Re: Buyer Beware - Shipping Costs

[JPF Woodworking]

I feel compelled to share my recent Kapex woes....

Bought my saw about fours ago and it has lived up to it's reputation. I have been very pleased at how it has performed in the shop and on the job site. But alas, nothing lasts forever and it is now in need of servicing.

The other day it suddenly began to bog down, strong electrical smell. I of course checked it over pretty carefully and could not find anything outwardly wrong. My initial belief is that this saw was worth further investment in the form of a repair to get it. Ack up and running.

So I contacted Festool service. Imediate response (Thank You!) No problem ship us the saw and we will take a look.

Here is where the problem begins. UPS want $276 to ship the saw to Indiana (one way). This price includes packaging.
It was suggested by a kindly Festool rep that I buy a box from Festool for about $17 which helped to reduce the UPS cost down to $220....

So figuring shipping costs will probably be in the area of $400 (both ways) it suddenly has become questionable as to whether or not I should have my saw repaired. If the repair goes into the $300 range which it could easily, I might be better off buying a new throw-away saw for  the same $700 investment (no down time, no shipping hustle, no wasted $$$ if the saw is deemed not worth repairing).

Obviously, the big, unexpected sticking point is the shipping costs, which is NO fault of Festool.

However, one "solution" that I think could help a situation like this is for Festool to offer a shipping-package deal for those pieces of equipment out of warranty (i.e: box, pre-paid shipping label). Since they ship all over the country they must be in a position to get better shipping rates (it seems very ironic that if I wanted to buy a new saw, virtually every dealer offers "free-shipping").

I totally understand that Festool can't be expected to control shipping costs for tools out of warranty. I expect to have to pay to maintain my equipment. I bought this saw willingly and with the idea that some servicing down the road will have to take place. But with the Festool label you really can't have these tools serviced just around the corner. Large shipping costs really do add to the already costly price tag.

Sorry if I come off as a complainer but I must admit that I do feel like I have been left out in the cold....

Buyer beware of the hidden (long-term) costs

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sorry to hear about the issues with your saw.

I just checked and the cost of shipping from your town to our repair center is $65.15 using a weight of 60 lbs. and $1000 in insurance.
https://wwwapps.ups.com/ctc/request?loc=en_US&WT.svl=PNRO_L1

[attachimg=1]

Also, I believe that you can get a Kapex box sent to you if you ask the service department. I'm not sure what the cost might be.

Shane

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I can ship a 2000 pound saw to the east coast for 275 bucks. 

Thats a bit pricey for a miter saw.

 

[semenza]

    Yeah, my first reaction was that shipping seemed waaaay high! Then I read down to Shane's post. Just out of curiosity I checked the USPS as well, and that came back at $77.00.  I would say that the shipping price you received is for truck freight, but the Kapex is light enough and small enough (even when well packed) to go by regular methods.

Seth

 

[JPF Woodworking]

Thanks for the two quick replies to my posting....

I was really blown away by the written shipping estimate I received from UPS yesterday. It was handed to me as my Kapex sat on their scale (wish I had taken a picture, it was quite a scene for sure)...,

I had already stripped down the saw (no blade, fences, dust shroud) so it weighed in at around 44 lbs.

The estimate, again written, was for $267.86....basic insurance, UPS Ground
It also included packaging which was about $50

Thanks to Lester, Festool Service Rep. I have ordered a box for about $17. But it can't be sent out until sometime next week as they are waiting for some sort of packaging tape which has been back ordered. Although the downtime is difficult I can work around this delay.

Once I receive the box I think I may be in a better position to negotiate a better shipping fee from UPS....my initial thinking was tht shipping would be somewhere around $75.....

A bit more hopeful right now.....is it beginning to warm up?

 

[marcr]

I have experienced significant cost differences between UPS Box Stores (privately owned franchises using UPS for shipping) and UPS itself. Obtaining quotes from both to see what the convenience of having someone else supply the box and pack the item actually costs. 

A pickup from a UPS driver or a drop off at an actual UPS shipment center can save considerable amounts. Using commercial freight shipping can save even more of course, but that may not be an option for some non-commercial residential users.

