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Free Shipping - Be Careful!

I want to let our community know that we need to be careful when making purchases and accepting “free shipping”.  Here is the story, I recently ordered a set of KT150s from TubeDepot. I was offered free shipping. I accepted it and wrongly assumed (mistake: never assume) that they would use a reliable shipping carrier to ship their expensive, fragile glass vacuum tubes. A reliable carrier to me, IMO and personal experience means either FedEx (my preference) OR UPS. Did TubeDepot do that? No! They shipped with USPS. The problem is that the tracking number isn’t working. Their is no documentation that USPS took possession of the package. While TubeDepot has a nicely written page describing USPS’ problems they still use them and this information is not readily available on their website. If I had this information at checkout I would have chosen FedEx and paid for it. I suggested to them that they should put a link to this information right on the checkout page where buyers are going to choose their shipping. I think this transparency would empower buyers to make an informed decision, take ownership of that decision, and save the vendor a lot of time with back and forth emails about where the product is and why the tracking isn’t working. Bottom line: free shipping may be bad shipping. Don’t blindly assume that the free shipping method is good. Ask the vendor who they use for free shipping before making your purchase and act accordingly. 
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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Same here. For tubes USPS is one of the better handlers. As far a tracking, I’ve just learned to be patient, more so with USPS.

FedEx and UPS both have better minute to minute tracking. Both are equally rough on package handling though.

I just sent 16 valves via UPS ground. I triple boxed, double bubbled a 12 x 12 x 14 box with red stickers all over it, "Glass", "Fragile" and 500.00 worth of insurance. 73.00. I almost passed out.. "UPS GROUND".  I should have ask what next day would have been. Over 300.00?

I can remember shipping Greyhound. Remember that?

Be of good cheer.  There be there in no time.

The Christmas rush will be soon enough.

The fastest year so far, "The YEAR that was not". :-)

Regards
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
To all:
1. The point of all of this is to give us choices for shipping and to let us know who their “free shipping carrier” is so it isn’t a mystery. 2. No. Ha Ha. This is far from my first online purchase. You just don’t understand the point of this thread despite that I have reiterated it now for the third time. 3. No. The messages about USPS were not at the checkout page when I placed my order. If they are there now, you are welcome.  Because prior to posting this thread I have been in frequent email exchange with TubeDepot about all this. So if you are seeing more robust and appropriately placed USPS info on their website then that is there as a result of my educating TubeDepot on this issue.
4. It was asserted above the performance of the shippers varies by region. Fine. In my region (Chicagoland) FedEx is best in my experience. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But this thread isn’t about that. It is once again, simply about advising all of us to check what some companies “free (mystery) shipping” actually is. You may be fine with what you learn. Alternatively, you may be disappointed.
5. some one above pointed out that FedEx has more robust or better or more frequent tracking. That is my preference. Frankly, if I was the vendor that would be my preference too. 
Ok. I have made my case and informed everyone. Perhaps TubeDepot has listened. Good. Perhaps other vendors will too. Mission accomplished. Have a good day. 
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Party Pooper!!

I thought the point was to let you blow off a little steam.

The other point is MOST tube shippers use USPS, just so you know.
Most prefer the gentler handling..

6-10 days usually east coast to west coast. USPS.

To Chicago: gotta’ dodge those bullets, on the way in.. Package delivery with an armored personnel carrier takes a while..

Oakland, CA is VERY close..

BTW, YOUR WELCOME! From those brave delivery drivers. I'd rather be trying to get out of Afghanistan. Than deliver packages in either Chicago or Oakland..

Regards
zappas's avatar
zappas
173 posts
 
Yer off the mark.
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
@oldhvymec regarding Chicago agreed. We have the mayor, police chief, and cook county state’s attorney to thank for that. Personally, I think Chicago should have a curfew and the National Guard patrolling the streets in armored vehicles. Interestingly the murder capital of the US is still St. Louis in terms of #murders/100,000 population. The number one murder capital in the world is Los Cabo’s, Mexico. But this is for another thread on another platform. 
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