My first order from Sears. It is also probably my last.

[BBQ&Love]

Sorry for another thread buzzing like an itchy bee about Sears. I keep seeing people complain but just figured it was flukes.

I needed a new set of Allen wrenches so when I saw that set from Sears the other day I ordered one.

The first thing that irked me was during checkout. Item cost plus S&H plus tax equaled $22.00. I am slightly irked that I can't pick it up in the store for free delivery but oh well, it's still a decent deal. Not smoking, but decent.

I finished the transaction and in the email I noticed it was for $22.49. Where did that 49 cents come from? Oh, tax on the S&H! I did some looking and there was even a separate line item in there for it. I have never had a company do that to me before.

They shipped it UPS and it was scheduled for delivery today. I checked the UPS number today. "At the shipper's request..." it was turned over to the USPS for delivery. Whatever.

So tonight I get my mail. A slip telling me to go pick up my package at the PO. The box is too big to fit in the box compartment of our mailboxes. Weird because those compartments are decent sized. Now I see elsehwere that it was shipped in a large box.

So now I have to take time off work, drive clear across town, stand in line for a while, and deal with our surly PO employees to get this little order. All because Sears shipped it in a box that is too large.

My life is too busy to deal with this kind of hassle. I have way too many options that are simple and easy to put up with this nonsense.

If this is the kind of operation they are running, I will not shed any tears upon their demise.

 

[Octarine]

Crazy, same thing happened to me today, UPS delivered it to the post office today but they don't know where it is.

What ***** the most is that it apparently shipped from about 10 miles from my house on Monday!

 

[box]

Based on my pathetic store pickup experience last week on the gear wrench deal, i am not sure that would have been a better option

 

[luvmyhondas]

I'll be glad to see the rise of the small retailer again. You know, the kinda place where the people know you and give a ****.

 

[GoBlue]

Some of the worst service i have ever had has been from the "little guy". I am not very old and remember before the big box stores came about...and that goes for guns and fly fishing tackle as well. Before the big guys the so called ma and pops often had poor service, poor selection and poor pricing. I know there where and are exceptions but the good old days weren't always so good. To be honest, i buy the great majority of my tools and gear online Dont be pissed as Sears that you have to pay tax. Its the law. Stop whining...we all have to do it.

 

[WRX/Z28]

In the past week I purchased the gearwrench crossbeam,and flex head's on one purchase. Picked up in a store close to me w/ no problems whatsoever. Then purchased the 20pc gearwrench set and picked up in a store close to my work with no problems whatsoever. Last month I ordered a bunch of stuff w/ free shipping. It arrived AOK.

Sounds like UPS is getting overwhelmed w/ holiday shipping and trying to pay the USPS to help out. This isn't sear's fault at all.

I've been buying stuff at sears for a long time because they have the brands I like, an actual B&M store, free financing, and a fairly decent website. I can't think off the top of my head what's a better all around store. Neither can anyone else aparently, since everyone keep's buying stuff at sears to complain about...

I can go buy Dickies/Carhartt/Levi's, pick up tools, shop for a plasma TV (bought mine there about 2 years ago and they price matched an out of stock and rude best buy around the corner), and they do it all without being another walmart garbage store.

Someone tell me where else I should be shopping instead and why (and don't say the internet).

 

[GoBlue]

I'll be glad to see the rise of the small retailer again. You know, the kinda place where the people know you and give a ****.

Hey Honda guy...they will never rise again. People are too keen on foreign goods and low cost

 

[imom]

WRX ... it's not UPS or FEDEX... alot of the big carriers now offer to companies like Sears and such options to save money...they do part of the mail delivery and then USPS takes over and does the finish by delivering it to you. Have no clue about the tax bit...kinda BS... but I also couldn't get my $5 off when I bought an order from Sears to pick up. When I went to pick up... they didn't have my order ready and they guy couldn't find parts of it and it took another 15 minutes to get it all...but hell I got a good deal on gearwrench as backups and such... I try not to do too many backup buys, but this forum kinda gets to you at times to buy things you don't really need. I was good for about 1 1/2 years...and just this week bought several already... will stop soon

 

[diesel research]

Aren't these allen wrenches chinese? The USA bondhus are ~the same price.

 

[darkzero]

If it's a product that Sears carries in stores, why not just go to Sears and purchase it in store (assuming you have a Sears nearby since store pick was mentioned). If that were the case I wouldn't even think of having it shipped to me if that was the only option online unless it was some kind of online deal only.

If it was an item sold by Sears online only & not carried in stores, chances are you probably could've found cheaper elsewhere. Sears also does third party sells these days. I hate that.

No one should be charging tax on shipping & handling.

