Do you mail-order a lot?

[Delphinus]

How often have you had a shipment never arrive?

I ask, because, I'm rather puzzled by the number of things that (over the years) I've ordered but never came. I'm curious if anyone else has this problem.

My latest thing is a Radium bulb. I ordered one back in May or June. Gave it until August before deciding it was never going to arrive so I asked the vendor to send another one. That one hasn't come yet, either. I don't think it should take more than a week or two when it's from within Canada... What's vexing is that this is not the first time something like this has happened to me. I wonder if somehow the shipping address is somehow wrong or if really indeed shipments are plundered (or otherwise lost) from time to time. So I'd really appreciate hearing about other people's experiences...

(Maybe Radiums are just really popular items and they indeed get pilfered. I just think it's odd though it's a rather specialized thing I can't really see that there's a large black market demand for them. )

[Aquattro]

Tony, I order a fair amount of stuff and have NEVER had anything even late. I did send a box of becketts to someone that got lost, but it did come back to me 4 months later.
I think it's more likely that the vendor forgot to send it and lied to you.

[AJ_77]

The odds that a person in the delivery chain would even KNOW what a "Radium bulb" is (and hopefully such a package would not be clearly marked), would be very small. The demand for such a specialty item is confined pretty much to a tiny segment of the population.

From the number and variety of stories from you regarding similar issues, I have to agree with Brad... this is way beyond coincidence.

[Delphinus]

Ok, thanks guys. I have spoken to the vendor and he is going to investigate what's going on ... maybe he has an issue with his pickup service. I'm told I'm not the only one with this problem, a number of shipments are late right now. I will extend the benefit of the doubt ....

[Jason McK]

I hope you don't mind but could I add to your questions about Mail order.

Most mail order companies are in the US. Have you found it that better of a deal getting stuff from the US or is it mainly things we can't get up here?

Jason


Please feel free to call me a thread high-jacker. I just thought it would fit

[Delphinus]

<gasp>

(No seriously, hijack away ... I don't mind. I do it all the time!! )

I find the answer is 'it depends.' You have to watch out for the dollar conversion, sometimes import duty is applicable, GST is always added and it also depends on shipping method (UPS versus postal service), how much the shipping agent charges for customs brokerage, etc.

For most things, I think, after all is said and done and all shipping and import costs are added, Canadian MO vendors offer pretty comparable deals to the likes of the deals you see in the US. (Usually.)

[Jason McK]

Thanks Tony

To answer your question: I've only had one problem with mail order from the US and I hounded the dealer and they were very good at following up with my concerns

J

[Aquattro]

I think the issue here is with a Canadian vendor. Tony?

[Samw]

I think all packages sent to and from the US using postal service now have tracking numbers including the cheapest service. Using postal service, I've had parts take 3-4 weeks to arrive when the service was suppose to be 5-10 days. Haven't lost anything yet using postal service.

UPS on the other hand did lose some car parts of mine once and took about 4 months to arrive.

As for mail order across Canada, I don't do it much. I've probably only ordered 1 thing every 2 years across Canada and it's arrived on time each time.

[EmilyB]

Well, I mail order practically everything. Canada, US you name it. I can get my product within 7-10 days via post in either case.

I've only had a problem with one shipment, and one vendor, and Tony, I believe you know the details on that already.