Really ProBikeKit?
 

I ordered 3 Vittoria tires from ProBikeKit. Got an email from them saying they were shipped on 7/28 and would be delivered by 8/17. Really? I didn't take the free shipping but paid a few dollars extra and it takes this long? BTW, this is my first order with them. If this is typical it will probably be my last.

They're covering their butt with that estimate; they can't control how quickly the US handles the parcel. You may get them Mon, you may get them on the 17th. I don't know if things have drastically changed within the last few years, but when I was living on the east coast, I usually got pbk deliveries a little over a week after placing the order.

It is probably a typo and they will be there by 8/7

When I ordered they told me it would be a month and got it in 10:days but that was free option

I always use free shipping, takes a week to 10 days. Would be worth a few weeks, though, considering the savings.

They are just covering for the possible massive customs delay that could happen. I normally get my stuff from ProBikeKit / Wiggle / Chain Reaction in about 7-10 days but there was once a 2 week customs hold on one shipment. Have no idea why but due to that it was at the very end of Wiggle's quoted shipping time.

I've had similar experience. Long estimate, but actually received PBK order faster than the Nashbar order from the same day.

Yep. It's US Customs. They can't predict when an inspector decides to open a package. That can add two weeks.

Have any of you been hit with Customs charges? I've ordered many time from Assos Factory Outlet with no charges but out of nowhere I got a $65 bill from FEDEX for Customs charges. They said it was to reimburse them for what they paid US Customs. But, I called the Customs office here in CT and they said they don't charge the shipper. They send a bill to the recipient. In this case, me. I got no bill from Customs.

Bought tires several times from PBK and never got a customs charge. I believe clothing is different though.

Yeah, seems random. I got a 6% import tax bill on an order from Evans.

usually stuff from the Brits is here (to the east coast) within a week. they are good.

the estimate is to cover in case the US guys delay things. I bet the customs guys are paid by the hour, not for actually moving stuff. like the DMV.

I ordered wheels from Bike Discount on July 13th and still don't have them...

Never heard of Bike Discount. Looks like Germany?

Yeah. The tracking says it left Germany on July 20th but no status update since then.

I have only made two orders from the brits and got both here in the Houston area within a week.

YUP, SOP for just about any shipper be it domestic or foreign.

Only very recently have shippers tightened up the expectation window to a specific day most of the time and not a 1-3 week range. Standard CYA.

Yep. I've gotten stuff from the UK in 5 days and in 5 weeks, the variable being how long it got hung up in the US port of entry. I generally don't order stuff I gotta have right away from the UK.

My experiences with PBK and Nashbar have been similar. PBK, in my opinion, is simply over estimating and over delivering. I would prefer this. I will say that we save a lot of money on products purchased from PBK, Ribble, Wiggle, Merlin and etc. The savings is worth the extra shipping time, if it actually occurs. If you are in a hurry than I would recommend that you buy locally. I hate to be so matter of fact but this is reality. It is hard to predict the shipping since it changes hands a few times. I have never had an order from any of those companies take longer than 2 weeks. For my company I have many vendors that I use. If I choose shipping options it usually lists UPS ground as 5-8 days. My company is in Jacksonville. One vendor is in Miami. If I order product today before 10am, I have it the next day, even on standard shipping. It still says 5-8 days though.

My LBS sometimes takes 4 days to get me tires. Sometimes they come the next day. Of course, if they are in stock delivery is immediate.

Yeah it's tough to tell how long goods going through customs can take to arrive at your door. I ordered shoes form Chain Reaction (also UK based), paid the nominal shipping fee and got them in about 10 days. Your tires might get here sooner than 8/17 or they could take longer. There's nothing much you or they can do about it.

My deliveries from PBK (Florida) have been within a 10 day to 2 week window. As nearly everyone above is saying they're covering themselves.

I've never been hit with custom charges.

I've had lots of smaller/cheaper orders arrive in just 5-7 days. Normal orders closer to ~10 days. Also, heaven forbid if you order something that they don't actually have in stock and ready to go. You'll be charged and could wait a month or two. Hopefully you don't need it soon. I only have patience enough for those because I rarely make any big orders from them with things I need right now.

Back in February, I ordered an 11speed 105 group set from Merlin. Ordered it Thursday, it was at my door Monday. Cost $374 shipped. A week later, i had a charge show up on my debit card for $8 that said "foreign transaction fee"...I got such a great deal and the shipping was so fast...I just let it go.

That fee is from your credit/debit card company; mine does the same thing. Hate.