MMTG
Well-Known Member
My fellow HBT'ers: Sorry for the long read, but I need HELP!
I need advice regarding RUSH ORDERS and the additional charges that they often incur. I'd like to get as much information as possible before I make a final decision, so please weigh in with your concerns, for/against companies charging YOU, the consumer for RUSH ORDERS.
I am a small business owner who supplies Emergency/Trauma Gear to Fire/Rescue,Law Enforcement, and various Govt. Agencies worldwide. I sell both on Ebay and my through my website. I just celebrated my 3rd year in business and stand behind not only the products I designed, but also my companies customer service. I work as many hours as I have too when filling orders.
This is the problem I'm having as of late. I have had customers call my sales office and inquire if I ship their order the same day their pay. My website has a detailed FAQ page regarding our shipping times. I explain to them, that excluding large department orders we normally ship orders in 1-3 business days. We are closed weekends and holidays. The majority of the orders are shipped out within 48 hrs. I am proud of this.
I a fortunate to have an awesome "hardware" store by my shop called King Bolt-If they don't have a nut/screw/bolt you are looking for they will be happy to special order it for you. This often leads to customers panicking/pleading/demanding that they RUSH the special order. The owner(old school hot rodder) will assure them that it will be ordered and they can call the next business day to confirm pickup. I've seen people further freak out and whine/complain that,"it's not fast enough". The owner then points to an OLD dusty sign that reads: "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part".
I'd love to follow Austin Homebrew Shops shipping model of $7.99 flat rate on orders less than $100 and free shipping on all orders over $100-My system needs to be ugraded in the future to do this. I love that they charge ACTUAl UPS shipping charges if you order by a certain time of the day and need your order shipped that same day. I think this is VERY Fair.
My trauma kits range from $55-500.00, I need to figure out an reasonable amount to charge customers who need RUSH orders. Please share your ideas with me.
I need advice regarding RUSH ORDERS and the additional charges that they often incur. I'd like to get as much information as possible before I make a final decision, so please weigh in with your concerns, for/against companies charging YOU, the consumer for RUSH ORDERS.
I am a small business owner who supplies Emergency/Trauma Gear to Fire/Rescue,Law Enforcement, and various Govt. Agencies worldwide. I sell both on Ebay and my through my website. I just celebrated my 3rd year in business and stand behind not only the products I designed, but also my companies customer service. I work as many hours as I have too when filling orders.
This is the problem I'm having as of late. I have had customers call my sales office and inquire if I ship their order the same day their pay. My website has a detailed FAQ page regarding our shipping times. I explain to them, that excluding large department orders we normally ship orders in 1-3 business days. We are closed weekends and holidays. The majority of the orders are shipped out within 48 hrs. I am proud of this.
I a fortunate to have an awesome "hardware" store by my shop called King Bolt-If they don't have a nut/screw/bolt you are looking for they will be happy to special order it for you. This often leads to customers panicking/pleading/demanding that they RUSH the special order. The owner(old school hot rodder) will assure them that it will be ordered and they can call the next business day to confirm pickup. I've seen people further freak out and whine/complain that,"it's not fast enough". The owner then points to an OLD dusty sign that reads: "A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part".
I'd love to follow Austin Homebrew Shops shipping model of $7.99 flat rate on orders less than $100 and free shipping on all orders over $100-My system needs to be ugraded in the future to do this. I love that they charge ACTUAl UPS shipping charges if you order by a certain time of the day and need your order shipped that same day. I think this is VERY Fair.
My trauma kits range from $55-500.00, I need to figure out an reasonable amount to charge customers who need RUSH orders. Please share your ideas with me.