Every business has challenges, it's how the store owner/customer service person treats you when something goes wrong that really matters.

Pelican for example: took 3 months (and 20 calls) to get a car cover a few years ago...ended up getting it (a nicer one) free; brake rotors shipped with paper gaskets...customer service manager was very receptive to hearing about this, said she's made changes to shipping.


it's easy to be cheery and have great customer service when everything goes right. it's how you the customer are treated when things go wrong that tells the most about whether you should shop there again.

My lesson from this experience was that they recognized someone screwed up and did what they could to make it up to me. BTW, they ordered the brakes and will come in less than web price.

Local (in state) and you pay state sales tax. I hate taxes!

Maybe higher oil prices will make shipping more expensive than sales taxes. Dunno.

And, on top of that, it's 2 for 1!

Live in Taxachusetts, and when you file your annual state income tax return, you're supposed to pay a "Use Tax" for anything you purchased out of state (presumably tax free via mail order/internet), but are now using within the state. So, theoretically, you pay for both shipping and 5% state sales tax.

make sure the online people you order from dont have a store location in your state. it they do you are supposed to pay sales tax on top of shipping charges. one of the reasons i am back to getting a lot of my outdoor gear locally again. gas and taxes can still be cheaper than shipping and taxes for some things.

I tried to shop locally during Christmas. I ordered a wagon from a local hardware store. They ordered it from Wal-Mart, and resold it to me for $40 more than what they paid for it. They left the pick up ticket on the darn box.

????:eek::eek::eek:
why would you even pay for that after you saw the pickup ticket?

That's so pathetic it's actually funny.

They put it in the car for me. I did not see it until I got it home.