A little rant about shipping charges from DSE

[dc87]

I'm just wondering if any of you have any gripes about the shipping charges charged by DSE. My most recent example is I purchased a headlight knob to match the one on the wiper motor switch which costs $18 When I finally recieved the total from DSE they charges me $13 for shipping. I mean come on really $13 to put the knob in an small envelope and mail it?

[Sandbagger]

There just pushin your buttons :_paranoid

[coolwelder62]

I alway's wait to order small part's until I have something else I am wanting or need that is larger so the small part or part's are shipped almost free.DSE has alway's been very fair when shipping me something.

[T-Type]

is it DSE or the shipping company that sets the rates...just saying.

[scherp69]

Try living in Canada and having something shipped across the line. I'm sure that $13 shipping charge would have cost me $20. I recently had some parts shipped to me in Canada. The vendor was shipping the parts in a USPS pre-set box where the shipping was $15 (or something like that) no matter what as long as it fit in the box. Shipped to Canada was more than double the cost.

[canrc]

Mike,

I don't know where you are in BC, but I live close to the border and have all my parts shipped to Can-Amer Frieght in Blaine, WA -- they charge $3 per shipment and it usually works out allot cheaper than shipping it into Canada.

[NovaBlue71]

Wow, that maybe sounds alittle much but not much you can do to control shipping costs as the price of fuel,etc continues to rise everyday. We recieved the inner fenderwells and fender struts for Paul's chevy II from DSE and we thought shipping wasn't too bad. Joe

[scherp69]

Mike,

I don't know where you are in BC, but I live close to the border and have all my parts shipped to Can-Amer Frieght in Blaine, WA -- they charge $3 per shipment and it usually works out allot cheaper than shipping it into Canada.

Thanks Raj. I'm actually set up at Ship Happens in Sumas. I think they charge $4 a package. I usually make a parts run a couple times a year for that exact reason. It's amazing how as long as it's shipped within the US, a lot of places ship for free. The odd time I need to have something shipped to me at home, I just cringe waiting to see what the shipping costs are going to be. I agree though, the trip across the line is well worth it in savings.

[Musclerodz]

That is not DSE, that is UPS or FEDEX. I just shipped a hydroboost unit to a guy literally 8 miles from the shop since he could not get here during business hours. It cost me $18 to ship it 8 miles and only costs me $25 to ship it to CA, figure that one out.

Basically the shipping companies have a flat rate to handle each box no matter how far they take it. Then they figure size in, which adds to the cost since your oversized box is taking away from smaller revenue boxes, etc. Throw in the stupid cost of fuel today, and yep, it cost $18 to ship a 2 ounce part across the country. I have had a number of items shipped from DSE, and pricing is not that different than anywhere else I have items shipped from.

[Van B]

But, if a company really wants to use their head, the flat rate boxes with USPS are a real bargain. Small one is $5.00 or so anywhere. A headlight or wiper switch knob surely would fit in one.

That's why I waited until I was at an event they were at and asked if they had one in the truck. I didn't want to pay the S&H.

[ModernMuseum]

To the OP, Detroit Speed is one of the best and most fair vendors you will find in this industry. They've been nothing but great to deal with in my experience, and I've ordered a large amount of parts for my car. If there was an issue, they took care of me within a day or two and got items to me very expeditiously at their expense.

[Musclerodz]

But, if a company really wants to use their head, the flat rate boxes with USPS are a real bargain. Small one is $5.00 or so anywhere. A headlight or wiper switch knob surely would fit in one.

That's why I waited until I was at an event they were at and asked if they had one in the truck. I didn't want to pay the S&H.

true, but alot of companies will not use postal for the lack of tracking info

[Flash68]

true, but alot of companies will not use postal for the lack of tracking info

Yep, I knew someone was going to post that idea... I use the flat rate boxes too, but I sure as hell would not if I was a company shipping parts all day long.

[CrossRamRich]

How bout the boys downunder? Hate to get their bill!:wow:

[Stuart Adams]

Shipping prices suck. I would have no idea what rates are. One option is go to a good guys show and walk out with the part for no shipping.

[coolwelder62]

If you don't like what they charge you ship it back and ask for a refund.

[wmhjr]

true, but alot of companies will not use postal for the lack of tracking info

You can add delivery confirmation for a very small additional charge. Still far less than the amount the OP mentioned. I use it all the time. Not quite as detailed as UPS/Fedex tracking, but it is functional.

[Van B]

You can add delivery confirmation for a very small additional charge. Still far less than the amount the OP mentioned. I use it all the time. Not quite as detailed as UPS/Fedex tracking, but it is functional.


