Saddlebum

Is it me, or does HobbyKing use a bit of a "Bait & Switch" technique when displaying shipping options on their order page?

Today I tried to buy three 20"x10" Cherry props and at the shipping charges page, they showed four options; one of which was USPS Priority Mail for $7.95.

But when I went to the next page, that option had disappeared and my next best shipping price displayed was $24.95!

So I went to the USA Warehouse webpage, ordered the same props on that website and the same thing happened!

Has this happened to anyone else and how does one get the least expensive shipping option offered in the shipping options page?

...The Bum

pd1

I've had that happen to me too. It might be the weight of the order, it might go past their cheap postal for the more expensive shipping.

I've also seen it when I had something selected and didn't complete the sale immediately the price magically dropped.

Or it might be there is no rhyme or reason to their pricing.

newjak

I just went to the USA warehouse and there are no props listed. They are probably only in the international warehouse which is why you are only seeing the higher shipping rates

newjak

I started a swarm sale for you the will bring the price of the prop from $9.44 down to $6.94! that will help offset the higher shipping cost.
http://www.hobbyking.com/SwarmSale.asp?id=99117

Saddlebum

Right, more dopieness on my part. I went to the USA website and "searched" fpr Cherry props. They appeared but... I had been switched to Hong Kong, and not notified.

I'm not liking these business practices.

...The Bum

BEAR-AvHistory

HK-USA is pretty much batteries, planes & glue. Props are from HK & the bigger box chews up the shipping weight.

I use the cherry props but generally buy a few at a time with other stuff to spread out the shipping charge.

That being said the 18X8" cherry props I buy for $8 there would cost $19+ shipping, non cherry wood, from a US supplier.

You can get the 13X8 prop in the picture for about $7 shipped if you buy just 1.

If you buy 4 13X8's they average about $11 each including shipping.

Saddlebum

It wasn't the weight of the order this time. The order showed I had 42 grams left in my Priority Mail order limit and I did not add anything.

No price drop. No Ryme or Reason? More likely!

...The Bum

Saddlebum

Bear; I DO understand the overall cost and buy a LOT from HobbyKing. My protest is the bait and switch technique of showing a shipping rate only to have it disappear when the money is on the line.

...The Bum

BEAR-AvHistory

The HK post office service does not have priority mail, thats a USPS thing. Agree there should be a better way to show the shipping but they let you not do the deal instead of just whacking you for the higher amount.

Saddlebum

I ran a company that shipped six to ten times a day, I'm quite familiar with USPS, UPS and all forms of international shipping so I went back the HobbyKing to grab a screen capture of the "USPS Priority Mail - $7.95" option as described when I opened this thread and guess what?

It's gone!

I placed the exact same order but the shipping options had changed.

I guess I have nothing to complain about if they removed it from the Shipping Options page.

...The Bum

Saddlebum

I joined the SWARM as the sixth man, NewJaK. We all ought to be getting the lower price notice soon.

...The Bum

newjak

I don't have use for that size prop, but I did it to help out a fellow Wattflyer.

CHELLIE

HK might be having some issues with their shipping calculator, Normally the shipping is charged by the weight, buy later after they have the issue fixed, e mail them of the problem so they can get it fixed, Hope that helps, Chellie

BEAR-AvHistory

I have 2 unused + 1 test run only cherry 20X8 that you can have for the USPS or UPS shipping charge.

PM me if you are interested.

tobydogs

i had a $350 order ready for the pay button,but the shipping cost stopped me....seems my favorite zippy batteries took control of the shipping..ems was all hobby king was offering.

i'm going to order my bateries from hobbypartz,their lipos are a little more expensive but shipping will be free.

i hope the bluelipos are as good.

HeliScRapYard

sadly i havent had the best of luck with the blue lipos in the long run, i've owned about 8 recently, 3 of which had problems. one had a dead cell in about 10 cycles, and the other two seem to have diminished capacities. none of these have been crashed, or overworked, they have been run well within their capacity and c rates. as for their other lines of lipos i have been reluctant to try them, on the other hand i am unwilling to pay for shipping from HK so i will have to decide which bullet to bite when it come time to reorder...

Saddlebum

I'll bet you are right, Chellie. They could be getting crossed up on shipping options with their USA nad their Hong Kong sites.

...The Bum

Saddlebum

Thanks & PM sent, Bear.

...The Bum

BEAR-AvHistory

No problem, they might help a little training some new pilots. They were pulling too many amps for the application I had planned to use them on so they were just sitting on the wall collecting dust.

Replaced them with some 18X8's which seem to be OK amp wise, hope they are OK to fly the plane.

Saddlebum

They will be going on a Great Planes P6E Hawk biplane (like the one pictured at the left). The Hawk is running an E-Flite Power 120 with a Castle HV85 and twin 4S, 5,000 mWt batteries.

They should feel right at home!

...The Bum

TopSpin

Hobby King has the absolute worst customer service I have ever seen. In my opinion you are better off buying from a reputable dealer that will be there to help after the sale if you need them.

CHELLIE

Your right, their customer service has a lot to be desired thats why i dont buy expensive items from them, if a motor or lipo goes bad on me, i dont even try to have it exchanged, its more hassel and expence than what its worth, I just eat the small loss, and know that I have saved a lot more over all than what small losses I have experienced, In the long run, I am Way Ahead, That how i deal with HK, Take care and have fun, Chellie

texasclouds

It is kinda tough. The prices are so low that they can't afford customer service...but on the other had they can't afford to let their reputation get bad.

With the savings you can just buy twice instead of expecting assistance...but most of us still get peeved.

TopSpin

Here is a good experiment you should try. Go to Hobby Kings web site and order a Bixler. ESC, Servos, and a receiver. All of these are advertised at really low prices. Now check out and note the shipping cost.

Now go to Banana Hobby (right here in the US) and look at the Sky Surfer. This is the same airplane and you can get it with a brushless upgrade for $129.00. That price is for a ready to fly airplane including a 4 channel 2.4 GHZ transmitter. USPS shipping is under 30.00 so when you do the numbers you actually come out a dollar or two ahead buying from the US dealer. So yoy can save money, support an American business, and save yourself a potential huge headache by dealing with HK.

Your money, your choice. I prefer to support American businesses.

HeliScRapYard

I quit buying from them a long time ago mainly because of the shipping prices