I agree about the "mom & pop" shops. Some are very friendly but some are down right rude. I only buy from the rude ones cause sometimes they tend to carry brands or items the big box stores don't carry. I prefer shopping at the big box stores that have self checkout, don't have to deal with all the **** sometimes, except for those who don't get how to use self checkout.

 

[Octarine]

Aren't these allen wrenches chinese? The USA bondhus are ~the same price.

The ones I ordered were German made Wiha.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

He might be talking about the Wiha hex set (also called allen wrenches). From my own experience (which is quite a bit lately thanks to you guys), Sears pickup is great. Parking conveniently right in front, never wait more than 3mins. Definitely better than Lowe's or Home Depot.

The UPS/USPS option the original poster mentioned is called UPS MI or UPS Mail Innovation (http://www.upsmailinnovations.com/). Fedex has a similar service with USPS I believe. Basically, USPS can deliver cheaper but slower than UPS and Fedex, and noone wants to use USPS due to long line at the post office and rude customer service. So the UPS and Fedex guys just drop the packages at the local PO and the mailman takes it from there. It's probably the cheapest and slowest option out there.

 

[wreckerman5357]

In the past week I purchased the gearwrench crossbeam,and flex head's on one purchase. Picked up in a store close to me w/ no problems whatsoever. Then purchased the 20pc gearwrench set and picked up in a store close to my work with no problems whatsoever. Last month I ordered a bunch of stuff w/ free shipping. It arrived AOK.

Sounds like UPS is getting overwhelmed w/ holiday shipping and trying to pay the USPS to help out. This isn't sear's fault at all.

I've been buying stuff at sears for a long time because they have the brands I like, an actual B&M store, free financing, and a fairly decent website. I can't think off the top of my head what's a better all around store. Neither can anyone else aparently, since everyone keep's buying stuff at sears to complain about...

I can go buy Dickies/Carhartt/Levi's, pick up tools, shop for a plasma TV (bought mine there about 2 years ago and they price matched an out of stock and rude best buy around the corner), and they do it all without being another walmart garbage store.

Someone tell me where else I should be shopping instead and why (and don't say the internet).

These are some of the same reasons I shop at Sears. They have a large selection of acceptable quality tools in an actual store. I get on the Snap-On truck every Tuesday, but I don't buy all my tools there. Certain things are a waste of money on the truck and acceptable quality can be found for a lot of items at Sears. I rarely buy stuff on the internet. I like to hold something in my hands before purchasing and when I need a tool, I need it now.

 

[bradleykd]

boo hoo... i ordered those from sears, didnt bother tracking it every step of the way and it was on my doorstep when I went outside today. Couldn't be smoother. Sales tax is a fact of life, get over it.

 

[ChrisF250]

you started a thread about 49 cents and having to drive to the post office to get your package? Exactly how much money did you save on this deal buying from sears? We should just make a dedicated bash thread for Sears. Its funny with the amount of **** Sears takes from this board its amusing anyone still orders from them. Sears provides decent tools with decent service at very reasonable prices yet everyone expects Snap on service for Chinese prices.

 

[Skin]

Sorry for another thread buzzing like an itchy bee about Sears. I keep seeing people complain but just figured it was flukes.

I needed a new set of Allen wrenches so when I saw that set from Sears the other day I ordered one.

The first thing that irked me was during checkout. Item cost plus S&H plus tax equaled $22.00. I am slightly irked that I can't pick it up in the store for free delivery but oh well, it's still a decent deal. Not smoking, but decent.

I finished the transaction and in the email I noticed it was for $22.49. Where did that 49 cents come from? Oh, tax on the S&H! I did some looking and there was even a separate line item in there for it. I have never had a company do that to me before.

They shipped it UPS and it was scheduled for delivery today. I checked the UPS number today. "At the shipper's request..." it was turned over to the USPS for delivery. Whatever.

So tonight I get my mail. A slip telling me to go pick up my package at the PO. The box is too big to fit in the box compartment of our mailboxes. Weird because those compartments are decent sized. Now I see elsehwere that it was shipped in a large box.

So now I have to take time off work, drive clear across town, stand in line for a while, and deal with our surly PO employees to get this little order. All because Sears shipped it in a box that is too large.

My life is too busy to deal with this kind of hassle. I have way too many options that are simple and easy to put up with this nonsense.

If this is the kind of operation they are running, I will not shed any tears upon their demise.

Sounds like your beef should be with your inconvenient postal system and inane work schedule that doesnt allow for a trip to the post office 6 out of the 7 days in the week, not Sears.

