drsforstersmith.com

[lastduke]

placed an order from there, they gave me a coupon which I dont think I will buy more in December. Whoever wants to use it, I'd like to share with our local friends.
$5 off $50
$10 off $100
%150 off $150
*only valide during December 2008

the coupon code is 3384/2140.
if you use it , please inform others, it might be the one-time coupon.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Hi lastduke,

You can always find coupons for DFS by google search.
I did notice whenever I use a coupon, DFS will use FedEx smartpost, which I think is simply send package by mail. The kicker is, they say package will arrive 10 days from order, so they will mail out the package on the 7th day knowing USPS takes only 2 days to deliver anywhere in U.S., so they have 1 day allowance. They maximize their cash flow by pushing out the delivery to the last minute.

If I don't use a coupon, the package goes out a day or two later, and take 5 working days to be delivered using Fedex, so I get it in 7 days. Delivery time is the only thing I do not like with DFS.

I can get package next day on standard shipping (usually) with marinedepot.com orders. Their price is not as good as DFS though, so I order there when I need something quick.

 

[lastduke]

lol, Jerry, I didn't realize this difference. Normally, after I placed the order, I forgot it until I received it. If something is urgent, I buy from LFS, although they marks up too much.
adminitrator, please delete this post, coz the coupon is not valuable as I thought.

 

[DFS/LA1]

Doughboy:

Hello. We happened upon this post and after reading your reply to lastduke we wanted to comment on a couple of the statements made regarding coupon usage and shipping practices.

Drs. Foster and Smith guarantees all standard ground orders to be delivered to customers within 4-7 business days from the date of order placement. The shipping method that is used is based on the size and weight of the products ordered. Forms of payment; including coupons, gift certificates, credits, etc are never considered a factor when determining shipping methods.

Occasionally, we have customers specify a preferred shipping method. If you would like for us to have your future orders shipped via Federal Express Ground, please feel free to contact us directly and we will be more than happy to update your customer account to the shipping carrier of your choice. You may make this request by contacting one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800-826-7206, or if you prefer, please Private Message us with your customer information and wishes. You can PM us on our
Drs. Foster and Smith Sponsor Forum.

Thanks for your time and we are hopeful that this will clarify our shipping practices.

Have a nice weekend!
Cindy S.
Doctors Foster and Smith

 

[d0ughb0y]

Cindy,

Selecting a preferred shipping method will affect cost right?

The issue is not with the carrier but with the shipper (DFS).
USPS priority mail delivers in exactly two days (so far from all my online purchase experience) no matter where it originates within continental US (next day within northern california).
FedEx and UPS ground takes between 5 to 10 days depending on how far east the package originates.
If DFS can ship orders same day using USPS, then I can get the package 2 days later. However, what I observed is, DFS will delay the shipment until the last moment as long as it is within the 10 days standard shipping delivery promise. This is based only on my observation from all my purchase experiences with DFS.

I am sure I am not the only one from California who wish DFS can ship faster. You can search the messages here on RC, I am sure you will find lots of similar messages. In fact, you don't even have to look further than this thread, you can read between the lines on lastduke's comment, that he completely forgets about the DFS order until it arrives. That should mean something right? I imagine the volume of business in California is significant enough for DFS to consider improving the shipping practice, which from your reply, appears like you think your current shipping practice to customers in California is fine.

Other than DFS shipping (and don't blame the carrier) practice, I like DFS.

cheers.

 

[Vincerama2]

Dude, 150% off $150? I think I've just found my next get-rich-quick scheme!



V

 

[d0ughb0y]

that's probably $15. You get those coupons also on a nice little calendar they include in your package. It encourages you to buy again every month.

 

[DFS/LA1]

Doughboy:
Hello and thank you for your reply. To answer your question regarding the cost of shipping your order; we will not charge you extra shipping and handling costs. If you take a look at our chart, you will see that our shipping rates are based on merchandise totals.

When we quote 4-7 business days, this applies to all of the ground services we utilize. These methods include Postal, Fed Ex Ground, UPS, and Smartpost. We do not quote a different timeframe for delivery based on the service used.

I apologize if perhaps one of your orders did not leave our facility in a timely manner; however, most orders are shipped within 24 hours. Of course, we do not ship on the weekends and once in a while there may be a back order situation that would affect the date of shipment. In the future, please be sure to let us know if your order is not processed and received within the quoted timeframe and we will be glad to look into the situation. If your order does not arrive within the 4-7 business days, we did not meet our commitment to you and will be glad to refund your shipping costs.

Thank you again for your time and have a great day!
Cindy S.

 

[happyface888]

Thanks for the coupon code does anyone know if this is truely a one time use?

 

[lastduke]

According d0ughb0y, maybe they are not, but anyway, I don't need it use it if you want to buy something.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Hi Cindy,

DFS orders always arrive within the promised delivery day. I was only suggesting some possible improvement if the delivery can be completed sooner, and from what I have observed, DFS can improve it by shipping sooner.

I ordered on a Sunday a few times thinking it will ship out Monday, but the soonest I have seen it ship is Tuesday (it is usually Wednesday, sometimes even later). Perhaps this is due to DFS stocking policy? Compare that to MarineDepot where I can order Monday morning and get the shipping confirmation by the end of the day. (Premium Aquatics, Marine and Reef, pretty much all major online retailers I have used will ship the same day). MarineDepot tells you for each item if it can ship same day or next day, and I can only assume for DFS, all items are at least a next day shipping or longer. DFS has room to improve delivery time, regardless of which carrier is used. I understand DFS may be doing this for years and it is hard to change it. But wouldn't it be nice if DFS can capture 100% of their customer's business, specially during times like this? I know I would not shop anywhere else only if DFS can ship sooner.

thanks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13745487#post13745487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DFS/LA1
Doughboy:
Hello and thank you for your reply. To answer your question regarding the cost of shipping your order; we will not charge you extra shipping and handling costs. If you take a look at our chart, you will see that our shipping rates are based on merchandise totals.

When we quote 4-7 business days, this applies to all of the ground services we utilize. These methods include Postal, Fed Ex Ground, UPS, and Smartpost. We do not quote a different timeframe for delivery based on the service used.

I apologize if perhaps one of your orders did not leave our facility in a timely manner; however, most orders are shipped within 24 hours. Of course, we do not ship on the weekends and once in a while there may be a back order situation that would affect the date of shipment. In the future, please be sure to let us know if your order is not processed and received within the quoted timeframe and we will be glad to look into the situation. If your order does not arrive within the 4-7 business days, we did not meet our commitment to you and will be glad to refund your shipping costs.

Thank you again for your time and have a great day!
Cindy S.

 

[ScarabRa]

i think theres a mis conception with online orders, and expected turn around time, and reality.

I mean IN GENERAL online orders, not anyone here or business mentioned here specifically.

I worked at a car tuning place (turbo stuff..not important)

We would have guys order on Friday at 4:30pm, and select 3 day Delivery.

MOST Customer concept on 3 days is they should get it on Sunday, Monday at the LATEST. (using above order as example)

When in reality, the order is not processed until Monday, as it came in after the day was over, even worse example would be if it was shipping is from east coast.

AND MABYE the order would go out on Tuesday morning, if it were qued, and the store was not back logged, or filling back orders, and everything was 100% dialed (not most larger businesses).

Lets just say everything goes 100% smooth. Even at 3 day shipping, the package gets there by FRIDAY.

Conception is Sunday
Reality is Friday
===============
****ed customer as he sees 7 days of shipping

My 2 C