Dear So and So

[Bad JuJu]

Dear So and So,

Please stop taking out your frustrations on me and the people around you. Find a new way to relieve your stress. I don't like having to walk on eggshells to avoid your landmine-like temper. Then minutes later you act like nothing is wrong at all. I'm afraid to even talk to you anymore.

Firenze

I feel your pain. I have a colleague that I avoid as if she were a mound of fire ants--too bad because we have the basis of what could be a nice little friendship--shared professional and personal interests. Sadly, though, she's neither trustworthy nor even-tempered. Rumor has it she's going on the job market, so things are looking up.

[redrhodie]

Dear Super Star,

Yes, I googled your address. You moved to my town, and I figured your estate was on my route. Well, now I seem to have a virus that's not letting me use mapquest, or google maps, or yahoo maps.

I was just mildly curious. I should have the right to look at a map again!

[Andrea]

Dear Nashbar and Performance Bike,

I like your low prices, but your practice of profiting from your shipping charges is enough to make me never shop with you again.

First, you charge shipping not by weight/size, but by cost of order! WTF?

Next, I pay for 2nd day air and you ship it ground because it *should* get to me at the same time, but then when noone is in my front office, the shipper delays my delivery until the third day. You give me a partial shipping refund to try and appease me, but maybe you should have just done right in the first place

Finally, the next (LAST!) time I order, I think I am wising up and only pay for ground shipping, however, your "ground" shipping is FedEx smartpost- a bulk-mail collaboration between FedEx and USPS that takes up to 10 days to make a delivery. I check shipping rates for that method and it's less than half of what I paid.

I already used the internet sparingly for purchases (go LBS!), but I've had it with you guys. You've officially lost a customer.

[IFjane]

Dear Nashbar and Performance Bike,

I like your low prices, but your practice of profiting from your shipping charges is enough to make me never shop with you again.

First, you charge shipping not by weight/size, but by cost of order! WTF?

Next, I pay for 2nd day air and you ship it ground because it *should* get to me at the same time, but then when noone is in my front office, the shipper delays my delivery until the third day. You give me a partial shipping refund to try and appease me, but maybe you should have just done right in the first place

Finally, the next (LAST!) time I order, I think I am wising up and only pay for ground shipping, however, your "ground" shipping is FedEx smartpost- a bulk-mail collaboration between FedEx and USPS that takes up to 10 days to make a delivery. I check shipping rates for that method and it's less than half of what I paid.

I already used the internet sparingly for purchases (go LBS!), but I've had it with you guys. You've officially lost a customer.

I can't say I use the internet sparingly, Andrea, but I am in complete agreement with you regarding Performance & Nashbar. Add to that list Barnes & Noble.....especially if you are waiting for textbooks!

[Red Rock]

Andrea and IFjane:

Thankyou for the information on these outlets. I realized that there was something funky going on with the shipping although I never really questioned it much. I will keep this in the back of my mind when I go shopping there-or not.

Are there not any businesses that are out there, that will not scam your money and give you a fair price for what you want?

On the Barnes and Noble, is it the same thing even if you go to on outlet store?

Red Rock

[IFjane]

RR - I don't know about B&N outlets. I have never tried. To be perfectly honest (warning: shameless plug ahead!) I check with my DD who works at www.strandbooks.com before I buy a book anywhere else any more. Unless I happen to be IN a B&N, then I cave to whatever looks interesting!

As for cycling gear - TE is the absolute best, hands down. They don't have everything (bike parts, etc.), but for what they do have, the shipping is reasonable and FAST. I am talking about from the left coast to the right in a couple days. Amazing. (and no, I don't work for them - but I'll take discount coupons in exchange, Sue...)

[Velobambina]

Agree with you, Jane.

Awhile back, someone posted about Performance charging a few cents more to credit cards---the amounts didn't match the order and/or invoices. When I returned something to them last summer, they did not credit my credit card. Instead, they wanted me to call them so they could suggest an alternate item. I won't order from them again.

I'm willing to pay more for honest, customer-oriented service. TE definitely falls into this category.