now that makes sense... look at it this way instead. You're used to paying $163... what if another company charged $489 (3x) for shipping? That's basically what's happening... it should cost $6 to ship both items and it's costing more than 3x what it "should" cost. They're charging $7 for just ONE of the items... light bulbs that weigh ounces (grams) should not cost $7 to ship.

 

like i said when i ordered my clears at southwestautoworks, alex charged me like 4 bux!!! and thats WITH BULBS!

He's a great guy and you should get them from him

 

Our current ordering system calculates shipping as a flat rate per item. For example we have no way of telling if a customer will order one bulb or ten. We are in the process of implementing a new shipping system that will actually calculate the exact shipping depending on what items you are ordering.

If you feel that you are charged more shipping then you should be then by all means call our sales team and most likely we will be able to apply a discount on multiple items. We give discounts everyday on multiple item orders. Furthermore we even give additional discounts if you mention you are a member of maxima.org.

Like previous posts have stated, your shipping charges where displayed before you hit the submit button. In the future call us before you place your order and we will be happy to apply a discount.

In the future give me a call, I am the owner and will always go out of my way to take care of my customers then have them go away angry. CustomMaxima.com is a honest company and always takes care of our Maxima.org customers.

Your comments both positive and negative are appreciated and in the end help create a site more appealing to you guys.

Thanks,
Greg, Owner
www.CustomMaxima.com

 

sure no prob. I am wondering if Greg is going to make a post and will at least try to make an excuse for his actions?

 

I got an email reply to the email I sent them. The night before collegeguy posted this I sent them an email basically saying $19 was steep for shipping front clears and some bulbs. Got back an email saying "take $4 off shipping."

Too late. I already made other arrangements. And I think $15 is still too high to ship a 2lb package from CT to NH. In fact, here's what UPS.com says (and I used all the 'worst-case' options:

UPS 2nd Day Air®; Guaranteed by End of Day -- 2 Days
Total Rate(USD) 11.09

UPS 3 Day Select®; Guaranteed by End of Day -- 3 Days
Total Rate(USD) 7.95

UPS Ground; Guaranteed Day-Definite***
Total Rate(USD) 6.63

So I'd say "gouge" is the correct word.

 

Custom Ent. shipping is set kind of high. But it's not like they changed it after the order. If you didn't agree to the shipping charges, then you should not have placed the order. And if they allow you to cancel, most shops would charge a restocking fee in a case like this because basically you agreed to the terms of sale and then changed your mind.

We use a flat rate system at my shop too, but it's set on the low end of the scale and we end up losing money on shipping a lot of the time (we didn't make any increases in shipping costs when USPS and UPS raised their rates). But the margins on the product itself allows us to absorb the the extra cost. I've thought about raising the shipping fees, but as it is, people whine and complain about why does it cost so much to ship so I'd rather not deal with even more people complaining.

 

I don't envy those here who take the risk and run their own business.


It's all about perception. High shipping costs mean people perceive everything else is high. Not necessarily, their margins are just placed in different areas. Cheap corners are offset by higher shipping rates. If people don't like it, people should take their business elsewhere.


I think a lot of guys here fail to understand the difficulty of running a good business AND making a profit. Too many here think the purpose of businesses like custommaxima, southwest autoworks, Cattman, Warpspeed, etc. is to PROVIDE parts to Maxima owners, instead of making money.


The accusations of lying and dishonesty just isn't valid based upon the story told here. You paid a flat rate for shipping and it's too high in my opinion, but that isn't lying. A backordered item means "who knows" when it will be in stock. Could be in a day, could be several days, could be several weeks. That's a supplier problem, and something that people here need to better understand. That isn't lying or dishonest in this case either.

We have problems with some people here who do lie and/or don't give refunds, but lumping these terms with more dealers than is accurate is not doing anyone any good when it comes to ordering items.

People need to choose their words more carefully. Those who got all ****y with member doublea need to stop knee-jerking and think.

 

[High shipping costs mean people perceive everything else is high. Not necessarily, their margins are just placed in different areas. Cheap corners are offset by higher shipping rates. If people don't like it, people should take their business elsewhere. I think a lot of guys here fail to understand the difficulty of running a good business AND making a profit. Too many here think the purpose of businesses like custommaxima.[/B][/QUOTE]

Bill, don't need to feel overly sorry for those who are in business. A business has to provide the value. The only way to win is to differentiate your firm from others by providing the right product mix, great customer service, pricing, everything counts. Businesses have to go that extra mile not only to make a profit, but at least to break even to survive. These cheap corners may have small profit margins, but you can't get rich on selling these alone! A customer who buys a little thing today may come back for a bigger ticket item tomorrow. And no need crying for poor profit margins, the money is made, aftermarket industry is growing. Don't blame .orgers for their perceptions. Aftermarket parts are very expensive. What businesses are now doing is called "skimming", at this point, they are able to charge A LOT because the parts a scarce (too many makes and models, and not many different parts). Hopefully, this mass rip-off will come to an end.

 

Bill, don't need to feel overly sorry for those who are in business. A business has to provide the value. The only way to win is to differentiate your firm from others by providing the right product mix, great customer service, pricing, everything counts. Businesses have to go that extra mile not only to make a profit, but at least to break even to survive. These cheap corners may have small profit margins, but you can't get rich on selling these alone! A customer who buys a little thing today may come back for a bigger ticket item tomorrow. And no need crying for poor profit margins, the money is made, aftermarket industry is growing. Don't blame .orgers for their perceptions. Aftermarket parts are very expensive. What businesses are now doing is called "skimming", at this point, they are able to charge A LOT because the parts a scarce (too many makes and models, and not many different parts). Hopefully, this mass rip-off will come to an end. [/B][/QUOTE]
Very Well SAID!