 

[archirelic]

Sounds like your beef should be with your inconvenient postal system and inane work schedule that doesnt allow for a trip to the post office 6 out of the 7 days in the week, not Sears.

Quoted for TRUTH.

And besides that, **** HAPPENS.

 

[thesilverone]

paging porphyre

 

[wrh3]

Seems like all of the orders I have had lately have been routed UPS SurePost which is similar to FedEx SmartPost- UPS trucks the boxes to the USPS hub and lets them be the final delivery service. I am sure it is saving Sears money but not sure that is passed on to us the consumer (but maybe). When I see the expected delivery date I always add a day or two in my mind because it seems these packages are only picked up 2-3 times a week from the Sears DC and not every day which causes delays and bad website tracking/estimates info. I have received some items that were in exceptionally large boxes but they just leave them on the front porch at my house. This time of the year all of the parcel carriers are stretched thin and delivery/service suffers somewhat.

 

[BBQ&Love]

The responses made me smile. I expected **** for complaining about Sears. Didn't really think about the possibility of some of it being based on people's failure to comprehend what I wrote. Those made me smile. Thanks to everyone who replied.

Anyways, a few responses...

Dont be pissed as Sears that you have to pay tax. Its the law. Stop whining...we all have to do it.

Wait. You did catch that I was complaining about them tacking on a sales tax on the S&H part ways through the process right? Two issues at hand here.

First of all, if charging sales tax on the S&H is the law, why haven't other Texas retailers charged me sales tax on the S&H? Is JC Penny violating the law? Is Walmart violating the law? Is Lowe's violating the law? I have ordered from all three just this year and not one tacked on sales tax on the S&H.

Second, their website is crappy and leads to false expectations. "Your tax is $X.**." then a bit later "Oh wait, we forgot to add this tax." That's BS. It's a minor thing but it's BS and in 2011 it is entirely unacceptable.

Sounds like UPS is getting overwhelmed w/ holiday shipping and trying to pay the USPS to help out. This isn't sear's fault at all.

Someone tell me where else I should be shopping instead and why (and don't say the internet).

Yes, it is Sears' "fault". They made the arrangement for UPS to hand it off to the USPS. But if you notice, I didn't complain about that in of itself. I said "Whatever".

I will still buy from Sears. Never said I wouldn't. I did say I will probably never order from Sears. BTW, I do purchase most of my stuff from the internet and love it. I am curious why you don't like that suggestion.

Aren't these allen wrenches chinese? The USA bondhus are ~the same price.

No, German made. If I had it to do over again I would buy the Bondhus. I have one of their T handled ones at work and it's awesome.

If it's a product that Sears carries in stores, why not just go to Sears and purchase it in store (assuming you have a Sears nearby since store pick was mentioned). If that were the case I wouldn't even think of having it shipped to me if that was the only option online unless it was some kind of online deal only.

If it was an item sold by Sears online only & not carried in stores, chances are you probably could've found cheaper elsewhere. Sears also does third party sells these days. I hate that.

No one should be charging tax on shipping & handling.

1. It was online only. It was cheaper than anywhere else. Kind of a one time deal.

2. Thanks for understanding I wasn't complaining about sales tax in of itself, but rather about sales tax being charged on the S&H.

Sears pickup is great. Parking conveniently right in front, never wait more than 3mins. Definitely better than Lowe's or Home Depot.

But pickup wasn't an option they offered for this item. I even asked their chat help people.

boo hoo... i ordered those from sears, didnt bother tracking it every step of the way and it was on my doorstep when I went outside today. Couldn't be smoother. Sales tax is a fact of life, get over it.

WOOHOO! I am glad yours went smoothly. I am soooo happy for you!

PS. That sales tax thing? Ah, you missed my point. But that's OK. Because you got yours smoothly! Woohoo!

Sounds like your beef should be with your inconvenient postal system and inane work schedule that doesnt allow for a trip to the post office 6 out of the 7 days in the week, not Sears.

1. If Sears were not using wasteful, over sized packaging then my postal system would not be an issue.

2. Who said anything about my work schedule not allowing for a trip to the PO? Because I sure didn't. I can take off work pretty much any time I wish. It's still a pain and a hassle.

 

[ncfh]

I got in on the Wiha keys and the Gearwrench blowout too...

Both online transactions were easy, got shipping notifications with working tracking numbers, and both orders arrived quickly sans postal drama.

But I guess they did use too many packing peanuts. DAMN THEM TO HELL!!!

 

[BBQ&Love]

But I guess they did use too many packing peanuts. DAMN THEM TO HELL!!!

 

[BBQ&Love]

And besides that, **** HAPPENS.

Yep. And it ain't gonna happen to me on a Sears order anymore!

