gap between order and ship

[Mark31]

I called a manufacturer for some parts ($800) and was referred to a distributor. I ordered online on 9/16 and my credit card was billed on 9/18. I am now told that it will be a couple more weeks before the parts are shipped. Is this common new age business practice--to bill 2 months before shipment? If I didn't need the parts, I would cancel and get in another distributor's backorder line. This is like pouring clabbored milk on my Cherios: it just doesn't "set" very well. Mark

 

[p-Bar]

Put in a dispute with your credit card company. Then call the manufacturer and ask them if this company is up on their payables with them. Everybody's broke

 

[jelag]

For a lot of years I sold PacBrake and other items in my business... . I never once charged a customers credit card until I was ready to ship... never worked on his money... . the exception was orders from off shore... . where it was a letter of credit and we were paid at shipment... .

I read a thread on this sight this week about a lock box to replace the center of our seat... and how the supplier wanted $160 or $190 deposit until he had 25 orders to build them...

To me this is a folly... either you keep enough profit in the structure to carry the product or you don't do it... . all its going to take is one of these distributors to go under and have a group of guys loose their deposits to see this... .

I'm now retired and brought in from one of my vendors close to 2000 front wheel hubs for the top 50 movers... I did this with my own money... . and now have them for sale... . but not customers money... .

p-Bar, your comment is so true... .

 

[mwilson]

We now require a 50% deposit on special ordered items (such as a Peterbilt bumper with 29 light holes punched in it) as we were getting stuck with one off items that we either couldn't return at all or had to pay a hefty restock fee to get rid of.



I don't charge the deposit to fund my payables, it's more to get a commitment from the customer. The deposit is held aside and not used for anything until the order arrives and is completed. If they can't pony up the deposit then they probably can't afford the part in the first place.



It also depends on the circumstances, I would probably allow a customer having a rough patch to order a drive axle without a deposit so he could go make some money with his truck but not if he was ordering chrome stuff.



I do order the part that very day.



Charging someone the full amount and them making them wait a couple of months would not be condoned here.



p-Bar is dead on, they are behind the 8 ball for sure.

 

[DennyDay]

Just order it from Geno's - - They don't charge you until they ship - - Just like a real company!!!

 

[Mark31]

mwilson, these aren't one off parts. I'm #18 of 30 on the back order list. I just called the manufacturer and was told that it may be the end of December before the order can be filled. They are still working on June orders. Truth seems to be handled carelessly. C D, I wish Geno carried 'em! Mark

 

[p-Bar]

Guys just remember even if an order isn't going to be shipped for 6 months you still put a dispute in before the first 30 days (some co. are longer) and explain the reason . This is per Clarke Howard a radio host on money.

 

[Sandflea]

Well, on the bright side, at least you're on the back order list.



I placed an order for (I was told) an in stock $600 part nearly a month ago, because the $800 part I had really wanted was supposedly months away from being available. They charged my credit card immediately. I was told I'd get an email when my order was shipped, but never did. 3 weeks later I called the distributor, and they said there had been a run on the item, and it was on back order, but I guess they didn't think it important enough to let me know.



Meanwhile, the $800 item was starting to ship again, although the back orders were going to be handled first. I told the distributor to ship me the $800 part, and charge me the difference. So now, they have had $600 for nearly a month, and will have another $200 for several more weeks. In the end, after all the backorders are filled, I hope I finally get the part I wanted in the first place.



There are dozens of aftermarket parts outfits, and although I've never had a total disaster with an order, the list of vendors I've been completely satisified with is shorter than it should be.