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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / September 2003Tower's New Shipping Rate Hike
Here's the letter I sent to Tower Hobbies : I've heard many derogatory statements about Tower lately in the newsgroups and message boards lately and then I saw this : " Reduced Shipping on Over 38,000 Items! " and... "You asked. We listened. " Well when I went to order some parts (car) tonight and now I see that youve raked up the cost of shipping a Priority mail envelope to $7 (that takes you usually two days to ship), I was shocked. Sure you've added a bunch of new items to the Parts Express list but most of them have low size and weight and should have already been included in the PartsExpress list anyway. Its painfully obvious that this is a classic case of smoke and mirrors. You are raising shipping rates ! Please write me back and either tell me with more than just a few words, how you are making a sacrifice or please dont respond at all. > Here's the letter I sent to Tower Hobbies : > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > than just a few words, how you are making a sacrifice or please dont respond > at all. Hah well even my LHS will not deal with TOWER in the first place. Tower Hobbies is great if you don't know much about what it is you are buying. They have pictures, detailed descriptions, and are quite helpful. However, with the exception of a few of their items and kits, they seem to be entirely overpriced. In my experience, if you know exactly what part or kit you need, look for another source. I say buy the catalog for reference, order if it makes it more convenient for you somehow. --Dan > Here's the letter I sent to Tower Hobbies : > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > than just a few words, how you are making a sacrifice or please dont respond > at all. First of all, their 2 warehouse system is RE-TAR-DED! They ship orders from 2 places in 2 different packages...no wonder they raised their shipping rates!!! Secondly, as far as the parts-express lower shipping prices for lightweight parts...it's a crock of BS! A sheet of stickers doesn't qualify and costs us the same to get shipped in a little envelope as does a large, heavy box. F-Tower!!! > Here's the letter I sent to Tower Hobbies : > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > than just a few words, how you are making a sacrifice or please dont respond > at all. Did Tower Hobbies wrong you in a previous life? If they offer the products you want at the price you want, then buy from them. If not, then don't. There's no need to "F" anybody. Rick R. > Did Tower Hobbies wrong you in a previous life? If they offer the > products you want at the price you want, then buy from them. If not, > then don't. There's no need to "F" anybody. > > Rick R. Well said ! sh.t, you guys don't know how lucky you have it over there. Tower is far cheaper on most things for us people Down-Under......add the shipping and it's still bloody cheaper. If you don't like them, don't buy from them. It's a simple as that. Regards, Brad. Also, you may have noted, there are a whole lot of us not bitching. If you don't like the charge- ask the order taker to adjust it of buy elsewhere. My.02 SamB > > Did Tower Hobbies wrong you in a previous life? If they offer the > > products you want at the price you want, then buy from them. If not, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Regards, > Brad. Agreed, I have nothing but good things to say about Tower. I'd like to see more high end stuff, but prices are usually pretty good and service is, well, perfect IMO. My LHS is staffed by a bunch of teenie-bopper a.sholes that have attitudes, don't like helping customers, and no nothing about what they are selling ("Do you have a screw like this one still in the mating part?" "I can't take that screw out because we're not allowed to work on customer's stuff." "Well, do you have a flat-bladed screwdriver then?" "No."). I'd rather give my money to Tower any day. Brian > Also, you may have noted, there are a whole lot of us not bitching. If you > don't like the charge- ask the order taker to adjust it of buy elsewhere. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Regards, > > Brad. Agree totally! Tower does a VERY good job. As a consumer, I have the choice to spend my money anywhere I wish. If I don't like how I am treated by a dealer, I just move on.......... Reading the posts by the "one", I cannot imagine anyone or anything makes him happy including himself! > Agreed, > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > > Regards, > > > Brad. :::devils advocate:::: I have plenty of good things to say about tower - been ordering from them since '87. They have done right by me several times. HOWEVER, the original poster does have a point. When a company advertises "reduced shipping rates", it just aint right when what they actually charge you for shipping goes UP. There it is. Additionally, i find towers website extremely useful....ive been taking side jobs from the LHS owner who doesnt have time to do his repair work himself. I research the parts on tower, know exactly what i need, and have him order it from Great Pains. I do wish they listed more ofna parts. I also wish they would carry losi and more high end stuff too, but its hard to complain about a company that stocks 38,000 items.... finally, im not crazy