You beat me to it. It is $.70 extra. The only problem is that it just tells if it was delivered, no signer's signature, but then again, UPS doesn't seem to get a signature real often either when delivering to a residence.

[Fluid Power]

As a business owner that ships about 50-60 UPS packages a day, I can add some insight. Shipping costs have gone up with UPS adding 'fuel surcharges'. However, maybe there might be a little mark up on freight to cover costs of boxes, tape, packaging material, the warehouse guy, etc. The kicker, and I suspect it has a lot to do in this case, is the residential surcharge. It is $2.50. The actual freight charges go thru the roof if you live in BFE. For example, Columbus, Ohio to a business in Cleveland, Ohio, 1lb package, $8.00. Same package shipped from my warehouse to a residence in Athens, Ohio, $12.00. Same distance, same package.

So in closing, if you live far away from the UPS hub, it is shipping to a residence, and DSE is putting a little on the top to help with shipping supplies, that number does not seem unreasonable.

Darren

[Blake Foster]

shipping is expensive you probably could have ordered a few other parts and not paid any more for the shipping.
as for the post office, last time i checked they only drop off no pick up.

so look at it this way. This is from the Vendors position
Customer orders part,pick ticket printed, order is picked, packaged, paperwork done, UPS information entered, label printed, put on box, added to daily shipping, invoice created. payment received. 5:00 UPS shows up part gone, tracking number entered, customer emailed......... DONE
all that to make 3.00 no wait not 3.00 profit 3.00 mark up. Now if you had to pay the guy to get in his car drive to the post office (and who knows how far away it is......... just sayin) 15 minutes? wait in line10 minutes?? drive back 15 minutes?? @ 15.00 an hour and 4.00 a gallon for gas. Now there is a WHOLE different procedure of paperwork that needs to be done oh and the vendor probably doesnt have an account at USPS so he heeds to take cash with him. just so you are charged 8.00 instead of 13. cuz if you "Just Mail it there is no tracking # and then you will wonder where your part is and when it doesn't show up in 7 day your on the phone 800# no doubt asking where your Knob is and they say " We Mailed it 7 days ago" as per your instructions.

let me know if this is off base???

[Musclerodz]

You can add delivery confirmation for a very small additional charge. Still far less than the amount the OP mentioned. I use it all the time. Not quite as detailed as UPS/Fedex tracking, but it is functional.

I use USPS hereoccasionally, but mainly for small overseas orders. 90% of the time we do not have an issue. I did have one recently where a hydroboost was lost, but I insure evrything so I am covered although it may take several months to get my money back. On domestic shipments I have one vendor use USPS and I use it for stuff that will fit in a flat rate envelope, but I have found FEDEX ground to be cheaper and just as fast in many instances

[BonzoHansen]

I just paid $13 for a $4 part to be shipped. Not a car part either, a special fitting for my koi pond filter. The closest local place to me with it would have cost me nearly that much in gas. I almost pulled the trigger on year one door panels the other night but shipping was insane like $65 so I backed off it. Sucks but it ain't just DSE I guess is my point.

[Richio1]

Yeah, shipping charges suck. I just bought a fiberglass rear bumper from year one and with the discount code it came to just over $100 but the shipping was $85 because it was oversized... I really though twice about ordering it but I needed it so had to do it.

[Blake Foster]

so if you don't ship it how are you going to get it??? is it cheaper to drive to DSE and pick it up?
what option do you have? go to your local parts store and order it......... guess what your probably still going to pay freight except now there are 2 people marking it up.

When we ship our Torque arms they are 125lb in a 12 x12 x 62 box too small to ship truck freight. just about to big for UPS but on average the shipping is between 80.00 and 170.00 depending on where it's going obviously. and like someone said earlier RESIDENTIAL is always more.

it is what it is.

[Blake Foster]

How bout the boys downunder? Hate to get their bill!:wow:

yep just shipped some brakes to Auz and ths shipping was ................ wait for it

630.00!!!!

[GregWeld]

^^^^^^^^^^^^ I just crapped!



Seriously though --- the shipping is what it is.... and there are ALWAYS minimums. Like Blake said -- what else are you going to do - wait forever or just get it ordered, build the car... and chuck up sales taxes and shipping to the entire experience. I call it the hunting and the gathering.
:thumbsup:

[Beegs]

Rant on his second post.....lol

[Steve1968LS2]

The smaller the part the more you feel "screwed" on shipping..

Most of this is the shipper since the first ounce costs the most. So it might be $10 to ship a pound and $12 to ship two pounds.. that sort of deal.

