CCCUK member benefits.

Mon 03 Nov 08 10:28

CCCUK member benefits.

Don’t know if this has been brought up before, but t’was wondering… would it be possible for the CCCUK person who arranges suppliers discounts (Ecklers, MAM etc) to see if they could negotiate, for the club, the shipping methods used by these suppliers?

We all have to endure the expense of shipping parts from time to time, but (personally) I don’t see why it has to be via the most expensive methods known to man (UPS, DHL etc) when lots of times the standard United States Postal Service is perfectly adequate and a fraction of the cost.

To my location in Spain, parcels sent by the USPS Priority service, normally arrive in 7-10 days, are trackable and signed for and in my experience very reliable (a plus point considering Spain is involved!).

Shipping charges, as we all know, are a killer and (again ‘personally’) I get the right ache at paying double (more sometimes) the ticket price on many things because of shipping which more than kills the discount on the parts.

Any chance of asking/negotiating?... any thoughts?

Mon 03 Nov 08 11:06

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

Josh

Interesting point. The purchases I made with Ecklers last year all came over here to France via USPS Priority Air Mail, (at my request) in our case arrived in about 5-7 days and was commendably cheap.

But, I bought a couple of pieces from Ecklers last month and Emelza told me that, for some reason they do not use USPS now. In the event, the items took about 2 weeks to come, so it wasn’t too bad. She did mention that they did, of course, have the slight “glitch”, with items being sent to a past CCCUK Chairman, and that was something to do with the info the shippers held on the CCCUK “account”. So maybe it’s not as easy to include that in our negotiations!

Not sure how your customs works there, or what we're allowed to bring in here really, but I did notice that we never get any follow-up "duty" bills with USPS, but I did when one of the suppliers (possibly Corvette Central) used UPS.

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Stephen J Irons
CCCUK Lifetime Member
Corvette Club France
Corvettes of Southern California
NCM Family Member
Stephen & June's Web Site
Red Corvettes Have More Fun!


The "Born-Again Greenies" are killing the planet! It's time to tell the world the Emperor is naked!

Mon 03 Nov 08 11:58

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

Hi Stephen,

I’ve only had my (first) Vette this year, so I’m not familiar with previous practices (or ‘glitches’!), but so far Ecklers and MAM have categorically refused (for me) to use USPS and like yourself I find it a very good service.

As for customs in Spain, I ‘think’ it is related to the declared (or suspected) value as to whether they deem it worth applying duties.

It just grinds on me to pay as much or more for shipping than the value of some parts.

Mon 03 Nov 08 18:20

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

Josh - as I negotiated the Ecklers Discount, I'll chip in.

Firstly there is some discussion on Ecklers here:
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4979&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=40

My advice would be to contact Linda Calhoun at Ecklers if you need a shipping quote. It is true that the shipping is sometimes exhorbitant but at least if you get a firm quote you can make your choice. Mid-America have a very firm policy on overseas orders, but they should still be considered. Don't forget to take advantage of the CCCUK discounts.

As regards Steve's comments about problems involving a previous Chairman, what actually happened was that when Ecklers changed shipping agents they somehow gave the new agents the address of a previous Chairman and all orders were arriving at his house - all very inconvenient but made worse when he was billed with the import duty and was even threatened with debt collectors!!! All sorted now, though.

Hope this helps.

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Rich Rogers
CCCUK Lifetime Member
2008 LS3 Victory Red Coupe

Mon 03 Nov 08 19:25

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

Rich, first thanks for all the effort that goes into arranging these discounts and other things… truly appreciated.

I’ve gotta be honest, so far I have found Linda and also Enilda to be as useful as a handbrake on a canoe!. I won’t go into detail (unless someone wants), but I’ve had all sorts of problems with Ecklers and I’ve only been a Vette owner for a few months.

As for getting firm shipping quotes, on one occasion I was told to place the order and then cancel it if I didn’t like the shipping cost… which I was told could only be calculated after the item was packed and ready for dispatch. Another time I was actually given a quote which mysteriously increased by 30.00USD (not a lot, but principal and all that) by the time I was charged.

I’ve scanned the thread (I remember reading it before) and whilst many where complaining, we don’t seem to actually do anything (as a club) to convey our concerns to the suppliers and attempt to rectify them. It ‘seems’ (to me personally and correct me if I’m wrong) that we all say this ain’t right, that ain’t right and it just fizzles out!!!

Anyway, back to the point I was originally trying to make… all these suppliers insist on using expensive couriers. It means nothing to them (they’re not paying), so wouldn’t it be possible to try negotiating for the cheaper alternative (USPS) for club members… assuming I’m not the only one who objects to the UPS/DHL charges of course!??

Mon 03 Nov 08 19:33

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

C5RagTop wrote (View Post):
As regards Steve's comments about problems involving a previous Chairman, what actually happened was that when Ecklers changed shipping agents they somehow gave the new agents the address of a previous Chairman and all orders were arriving at his house - all very inconvenient but made worse when he was billed with the import duty and was even threatened with debt collectors!!! All sorted now, though.

Hope this helps.

Ooops! When I spoke to Ecklers last month there was a bit of a sheepish chuckle in thegirls wioce when she mentioned this. No wonder she didn't dwell on it

I was very grateful for the effort you put in on the "Club Discount" front Rich, It made a bid difference to the little tantrums that the Corvette threw last year.

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Stephen J Irons
CCCUK Lifetime Member
Corvette Club France
Corvettes of Southern California
NCM Family Member
Stephen & June's Web Site
Red Corvettes Have More Fun!


The "Born-Again Greenies" are killing the planet! It's time to tell the world the Emperor is naked!

Tue 04 Nov 08 20:17

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

i have no idea what size of order we're talking here, but perhaps Steve Borland of Moving parts, or Keith Beschi of Eurovettes could help here.

Dave

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Thought for the week:
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Tue 04 Nov 08 20:42

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

slipperywhenvette wrote (View Post):i have no idea what size of order we're talking here, but perhaps Steve Borland of Moving parts, or Keith Beschi of Eurovettes could help here.

Dave

Hi Dave,

No, it's not about any particular order or size of order (even small/cheap parts are less than attractive with UPS/DHL shipping). The query was whether the club could negotiate alternative (more viable/beneficial) shipping methods for ALL parts with the suppliers that offer CCCUK members discounts. In fact, I think this would be a better saving for members than the discount on the parts!

Tue 04 Nov 08 21:33

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

slipperywhenvette wrote (View Post):i have no idea what size of order we're talking here, but perhaps Steve Borland of Moving parts, or Keith Beschi of Eurovettes could help here.

Dave

Moving Parts isn't run by Steve Borland any more.

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'68 coupe - 4 speed - 3.08 - F41 - 489 cu in - 528 bhp @ 5850 rpm - 565 ft/lbs torque (766 Newton Metres) @ 3850 rpm - (225 bhp & 465 ft/lb Torque @ 2500 rpm)

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Wed 05 Nov 08 20:11

Re: CCCUK member benefits.

As for getting firm shipping quotes, on one occasion I was told to place the order and then cancel it if I didn’t like the shipping cost… which I was told could only be calculated after the item was packed and ready for dispatch.
Know how you feel mate! Had the same response myself from them! Yeah, give you my card details when I don't know the final cost!!!????
Don't think so good buddy!

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I used to have money, now I have a Vette!