Rip Off warning!

[Doug in IL]

A few days ago, I ordered an engine tank heater from Sloan Express in Assumption, Il. The price in their 2007 catalog, which they sent me a month ago, was $33.99. I received the heater yesterday. I was charged $42.99. Over 20% more. I called them and was told prices are subject to change at any time! I told them they would never get another order from me again! Their catalog now resides in the trash can. Just a heads up.

 

[JBMac]

Not trying to defend the outfit, but it does clearly say in the catalog and on the website that prices are subject to change. When you print catalogs in bulk, prices often change from suppliers while it's in circulation. I'm in the ag chemicals market and you wouldn't beleive how prices fluctuate month to month. I've been burned many times by setting a price for a customer and then losing money on every sale for the season. Maybe they should have communicated the price change to you a little better before you ordered. My 2 cents.

 

[rustyfarmall]

How much of that extra 20% was for shipping?

 

[Anonymous-0]

I drove to town a couple of days ago and passed a filling station and the gas was 2.79 per gallon and a couple of hours later I came home and the price was 2.99 per gallon.I've been in your situation on buying parts several times.I remember I ordered a gasket for a IH tractor at an IH dealer and they told me it would be 7 dollars and would have it the next day. When I went to get it , they charged me 14.50 and told me 7.50 was for Postage and Handleing.

 

[Doug in IL]

None of it. Shipping was an additional $7.00. Total bill was $49.99. A dollar or two, maybe even 3 dollars is a price increase. A $9.00 increase on a $33.99 item is a rip off, plain and simple.

 

[LenND]

Anytime an dealer orders parts and tells you they will have it next day you will pay postage. If you tell them to order it with their next regular stock order you will pay less because the cdharges are divided up with the whole shipment. Found that out the hard way.

 

[Coloken]

Get used to it. With near 100 dollar oil and trucking cost, inflation will be the way of the future. Companies will sell an item and then pay more for its replacment. Repair parts prices will drive farmers wild. Next year will be a real problem. Coming soon---tractors, cars and machinery from China.

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

With the value of the US dollar falling prices will go up and companies have to add that to the retail cost.I always ask for price conformation when ordering things misprints also occur.

 

[Anonymous-0]

your mad over 9 bucks ? could you drive to town and get it for less? what is it with people thy expect things to cost the some as last year every thing is going up and THIS IS ONLY THE START

 

[Anonymous-0]

Get used to it.Layer pellets went from 7.50 to 9.35 in one week here.If a company gets a new shipment and the price goes up they have to increase.Your 2007 catalog was probably printed in oct 2006.Call a steel supplier and ask how much steel has increased in one year.Groceries are increasing fast.It cost me 9.00 to ship a small circuit board.8 years ago I shipped fence chargers in Maine for 2.00, 8.00 now.Wheat has doubled in price in one year.

 

[DAN9-Midwest]

This doesn't sound right.
If you ordered it they would have confirmed the price with you over the phone. It seems to be common practice to avoid the situation you describe. If you paid with a credit card it is common practice to tell you the amount charged so you could decline if you wanted. And if you sent a check you would have been notified it wasn't enough.
I have ordered from them and had no problems.

 

[ILikeCase]

Not always the case. I went into Runnings to get an exhaust clamp for a 2N. They had a spot for them but none on hand. They said they would call me when they came in. Sure enough in about 10 days I got a call. They wanted to charge me freight for them - an item that they normally stock. Rebelling didn't change their mind so I left them there and added them to bigger mail order from another supplier.