Bestop BS

[melendez69]

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[Deleted User 38384]

I'm not much of a complainer. In fact, it is very rare. And I am quick to praise a vendor or company when they do something well, which usually is simply providing a good product or service at a reasonable price. But this one is an irritant and it is from a highly respected vendor with whom I have been a customer since I had my YJ in the 1990's. Yep, 30 years. It is from @Bestop which is one of the best Jeep vendors in existence, in most ways.

I tried to order a little parts kit....two simple bikini top straps with snaps on them, for $18, which I think is slightly steep, but ok. No biggie. So I called to order and the shipping charge was $15. I suggested simply putting it in an envelope and sending them via USPS, which should just cost a few bucks. Nope. the best they can do is Fed Ex for $15.

Sorry, Bestop, but this is ridiculous.

I will make the replacement straps myself.

If I worked for Bestop and took this call, I would get a manilla envelope, stick these in there, address it and put it on the business office's postal machine, add it to the bill, and send it USPS. It would cost a few bucks, tops.

But that would require someone to actually think and have a mind toward customer service.

NO WAY I'm paying $34 for two simple straps with snaps on them. That's just silly.

I love Bestop and their products. I'll continue to be a customer. But I regret seeing that employees are not empowered nor conditioned to make creative solutions, even if the customer gives them one on a platter.

As for the targa mesh top....It is awesome. It has lasted years and the straps just wore out from use. The top is one of the best options out there. So I'll give two thumbs-up for that piece of gear. I'll be figuring out the strap material and straps, likely from Amazon, and I should be able to make these for a few dollars.

Maybe Bestop should sell parts kits through an Amazon store. That'd be quick and easy and would avoid this kind of unusual and ridiculous pricing scenario.

Rant over.

I for one agree with you, it's not that the package cost $15 to ship. That's their general charge. They charge that as a minimum. Meaning if it cost them $5 to ship it via FedEx, which very well it could, they'll charge you $15 anyways and pocket the extra 10. It's a way companies go about upcharging you.

Honestly it's very scamworthy. If I were you I would look on Amazon, five bucks says they have something that will work, if not the exact same bestop brand straps themselves. Free shipping with Amazon prime!!

 

[yokramer]

I for one agree with you, it's not that the package cost $15 to ship. That's their general charge. They charge that as a minimum. Meaning if it cost them $5 to ship it via FedEx, which very well it could, they'll charge you $15 anyways and pocket the extra 10. It's a way companies go about upcharging you.

Honestly it's very scamworthy. If I were you I would look on Amazon, five bucks says they have something that will work, if not the exact same bestop brand straps themselves. Free shipping with Amazon prime!!

Except for that ever rising yearly subscription your paying, and the shit working conditions for the warehouse workers, and drivers. But yea FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING BOIS!!!

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Except for that ever rising yearly subscription your paying, and the shit working conditions for the warehouse workers, and drivers. But yea FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING BOIS!!!

Honestly as much as we use Amazon in our house, I'd be apt to pay $50 a month. I mean shipping alone would be probably sextuple that if not more every month.

I should be getting my Coleman 70 quart ice chest today from Amazon, with free shipping!! Gotta Love Capitalism!!!

 

[yokramer]

Honestly as much as we use Amazon in our house, I'd be apt to pay $50 a month. I mean shipping alone would be probably sextuple that if not more every month.

I should be getting my Coleman 70 quart ice chest today from Amazon, with free shipping!! Gotta Love Capitalism!!!

Shit man you would think with all the chineese garbage you buy and pay crazy shipping prices on you would understand shipping shit isnt cheap lol

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Shit man you would think with all the chineese garbage you buy and pay crazy shipping prices on you would understand shipping shit isnt cheap lol

Actually I don't pay crazy prices on shipping. Most of the Chinese shit I bought had free shipping. In fact that's one of the things I would always look for.

Shipping isn't a solid rate. $15 come on we both know that's an upcharge.

You ever ship Christmas gifts? We shipped snow globes to all the grandkids last year, four different houses in different sections of the country, total only came up to $45. And those things aren't lightweight. You going to tell me some fabric straps weigh more than a snow globe?

I haven't purchased from them in a while, but there's this local brand of coffee I like to buy from Princeton Texas, I live in Anna, which is about 20 minute drive. They want $15 for one bag of coffee shipping, if I get two bags of coffee, it's also $15, if I buy three bags of coffee it's free shipping.

It's an upcharge.

 

[yokramer]

Actually I don't pay crazy prices on shipping. Most of the Chinese shit I bought had free shipping. In fact that's one of the things I would always look for.

