PILOON
Super Star Member
YES communications is a must.
There are so many merchants that forget that essential business tool.
How many out there have a web site and nobody to man it, (or simply add that task to the receptionist's role).
As a customer what is acceptable to you?
- Thread starter bdog
- Start date
- Views: 35013
There are so many merchants that forget that essential business tool.
How many out there have a web site and nobody to man it, (or simply add that task to the receptionist's role).
Bearsixty7
Veteran Member
Well I am near a major metroplex (DFW) so I am sure that is a major factor but I still get some items next day, and a lot of items in 2 days.
As for Amazon being the cheapest, many times they are if all things are considered. With amazon, their inventory and delivery date is usually correct here. If I shop local stores online, even though it says in stock, I often go there and they are out. For a couple years now I learned to order online for curbside pickup. This forces them to find it and have it ready or to notify me they don't actually have it. Saves me fuel, tire costs and my time, the convenience is nice as well (Plus I don't buy something else I see that I don't necessarily need
). Things that you have to figure in on the cost.
Yesterday. Two days. And I ordered another today, delivery scheduled for Sunday. But I think that is part of the reason for so many different opinions about Amazon. I have some deliveries the same day. Yes, I said the same day. Most are one or two days.
I also look at the delivery date before I order. I usually only order items shipped by Amazon. Why is that you may asked? Because Amazon.com ships from many warehouses, and one is in Lenexa KS, about 30 miles from me. Their Transportation system is also located next to the warehouse. And that is probably why I can say that I rarely get delivery more than two days.
I also think if Amazon took 5 days, I would not order order. I am also spoiled. I probably would be pissed somewhat. They also deliver on Sunday. And my shipping is free with prime. If not, I don't order products unless eligible for Prime. You are right, once you pay $120, it is gone.
I also look at the delivery date before I order. I usually only order items shipped by Amazon. Why is that you may asked? Because Amazon.com ships from many warehouses, and one is in Lenexa KS, about 30 miles from me. Their Transportation system is also located next to the warehouse. And that is probably why I can say that I rarely get delivery more than two days.
I also think if Amazon took 5 days, I would not order order. I am also spoiled. I probably would be pissed somewhat. They also deliver on Sunday. And my shipping is free with prime. If not, I don't order products unless eligible for Prime. You are right, once you pay $120, it is gone.
RammerJammer
Member
I live near a decent sized city with one of those Blamazon Distribution Centers 15 miles away. Even though my family tries our best to avoid doing business with Blamazon, now and then, we wind up using them as a last resort. (Recently, for a particular item: eBay/China, failed, eBay/NJ failed and eBay/Kalifornia failed. So, off to Blamazon.)
Because we have NEVER ordered 'next-day' or 'same-day' from them, I have no experience with that. But, with regular, 2-day or whatever they call it:
Even though Blamazon has local delivery vehicles, when the ordered items are dispatched by the "local" center, the package goes to a considerably larger city 160 or more miles away in a different state only to be processed and sent back to my area for delivery by USPS!
So, to recap, a locally shipped package makes a 320 PLUS mile journey instead of being put on a local delivery vehicle and driven 15 miles to its destination. All the while being on AT LEAST three, different vehicles and being processed/transferred AT LEAST twice.
LOCAL -> 160 miles -> Processed -> 160 miles -> USPS -> Me
So, tell me again why the building of the local distribution center was so important? (As Blamazon and the local media claimed.) And, how it will speed deliveries?
Makes you wonder where these guys go for lunch and if it takes all day! By the way, you think they store all of that "Alexa" eaves-dropped audio on hard drives or what? And, when they decide to use your wi-fi for your neighbor's Blamazon devices, do they notify or pay you? Blamo-fi
I love technology - Just not the kind that Blamazon offers. And, now, to a certain degree, I've added Wyze to that list. crApple heads the list and was the founding member!
Because we have NEVER ordered 'next-day' or 'same-day' from them, I have no experience with that. But, with regular, 2-day or whatever they call it:
Even though Blamazon has local delivery vehicles, when the ordered items are dispatched by the "local" center, the package goes to a considerably larger city 160 or more miles away in a different state only to be processed and sent back to my area for delivery by USPS!
So, to recap, a locally shipped package makes a 320 PLUS mile journey instead of being put on a local delivery vehicle and driven 15 miles to its destination. All the while being on AT LEAST three, different vehicles and being processed/transferred AT LEAST twice.
LOCAL -> 160 miles -> Processed -> 160 miles -> USPS -> Me
So, tell me again why the building of the local distribution center was so important? (As Blamazon and the local media claimed.) And, how it will speed deliveries?
Makes you wonder where these guys go for lunch and if it takes all day! By the way, you think they store all of that "Alexa" eaves-dropped audio on hard drives or what? And, when they decide to use your wi-fi for your neighbor's Blamazon devices, do they notify or pay you? Blamo-fi
I love technology - Just not the kind that Blamazon offers. And, now, to a certain degree, I've added Wyze to that list. crApple heads the list and was the founding member!
^^^^
As you've already pointed out, you aren't paying for that local service. It's not exclusive to Amazon. Last year I had to get a deposit to a nearby realtor. I was driving right past their office but it was closed, so I dropped the check off at the post office. That was on Friday.
He received it the following Tuesday.
As you've already pointed out, you aren't paying for that local service. It's not exclusive to Amazon. Last year I had to get a deposit to a nearby realtor. I was driving right past their office but it was closed, so I dropped the check off at the post office. That was on Friday.
He received it the following Tuesday.
Root Cause
Platinum Member
Just in Time morphed into something very fragile. When you disrupt the flow, it creates the vapor lock throughout the process.
