They failed to make a good faith effort to deliver a trailer kit I purchased through their Amazon store. They indicated the shipper attempted to contact me - there was absolutely no evidence of that - then returned the product to them because their contact attempt failed. Out of an original $429 charge, with zero shipping and handling charges specified, they only credited my account $203. When I protested they, quite dismissively, indicated that they "do not credit shipping and handling"?
The first question of course is 'what shipping and handling charge'? My receipt shows zero. They also tout their No Shipping Charge Policy on their main website.
- They failed to complete their end of a purchase agreement wherein they are responsible for delivering to me a product that I in good faith paid for.
- They arbitrarily assigned a shipping and handling amount - never documented in the original purchase - and summarily made it my responsibility because they and/or their representative failed to make a delivery.
I researched this company and its reputation on the BBB and consumer watchdog websites - and found I am not unique in this experience. It is my recommendation to any consumer that wants a positive experience purchasing a product - Go Elsewhere!
Mac
San Lorenzo,#2Author of original report
Fri, May 31, 2013
You are possibly a first-year-law-student – practicing your skills at arguing the ‘difficult side of an argument’ - you are most certainly not an accountant. You are most certainly gliding across the very surface of the issue - and should feel contrite about defending this organization as you are correct in one aspect - it is “unfair” - but Extremely Wrong in another . We as consumers do not have to simply shove our heads in the ground then accept a company’s lewd actions to us - while we hide.
1. Making a written statement does not make a 'thing' legal. Here is an example: A signed statement on the face of my T-shirt, for all to see, reading “I am not responsible for the actions of a bullet upon its leaving my gun”. If I intended to use the argument that I was wearing the shirt, during a shooting, I doubt it would hold up in a court of law. If it would hold up then I would say the efforts of the citizenry should be to change the law.
2. 15% : $429 -$203 = $229, ($229/$429) x 100 = 53%. Please direct me to the location of that percentage in their written statement.
3. If it is an organizations intension to hold the consumer responsible for shipping and handling –“which was their statement in their response” then they should specify those amounts – as contract – in the original receipt.
4. It was not dropped shipped – for all I know it was not shipped at all – as they did not provide any evidence that there was shipment. Nor was there any evidence that the shipping company attempted to contact me. I did my due-diligence – they did none upon my request.
5. I have never shopped with them before – and Yes – I will never shop with them again. But I will be d**med on two levels.
a. That I should walk away without being fully compensated.
b. That I should not make these events clear to the public, consumer protection agencies, and legal organizations. I don't accept your "just take it" attitude. Scr*w their prices - that is a specious reason for defending their actions. Mafia organizations give to their communities - therefore everything else they do is OK - right?
And finally I restate my summary remark – one you only confirmed – “It is my recommendation to any consumer that wants a positive experience purchasing a product - Go Elsewhere!”
Inspector
Tobyhanna,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, May 31, 2013
Northern tool is not responsible for any shipment after they hand it off to the delivery person, this includes loss. I agree it is not fair but it is in writing. Also, a 15 percent restocking fee and although shipping and handling may be free to you it is not to the retailer. If it is dropped shipped from the manufacture then they are free of all liability. You agree to these terms when you purchase from their website. They also state that if for any reason you are dissatisfied with them or their service that you should not shop with them in the future. It is a tough sales approach but I think any effort on their part to renumerate you is generous. They make it clear that they do not stand behind any sale after shipment. They do have some good deals at Northern tool but you should shop at your own risk.