clam

clam

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This may get deleted under the category of "vendor bashing", but it is not intended as such. The intent is to highlight a current policy that doesn't make sense (to me).

I try to order anything I can from Van's store, not because the prices are the lowest, but to support the mothership. Recently I ordered a single clevis that was in-stock and selected shipping "least expensive". After four days of the order status listed as "pending", I inquired. I was told that the "least expensive" option means, "Your order is to be shipped least expensive. This means it will get shipped with in the week of placing your order."

Are they comparing shipping rates all week and then selecting the cheapest one of the week? I don't understand why the part sits all week and then ships. The in-house order processing surely can't be any different.

I've asked for further clarification, nothing received yet.

Again, I'm not trying to "bash" Van's. I love Van's. Like a brother from another mother. But I don't follow this one. Maybe it's just me being grumpy...
 
I dont know about relation to "least expensive" shipping, but when I order a single or small batch of parts from Vans's these days, shipping is usally about a week after ordering. I just accept it as part of the post Chapter 11 operations. YMMV.
 
clam said:
This may get deleted under the category of "vendor bashing", but it is not intended as such. The intent is to highlight a current policy that doesn't make sense (to me).

I try to order anything I can from Van's store, not because the prices are the lowest, but to support the mothership. Recently I ordered a single clevis that was in-stock and selected shipping "least expensive". After four days of the order status listed as "pending", I inquired. I was told that the "least expensive" option means, "Your order is to be shipped least expensive. This means it will get shipped with in the week of placing your order."

Are they comparing shipping rates all week and then selecting the cheapest one of the week? I don't understand why the part sits all week and then ships. The in-house order processing surely can't be any different.

I've asked for further clarification, nothing received yet.

Again, I'm not trying to "bash" Van's. I love Van's. Like a brother from another mother. But I don't follow this one. Maybe it's just me being grumpy...
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I think that more and more vendors are realizing that shipping cost is a major factor in customer's decision on which vendor to use.

ACS has it down to a science.

I sure hope that Van's will include shipping cost calculation in their on-line shopping system.

Finn
 
If you do least expensive they seem to assume it’s also not a rush. I noticed if I do 3 day air 2 day air or overnight they ship much more quickly if not same or next day.
 
clam said:
This may get deleted under the category of "vendor bashing", but it is not intended as such. The intent is to highlight a current policy that doesn't make sense (to me).

I try to order anything I can from Van's store, not because the prices are the lowest, but to support the mothership. Recently I ordered a single clevis that was in-stock and selected shipping "least expensive". After four days of the order status listed as "pending", I inquired. I was told that the "least expensive" option means, "Your order is to be shipped least expensive. This means it will get shipped with in the week of placing your order."

Are they comparing shipping rates all week and then selecting the cheapest one of the week? I don't understand why the part sits all week and then ships. The in-house order processing surely can't be any different.

I've asked for further clarification, nothing received yet.

Again, I'm not trying to "bash" Van's. I love Van's. Like a brother from another mother. But I don't follow this one. Maybe it's just me being grumpy...
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I don’t know if it’s vendor bashing but it is negative and we have enough of that.

Builder Tip
If you are actively building an RV and ordering parts from Vans try all the shipping options to see what best suits you. I did and sure enough the least expensive method was least expensive and slower.
 
When I was building, I combine a list of goofed up parts and order them all at one time to save on the shipping. I can't build it that fast anyway. I usually get the order a week after order, and this was before covid and before ch11. I always find shipping from small companies takes more time and cost more than the big-internet conglomerates such as Amazon or Walmart or even McMaster-Carr. I can't believe we are complaining about this now. Geez, I like the old days when people post about how to build stuff.
 
"Least expensive" could also be in relation to Van's handling cost. They have to find the part, find a box, fill with popcorn, tape it shut...
So they wait until there's a slow(er) period in Shipping to get the cheap stuff shipped. (Guessing, but makes sense to me)
 
i'm a new owner of a RV7. I ordered a few items for it and experienced the same thing. I had NO idea that clicking "least expensive" would mean that it won't ship out until the following week? Never experienced this before ordering anything. I guess now I know and will plan accordingly for future orders.
 
hgerhardt said:
"Least expensive" could also be in relation to Van's handling cost. They have to find the part, find a box, fill with popcorn, tape it shut...
So they wait until there's a slow(er) period in Shipping to get the cheap stuff shipped. (Guessing, but makes sense to me)
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+1. It’s this. ‘Lowest cost’ also means Vans’ cost. They’ll get to it when they have a lull. ‘Expedited’ means they’ll pull someone off another job and ship today.
 
Well, I recently placed a small order for .063 aluminum, a handful of nut plates, and some other small hardware, all valued around $40, and they didn't charge me for shipping at all. Through USPS, in a manilla envelope probably cost about $3 to ship. I appreciated not getting slammed for shipping. It did take a couple of weeks, but I wasn't in a big hurry anyway.
 
This isn't vendor bashing to note that Vans customer service and responsiveness leaves a lot to be desired. My guess is that they are understaffed in order fulfillment because of the Chapter 11 filing. I'm sure that when it comes down to customer service and responsiveness versus saving money, there's no contest.
 
I order a few things two weeks ago and chose least expensive. I inquired as to when it would be shipped out and was told that there was about a week backlog on filling and shipping orders. Actual time from shipped to arrival was three days to AZ.
 
If you know the size of your parts order, just select USPS. It’s usually the least expensive. It takes their decision out of there hands. They just pack it in fixed rate box or envelope. I would select “least expensive” if I were purchasing a size dependent item.
 
Jonnyb said:
Does nobody read the notice on the store website?
"We expect new orders received today will ship within approximately one week."
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Not always the case. I ordered parts to build a RV8 rudder on 9/19. I just received the shipping notice today. I didn’t order as a rudder kit, but as a parts order minus a few items. The parts price was much less than the kit. Go figure.
 
clam said:
This may get deleted under the category of "vendor bashing", but it is not intended as such. The intent is to highlight a current policy that doesn't make sense (to me).

I try to order anything I can from Van's store, not because the prices are the lowest, but to support the mothership. Recently I ordered a single clevis that was in-stock and selected shipping "least expensive". After four days of the order status listed as "pending", I inquired. I was told that the "least expensive" option means, "Your order is to be shipped least expensive. This means it will get shipped with in the week of placing your order."

Are they comparing shipping rates all week and then selecting the cheapest one of the week? I don't understand why the part sits all week and then ships. The in-house order processing surely can't be any different.

I've asked for further clarification, nothing received yet.

Again, I'm not trying to "bash" Van's. I love Van's. Like a brother from another mother. But I don't follow this one. Maybe it's just me being grumpy...
Click to expand...
Recently ordered small and medium items in separate orders, each least expensive selected and each turned round very quickly and shipped to UK no issues. Been impressed with turnaround times since recovery
 
Simon said:
Recently ordered small and medium items in separate orders, each least expensive selected and each turned round very quickly and shipped to UK no issues. Been impressed with turnaround times since recovery
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Me too!
 
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