And as gas goes up so does shipping costs.. plus you need to factor in things like the packaging and the labor to ship the part.. it all adds up.

But as was said, I try to bundle orders to get a better shipping value.

[Steve1968LS2]

yep just shipped some brakes to Auz and ths shipping was ................ wait for it

630.00!!!!

$630 Canadian? So that's like 43 bucks US, right??

:rofl:

And yea, shipping to Australia is crazy expensive..

[Vegas69]

If I had all my shipping costs back I spent building this car, I'd build another one. :rolleyes: Can't believe UPS or FED EX didn't send me a Christmas card last year.:lol:

[Orng Crsh]

Although it won't be helpful to everyone (especially those in Australia and Canada), if you are not in a rush, ordering items smaller than subframes and Quadralinks, and plan to attend an event that DSE is attending, you can purchase your items via telephone a few days prior to the event and ask them to place your parts on their truck headed to the event. DSE will have your parts waiting for you at no charge. I have done this several times and have already started making my list for the upcoming Good Guys event in Nashville in May. Saving on shipping can usually equate to a 20% or greater discount.

[dubbleu]

The Canadian dollar is stronger than the US Green Green back. We get great deals on parts from the US but get hosed on shipping charges. I ship to Montana then drive down and bring the parts across the boader myself this saves me some serious cash.

[Blake Foster]

$630 Canadian? So that's like 43 bucks US, right??

:rofl:

And yea, shipping to Australia is crazy expensive..


:rofl: :rofl:
Actually Steve its like 650.00 US you guys need to pull up ur socks!!!

[parsonsj]

I've found that I can save shipping by driving to the manufacturer and picking it up directly. No shipping charges at all that way.

jp

[DriverzInc]

I completely agree with everything Blake posted.

Shipping is a mofo, and prepare yourself gents, its about to get worse as these gas prices continue to rise :mad:

[buickfunnycar.com]

Shipping is a mofo, and prepare yourself gents, its about to get worse as these gas prices continue to rise :mad:

Ain't that the truth...!:mad:

[Blake Foster]

I completely agree with everything Blake posted.

Shipping is a mofo, and prepare yourself gents, its about to get worse as these gas prices continue to rise :mad:

lol yea like EVERYTHING ELSE!!

[Steve1968LS2]

:rofl: :rofl:
Actually Steve its like 650.00 US you guys need to pull up ur socks!!!

Don't worry.. it's all part of the govt's plan to "fix" the economy.. lol

Pretty soon I'll be trading dollars for pesos.. :_paranoid

[GregWeld]

Just ship all the stuff to my house. I'll be happy to hold it for you.

[ModernMuseum]

I completely agree with everything Blake posted.

Shipping is a mofo, and prepare yourself gents, its about to get worse as these gas prices continue to rise :mad:

I had to do the double take this morning when filling up my WRX. $3.80 for premium :_paranoid

[camcojb]

I had to do the double take this morning when filling up my WRX. $3.80 for premium :_paranoid
that's cheap! It's $4.30 here................ :willy:

[GregWeld]

I had to do the double take this morning when filling up my WRX. $3.80 for premium :_paranoid

Wait til you fill up a dually with a 38 gallon tank of diesel! It takes two credit cards! And the price isn't going DOWN.... it'll be $5.00 a gallon before summer.

[waynieZ]

Filled my Tahoe yeaterday credit card stopped at $75 Now I'll get the car back and need to float a loan to fill it up.lol

[GregWeld]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That's why I said it takes TWO credit cards! They tap out the first one - then you got to start over!


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Blake Foster]

over 5.30 a gallon here.......... if you look for Sympathy in the dictionary.....
it can be found between sh*t and syphilous

[buickfunnycar.com]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/topfueljohn/thread_direction.gif

[Vegas69]

:rofl: :rofl:

[buickfunnycar.com]

:rofl: :rofl:

I search for opportunities to use that one,lol...:yes:

[ModernMuseum]

Damn, I guess I'm spoiled living in Houston near all the refineries. I guess it doesn't really matter what it costs. No matter the price, we'll pretty much always pay it. How else are oil and gas corporate execs going to pay for $100k Steinway pianos that play themselves? Think of the execs, guys. Have some compassion.

[The WidowMaker]

No matter the price, we'll pretty much always pay it. How else are oil and gas corporate execs going to pay for $100k Steinway pianos that play themselves? Think of the execs, guys. Have some compassion.


ive said it before and i'll say it again; when a ceo makes 100+x's his average employees wage, we all know something is VERY wrong. and they blame it on my pension :rolleyes: .

