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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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uncledemp
779 posts
 
At least eight major credit cards offer a/some cards with purchase protection. There are caveats, but it may be worth looking into if you make online purchases, etc. 

I read it in a US News and World Report article, FYI. (It has to be true, haha)
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
Here’s as update: I spoke to Michelle at TubeDepot earlier this week. Very nice and knowledgeable, as usual. While USPS has no record of my 8 matched Tung Sol KT 150s being received by them, she notes that they have been shipped. I have not received them yet. Apparently USPS’ issues are in multiple areas of the US. Just this week, our CBS Chicago evening news had a piece regarding poor security at the USPS. Something about them not keeping good enough track of keys that open mailboxes. During the winter there  were media pieces on packages piling up and not getting processed. Anyway, it may take longer than usual to receive the tubes. But if I don’t Michelle gave me confidence that she will take care of things. She also did mention that she sent my suggestions for their website to their IT people. Meanwhile, she mentioned that they are now back ordered (as of when I spoke to her) on the KT 150s. 
sns
3,256 posts
 
Yes, USPS major problems at Allen Park Michigan facility last winter, many news stories of trucks filled with mail sitting for 24 hours and more waiting to be unloaded. Sorting machines being removed from various USPS facilities have been responsible for slow downs.
I have clam shell mailbox for my neighborhood, forget about resolution of lost package if your package misplaced in someone else's box!
And then USPS and customs, forget about it! I purchased Technics SP10 MKII few years ago, from Australia, shipped via Australian Post, transferred to USPS upon arrival here. Received the turntable pronto, power supply package lost in Chicago USPS customs for well over two months. Had to purchase another power supply here in US, suddenly Australian power supply shows up, no notification, no tracking! I purchase items from Canada periodically, USPS shipping time all over the place, sometimes may get package shipped from same vendor in few day, other times up to two weeks.

USPS sucks for me, I always pay for upgrade service if item value more than $100. If I had one positive, never received damage package from them, only no package.
discnik
161 posts
 
Shipping is definitely a minefield, and everyone has their own horror stories to contribute. What we have to keep in mind is that shipping companies are not monoliths, but are made up of real people, and therein lies the rub. Most are conscientious and do their best not to cause damage to the goods that move through their purview, while there are some that seem not to give a damn. Most of us would probably agree that the secret lies in the packing of the product, and if that is done correctly with aforethought, even rough handling during transit will not be an issue (for the most part). This is one of the downsides to the demise of brick-and-mortar stores, where we bought each piece and then lovingly loaded it into our vehicle for the trip home. With price increases for shipping looming on the 2022 horizon, I have taken an oath to limit my purchases of any large heavy items (say, over 20 pounds). I live within a relatively short distance of three fairly large metropolitan areas and can usually find what I need stereo gear-wise in one of those cities, either on Audiogon, US Audio Mart, or CL.
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tim_p
361 posts
 
Ironically I like USPS when it come to having my purchases shipped up here to Canada from the US. I’ve never had any serious problems or issues, a couple of delays by a week due to covid is all. There is no additional charges/costs added on, and 95% of the time Customs does not open packages to Inspect from the US, unlike most other countries. Now getting stuff sent via FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc, is another story! You will be charged all taxes, import fees, brokerage fees, etc by the Federal Government and the Courier Company.
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