Opinions wanted with online vendor issue...

[ridgeway]

Not mentioning any names here, but I had something happen with an online vendor that I think was not right.

I ordered 500 bullets several weeks ago from an online vendor. The website said they were out of stock. I called and the sales woman said go ahead and place the order online and the bullets will ship when back in stock. I did that and got an invoice reflecting $28.xx per box. A few weeks went by and I figure I would call and see if they had an eta on them. They did not and while on the phone, I added 2 more boxes to my order.

Yesterday I get an invoice emailed to me and they charged me $31.xx per box for the entire order! I can see charging me the higher price for the additional 2 boxes I added later, but charging me the higher price for all of them makes me wonder about their business practices! Not cool.

Honestly, I would have been understanding of the price increase if they would have taken the time to call or email me explaining the increase. I also sent them an email the minute I got invoice stating my order is in. No reply!!

In my book...this is downright sneaky. I will think twice about future orders!

I understand price increases are unexpected and the consumer at the end AWAYS takes it in the rear! But taking more money without my knowledge is downright low!

Do you think I am out of line on my end? I know the difference is $15-16, but the idea of charging more without my knowledge is the kicker.

 

[jonbearman]

This has happened to me and I chalked up as bad business.I did however complain but it fell on deaf ears.

 

[Leaddog]

I run a business with an online presence. If there is a price increase from the manufacturer and an order is pending under the old price, then all of it goes at the old pricing, including order add-ons. This is just good business practice.

My biggest beef with many of the vendors in our industry are the prices for shipping. If a vendor gouges me for shipping, I'll buy from some else next time.

In the case of the original poster, buy from another vendor when you need something else.

 

[SS427]

I've gotten the same treatment. Website prices of $150 and $35. Got billed $165 and $40. The website still reflects the lower price. I didn't even complain. I take my business elsewhere now when I can.

What kind of bullets are you getting for such low prices to start with? Even the Midsouth generic bullets in .224 are about $40 per 500.

 

[.260 james]

I have avoided getting on a Backorder list for just this kind of issues. I know sometimes things are out of stock. But when the orders linger for a few weeks things can get a little crazy. I live in a small town in Wyoming and buying supplies locally has a lot of built in price hikes. I am pretty conservative on ordering online because of shipping costs also. I just take my beatings locally, thankfully the local sources have all I need.

 

[riverwolf1]

First thing I would do is get on the phone and cancel the order, and tell them why! I recently had an issue with LG Sports on amazon and called immediately because they charged a shipping cost that was half the price of the object I bought and they were rude, but I got the item and shipped it back to them( cost me $4.34) and they credited me back the cost of the item minus a 15% restocking fee and it was the wrong item so I will never order anything from them ever!

 

[brxbrad]

I do most of my business with Midway USA. They might be a little more expensive on some things but they don't pull any funny business and I feel they don't gouge me. If the item is backordered, you dont get additional charges for that item other than separate shipping.Everyone knows that the mail order type business types make alot off shipping but what are you going to do? I ordered a box of bullets from Bruno's and got a real suprise. $19.00 for shipping and handling for a 100 count box of 105 Hybrids. I'll promise you this, They will never get another nickel from me again. Be careful and check out the "small print".

Have a good year and shoot small.....

 

[Larryh128]

I agree with Charlie Watson, that is the proper way & the way that I treat customers. 1st step is to call & most times the issue can be corrected on the phone. Note that I said call not email. Sometimes emails can be taken as rude or as stating something else. Calls can not be mis -construed. If that person doesn't want to acknowledge or correct the issue, ask to speak to their manager etc. That sometimes changes things. There are times that the company is a good company and you just got "lucky" to have their only dud answer the phone. Usually a relative.

 

[spclark]

Getting burned once is enough to make me find another place to take my business. What the OP describes is nothing less than bait & switch, a very bad way to do business.

Even if what you order is out of stock there's NO good reason to bill you for a higher-than-advertised price BEFORE your order has shipped! That gets awful close to outright fraud. That ever happened to me my next call would be my credit card company to challenge the billing & you can bet the order would be refused upon delivery too.

 

[brxbrad]

It would be nice to know who the party in question is so the rest of us can avoid this problem.......

 

[Hoier]

Yeah I agree with the wanting to know who. I am also scared since I just ordered a box of 105 Bergers and they are on backorder but am not really wanting to spend 19 bucks on shipping!

 

[ridgeway]

Those interested knowing who, pm me.

 

[ridgeway]

I was charged $13.95 for 7 boxes.

 

[velocette]

Another thing you might note. Your credit card should only be charged when the item you ordered is SHIPPED.
Not when the order is placed or processed but when it SHIPS.
This is standard business procedure. The only exception is when you order a custom made item, then the vendor is
permitted to hit your card when the order is processed, not when it ships.

Roger