[Romulus]

ive said it before and i'll say it again; when a ceo makes 100+x's his average employees wage, we all know something is VERY wrong. and they blame it on my pension :rolleyes: .

Just to be clear, does that or does that not include bonuses, stock incentives, and travel expenses, etc.? People hated all over my last CEO because he had a youtube video that went up of him test driving one of the first Tesla's he just bought shortly before 10% of the company got laid off.

They get paid the big money the same reason celebs and athletes do - because they can.

But um, yeah...shipping prices suck.

[AM.MSCL]

I had to get a small part from YearOne and they were the only place that had it. Their website showed some standard shipping cost of $12-18 for a $5 part.
I called them up and asked them if there was something that could be done, like send it USPS instead of UPS. The person I talked to got the shipping down to $3.

The computer parts industry is the same way for shipping cost. But a $20 item and spend $15 to ship it UPS ground. If these companies would have USPS as an option it would save the buyers $ and usually get to the buyer just as fast.

[ModernMuseum]

I had to get a small part from YearOne and they were the only place that had it. Their website showed some standard shipping cost of $12-18 for a $5 part.
I called them up and asked them if there was something that could be done, like send it USPS instead of UPS. The person I talked to got the shipping down to $3.

The computer parts industry is the same way for shipping cost. But a $20 item and spend $15 to ship it UPS ground. If these companies would have USPS as an option it would save the buyers $ and usually get to the buyer just as fast.

That's probably the reason they're up to millions in debt right now.

[Joel145]

That's probably the reason they're up to millions in debt right now.

More like 6 Billion a year.

BTW the reason residential deliveries are more expensive is cost. The margin for residential deliveries is a lot lower since the average packages per delivery is 1 as opposed to a commercial delivery that averages 3-4 packages per delivery.

[Mick Mc]

Just my two cents...and I'm only talking about little things
I just ordered from Doc's Blocks, low side fitting (weld in), valve and a cap.
$8.95 shipping. Yea, yea Blake I get it profit profit profit, but...
A little bubble wrap envelop and they could have put a stamp on it.
A two day USPS box would have been $4.95
A letter envelope with .61 cents would have covered it.
If the shipping department is a profit center, fine just say so up front, ie Jegs
Yea, yea yea group things together...in a perfect world but this is the car world
You would think that companies would try and minimize shipping on little items when there are many alternatives, or at least be up front and say 'our minimum shipping charge is $8.95, so do you need ANYTHING else while you got me on the phone...instead of a one minute phone call and the guy says don't worry I'll take care of you.
I doubt I'll take my Doc's Blocks catalog with me next weekend when I do the AC/Heater plumbing for my buddies 66 El Camino.


Mick

[Blake Foster]

Why u picking on me??? lol I think you could expect a company to "TRY" to Recoupe some of the shipping expences. to call it a PROFIT CENTER is a bit of a streach. i think the only ones who call shipping a profit and BIG profit would be the UPS's and FED EX's ......
to add a couple bucks to a shipment is not unreasonable. we try hard to keep the cost of shipping as low as possible, working deals with freight companies all the time.

[ironworks]

I think it's kind of impressive the cost of shipping when you think about it. The work required to ship anything has nothing to do with it's value. It's all about size and weight, How heavy is it going to be to pick up and carry or how much fuel will we burn pulling your big ass rock across the country. To think some body could put something in a small box and have someone come pick it up and take it to there place, then give it to another guy who takes it some where else. And when he gets there he give it to some one else who gets in there truck and drops it off at your place while he is in your neighborhood. For 10 bucks is pretty impressive to me. Who cares if it is a small fitting or a big inflated beach ball or big ass rock.

If you don't like the cost of shipping go drive to the guy's business who is selling the part and pick it up yourself and get back to work before lunch is over.

Another thing, the guy shipping the part has to go down the aisle the part you want is on and go put it in the box and get out his tape gun and print up a label and stick it to the box he had to buy and fill the box with packaging peanuts he had to buy. That takes time and has nothing to do with the shipping cost of the guy hauling it to your house. Sure you say well he should have that labor built into his bottom line. Ok well then there is guy who is grinding the retailer on price cuz some other yahoo is selling the part for 3 pennies less but you can never get him to answer the phone. SO your just going to order it from the more expensive guy even though it is 3 pennies more.

I mean really, Are we that well off in this country that we have to bitch about the shipping cost of stuff we don't need to sustain life on.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
I just found out I'm limited to only 15 smiles per post to express my emotion.
Come on Scott only 15......

