I've had good experiences with Steve--very prompt shipping, and normal shipping charges--or none on small parts orders. I hope the advertisers on this forum don't feel tarred by this thread. If you offer N scale, I've probably ordered from you, usually because you had something I wanted that no one else had, at a reasonable price. I've had no problems with shipping nor handling charges. I'm pretty sure I ordered a bunch of MT 905 Z scale couplers from either Steve or woo woo woo woo woo woo, and was charged a buck for postage. In general, e-commerce creates a nation-wide market, which holds prices down. Yes, it has disrupted the market for the LHS, but that would have happened in any case. It's happened in many other markets--for example I can buy UV lights for my fish pond filters at $53 (plus $7.99 shipping, for a total of $61) versus $98 (plus 6% gross receipts tax for a total of $104) at my local fish pond store (LFPS?) I can also drive my local auto dealer down to $100 over invoice, because someone 500 miles away will deliver a car to my door for the same price! Our advertisers are taking a big plunge to create a nationwide (better, worldwide) market that keeps prices lower than they have ever been.
I just got the largest shipping/handling charge ever--from Wig-Wag. A whopping 8 bucks. Before anyone frets, inside there was 2 N F3's, and 2 N SD40T-2's, several Hay Bros Garage loads, and it was insured. The package was heavy! I have never had a beef with Wig-Wag, and all my questions are answered in a timely fashion. I once had a car arrive damaged (out of prolly $2,000+ worth of merchandise so far this year) and I returned it to Wig-Wag at their request--the replacement arrived within a week. Now, all my packages are shipped insured. (to protect both of us) I have not had a beef with any of our advertisers here. I would recommend any of them to anyone here!
Internet trains charged me less than 8 bux too when I bought a closeout tunnelmotor there. It came in a nice beefy box.
If you are shipping UPS, 8 or 9 bucks for anything is no surprise. I live in the corner of Maine so shipping from here to anywhere is more expensive since we are so far from everywhere but I ship stuff through UPS every day and even the smallest shipments are about $8. We had an order yesterday from a customer who wanted an item that cost $2.99 and paid $8 to ship it. The blame for this stuff goes to UPS and the USPS in my opinion. I get so mad at the post office I can't stand it. We have good friends that work at the post office so we know how things work there and it is not good. The money and time wasted by the postal service is unreal. Charlie
Try an analysis of wasted time in the various offices of the Clerk's offices in New York City if you want to see government at its best.
