Sneaky Northern Tool

[rbattelle]

I got the ad shown below from Northern Tool today and thought it would be a great opportunity to get free shipping on some heavy items I've been wanting. One is the arbor press pictured at 138 lb (item 146703), and the other is an 8" bench vise (not pictured) at 71 lb.



Looking at the product page for the arbor press, do you see anything that indicates this is a truck ship item, and hence not part of this promotion? Me either. Apparently, you have to click "calculate shipping" on the product page, enter your state and zip, and then you find out that it's truck ship (although the logo shown in the first picture never appears anywhere!). Since it's not UPS-able, it's charged full shipping. [Why would I have clicked "calculate shipping" in the first place, since I thought I was getting free shipping?] Same story on the bench vise (item 34917).



Do you guys think this is sneaky and underhanded? I sure do. I'm pretty disgusted and wanted to warn others about it. I thought Northern was a pretty good company (I've ordered from them in the past). I'm not so sure anymore.



-Ryan





****UPDATE!****



I sent Northern an email expressing my discontent on 1/24. They called me on 1/26 to tell me that I was right, and they were wrong (they actually admitted that!). They said that the items I wanted didn't have the logo on them, and hence were eligible for the promotion. They said they screwed up, because of course they don't ship those UPS, so they should have had the truck ship logo. To make good on it, they offered to send them to me with no shipping charges! Oo. My faith in them is restored.

 

[Matt400]

I don't think so cuz it clearly states on UPS ground orders.

The UPS man isn't going to lift a package like that.



But I know what you mean. . seems we are always subjected to the fine print while the bold print reels us in.

 

[rbattelle]

I don't think so cuz it clearly states on UPS ground orders.

The UPS man isn't going to lift a package like that.

I know, I just feel I'm being "taken" on a technicality.



Besides, this page specifically states that the UPS shipping weight limit is 150 lb. Both of my items are well within that limit. Northern CHOOSES to not ship it UPS, which conveniently exempts the items from the promotion.



I'm being asked to comply with requirements that are not sufficiently defined here! What, exactly, is the weight limit that Northern places on items for UPS? Why not spell that out specifically in the promotional materials? If it said "free shipping on all items over $150 and under 70 lb" I'd have absolutely no issues with it.



-Ryan

 

[Matt400]

this page specifically states that the UPS shipping weight limit is 150 lb.

Thats amazing, I sure didn't know that.

 

[JoshPeters]

I always figure there is a hitch.



I read all the fine print.



Then again, I've never had to order from them. They are only 20 miles from me... . no matter which direction I go!



Josh

 

[JasonBrown]

Maybe you're getting charged because the total weight of both items is over 150 pounds. Try to order them seperately on 2 different orders and see what you get.

 

[Koa Man]

I also have ordered stuff from Northern and all the things I got was as advertised. However, my good friend ordered a transmission jack that was advertised as being an Arcan, and when it arrived, it was not. It was also a little different from the picture. He called and complained to them about it. Northern told him it was "equivalent to the Arcan", which was out of stock at the time so they just sent him that one. All they offered was to credit him the cost of the jack plus $50 if he sent it back. Problem is round trip freight to and from Hawaii would be almost $200 and he needed a jack now. He kept it, but is not happy and will never order from them again.

 

[JoshPeters]

Wow Koa... that sux. It sounds like they tried to right thier wrong, with the exception of freight.



I don't understand how companies can get away with switching products like that... .



but it happens WAY to often!



Josh

 

[Cigar John]

You were robbed!

The promo said that items that do not qualify

have the truck ship logo next to them.

 

[nps]

Oversize packages and packages with a large size-to-weight ratio require special pricing and dimensional weight calculations

From your UPS page - sounds like even UPS is qualifying their 150lb limit.



But I think JasonBrown hit the issue - you've got to get over $150 on the single order without going over the weight limit.

 

[OL RATLR]

It goes on every day! I was watching a commerical the other nite on TV

about losing weight the blond took these pills and lost 47 pounds in

3 months and at the bottom of the advertisement it said in real small letters

not typical results. Go figure.

 

[y-knot]

I don't think Northern Tool did anything under-handed or tricky. i have been a Northern customer for some time and have always had great service and great pricing from them. I just ordered three electric heaters for my new garage yesterday. I have all the confidence in the world in them. You feel bad because you didn't get what you thought you should. But as most of us that buy large, heavy items know, UPS ground only applies to item weighing less then 70 lbs, and not over 5 feet high. Also, I am very impressed with how low the freight charges are with Northern Tool, many others try and stick it too you with the freight. Thinking they can recover some of the profits from a sales item by adding it in the freight.

 

[PKozlowski]

Excuse me! ?? They admitted a mistake? Where do they get off providing

customer service! ? How dare them. hehehe

It sure seems customer service or a company admitting a mix up is pretty rare these

days.



Makes me want to ask another question to you all. So many of us are quick to jump on someone when they screw up (me included).

But how many of us go the otherway and commend some one for doing it right?

I don't think the numbers would come out the same.

Just somthing to think about.

 

[rbattelle]

But how many of us go the otherway and commend some one for doing it right?

I don't mean to get on a soap box, but I always try to do this even when I'm getting poor service. For example, the supervisor to the nice lady from Northern who called me to tell me they screwed up got a snail-mail letter from me a few days after this incident that absolutely praised the woman (and Northern tool) for their handling of this situation.



I'm a firm believer that "you catch more flies with honey". All most people want is a little respect. Give it to them, and you'd be amazed what you get in return sometimes.



-Ryan

 

[MMeier]

I'm a firm believer that "you catch more flies with honey". All most people want is a little respect. Give it to them, and you'd be amazed what you get in return sometimes.



-Ryan

Hmmmm... interesting qoute there Mr. Ryan... ...

 

[Turbo1Ton]

It is great to hear that they stepped up and took care of the customer. I have purchesed through them a few times and have been extremely happy with them.



I have a friend who lives in Atlanta and he gets to go to the stores! I hate it when he calls me and says "hey, I'm at Northern and am looking at ... " I just want to smack him around a little! Stores like that suck me in and I get lost looking at every last thing. Like a kid in a candy store!



Jeff

 

[JoshPeters]

They started Northern Tool here in MN... . they are everywhere! At pretty much any point in the Twin Cities Metro area, you are within 20min of one!



It's pretty sweet!



But... . I don't mean to rub it in... :-laf



Josh

 

[rivercat]

I personally think that NOTHERN TOOL is just a GLORYFIED harbour freight same sorry products -most of the off brand stuff- with a higher price.

FLAME me all you want! I surely don't like the selection,products or pricing at my local store.