AARGH SLOW SHIPPING!!

Mercury · **on:** April 21, 2011, 09:30:45 AM

Ok, prepare yourselves for another shipping rant.

I am kind of an instant gratification guy. I have gotten better over the years, but when I order a new gadget on the internets, I always select 3 day shipping. I'm too cheap for overnight, but I want it as fast as reasonably possible. I also practice what I preach, I always ship my ebay sold items within two business days, most of the time within one.

I placed an order on Gad-zooks.com last week on the 12th for a Swisschamp and a Spirit. I got an order confirmation, so I figured they would ship the stuff. They charged me $14 bucks for USPS first class (when I know quite well that the pocket knife and multitool that I ordered can be shipped for under $10). I was optimistic about receiving the items on saturday the 16th, because I paid in the late night hours of the 12th, meaning they should have shipped it on the 13th. Saturday came with no package, but I let it go, figuring that they had to have shipped it by Friday the 15th, so it would definitely be here on Monday. Monday came with no package. I sent an email to them as I was slightly agitated for paying $14 bucks and not getting my stuff within 5 days, because Amazon's free shipping usually gets it there within 5-6. No response to that email.

I got a shipping notification on the 19th, saying that my items had just been shipped! I was furious that no contact had been made by them especially after an inquiry, so I explained in another email that I should have been notified that it could take up to a week to ship my order; their Customer service tab is down on their site so i couldn't have read their policy even if it exists. I asked for a shipping refund in light of the fact that I could have gotten the stuff faster for free on another site, and got no response.

I checked the tracking number today, and lo and behold, they only printed the label on the 19th, it was actually sent out on the 20th! More than a week to package an order and ship it. I have never seen that anywhere. I emailed them again, but I have no confidence that my email will even be read. Sorry to rant about something that is probably pretty stupid, but I am a little frustrated at paying $14 for 10 day shipping on a package that fits in my mailbox. My stuff should arrive this Friday.

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:26:05 PM

I understand the rant mate. Most companies realise that once someone has paid for something they rather expect it to be sent out ASAP. Once it's in the hands of the postal service then it's out if their control but it should at least be sent the next working day.

The slightly suspicious part of me wants to ask; did they actually have your items in stock and were slow, or did they have to get them in from their wholesaler, hence the delay?

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:43:46 PM

We have heard other stories of poor customer service at Gad-Zooks, here on MT.O before.

I doubt I'd buy from them based on this and other stories.

parmenides · **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:56:00 PM

I can't stand that trick - print out a label and notify the buyer that the product was "shipped". That's really low.

Yes, unfortunately GZ has been doing this kind of thing for the past year or so as documented here. Their CS is basically nonexistent. The worst part, as you mention, is that they charge a premium for shipping.

I've had some ebay sellers do this from time to time, one notoriously so. I complained, though, and he seems to have stopped. In my experience with GZ they will refund your shipping once they begin to pay attention to your queries. Good luck.

Mercury · **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:01:44 PM

I love it here. I don't feel so irrational after talking to you guys!

Gareth,

I didn't think about the possibility that they had to order it, that is possible. If that's the case, they really need to tell you. Just a single apologetic email would have placated me so that I wouldn't be so irritated.

Parmenides,

I can't stand that postage trick either. It's not really a trick, the shipping agent sends it when they print the label, but they printed the smurfing thing at midnight.

I wish I'd read the poor stories in advance, I never would have ordered from them Well, lesson learned! Thanks for all the positive posts guys, it made me kinda laugh at the whole thing!