[wiedemab]

Just my quick $.02. Free Shipping! Nothing is free. You are paying for it one way or another. If it makes you feel better to have it built into the price of the product that is fine, but in some form or fashion you/we are paying for shipping whether it is called out as a separate line item or just baked in.

[dhutton]

I think DSE is a great company with great service selling great parts. But, everytime I order something from them online I feel like I am playing the lottery because the site does not tell you the shipping cost. You give them your credit card number and they charge you shipping later. If they would update their site to calculate shipping charges when the order is entered I think it would go a long way to eliminating this sort of feedback.

Don

[Fluid Power]

Summit has changed their shipping method to reflect what you are buying. They no longer use the one size fits all $9.95 handling and free shipping gimmick.

For the record, as a business owner, we do not use the shipping department as a profit center. I watch and monitor it to break even. (pay for the warehouse guy and all shipping related supplies)

Darren

[Mick Mc]

Why u picking on me??? lol I think you could expect a company to "TRY" to Recoupe some of the shipping expences. to call it a PROFIT CENTER is a bit of a streach. i think the only ones who call shipping a profit and BIG profit would be the UPS's and FED EX's ......
to add a couple bucks to a shipment is not unreasonable. we try hard to keep the cost of shipping as low as possible, working deals with freight companies all the time.

I'm not picking on you Blake. I'm just acknowledging everyone needs to make a profit and all of the steps listed do take time and energy.

Mick

[Mick Mc]

I think it's kind of impressive the cost of shipping when you think about it. The work required to ship anything has nothing to do with it's value. It's all about size and weight, How heavy is it going to be to pick up and carry or how much fuel will we burn pulling your big ass rock across the country. To think some body could put something in a small box and have someone come pick it up and take it to there place, then give it to another guy who takes it some where else. And when he gets there he give it to some one else who gets in there truck and drops it off at your place while he is in your neighborhood. For 10 bucks is pretty impressive to me. Who cares if it is a small fitting or a big inflated beach ball or big ass rock.

If you don't like the cost of shipping go drive to the guy's business who is selling the part and pick it up yourself and get back to work before lunch is over.

Another thing, the guy shipping the part has to go down the aisle the part you want is on and go put it in the box and get out his tape gun and print up a label and stick it to the box he had to buy and fill the box with packaging peanuts he had to buy. That takes time and has nothing to do with the shipping cost of the guy hauling it to your house. Sure you say well he should have that labor built into his bottom line. Ok well then there is guy who is grinding the retailer on price cuz some other yahoo is selling the part for 3 pennies less but you can never get him to answer the phone. SO your just going to order it from the more expensive guy even though it is 3 pennies more.

I mean really, Are we that well off in this country that we have to bitch about the shipping cost of stuff we don't need to sustain life on.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
I just found out I'm limited to only 15 smiles per post to express my emotion.
Come on Scott only 15......

Now you're picking on me...
But you made my point...it is a small part and the USPS shows up six days a week (rain or shine) ((kind of amazing)) and they do ship two day for 4.95 and some of these small items will fit in a .61 cent envelope.
For some of us we have FEDX and UPS and USPS show up so many time a week we are on a first name basis (not my postal guy, he's a freak, I call him Rainman).
Yes, it's amazing that some one did build a business on getting packages from one place to another for some calculation of dollars.
If every order shipped has a handling cost of so many dollars (to walk down the aisle, grab the part, make a label, add packing peanuts, tape the box shut, and hand it to the guy who shows up at your business everyday (that is his job) then just be up front with the built in handling charge.
Because when I get the package of 1.1 oz that could have been shipped for .61 cents and the company charged me 8.95, all of the warm and fuzzy feelings for the company go out the window. Hince why this thread was started.
Companies spend millions of dollars to woo customers. Advertising, promotions, shows, giveaways, blogs, websites, business cards, keychains, word of mouth, shaking hands...all to slowly make one person at a time question if they should or should not buy from that company again.
Our car world is a small group, or Bill Howell would say "a pimple on a Gnats ass". Some of the products sold are unique to certain companies but many products are ubiquitous to the average comsumer and no one wants to run off any consumer to our small world.
Hey FEDX just showed up, wonder what I got today.


Mick

[ironworks]

Yeah that .61 cent ship my part in an envelope gets lost and you want to know why your car did not make the friday night race because some dumb part that kept you from racing never showed up and your "Rainman" postal worker has no idea or anyway to know where your package went. They just know it was never signed for. I send my bracket usps, but it's kind of a pain. UPS is way easier but 8.95 minimum, but has a tracking number.

[Blake Foster]

:lol: :lol: :lol: ^^^