about their marraige with kyosho and duratrax. I just think that its unfair that they push low end kyosho crap on newbies - ruining their rc experience (read Sandmaster) - instead of giving the customer a fair representation of the whole industry. my $.03 (inflation) > Agree totally! Tower does a VERY good job. As a consumer, I have the choice > to spend my money anywhere I wish. If I don't like how I am treated by a [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > > > Regards, > > > > Brad. Rick...F-You too! > Did Tower Hobbies wrong you in a previous life? If they offer the > products you want at the price you want, then buy from them. If not, > then don't. There's no need to "F" anybody. > > Rick R. > > then don't. There's no need to "F" anybody. > Rick...F-You too! Touche'. Rick R. Pricing: Towers prices are Way Cheap. They Ship internationally, and will Fedex if asked. Here in my town, there is NO LHS(well there is, but its all Slot cars or Toys R Us). There website with prices is great and better then almost anything Going. When I'm state side, all I hear from the LHS's is that Towers is Killing the LHS. Prices, ok sure not everything is Cheap-est, But considering my Options...NONE. Website: Even Kyosho's own site doesn't have as much details about its models as Towers. Look up a Two Speed upgrade for the Inferno 7.5 Landmax on Kyosho's site, its only listed as Optional. On Towers Site, its there with a Picture and a detailed list of included items. Same goes for the Os Engines FS-40C-X conversion for the Same car, Thats not even listed by Kyosho. Other Shops: I've done business with Stormer's and they are good, but the website is not even close. (Plus they have a more personal touch, and Helped with customs papers..... ;-) Shipping: On Shipping... I live in Europe, and one time my package didn't get here for 45 days, at which I was allowed a RE-SHIP at no cost. I Got the RE-Ship in 10 days. (I recieved the Original ORDER at 100days... Seems Portugal Custom's was using my box as a paper weight) Though No fault of Towers they LOST money... just to fulfill there customer satifaction garranty! Now Tell me another store that would do that?... MOST would say, Wait some more, Wait some more etc etc... until I get the lost box or give up. Don't like there pricing on shipping some stickers, then don't order them on the WEB, phone them... There are REAL people working there, explain the problem and they will find a solution. (Like they did with me and Fedex... Fedex is not even listed as a option on there Website, I Build me orders then FAX them it, with Detailed instructions to Fedex) Fedex has there own Customs Agents here that are quick and don't use your package for a papars weight. Last order was recieved in 2 weeks (but it was only an envlop) The Shipping Price Changes: Tower is in Business to make money, make happy customers, and support the hobby. You can't make money if your losing it on Shipping, so adjust the shipping prices to higher rates, But they didn't just do that, they Lowered rates on things they could, I see this as a NORMAL operating practice not a cover up. They could have just said to all, "Oh sorry people, Shipping costs are up, you have to pay more" , and made more money on the shipping little stuff to. I'm rambling! I had a different experience with them. I ordered a bunch of stuff from them not long ago. Everything was priced better than the LHS. When I got it, in 3 days, one of the high end items was not there. I called them and they said they would take care of it. The next morning.... I had it. I have been getting stuff from them on and off for close to 15 years. Never had one bad thing to say about them. I've also been doing some ebay lately, sending out a lot of stuff. Shipping and handling is a lot more costly/time consuming, than I ever imagined... If you don't mind giving your time away, then it's no big deal. But if you have to account for your time, then it is. I tend to agree with some of the others. If you don't like them, just don't buy from them. The first time you have a problem with some other outfit, and it takes you a couple of months to straightnen it out, if you even do, you'll think that extra buck you spend at Tower isn't really all that important.. Dan ---------------------------------------------- just because you have one, doesn't mean you have to act like one... >Here's the letter I sent to Tower Hobbies : > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >than just a few words, how you are making a sacrifice or please dont respond >at all. From the way you word things, I'm assuming English is not your native language. What country do you live in? I find your post odd since most people outside the U.S. (and within for that matter) claim Tower's prices are still much cheaper AFTER SHIPPING vs. their local hobby shops. Tower Hobbies is one of the best places I've ever dealt with online. Their website is first class, shipping is reasonable and the item is usually at my front door within 2 days after ordering. Returns are also quick and hassle free. I too have been dealing with tower for some time now. I love their site but I'm disappointed they raised the shipping costs also. their website cant be matched and that helps out a lot especially if you are new to the hobby. I agree with the poster who said their "marriage" to kyosho and duratrax sucks though. however, there are other online