 

[cib]

Sears screwed me over on a treadmill being shipped and then messed with me on the warranty of a drill press, the drill press was left at their front door and the treadmill was refused shipment. Used to really like Sears but will never deal with them again.

 

[pipsters]

Wait. You did catch that I was complaining about them tacking on a sales tax on the S&H part ways through the process right? Two issues at hand here.

First of all, if charging sales tax on the S&H is the law, why haven't other Texas retailers charged me sales tax on the S&H? Is JC Penny violating the law? Is Walmart violating the law? Is Lowe's violating the law? I have ordered from all three just this year and not one tacked on sales tax on the S&H.

Second, their website is crappy and leads to false expectations. "Your tax is $X.**." then a bit later "Oh wait, we forgot to add this tax." That's BS. It's a minor thing but it's BS and in 2011 it is entirely unacceptable.

Charging tax on S&H is definitely a new one - but don't get mad at Sears. It's Texas state law.

8. Are delivery or shipping charges taxable?
Shipping and handling charges are taxable if the charges are associated with the sale of taxable goods or service.
For example, you sell a sofa to a customer for $500. You agree to deliver the sofa and charge separate fee of $50 for delivery. Because your sale of the sofa is taxable, your $50 delivery charge is also taxable. You should collect sales tax on $550.
In contrast, if you sold a similar sofa for $500 to another customer who issues you a properly completed resale or exemption certificate, then your sale and the delivery charge are exempt. If you deliver the sofa for a fee of $50, the delivery charge is not taxable. You do not collect sales tax on the $550.
Note: "Delivery," "shipping," or "postage" on an invoice represents delivery charges. Please refer to Rule 3.303. Please note that separately stated charges for postage are not taxable when billed by the seller to a client if the cost of the postage was incurred by the seller at the request of the client to distribute tangible personal property to third party recipients designated by the seller's client.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_collect.html#collect8

Interestingly enough it took me .5 secs and a google search of "texas sales tax shipping and handling" it was the first one on the list...probably a good idea to do research before you *****...

 

[ishiboo]

Charging tax on S&H is definitely a new one - but don't get mad at Sears. It's Texas state law.



http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_collect.html#collect8

Interestingly enough it took me .5 secs and a google search of "texas sales tax shipping and handling" it was the first one on the list...probably a good idea to do research before you *****...

I think in other locales, S&H is taxable whenever it is profiting the company. IE, if they have $20 flat rate shipping "and handling", and it costs them $10 to ship it, then that $20 is taxable. If they charge you actual shipping and handling, then it's non-taxable in most areas.

 

[IBJanky]

I get charged sales tax on S&H charges from some merchants, but not all. I live in CA btw.

myke

 

[JMartel]

I've had very helpful service from everyone at Sears. I don't see why everyone complains. I also don't order stuff online from them though. In fact, I was helped by a very nice older man who know what he was talking about with 2 minutes before closing and he didn't rush me.

 

[BBQ&Love]

OK, I bitched too quick.

Complaint #1 - Quoting one price then tacking on more later in the process. Complaint sustained. Stupidity on the website.

Complaint #2 - Charging tax on the S&H. I just ordered an item from Woot.com and they charged tax on the S&H as well. I was wrong and I retract my complaint. However, see number 1.

Complaint #3 - The package size causing inconvenience. Couple things. First of all, these wrenches are a lot longer than I expected. (Not sure what to think about that but that's another issue.) Second, they are packaged in such a way that their box was not massive overkill. Somewhat overkill, but not massively. So on this count I was wrong too.

I was an ***.

PS. I still probably won't order from Sears. Too much hassle and that website stupidity really irks me. Plus I hate their website.

 

[IBJanky]

PS. I still probably won't order from Sears. Too much hassle and that website stupidity really irks me. Plus I hate their website.

Then don't.

Find somewhere else to shop for tools.

myke

ps.
I hope they use smaller boxes to pack your stuff. God forbid you have to drive to the post office again

 

[BBQ&Love]

Then don't.

Find somewhere else to shop for tools.

myke

ps.
I hope they use smaller boxes to pack your stuff. God forbid you have to drive to the post office again

Thanks for your advice!

 

[IBJanky]

Thanks for your advice!

My pleasure. No hidden fees or taxes either.

myke

 

[Octarine]

I'll spare you the saga of today, here's the important info:

-3 different post offices in 3 different towns

- 2 different tracking numbers

- 2 different carriers

- 20 miles driven

- 1 box delivered by yet another mail carrier I've never seen before

That said, I like the Wiha hex keys. I too was surprised at how large they were but that is a big plus for me! I was expecting something like my little old Bondhus set which max out at maybe 4-5"