CPOworkshop.com Experience

[Bill]

I ordered a piece of machinery "in stock for next day delivery", my credit card was charged and I was emailed 5 days later that my item is expected to ship in about 3 months (a date was given). I mainly share this because CPO is a major 3rd party seller at Amazon.com.

I was told, they "have trouble keeping their web site up-to-date". This is evidently the truth because after a week, the item is still listed as in stock at Amazon and on their site. I ordered a digital keyboard on line once and had to maintain the same sort of patience.

In any event, be cautious who you order from if you are in a hurry. I'm saving a few bucks, and the wait is not a meaningful inconvenience in my situation--but it could have been.

Bill

[Lew Hodgett]

------------------------------------ Cold day in hell a supplier charges my credit card prior to shipment.

Lew

[Nova]

Check with your credit card company. Though not illegal, it's against Visa's and MasterCard's policies for a vendor to apply charges before an item ships.

[Bill]

I'll write them a note and see what happens. I like the idea of paying later, because I get a set amount of warranty coverage via my credit card. I got a pretty good price and I don't want to lose that.

Thanks (you and Lew), Bill

[Lew Hodgett]

---------------------------------- There's a sucker born every minute.

Lew

[allen476]

Further it isn't very ethical to charge before the item ships especially since there is a three month wait. It is ethical to charge a deposit if it is a special order item.

You might want to reconsider the "good price" if they are already playing games. The story on "website troubles" along with the above makes it suspect.

Allen

[Larry W]

Not sure about legality of advance charging a credit card by such a long period of time, but I believe the Fair Credit Billing Act does make it illegal to not ship within the advertised time. I would definitely ask the vendor to cancel or credit back the charges until the item is actually available. If they don't, your credit card company certainly will after you explain to them.

It is to the vendor's advantage to issue the credit themselve's as I understand it; the cc company charges a fee to the vendor when they do a chargeback to the vendor's account.

[Swingman]

CPO did the _exact_ same thing to me when I ordered a DeWalt right angle guide that fits both their plunge saw's guide rails and the Festool guide rails.

An "in-stock" item on their website, put on backorder and my card charged in the interim.

Raised hell with both CPO (I refused to cancel the order and let them off the hook) and my credit card company and ended up getting the part much sooner than I would have according to their original email ... coincidental? I think not.

This is an apparent "business practice" that they indulge in when it is convenient to them and I personally will not allow them to indulge by tying up my $$/credit, period.

Don't take this lying down, Bill ... you can most likely both get the good price, and not have your card charged prior to shipment if you firmly refuse to allow them to get away with it. Your CC company needs to get involved for starters. You may even get the item sooner.

[Upscale]

Was this DeWalt angle guide the equivalent to the Festool 491588 combination angle unit Karl? If so, how well does it work with the Festool guide rails? I've been considering the Festool unit, but wouldn't mind saving a few sheckles by substituting the DeWalt guide as long as it works to specs.

[Swingman]

No, the DeWalt I purchased was the 90 degree guide and is not adjustable:

do have the Festool 491588 also.

For quick 90 degree cuts the DeWalt is much easier/quicker to handle, but I did have to file off just a scooch of the shoulder (at the radius bend) on a Festool clamp in order to use the clamp with it ... just a few seconds with a bastard file was all it took, NBD).

Mine is accurate, while some report having a problem with the accuracy.

If you have a need for 90 degree cuts quite often, my advice would be to not bother with the Festool adjustable angle guide at all and spring for the DeWalt.

That said, there are plenty of ways to skin either cat and I would not consider either component essential _unless_ you are batch cutting angled parts, then the Festool adjustable would be the way to go.

[Bill]

Thank you for sharing story and insight. You described my goal, get the good price and not have my credit card charged until my order is shipped. I emailed them last night. My next step is the credit card company since you suggested it.

At least both of us have described our experiences so far for the sake of others who may be paying attention.

Thanks everyone for the wake-up call. I will share the outcome.

Bill

[Larry Blanchard]

Also, file a complaint with the BBB. Even if they are not a member,the BBB will note the complaint and someone inquiring in the future will learn of your bad experience.

[Bill]

I'll give them a chance to take "the high road" from here. If they choose not to, then I'll try to persuade them. No reply yet from the note I sent last night.

Bill

[Larry Jaques]

Interesting. Several years ago, I made a large order to Griz on a Friday and they gave me a 6 week delivery date. I sighed and agreed. The freight company called the following Monday morning and delivered that afternoon. I didn't hold 3-day delivery against Griz. ;)

I think you're overreacting to the hilt here, Swingy. Purchases tie up only the amount of purchase, and you expected to do that, anyway. What's the fuss?

I don't see what the big deal is. I want the part, I order it, I expect to pay for it then, whether or not it's backordered. That's the standard for special orders, and I believe always has been. Why should a regular order/backorder be different?

But if I were to cancel my order which had not already been shipped, I'd expect them to return those funds to my account THAT DAY, too.

-- Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't. -- Pete Seeger

[Swingman]

Don't look now C-Less, but, according to the Fair Credit Billing Act, it is illegal to not ship within the advertised time period; AND it is also a violation of the merchants agreement with VISA and MasterCard to bill their cards prior to shipping.

That's why Visa took my side ... I don't write the rules, Bubba, but only a dummy doesn't learn them to preclude being taken advantage of.

[Lew Hodgett]

-------------------------------- That's also how you prevent a merchant playing the "float".

If allowed, it becomes a free "Cash Advance" for the merchant, which is another reason the bank cards don't like it.

$50 per customer, 500 customers puts you in the $25K ball park in a hurry.

Lew .

[Bill]

I'm not sure about the Fair Credit Billing Act. My credit card company did not mention it. And he said that it was not for them, the bank, to dictate how a merchant does business. Unless I'm willing to file a "dispute", for non-delivery for instance, there's nothing they can do if I still want the item I ordered. He pointed out that I'm free to notify the BBB, etc. FWIW, I (hoping to be) getting an item that normally goes for $550-600 online for $450. If I cancelled my order, I'd probably end up paying a higher price, so I'll wait.

Bill

[Swingman]

I know how much you just love debit cards, Lew ... but just imagine that a gas station can put a hold on $100 on a "pay at the pump" debit transaction for up to 3 days ... might be more in some locales.

College kids always seem to find this out the hard way, but the banks love the overdraft fees ... :(

[Bill]

Here's a link to the Fair Credit Billing Act. I am not a lawyer, but, in spite of its length, it does NOT contain the word "ship".

[Bill]

Of course, meant to say "despite" its length.