Shipping isn't a solid rate. $15 come on we both know that's an upcharge.

You ever ship Christmas gifts? We shipped snow globes to all the grandkids last year, four different houses in different sections of the country, total only came up to $45. And those things aren't lightweight. You going to tell me some fabric straps weigh more than a snow globe?

I haven't purchased from them in a while, but there's this local brand of coffee I like to buy from Princeton Texas, I live in Anna, which is about 20 minute drive. They want $15 for one bag of coffee shipping, if I get two bags of coffee, it's also $15, if I buy three bags of coffee it's free shipping.

It's an upcharge.

Its standardized shipping process. UPS and Fedex charge what they charge, and once you get into Dimensional Weight it gets SUPER expensive. Ive shipped thousands of packages in a warehouse setting and $10-15 for shipping a small box with light weight parts isnt out of the ordinary. Its what shipping costs.

In your coffee example it probably costs them around $10 to ship a single bag due to the size of the boxes they use because keeping an excessive amount of boxes takes up space and cost far more than keeping 2-4 sizes and packing the empty space with filler. Then the 2nd bag doesnt change the shipping price being in the same box as 1 bag, and then they make enough profit on 3 to not charge the shipping.

They arent trying to pull one over on you and gonna make record profits on shipping, generally shipping things loses money for most businesses or breaks even in the best of years.

Then add in the whole premise of this thread and expecting a business to change their SOP for a single customer is insanely entitled.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

In your coffee example it probably costs them around $10 to ship a single bag due to the size of the boxes they use

Yeah but they charge $15, that's called an upcharge.

If they're not calculating your shipping at checkout, or invoicing you one after your order is placed, they're not calculating it accurately. It's a general charge. If they are pocketing shipping charges, it's an upcharge.


Here's a perfect example, McMaster-Carr, more than likely this package will ship out of California where they are based. I don't how much a 6 in by 6 in 3 ft long quarter inch thick aluminum L-beam weighs, but if they are only charging $22 shipping for something that big and heavy, then two pieces of fabric should be less than $5

 

[JO DYRT]

I'm not much of a complainer. In fact, it is very rare. And I am quick to praise a vendor or company when they do something well, which usually is simply providing a good product or service at a reasonable price. But this one is an irritant and it is from a highly respected vendor with whom I have been a customer since I had my YJ in the 1990's. Yep, 30 years. It is from @Bestop which is one of the best Jeep vendors in existence, in most ways.

I tried to order a little parts kit....two simple bikini top straps with snaps on them, for $18, which I think is slightly steep, but ok. No biggie. So I called to order and the shipping charge was $15. I suggested simply putting it in an envelope and sending them via USPS, which should just cost a few bucks. Nope. the best they can do is Fed Ex for $15.

Sorry, Bestop, but this is ridiculous.

I will make the replacement straps myself.

If I worked for Bestop and took this call, I would get a manilla envelope, stick these in there, address it and put it on the business office's postal machine, add it to the bill, and send it USPS. It would cost a few bucks, tops.

But that would require someone to actually think and have a mind toward customer service.

NO WAY I'm paying $34 for two simple straps with snaps on them. That's just silly.

I love Bestop and their products. I'll continue to be a customer. But I regret seeing that employees are not empowered nor conditioned to make creative solutions, even if the customer gives them one on a platter.

As for the targa mesh top....It is awesome. It has lasted years and the straps just wore out from use. The top is one of the best options out there. So I'll give two thumbs-up for that piece of gear. I'll be figuring out the strap material and straps, likely from Amazon, and I should be able to make these for a few dollars.

Maybe Bestop should sell parts kits through an Amazon store. That'd be quick and easy and would avoid this kind of unusual and ridiculous pricing scenario.

Rant over.

The main issue is they call it shipping cost, Which would likely be under $5 with tracking through USPS. I ship items everyday for my store and know the costs.

In reality they should be calling it shipping and handling, you are paying not only for the shipping but a handling service fee for someone taking a small item, packing it and getting it out the door.

 

[Remorseless]

The main issue is they call it shipping cost, Which would likely be under $5 with tracking through USPS. I ship items everyday for my store and know the costs.

In reality they should be calling it shipping and handling, you are paying not only for the shipping but a handling service fee for someone taking a small item, packing it and getting it out the door.

If the charge is the same, and the realities that necessitate the charge from a business standpoint are the same, what's it matter if they call it S&H or "Sorry shit sucks, but it is what it is"? Ain't gonna change the fact that it do be like it is.