Global companies used to operate like a buffet. Food was cooked with the expectation that the same number of people would show up today as yesterday. (You got what you wanted, right then!)
But hey learned that bad ingredients spoil the whole batch. Big batch, big loss. Rain comes and no one shows up. Their cash is always tied up in the prepared food sitting in that $50,000 frig they had to buy. That cash could be used to invest in a lot of other things besides refrigerators, employees at the line, and Sterno food warmers.
They became short-order grills. They won't make it until it's ordered and paid for by the customer. They run it in small batches so the first one in line has to wait until 30 more order the same thing. (Does, "Your item is on backorder sound familiar?)
Next, they stopped keeping the eggs in ham in the frig. Raw products = cash and it was continuously tied up so they pushed back to the supplier to have it on standby making them use their frig and their cash. (You just ordered breakfast and the egg guy just got the call to bring a dozen eggs. (You wait for just a little longer now).
Fast forward 20 years and the small companies who support the big ones have started doing the same thing. Covid hits and the dominoes fall clear back to the raw materials companies.
All that to say that all companies have gotten leaner and the response time for each step has gotten longer. Few are willing to hire more or invest more capital when it may all break down again soon. We all know that it is better to run a tractor or truck every day rather than have it sitting for long stretches and this why, I think, we are all struggling today.
Global companies used to operate like a buffet. Food was cooked with the expectation that the same number of people would show up today as yesterday. (You got what you wanted, right then!)
But hey learned that bad ingredients spoil the whole batch. Big batch, big loss. Rain comes and no one shows up. Their cash is always tied up in the prepared food sitting in that $50,000 frig they had to buy. That cash could be used to invest in a lot of other things besides refrigerators, employees at the line, and Sterno food warmers.
They became short-order grills. They won't make it until it's ordered and paid for by the customer. They run it in small batches so the first one in line has to wait until 30 more order the same thing. (Does, "Your item is on backorder sound familiar?)
Next, they stopped keeping the eggs in ham in the frig. Raw products = cash and it was continuously tied up so they pushed back to the supplier to have it on standby making them use their frig and their cash. (You just ordered breakfast and the egg guy just got the call to bring a dozen eggs. (You wait for just a little longer now).
Fast forward 20 years and the small companies who support the big ones have started doing the same thing. Covid hits and the dominoes fall clear back to the raw materials companies.
All that to say that all companies have gotten leaner and the response time for each step has gotten longer. Few are willing to hire more or invest more capital when it may all break down again soon. We all know that it is better to run a tractor or truck every day rather than have it sitting for long stretches and this why, I think, we are all struggling today.
GoldenCityMuse
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2016
- Messages
- 109
- Location
- Catron County, NM
- Tractor
- Cabela's LM 55 HST Cab [like TYM 554]
Ahh, Just In Time. It works great when it works, but then it doesn't.
Well, I'm giving away my big secret, but I use AMazon Warehouse and Keepa to order parts for my cars at very low prices.
I go through Amazon for my vehicle, like my 1993 S-10 Blazer, and search for the usual consumable parts, shocks, brake shoes and pads, injectors, door switches, even radiators.
I set up a price watch using keepa, and look at the history of used /amazon warehouse prices, and set it appropriately.
I also used to use RockAuto a lot for parts, but their shipping is fairly expensive.
This can also be applied to anything that Amazon sells for the home or garden.
If it is shown in Amazon warehouse, you know it is in stock here in the US.
I just buy $25 worth and use the cheap free shipping, because I have it ahead of time.
Well, I'm giving away my big secret, but I use AMazon Warehouse and Keepa to order parts for my cars at very low prices.
I go through Amazon for my vehicle, like my 1993 S-10 Blazer, and search for the usual consumable parts, shocks, brake shoes and pads, injectors, door switches, even radiators.
I set up a price watch using keepa, and look at the history of used /amazon warehouse prices, and set it appropriately.
I also used to use RockAuto a lot for parts, but their shipping is fairly expensive.
This can also be applied to anything that Amazon sells for the home or garden.
If it is shown in Amazon warehouse, you know it is in stock here in the US.
I just buy $25 worth and use the cheap free shipping, because I have it ahead of time.
Pixguy
Elite Member
I am in the lake region and I'll usually receive my prime items anywhere from 2-5 days so it depends where you are in our state. I too look at the date "promised" before I hit "Buy"
If I'm in Florida for the winter where there's a warehouse nearby, I can order an item by 6pm and if it's in THAT warehouse, I'll receive it the next day sometimes by a kid in a regular car, even in a gated community but like many we see the Amazon vans all over the place.
Vic139
New member
I deliberately omitted that information. My intent on this thread is not to bash a company. I really wonder if I as a customer am being unreasonable or if enough is enough.
I ponder a lot about this and my opinion seems to go back and forth. I don’t doubt the vendor is having issues getting their materials and are doing all they can. They are super friendly and apologetic when you talk to them. The other side of the coin though is the burden is totally on the customer. By that I mean they got their money up front. Yeah they have to listen to people complain but they aren‘t the ones waiting months beyond when something was promised to get it. Then I start thinking about maybe this vendor shouldn’t be selling these things if they don’t have the materials to make them. I would assume they know what they are doing and are in tune with the logistics of their industry. Maybe they shouldn’t be selling a ton of their products when they aren’t capable of making them as promised? Maybe sales should be paused until they catch up? Maybe they should find a more realistic method of determining wait times and then add cushion on to it? If you tell someone something is going to take eight months to get and they go ahead and order and it shows up in five months you will have a happy customer. If you tell them it will take five months and they order and it takes eight they are going to be angry. I don’t know. All I know is it just leaves a very sour taste in the customers mouth.
