Non-Stocking Web Vendors - Are they common or did I just draw the short straw on one?

[david58]

Ran into this for some items for another hobby - order an item at a decent price (price/shipping cost-based shopping) only to find out after the order is placed and not shipped for the better part of a week, this because the vendor doesn't stock what they are selling!

Are there many vendors out there doing this? This is the first I have come across so far, with cycling gear, but I am a relative N00b.

Chalking it up to experience - coulda spent another $5 or so and had the shoes today, as it is it will almost certainly be next week, and I'm off my bike till then. grrrrrr!!! Or, I can cancel the order, spend the extra $5, and get them from another vendor next week.

[Yaniel]

I don't know how common it is in cycling, but with automotive aftermarket parts, a lot of web stores just drop ship parts to customers. It's hard for a small shop to keep a physical inventory of all the parts needed.

[max power]

I don't know how common it is in cycling, but with automotive aftermarket parts, a lot of web stores just drop ship parts to customers. It's hard for a small shop to keep a physical inventory of all the parts needed.

yep, very common with car tuning parts, most of the times the best price you can get is from the guy operating out of his garage willing to make a little less than the brick and mortar shops

[Bob Dopolina]

It happens.

For us we stock everything on our site but there are times when the site isn't updated fast enough and something that is out of stock sells. I'm sure other on-line retails have the same issue arise from time to time. It's all about how they handle it.

As someone who is also an on-line shopper I understand this so I take it in stride but if I don't find out until a week later that there is a stock issue and my shipment has been delayed I am not amused. If I am notified right away and given the option of a refund or to wait I usually decide to wait (and don't feel put out) unless it is something that I need now.

If I really need something asap I will go to a shop and pay for the convenience.

[unterhausen]

I get the impression that a lot of companies are doing that. Almost looks like drop shipments from QBP

[david58]

I'd be ok with a drop shipment, but this outfit has to get it in and then turn around and ship again. For that I paid for 3-day shipping. I do believe I will call and ask that they put it on UPS ground - why would I pay extra for 3-day when they won't ship for a week?

Frustrating - grounded (or "car-ed") because of a lack of shoes. Sheesh....

[bikingcajun]

I agree with you David. It really rubs me raw when I order something only to have them have it shipped to them then turn around and ship it to me. I think all online vendors should state on the item they are selling online whether the item is in stock, will be drop shipped, or will be double shipped. Then we can make the logical decision who we'd like to purchase from.

[david58]

Well, ended up canceling the order, since they cannot ship to me for two more days (provided they get the delivery to their shop). Ordered a pair of shoes off of RealCyclist, who will ship USPS and will have the shoes here in two days. And saved about $30 (though this is a different shoe).

I find myself being funneled to certain web vendors due to their service, just like with the choice of LBS. It is less stress to pay a bit more and know exactly what is happening (RealCyclist, Performance, REI) than simply chasing the lowest price. In the end, whether online or bricks and mortar, aren't most of us ultimately are shopping service first?

[Trucker Dan]

What site was it?

[StanSeven]

There used to be a company (probably one guy operating out of his house) in Texas that advertised in Velo News and was the lowest domestic price around. He didn't stock anything and had your order drop shipped from suppliers all over the country.

[ColinL]

What site was it?

This is important to know. If it was just a one-time thing, ok then. But if other BF members have this happen it was no coincidence/misfortune...

[Psimet2001]

Common, but there are a lot of suppliers that deeply frown on that. QBP won't drop ship in a majority of cases - they require that the item is shipped to the shop. The shop can then ship out. They have to have an actual shop that does service and sells bikes too if it is a QBP web front.

This industry has really done a lot of things to make it near impossible to do business in a cost effective way - all attempts to "protect" what is viewed as the traditional brick and mortar structure. It is all artificial market tampering and honestly - it never works. Those who want to find product for little can and do. They in fact just keep "local" guys from getting that business as now all of it basically comes in from the UK....of which they have no control over.