sites who have lower prices then tower, its just that they may lack pictures and /or descriptions so it turns you away. as stated before, if anything use tower as a reference for looking for the best deals. and to the guys who say "just go to your lhs" thats bs sometimes because both of the ones in my area tend to have significantly higher prices then the web. > and to the guys who say "just go to your lhs" thats bs sometimes because > both of the ones in my area tend to have significantly higher prices then > the web. Isn't there something to be said for having the ability to walk in a store and walk out with part in hand? We run Associated cars and trucks, and 70% of the time if I break something I know Stanton Hobby Shop here in my hood will have the part. I also have them order parts for me and they have them in within days. Regular customers also receive a discount that usually takes the price down to Tower pricing even with tax thrown in. Almost every LHS I know gives regular customers a break on their prices to closely match Tower. I'd use Tower in a second if I thought I could save money and time, but it doesn't work out that way for me. You've got a savvy LHS owner. Not everyone is so lucky. These days, the internet and ebay make each little mom and pop into a contender in a global (or at least nationwide) market. Tower is actually making the local availability a much less attractive plus by getting rare parts to the customer just as fast and just as cheap as the LHS. The LHS can only stock a limited selection of parts in their small showroom. My LHS owner keeps my business by having the part I need by the next Wednesday, for sure, for sure. He even gives me a discount on prices from the web. Granted, he's in bed with Horizon Hobby, but they are a respectable outfit also. I just wish Horizon would pay as much attention to individual part descriptions and pictures as Tower does.  SignatureJustin Mahn remove Panties to reply > > and to the guys who say "just go to your lhs" thats bs sometimes because > > both of the ones in my area tend to have significantly higher prices then [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > I'd use Tower in a second if I thought I could save money and time, but > it doesn't work out that way for me. > Almost every LHS I know gives regular customers a break on their prices > to closely match Tower. okay, thats good for you. but why does the "newbie joe blow" pay more then the going rate at the LHS. i know they got to stay in business. but c'mon, just giving the "special" discount to friends does nothing for me - "casual joe blow" p.s. i see that your from chicago because i've been to that hobby shop on a number of occasions. i buy things like fuel and tubing, magazines and bodies from them. i even bought a trx. 15 there. they should give me a discount because i refer people to them all the time. i dont mention tower because you need to see these things in person to be swayed. i dont know if they show up but i do give them directions. and thats where i have a beef with that "home-boy hookup" you're referring to. mrs. blow might not want to buy a car after i told her i paid $300 for mine but she gets there "lhs" and its $375. its as if this industry wants to stay exclusive. it sucks racing by myself....sorry, running off topic! >and to the guys who say "just go to your lhs" thats bs sometimes because >both of the ones in my area tend to have significantly higher prices then >the web. I think the point was... if you don't care for Tower, go to the lhs... and pay the higher price. Tower also has a deal where you can get free shipping by joining their club. If you buy somewhat frequently, it's worth it. You can always ask your friends if they need anything, to get your order to the minimum. Dan ---------------------------------------------- just because you have one, doesn't mean you have to act like one... more specifically, i think the point was that tower shouldnt raise thier rates and advertise that theyve lowered them. > >and to the guys who say "just go to your lhs" thats bs sometimes because > >both of the ones in my area tend to have significantly higher prices then [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > just because you have one, > doesn't mean you have to act like one... Stantons I dont think is all that good of an RC shop, selection wise that is. Yeah they might have AE Losi stuff most places do and some trx But there are much better shops than that one. My lhs in Rockford carries a much much better selection. They have a glass shelf lined with opened vehicles to check out. AE, Losi Traxxas, Duratrax, HPI, Tamiya, Hot bodies, Kyosho, GS, some OFNA even TTR and others and large racks of parts for the firstf five of the above. Ive been to most shops in the Northern IL southern WIS area and yet have seen a shop with a wider selection of RC vehicles where is this shop and its name? > Stantons I dont think is all that good of an RC shop, selection wise > that is. Yeah they might have AE Losi stuff most places do and some trx [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Northern IL southern WIS area and yet have seen a shop with a wider > selection of RC vehicles "MikeF" wrote in message ... > more specifically, i think the point was that tower shouldnt raise thier > rates and advertise that theyve lowered them. Right ! |
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