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KR- Excessive Shipping Charges

Etowah
br549ms said:
Shipping is high, yes. But I think thee gripe is KR automated shipping calculator is so far out of wack. I just ordered hoses from a KR competitor whose hose price was almost the same, but automated shipping calculator fo KR was ~300.00. My shipping cost was 50.00 and I did not have to call anyone.
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Please tell BR where you bought them.
 
I don’t like to get into vendor bashing, KR is a good supplier and I will use them in the future, just wish they would fix whatever is going on with shipping and make it more convenient for us. The supplier I purchased the hose from was Sonny’s.
 
I just checked UPS's shipping estimate for the two boxes I just received from KR. They charged me $40.12 total and the UPS estimate was about $31.00 for the two. I'm also sure KR is getting a volume discount rate and I doubt the shipping materials are more than a dollar. One of the boxes was Big Blue Towels and they just slapped a shipping label on it so there was not any shipping materials cost. How long did it take to gather and pack the other box of 6 different items? I'm not sure but I bet it was not $9 (plus whatever UPS discount they are getting) worth of labor unless they have a very inefficient warehouse setup. It does not bother me that they are "making money" on shipping because many times I still find that they are the best total price.
 
This is my last shipment from Kleenrite for a few 1/4 inch check valves. This is the box they came in along with all the paper. couldhavbeenshipped in a box 1/4 the si.IMG_2426.JPGze or less. This just means a higher shipping fee for me to pay
 
Based on our experience both on the laundromat side & the car-dog wash side ... when it comes to ordering it pays to be organized on our end in terms of having space reserved for larger quantities.

Timing can be important ... watching & acting on the $1250 minimum order KR's Trade Show Special Rates ... KR tends to become the best option.

As far as different rewards programs ... I have mixed feelings. We get a bit tired of wasting time with a wide array of what I call "bobbing for apples" reward prizes ... Verizonwireless UP is the latest for an unpleasant experience. My bank's reward prizes is another unpleasant waste of time IMHO. Another is Kellogg's products. Don't get me started about credit card "tease" sign up offers. For an honest disclaimer on my part ... I am not sure about other's experiences with rewards prizes though ...

It seems like some suppliers cater more to the largest corporate buyers a bit too much. That scares me a bit with big oil companies affiliated with such an overabundance of gas station automatic car washes.
 
Greg Pack said:
I know US mail can disappoint at times, but that is an ideal shipment for a priority mail flat rate box.
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It seems like USPS can be a good performer during their less busy season. I have ordered on Ebay on a Friday & even a Saturday from as far away as Florida & have rec'd on Monday morning. Considering how expensive next day delivery from Fed Express &/or UPS can be ... that can be a winner!
 
I was just trying to point out that KR could save us both money if they packaged more efficient. I usually order pallet load quantity but occasionally I have to fill in a few items. I still buy 99% of my stuff from KR and they have been a good supplier.
 
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KR just pushed me over to CW Superstore.

Needed a rotary switch for a meter box, and a foot valve. One of each. That's it.

KR checkout page showed .46lbs for shipping weight.

Cost for ground shipping... wait for it... $38!

Ridiculous.

Went to CW Superstore. Cost for same items was less plus I opted to become a member, so free ground shipping for a year.
 
After my second order with CWSS I more than paid back my one time yearly fee.
The best thing is I absolutely do not think about my freight cost when ordering small or large orders from them.
It‘s hard to beat CWSS.
 
Wow that is absolutely insane! I hope they are reading this forum cause customers are really gonna start to look elsewhere.
 
Just got free shipping on KR order and they had to send Vac motor brushes from anther location - sent by mail. Shipping $0.00
 
Axxlrod said:
KR just pushed me over to CW Superstore.

Needed a rotary switch for a meter box, and a foot valve. One of each. That's it.

KR checkout page showed .46lbs for shipping weight.

Cost for ground shipping... wait for it... $38!

Ridiculous.

Went to CW Superstore. Cost for same items was less plus I opted to become a member, so free ground shipping for a year.
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There has to be something wrong in the calculations, no way that is right. Bet they would have fixed it if you called. Of course most of us don't want to take the time to call, so I get it. We also shouldn't have to.
 
Not gonna waste my time calling them to fix their shipping costs. Plus I ordered the items at around 5pm, and I'm in CA, so nobody would be at KR to take my call anyway.
 
I hate shipping charges... So this is what I've been doing since the car wash show and signing up for the CWSS shipping deal.

Anytime KR has a free shipping deal like "spend 1200 or more and get free shipping" I do that. This means I just acquired 12-15k in points. A 40lb box to free ship is only 7.5k in points so I can get an extra couple free ship orders until the next KR free shipping promo goes live.

I can get 80% of the things I need at CWSS but for the other 20% this is a way to get free shipping from both companies (minus the yearly fee from CWSS of course).
 
It is helpful on the internet when shopping for the best value to be able to sort by Amount+Shipping Total Cost vs Amount Only + Uncertain( who knows) shipping cost. At least a fixed shipping charge can be evaluated & then accepted as the best deal vs going just by free shipping a bit too much.

I do try not to be blind to follow up support ... if it is something that involves needed expertise etc! Some things like my commercial grade router allowed me to buy the 24/7 support package separate based on a locked in contract.
 
I have also been moving away from KR and they used to be my go to supplier. Their shipping cost are getting ridiculous. I order all my stuff at night so calling them for correct shipping cost is not an option.
 
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