Ecklers=High shipping charges

[Irby G.]

Just wondering if anyone else out there is running into the same issues that I'm facing with Ecklers. I've ordered from everyone out there that has corvette parts and these guys are by FAR the most expensive that I have run into. On top of the high prices, they are the most unwilling to work with you to use another shipper. Now, I'm in Hawaii, so I'm normally trying to convince the supplier to use USPS Priority and they just about always comply. Either that or they'll convince UPS to ship to Hawaii via Ground. It's just that these guys will not be flexible at all.
I guess that's what the Hawaiians call 'paradise tax'.

[Edward S.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Recently bought a t-shirt, for what the postage was I could have almost bought another shirt. It's been so long that I ordered from someone other than LIC I thought I got out of touch.

[Pete B.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Right on!!! Yesterday I ordered a few items as the had a special 2 day only sale. not only was the shipping high but the prices were higher than Paragon. Lesson learned

[John D.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Irby, Someone is pulling your leg. UPS only ships 1st or 2nd day to Hawaii period. The cheapest way to ship there is the post office. Other than that it cost a small fortune.
Anyone that told you they convinced UPS to ship ground is not telling you the truth. I agree with you though. It's truely amazing what it costs to ship to Hawaii. JD

[Stuart F.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

I seldom use Eckler's any more as they are just too much into late model Vettes and tri five Chevy's. They do occasionally have a good sale on something and I try to take advantage of the fact they are only 45 minutes away on the coast. Most everything they do carry for vintage Vettes they buy from one of the other houses and add on profit. Better to go to the source, i.e. Paragon, CC, LIC or DocRebuild, etc.

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

A number of catalog/retail organizations don't want to use USPS and cling to UPS exclusively... There are several reasons.

(1) Convenience...they're a daily UPS pickup point and UPS comes to them at the close of business vs. having to put a clerk in a car to stand on-line at post office to get the package out at the last minute of the work day.

(2) It used to be USPS visibility for in-transit packages was DARN poor compared to UPS and FedEx who take end-to-end responsibility. When USPS goes outside the country, they rely on their correspondent postal partner (e.g. Royal Mail in Great Britian) to complete the link...

Customers have gotten used to calling the shipper with inquiry/complaint issues and the for-profit carriers can tell INSTANTLY where this/that is in their system plus provide proof of delivery. But, great strides have been made by USPS in catching up here!

(3) The last item may be the clincher... The major private carriers like FedEx and UPS offer volume based discounts to lure and maintain their customers. These can run as high as 45%.

Few pass these along to the buyer! This can be an area of 'profit improvement' to the shipper that's inobvious to you, the buyer...

[Bruce B.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

USPS has made many improvements to thier system.

1. They will pick up packages at the sending address at no charge when they deliver your regular mail.
2. With Delivery Confirmation you can sort of track the item and find out exactly when it was delivered.
3. Their Priority Mail rates are less then UPS in many cases. Free flat rate boxes and flat rate envelopes are great deals if the Item will fit in them. Other packaging is also free.
4. USPS International Priority Mail rates are typically twice the domestic rate but usually far less then UPS. Of course there are exceptions to what I stated.

And last, the shippers are usually making money on shipping, so why change.

I just got (2 minutes ago) a part ( a small 10 ounce VW heat shield) for $14.95, the shipping and handling cost was $10.44. The shipper made at least $5.00 by using a UPS free carton, Free UPS software and lables and free UPS pickup.
But thats business, I guess.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

A number of catalog/retail organizations don't want to use USPS and cling to UPS exclusively... There are several reasons.

(1) Convenience...they're a daily UPS pickup point and UPS comes to them at the close of business vs. having to put a clerk in a car to stand on-line at post office to get the package out at the last minute of the work day.

(2) It used to be USPS visibility for in-transit packages was DARN poor compared to UPS and FedEx who take end-to-end responsibility. When USPS goes outside the country, they rely on their correspondent postal partner (e.g. Royal Mail in Great Britian) to complete the link...

Customers have gotten used to calling the shipper with inquiry/complaint issues and the for-profit carriers can tell INSTANTLY where this/that is in their system plus provide proof of delivery. But, great strides have been made by USPS in catching up here!

(3) The last item may be the clincher... The major private carriers like FedEx and UPS offer volume based discounts to lure and maintain their customers. These can run as high as 45%.

Few pass these along to the buyer! This can be an area of 'profit improvement' to the shipper that's inobvious to you, the buyer...