 

[Pig-Pen]

Yeah but they charge $15, that's called an upcharge.

If they're not calculating your shipping at checkout, or invoicing you one after your order is placed, they're not calculating it accurately. It's a general charge. If they are pocketing shipping charges, it's an upcharge.


Here's a perfect example, McMaster-Carr, more than likely this package will ship out of California where they are based. I don't how much a 6 in by 6 in 3 ft long quarter inch thick aluminum L-beam weighs, but if they are only charging $22 shipping for something that big and heavy, then two pieces of fabric should be less than $5

the only way something besides a letter is going to cost $5 to ship is if you ship it with stamps (aka first class) or through media mail (illegal). neither of which would include insurance. if you put the straps in a manilla envelope, theres a good chance it will get torn apart in shipping and the items lost. unless you wrap the shit out of in packaging tape.

ive ton a TON of shipping over the past 15 years. from pallets to envelopes, from local to overseas and APO. the cheapest possible (and safest) method in this case would be via usps flat rate mail which is now $10 (with $50 insurance included). you get garbage tracking with it. stuff usually does show up and shows up ahead of schedule (these days). ive been very satisfied with usps priority mail. but that's also with me having to take the packages to the local PO. or if you happen to catch the driver at the truck. a walking mailman/woman/person/furry is not going to want to accept your packages and throw them in his already heavy bag and continue his route. not sure what their policy is on refusing packages. hell, i shipped a flat rate box that weighed about 25lbs lol. it was FULL of metal parts. im pretty sure the carrier would not have to accept that and toss it in his bag lol. i dropped it off at the PO and they took it no problem.

i know a wheel company that charges $25 to ship center caps to customers. whether its one cap or a set. $25 flat fee, via UPS. the shipping person doesnt have time to run quotes for every person so they just use a flat rate. ive told them they can ship that via usps for $6 (back then) and they said they dont use usps. it is what it is. i guess the customers could make their own center caps lol. not to mention if a package gets lost in transit, theyre going to demand that this person hunt it down and that's virtually impossible with usps. it gets there when it gets there is their motto lol.

anyone can go on to ups or fedex or usps website and get a quote for shipping a manilla envelope or a small box to any zip code you like.

 

[yokramer]

the only way something besides a letter is going to cost $5 to ship is if you ship it with stamps (aka first class) or through media mail (illegal). neither of which would include insurance. if you put the straps in a manilla envelope, theres a good chance it will get torn apart in shipping and the items lost. unless you wrap the shit out of in packaging tape.

ive ton a TON of shipping over the past 15 years. from pallets to envelopes, from local to overseas and APO. the cheapest possible (and safest) method in this case would be via usps flat rate mail which is now $10 (with $50 insurance included). you get garbage tracking with it. stuff usually does show up and shows up ahead of schedule (these days). ive been very satisfied with usps priority mail. but that's also with me having to take the packages to the local PO. or if you happen to catch the driver at the truck. a walking mailman/woman/person/furry is not going to want to accept your packages and throw them in his already heavy bag and continue his route. not sure what their policy is on refusing packages. hell, i shipped a flat rate box that weighed about 25lbs lol. it was FULL of metal parts. im pretty sure the carrier would not have to accept that and toss it in his bag lol. i dropped it off at the PO and they took it no problem.

i know a wheel company that charges $25 to ship center caps to customers. whether its one cap or a set. $25 flat fee, via UPS. the shipping person doesnt have time to run quotes for every person so they just use a flat rate. ive told them they can ship that via usps for $6 (back then) and they said they dont use usps. it is what it is. i guess the customers could make their own center caps lol. not to mention if a package gets lost in transit, theyre going to demand that this person hunt it down and that's virtually impossible with usps. it gets there when it gets there is their motto lol.

anyone can go on to ups or fedex or usps website and get a quote for shipping a manilla envelope or a small box to any zip code you like.

Yea they just want someone to be angry at, there is no point in trying to reason with them.

 

[Pig-Pen]

Yea they just want someone to be angry at, there is no point in trying to reason with them.

so we're basically the battered wife aka punching bag?

 

[yokramer]

so we're basically the battered wife aka punching bag?

Oh no they are the battered wife cause they complain to people it doesnt matter and go back anyway.

Were that friend trying to get them to leave their cop husband but they wont listen.

 

[Pig-Pen]

Oh no they are the battered wife cause they complain to people it doesnt matter and go back anyway.

Were that friend trying to get them to leave their cop husband but they wont listen.

omg i just busted out laughing when i got to the "cop husband" part.

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