking cheaply constructed.
As for plastic pieces breaking, the Dewalt had, or may still have, a plastic piece that held on the pieces that you adjust for height on the out rigger wings that can break.
I know this because I hit it pretty good with a 2x8 while working on a deck.
I'd suggest you call around and find a local place that has that one I posted and go take a look see.
I saw the stand in the tool store the other day and was very impressed with it. The vise looks like it could be handy, and overall the stand seemes very well built.I have the Dewalt stand, but based on checking out that new one - I'd have bought it over the Dewalt if it had been available then.Of course, I bought my Dewalt stand for $183 with a $25 rebate - so it only cost me $158 total... I bought an extra set of saw clamps - (1) for the slider, (1) for the cordless miter saw.JT
I'll buy from who ever has the cheapest price. But I have also noticed lately the exact same thing you posted about ... suddenly all the different shipping rates.
I usually cancel the order when I see that ...
I can't count the number of times where s/h caused me to not go through with an online order. Sometimes I wonder where in the Hell they get their shipping #'s from?! You order a $50 pair of shoes and they want $12 s/h or some such crap.
Free s/h is one of the big reasons I like Amazon.
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
Don't they still have a "qualifies for free shipping" thing on the page?
I buy quite a few of my tools from amazon, since there isn't a good local place hereabouts. I don't remember ever having to pay shipping, unless it was something that was really hard to find.zak
"so it goes"
I'd send customer service a brief but terse note clearly explaining my dissapointment about the shipping.
I've only used them a few times. I bought a Bosch table saw over a week ago; I'm expecting it sometime around May 11. Good thing I'm in no hurry to get it! So much for free shipping. I got what I paid for.
Eric[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Its not a bad thing Brian...because this way they can offer you other deals. For instance I get most of my books used through them for as little as one dollar...they offer themselves...Amazon at a discount and Super Saver Shipping if you spend $25ish(or what ever it is) but at some of the serious cut rates the other suppliers offer I gladly pay the extra shipping. Works on a lot of things...just not everything...just like HD....same differance. Cept w/ HD they actually use a real name like John Deere but you ain't really gettin' the John Deere some people love (no, that isn't a joke Boss).
I love Amazon for lots of things...just not everything. I think I go between them and Ebay first before I look elsewhere.
If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Yours is probably a very good perspective Andy. Thanks. Maybe I'm just resistant to change. I just always appreciated how easy and simple it is/was to shop at Amazon. I could buy chalk lines in my underwear at 2 in the morning and not have to check around to make sure I was getting the best deal. Guess I'm stuck in my ways, huh?View Image
Actually I think that it is better than it was.Just need to have at least one eye open when you shop in your underware.I went to tools, hand tools, marking & layout, chaulk line.Then went through everthing on the first page that was a chaulk or chaulk line.It was clear where they where coming from and the other options."
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Weinstein & Holtzman Hardware Group." To the right More Buying Choises Quality Distributing and Amazon and the price of each."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Quality Distributing LLC." More Choices; Amazaon and Weinstein."
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Quality Distributing LLC." Other Choice Amazon."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Quality Distributing LLC." Other Choice Amazon."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Home and Beyond." Two other choices, Amazon doesn't handle this product."Now: $29.94 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $24.27 (45%)Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.Hurry, order now and we'll ship this item when it becomes available. You can cancel your order at any time. Your credit card will not be charged until we have shipped your order. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." 3 other choices."Now: $29.94 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $24.05 (45%)Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." No other choices."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Quality Distributing LLC." No other choices"Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Home and Beyond.""Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Home and Beyond." Other Choice - Uncle Joes."Price: $8.90 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $3.10 (26%)Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.Hurry, order now and we'll ship this item when it becomes available. You can cancel your order at any time. Your credit card will not be charged until we have shipped your order. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." One other choice."Now: $16.94 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. DetailsAvailability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Only 3 left in stock--order soon." No other choices."rice: $9.90 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.08 (29%)Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" 3 other choices."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by BIC Superstore." 2 other choices including Amazon."Price: $5.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. DetailsAvailability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Only 5 left in stock--order soon (more on the way). " No other choices."Now: $29.94 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $16.85 (36%)Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." No other choices."Now: $19.94 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.05 (26%)Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." No other choices"Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Home and Beyond." 2 other choices including Amazon."Now: $8.94 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $8.05 (47%)Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" 2 other choices."Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by Quality Distributing LLC." No other choices.But you have to look at some different versions of the products. For example one supplier might only have the 2.5 lb of chaulk and the next one only the 5 lb.
What can I say? I'm glad you think the "new and improved" is actually new and improved. I just don't. Maybe it is for the better in that more options means more competition, and better pricing. I just think it opens the door to too much crap. Such as the coincidental lack of many items directly from Amazon, effectively wiping out the Super Saver shipping option. I liked Tool Crib @ Amazon.com. It was simple and it worked just fine. Seems to me like Amazon got good ole Tool Crib of the North to come over to the dark side, then opened the door to price wars, and then pretty much discarded them.
Just need to have at least one eye open when you shop in your underware.
Ummmm.... thanks again. I'll keep that in mind. By the way, it's underwear, not underware.
Seriously though, I guess some of us just don't agree, that's all. It changed. You like the change. I don't. Nothing wrong with that.View Image
No Amazon was hoping you were underware.
From you local bill it sounds like they should just throw in the misc stuff you need.
And the reason your having a problem with it is cause it was created by a MBA.
So from what I've been told about looking for stock, just look at the companies you do business with. And whom do good business, and invest in them. But that didn't address shorting stock.
Ya and it's getting aggravating to every body that likes to order stuff with out bringing your lawyer with you.
Tell ya what I miss as long as yer gettin nostalgic on me...I miss
TOOL STORES! Remember those? Far and few between now.If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Well you could always move to MN..........We have an honest-to-god old fashion tool (and hardware) store that's been going in the same location since 1933. 7 Corners Hardware. Narrow isles, stuff stacked to the rafters, high prices on hardware items, but good prices on tools. Most of the guys have worked there since forever. I've been going in there for nearly 20 years, and every once and a while I am surprised that they stock some oddball hardware item that is almost impossible to find anywhere else.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Tell ya what I miss as long as yer gettin nostalgic on me...I miss
TOOL STORES! Remember those? Far and few between now.
In Northern NJ/greater NYC area, people should check out Force Machinery http://www.forcemachinery.com. Prices competitive generally with Coastal Tool, and they're, you know, local..... Excellent tool selection..... Just with they'd go online like Coastal Tool, I'm sure they'd do a lot of business.....
Curious as to if all the stuff would come directly from Amazon; I've noticed that some of the recon tools among other things come from different vendors and not directly through Amazon. Each vendor has their own shipping charge. Anything I've bought that came directly from Amazon, even totally unrelated items like books and tools in the same order, had only one shipping charge. Could be too that Amazon is trying to make up for crazy deals like the one I saw a few minutes ago; left tilt X5 Unisaw (new, not a recon, free shipping) for $1382.50 plus 10% off that plus a free mobile base and a Jet canister dust collector plus Delta has a rebate on the saw- don't know how they do it.
Why not just go to Home Depot? ;-)
I have bought quite a number of tools at http://shop.store.yahoo.com/tylertool/
They have been great to deal with.