I agree with Jack 100%, but want to add one final point.
In those rare instances where a part is lost or damaged during shipping, and an insurance claim is filed, the nightmare begins when dealing with the US Postal System. I'm talking larger dollar amounts, a class of shipments that many rare Corvette parts fall into.
Getting the USPS to pay an insurance claim, after the shipper has paid for insurance coverage, is like pulling teeth.
UPS, or FedEx may require additional infromation on large claims, and umderstandably conduct an internal investigation, but no one has to beg them for the claim to be paid.
I've shipped thousands of parts over the past 35 years. I don't use USPS, unless I absolutely have to. The Federal Government can really run nationalized businesses well, as proven by the USPS.
Ridge.

[Jack H.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Well, UPS used to have a secret 'no pay' claim policy where they'd run you ragged. But, I think that was resolved a few years ago when they were served with a class action law suit...

On 'run-around' from the USPS regarding insurance claims, just try collecting on an international shipment. Then, you'll see a REAL dog and pony story in a circus environment!

But, on three occassions where USPS failed to deliver international parcels for me, ALL THREE were rather promptly resolved when I supplied the receipient with the USPS customs/tracking ID and he initiated the search in his home country...

[Grant M.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Although only occasionally used, I've had very good experiences with USPS shipping from the US to Canada, from both a price and delivery/package condition standpoint. A few years ago I even 'mailed' a neon sign purchased at the Kissimmee/Old Town meet and had it arrive in less than the forecast three weeks (snail rate--ground shipment because of the neon), plus the packaging marked 'fragile' was absolutely pristine.

I also know that from this end, Canada Post and USPS cooperate in tracking shipments, in that I can track a parcel online from the post office here in Canada until arrival at destination in the US.

The high border 'brokerage' fees charged by UPS and Fedex are what motivates me to stay away from them; too many occasions of brokerage fees approaching the order cost for a few small parts...I suspect that's another money-making aspect of using those services, although the profit therein goes to the courier companies.

Corvette Central has registered itself as a collector for Canada Customs and has a rather simple and reasonably-priced shipping regime for us Canadians.

grant

[Richard C.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

UPS does ship by a service they call Ground from NY to Hawaii is 5 days
(it might not be all ground, but that is what they call it)
vs Next day air $$$ 1 day
or 2nd day air $$ 2 day

(I do not ship by US Post as we have had a terrible time getting paid for claims with them - also when you add all the extras (delivery confirmation, insurance etc) the price comes pretty close to UPS rates)

Kim/LICorvette

[Pierre J.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Although only occasionally used, I've had very good experiences with USPS shipping from the US to Canada, from both a price and delivery/package condition standpoint. A few years ago I even 'mailed' a neon sign purchased at the Kissimmee/Old Town meet and had it arrive in less than the forecast three weeks (snail rate--ground shipment because of the neon), plus the packaging marked 'fragile' was absolutely pristine.

I also know that from this end, Canada Post and USPS cooperate in tracking shipments, in that I can track a parcel online from the post office here in Canada until arrival at destination in the US.

The high border 'brokerage' fees charged by UPS and Fedex are what motivates me to stay away from them; too many occasions of brokerage fees approaching the order cost for a few small parts...I suspect that's another money-making aspect of using those services, although the profit therein goes to the courier companies.

Corvette Central has registered itself as a collector for Canada Customs and has a rather simple and reasonably-priced shipping regime for us Canadians.

grant

I agree, I had good luck using USPS for parcels shipped to Canada from the US. Can't say the same for UPS and Fedex, their delivery service is OK but the extra charges are obscene at best even when shipped from Corvette Central.
There is currently a class action in Canada against both UPS and Fedex to explain their "extra" charges.

http://www.merchantlaw.com/courier.html

Pierre

[Stewart A.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Don't be wining, I have just received a DeWitts radiator. Cost of radiator was $500 it landed at my feet for a grand total of $1400 beat that !!! Us Aussies have it hard.
stewy

[Stephen R.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Around here, Philly, UPS destroys most of what is shipped . About 98% of the items I have received are damaged in some manner. There is also a story of a rear axle that was shipped and was delivered with a 30 degree bend in it. fedEx is the way to go here, quick reliable and no damage.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Ecklers=High shipping charges

Well, UPS used to have a secret 'no pay' claim policy where they'd run you ragged. But, I think that was resolved a few years ago when they were served with a class action law suit...

On 'run-around' from the USPS regarding insurance claims, just try collecting on an international shipment. Then, you'll see a REAL dog and pony story in a circus environment!

But, on three occassions where USPS failed to deliver international parcels for me, ALL THREE were rather promptly resolved when I supplied the receipient with the USPS customs/tracking ID and he initiated the search in his home country...

I agree. If you have a lost shippment you stand a chance. I had a clock shipped from France. Well packed in a wood box. It looked like it got dropped from a 2 story window. I did everything that was ask of me which was a lot & they still would not pay. The funny thing is that the guy I bought it from in Franch worked for the French post office & tried the best he could to help me. NO LUCK. The USPS tracking system is a joke.
KEN