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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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Showing 9 responses by kingbarbuda

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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
@roxy54 No they have not arrived yet. I understand what you are saying about FedEx. That is your experience. But it has not been mine. The essence of what I am saying is that vendors should be transparent as to who they use for free shipping. They could say instead of just “free shipping”. They should say something like “Free USPS first class shipping” or “Free USPS Priority Mail”. Also post a link to their very informative page about the issues with USPS. Just share the info in an open and transparent way. So WE have all the info and can make our OWN informed decision as to who we want to ship our package. Everyone should be free to make their choice. But vendors need to provide us with the info. If they don’t. Then we should ask for it.
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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. 
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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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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
I will just throw this out there since others I feel are trying to invalidate my experience: Prepandemic I sent a headphone cable to Dan Clark Audio (Mr. Speakers at that time). USPS delivered it to the wrong address, could not track what happened and would not stand behind the loss. Fortunately, Dan Clark Audio were good sports. But my experience is USPS gives poor package service and there insurance is worth nothing. That is my experience. Your’s may be different. That’s fine. I reserve my right to use FedEx for my shipping and they have always treated me and my packages well and have given good professional service. 
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
@jdane there were two mistakes made: 1. Mine. I didn’t ask who the free ship vendor was. 2. Theirs; they should mention who the free shipping vendor is. 
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
@sns 1+ unless the vendor specifies what their free mystery surprise shipping is, DITTO!
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
@carlsbad. Wrong. I posted three things: 1. A tip for vendors to disclose who their free shipping is and 2. That we buyers would be well advised to ask who the free shipping service is, if the vendor neglects to disclose it. 3. My *opinion* (not fact) regarding my preference based on my personal real life experience for shipping service. As I have stated before if you like another service. Great.

Also Jerry what you are stating above in your second paragraph is also your *opinion*. Not a fact.
Regarding your third paragraph: Agreed. But I don’t want that hassle. If I had known that TubeDepot’s mystery surprise shipping was USPS I would have gladly paid for FedEx. Please read that again. Thanks.
Regarding your 4th paragraph: Agreed. But I contend that they should disclose who they want to use. I am not contesting their right to choose the shipper. I just want it disclosed before I submit my order so I can pick another shipper if I don’t like who they use for their free shipping.
I hope this is finally clear. No good turn goes unpunished.
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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. 
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kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
To circle back, the USPS began tracking my box of tubes once it hit my local sorting facility on Thursday. The box was delivered late yesterday/Friday. All’s well that ends well. TubeDepot took my suggestions seriously and have sent them to their IT people. Meanwhile, I will be sure to select FedEx on my next order as I prefer the more robust tracking they provide. 
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