options for cheap parts for Systainers

[ShopCat]

New here, not well versed on rules and protocols, but here's my problem:

I got a scratch and dent sander from Amazon at a very nice  price.  It appears unused, but the round knob on one back corner of the Systainer that acts as the hinge pivot is missing, making the lid slightly unhinged (only connected at the other corner by its pivot knob). I found a part to replace it, price $1.99, but it comes with a $6.00 postage charge.

So, any insights in to ways to get simple Systainer parts with cheap shipping is solicited.

 

[Mario Turcot]

[welcome] to the FOG

Unless you have a local store that sell tanos conmtainers you'll have to pitch in for shipping. Perhaps you want to wait and get a bigger order, most online store will give you free shipping with a minimum purchase.

In the mean time a dowel may do the trick?

 

[ChuckM]

If it's prime eligible and you know someone has the membership...bingo. (I know it's  an IF.)

 

[Cheese]

So, any insights in to ways to get simple Systainer parts with cheap shipping is solicited.

Not trying to be snarky, but short of moving to within walking distance of a genuine Systainer distributor and checking the “pick up in person” box...there’s not a lot you can do.

Why it costs $6 to ship a 1# package from 5 states away and it still costs $6 to ship a 1# package from 10 miles away is anyone’s guess.

And why can I get 100# of Amazon Prime products shipped to me overnight for free?

I gave up years ago trying to figure it all out...I just suck it up.

 

[mike_aa]

My local Woodcraft store used to add parts like this to there regular weekly Festool order with no shipping charge.  Haven't tried buying any parts since the store changed ownership so I'm not sure if they still do this.

Mike A.

 

[Svar]

I would pay $6 and stop wasting my time.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

              So you need the hinge pin for a T-Loc Systainer?

Seth

 

[Cheese]

My local Woodcraft store used to add parts like this to their regular weekly Festool order with no shipping charge.

To Mike’s solution this may work well but be advised, you’ll have to arrive in person at Woodcraft to avoid shipping charges. It wouldn’t surprise me if they charged $5 to ship a $1 item...and they are one of the white hat people.  [smile]

Just look at eBay for a roundup of some of the black hat folks.

 

[sancho57]

Call FT talk to them.

 

[xedos]

I think he did, and they want six bucks to ship a part to him.

 

[Rob Z]

ShopCat

I think I have one or two of those pins you are describing.  Send me a PM with your email address or cell  # and I will send a picture to you to confirm it's what you need.

 

[threesixright]

I would pay $6 and stop wasting my time.

Good point. But I would feel same. Guess matter of principle? And rightfully so IMO.

I lost count how often this is actually the case, being: shipping is a multitude of the item cost. Can’t stand it!

Sent from my X using Tapatalk

 

[Bob D.]

I am not surprised by the ~$6 shipping cost. I think it doesn't matter what the value of the item being shipped is.

It could be a diamond ring worth $10K or a hinge pin for a Systainer that retails for $1.99
and costs $0.05 to manufacture, it has no bearing on the cost of shipping the item.

The labor and material involved to ship the item remains roughly the same.

You still need a person(s) and/or machine(s) to perform the following:
1. picking and packing
2. you need to purchase, store until needed, and gather the necessary packaging materials
3. create a shipping label and an invoice
4. tracking the whole process in the computer
5. pay the shipping fees/postage to get it delivered to the purchaser.
6. follow through to track delivery to completion and follow up

Given a similar size/weight object these costs are pretty much fixed. There are other not so obvious costs associated with anything stocked in a warehouse that need to be covered either in the price of the item sold or as part of the shipping fee both of which are passed on to the purchaser in the end.

 

[peter halle]

I agree with [member=60461]Bob D.[/member] and will add that the $6 charge is not generating any extra income.  The actual costs of handling small parts orders are greater than what the shipping costs charged.

Peter

 

[xedos]

Amazon and the like have spoiled us with their "free" shipping; which isn't really free.  We should all ponder where the true shipping cost of those item they send to us is being hidden.

I've run into this with EKAT before too with the same indignation.  Usually I wait until I have a sizable order to assuage my pain.

Let's look at it from another perspective.  Have you mailed anything lately ?  What was the postage  ?  I have, and the lowest First Class stamp for a non letter is $3.50 - $4.  Then there's there's the rest of the overhead Bob mentions PLUS labor.  If you were in the shipping business, you'd go bankrupt in short order mailing out small items for 6 bucks.

 

[Rob Z]

I ordered some O-rings one time, to repair my ancient PC biscuit jointer.  I think the O-rings were about 50 cents, P&H was over $ 10.  The items arrived in a regular letter-sized envelope with a stamp on it.  [big grin] [eek] [blink] A bit of a disparity !

Even if these items had been available locally, I was still happy enough to pay for the P&H because I didn't have to leave home and the items arrived in two days.

Xedos is right.  Amazon has skewed our perception of what is a  realistic cost for moving a product.

 

[mike_aa]

My local Woodcraft store used to add parts like this to their regular weekly Festool order with no shipping charge.

To Mike’s solution this may work well but be advised, you’ll have to arrive in person at Woodcraft to avoid shipping charges. It wouldn’t surprise me if they charged $5 to ship a $1 item...and they are one of the white hat people.  [smile]

Just look at eBay for a roundup of some of the black hat folks.

Cheese is right.  If you don't mind making a visit to the store or are planning to visit them anyway, then it might be worth asking if they would do this.  However, if you need the part real quick or that's the only reason you have to go to the store, you're better off simply paying the shipping and saving on time and gas instead.

In my case, I also needed one of those pins 1-2 years ago.  I'm a hobbyist and usually I can wait a week to get a part like that.  It worked for me since the store isn't far and I make regular visits there to purchase items, or just to chat and look at new stuff.

You might consider getting an extra just in case you need one in the future.

Mike A.