 

[rljatl]

Did you by any chance go to a one of those "UPS stores" to get the shipping cost?  If so, no wonder it was so high.

I happened to sit next to a UPS employee (not a driver) at a sports bar not far from the UPS HQ here in Atlanta.  He told me that those stores have a high markup on their shipping costs.  Especially if you have them box it up.

He suggested always using the UPS website to buy the shipping and then just drop it off at one of the UPS stores.

 

[teocaf]

yeah, you're not getting a quote for shipping only but rather for the labor of the packaging this odd shaped and relatively heavy item.

i used to keep original boxes and foam inserts but that got out of hand.  for some time now i have been using a hot wire foam cutter and large insulation foam sheets i buy from the home improvement stores and i can pack up almost anything.  it is fairly easy and inexpensive to carve out foam inserts that will protect the tool just as well as the original packaging.  so for example for the kapex you would start by defining the envelope.  you set the kapex on the foam and allow for cushioning room all around and cut the rectangle or square that will sit on the bottom of the box.  the next layer of foam will be traced with the base of the kapex and quickly cut out that shape with the hot wire tool.  that will keep the machine from moving side to side and front to back.  then you do a vertical insert that will keep the thing from going up and down.  a few more well placed "ribs" horizontally and vertically and you're good to go.  the rest is just air--you don't need to fill it with peanuts or anything--just think back at the original packaging and use common sense.
i also use a japanese saw that will make straight cuts fast with a minimum of mess, and i keep bags, good tape and restaurant size saran wrap from costco around.
i still keep some of the heavier cardboard boxes in flat form to make other boxes with, but it's easy to get a large sheet of good cardboard from any number of places just for the asking.
i also prefer fedex ground over ups.  you can get on their site without an account and just a credit card, print a shipping label and then drop it off for pickup for free at a place like that shipping store that you got the quote from--just make sure your carrier of choice makes pickups there.
i recently packed and shipped a 45 lb. antique sewing machine from wi to ca for about 38 bucks.  adding time and labor and materials will obviously add to that cost but i've gotten very quick with that hot knife. 

 

[JPF Woodworking]

Thanks again for all the friendly advice....never new that the UPS stores were a franchise and yes, that is exactly where I went yesterday......now I understand a bit more about shipping.
I have ordered a box from Festool...$17 seems more than fair and the best way to go.....and assuming they ship it back in the same, it might be one that I keep.....

With much appreciation, thanks again....feel MUCH better about this situation. It really was depressing to think I was going to have to go with one of those throw away saws....

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Here are packing instructions, if you need them.

 

[mike_aa]

After you get the Kapex all packed up in the Festool box, try going to the company-owned location for the weight and shipping cost.  That's a better choice than going to one of the franchises - you cut out the middleman and get the best price and service.  They should be listed on the website. 

You might also look at opening an online account to print your own label.  You'll need the box dimensions and weight, but you should get a discount with an account.  Once you know the weight and dimensions you can go online and get pricing, and you can actually purchase and print the label. 

I have an online account with FedEx and their prices are usually pretty good.  They will bill your credit card and you don't have to use the account that often to keep it.  I started one even though I only use it about once every couple of months or so.  UPS probably has something similar.

Good Luck!

Mike A.

 

[tbellemare]

Using the official Festool shipping box, the whole thing weighs 64 lbs and is 24" x 30" x 21". With that, you can get a label on line and drop it off...

Tom

 

[John H]

Here is a link to 30% off UPS Shipping if you open a small business account

https://www.ups.com/mrd/promodiscount?loc=en_CA&promoCd=BC50JCEX3&WT.mc_id=VAN7000418

You already have the size of the box and weight - just print out the label.  easy peasy

 

[sae]

I know some companies will allow you to use their shipping account, and they forward the cost of shipping in the final repair bill. It allows them to (a) offer lower total service costs to their consumers, and (b) to capitalize on a lower bulk rate negotiated w/ UPS.

Not sure if this is on Festool's radar at all, but it would be advantageous to both, if the clerical issues can be figured out.

Random sidenote, Amazon basically is symbiotic w/ UPS nowadays, but their cost to ship is said to be around 50 cents per package for most items.  [blink]