Caboose Hobbies ordering weirdness

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’d ordered from Caboose Hobbies online before with no problem. So recently when I needed some dry transfers and their website indicated they had them, I placed the order. As we all know, inventories posted on a website rarely match what’s actually in stock. Fair enough. Then you get into a possible backorder problem. Fair enough again. But what gets me is when I get most of my order shipped to me and a couple of inexpensive items were not shipped and placed on backorder. Okay, but my problem stems from the fact that they were going to charge me the full shipping rate of $8 for something that costs a total of $10.50. Kind of ridiculous. I called and canceled the rest of the order.

If that’s their business model, okay. But I think it kind of stinks. Most everybody I order from online, whether it’s books, videos, whatever, if they have to split-ship an order because of a backorder or out of stock situation, only charge shipping once. Not so much a complaint against, but a warning: if you place an order and get some items shipped separately because of a backorder situation, don’t be surprised of another charge of shipping on your credit card.

2

Something like that happened to me but worse. I had a thread about it a week ago. I called them up and asked how much the stuff I ordered would cost to ship. They said about 55$, they ended up charging me roughly 145$. How is that for a bad estimate!

When I ordered a lot of track and turnouts from them they sent me the wrong swith machines, 30 of them. The refused to send new ones until I had returned the old ones paying for the shipping back and forth from the US with DHL express(the only way they wanted it) plus custom charges.

I’ve decided that I will not have anything to do with them in the future.

Magnus

3

I’ve seen some companies have a thing at their check out that asks if you want to receive partial orders or wait till everything is in. They usually state whether there will be additional shipping charges.

4

I had the same problem with Caboose Hobbies a few months ago. Their web page said that all items were in stock. Some of the item were a sales promotion, backordered. They split my order into three shipments with full shipping cost for each shipment. The total for shipping was almost equal to the price of the items purchased. Caboose Hobbies has always had good pricing and a nice selection. One of the items I ordered was never shipped, yet my account shows all items shipped. (They did not charge me for this item, and charged my credit card as each item was shipped.) I’m not sure if I will buy from them again.

5

DISCOUNT MAIL ODER leaves a lot to be desired:

Back oders are expensive. Double shipping + order monitoring (+ persnnel to keep track). Rule #1. Ship what you have in stock. Cancell the rest.

Buy items sight unseen + Restocking fees. Shipping + HANDLING charges for extra profit. Sometimes who has the best price becomes a ‘game’.

They have your credit card - first, not last. States are beginning to enforce Sales tax on M.O.

The day of CASH & CARRY will return. GOOD stores will provide a Service Department.

On the basis of above, CABOOSE HOBBIES rates better than average.

Lillen:

WRITE the Attn: Store Manager of your problem. No threats, just facts 1. what happened 2. what you want.

At least it’ll be reviewed.

6

I’m sure this will get deleted but here goes.

If somebody orders (for instance) three of the same item from us and we only have two in stock, then we ship the two immediately and ship the third when it arrives at our cost.

There is no excuse for the shipping price one is quoted to be any different than the price one is charged.

This message will now self destruct 3… 2… 1… [:)]

7

Craig:
That’s what the good guys do, and I’ve dealt with many of those and I like that. What I also like is when an item is backordered or is going to take a long time to be shipped I am contacted and given an option as to how I want to proceed. Caboose Hobbies never did that. They only give you options when you place an order; they never contacted me that something was bo’d. Even in the packing list in what I received there was no mention of a backorder. EVERYBODY else I deal with online advises if there is a delay in shipment for whatever reason.

8

When Athearn Genesis SD45-2 in Santa Fe appeared on the market, I was ordering from several sources, including local one in Kansas City area. I got one from Tony’s, slow but no problem.

Got two from local hobby shop, Doc’s, picked them up, no problem. Got 2 from First Place Hobbies, better price, no problems. Got one from Caboose, came, price okay, opened package, the Genesis box looked okay but when I removed the engine, it was damaged from being handled. I emailed Caboose, no response. Sent a letter, no response, fixed the damage myself, but will not order from Caboose again. I might add I have used Caboose for about 20 years and always had good PR, not anymore.

Bob

9

I also ordered from Cabboose Hobbies and have had my order split and charged for shipping at the full rate … The problem I had was the second item was maked as shipped but never was recieved by me, I made some phone calls to the company and the next day it was at my doorstep, So I guess I had a 50/50 experince with CH…