 

Why do you make the assumption that the aftermarket industry is a mass ripoff? I've noticed that you've made several posts saying prices are too high, everybody is getting scammed, etc. Do you even know the margins in this industry? If you did, maybe you would understand that you're not getting ripped off like you think.

There is so much competition in this industry now that margins are not great, and they're getting lower. We make a lot less than most other industries that are more mature and established. Most companies in this industry are young and hungry, so we cut prices/work longer, and so on to compete. As things get more mature, you will see a consolidation as the little guys get bumped out. Then you will start seeing the price gouging. At least the little shops and manufacturers are willing to negotiate. When they're gone, you'll be left w/ the big companies like APC and similar.

And I do a lot of business on the .org either directly or indirectly, and a lot of people do have a sense of entitlement. It's as if people feel that the aftermarket companies that support the Maxima community owe the members something.

Honestly, I do my best to help out the .org members who support my business. You guys were there for me from the beginning and I never forget that. Without your support, I may not have gotten the foothold in the market that I needed. And so I try to do the best I can pricewise and service wise. I do try to go the extra mile when someone from here orders. But there is a limit to how much I can do for you guys. Some of you, and you know who you are take it just a little too far. Asking for a little discount is fine, and as those who have ordered from me know, I'm pretty accomodating. But am I really going to take 35-50% off the already reduced price because you're from the .org and then throw in free shipping too? Sorry, but I'm not going to sell stuff below my manufacturing cost just because ou happen to drive a Maxima.

And no, I'm not making up that number. People have actually asked me to take 35-50% off the .org price just because they drive a Maxima. And it's not just a couple of guys either, it's quite a few people.

Bill, don't need to feel overly sorry for those who are in business. A business has to provide the value. The only way to win is to differentiate your firm from others by providing the right product mix, great customer service, pricing, everything counts. Businesses have to go that extra mile not only to make a profit, but at least to break even to survive. These cheap corners may have small profit margins, but you can't get rich on selling these alone! A customer who buys a little thing today may come back for a bigger ticket item tomorrow. And no need crying for poor profit margins, the money is made, aftermarket industry is growing. Don't blame .orgers for their perceptions. Aftermarket parts are very expensive. What businesses are now doing is called "skimming", at this point, they are able to charge A LOT because the parts a scarce (too many makes and models, and not many different parts). Hopefully, this mass rip-off will come to an end. [/B][/QUOTE]

 

CollegeGuy said it on the first page and I'll agree... I'm all for someone making his money. I know you have to buy stuff and mark it up to cover costs that include a lot more than just the item. There's rent, salary, insurance, packing materials, electricity, etc, etc. I don't think anyone begrudges you making a living.

But does it make sense to you for someone to charge $7 to ship light bulbs across 2 states? The bulbs themselves are $7 and they're basically being marked up 100% when shipping is included. That's wrong. I know some places use a flat shipping fee that covers the whole U.S. but that means I'm paying $7 because a vendor doesn't want to take the time to calculate shipping costs. That's why my comments, and that's why I did what I did and bought somewhere else.

The easy answer is this: I was going to buy and got to the checkout and saw the shipping fee and closed the browser. I checked eBay, then a few other sites, and ordered somewhere else. Now I'll never go back to the site that I think was low-balling prices but doubling shipping to make up for it.

So, I'm voting with my $$$, I hope other people do too, and I hope vendors take notice. Like I said above, I have no problem with you making a living. I have a problem when vendors trying to make a killing.

 

I'm not defending high shipping costs, to me that's a bad way to pad the margins and as I mentioned earlier, I don't do that. What you did is the right thing, you saw the shipping, decided it was too high for you, and bought from a place w/ lower shipping. I've done that too. But seeing that the shipping cost is very high, deciding to order it anyways, and then deciding that you want it lowered isn't right.

BTW, it actually does cost $7 to UPS light bulbs, or close to it. Shipping a 1 lb package is anywhere from $4-5 through UPS depending on distance. Factor in a standard box which is $.50 so max the shop is making $1 in handling fees which to me is reasonable. But yes, $19 is a little high so I can't blame collegeguy for not liking it, however, he clicked that order button.

 

Agreed.

Overall you sound like someone I'd do business with. If I'm ever in the market for graphics, corporate logos/advertisements, dash kits, floor mats, body kits, etc. I'll look to you first.

 

Greg i think the prices are great so i don't even bother to look at how much shipping will cost. Even though i have only bought one thing from your guys. I must say i was very happy I recieved my item sooner than i thought it would be at my house. i will be buying again in the future.

 

Right on target!

To Shadow: no one is insulting your own business, in fact, this thread is not about you, so don't take it personally. Thats right, I dont know the exact numbers. But look at the prices of wheels, bulbs, pipes, etc, I'd say aftermarket parts are not cheap at all. Manufacturers are not doing enough to find more cost-cutting methods to produce the less expensive product. There is just no incentive for them to do so at this point. Aftermarket parts are considered luxury goods, and many ppl think they can jack prices up as long as there will be fools paying for them.

 

Shadow, you are 100% correct. I think that it is hard for most people to realize what we are talking about because they do not own a business themself. The aftermarket industry is getting harder and harder to turn a profit. Most parts on our website we make very little profit on.....it is called a loss leader. CustomMaxima.com is a service to Maxima owners but it is also a business. We sell Maxima parts to make a profit to pay for our overhead costs. Keep in mind we have a 16,000 square foot facility and 11 employees. That profit has to pay for rent, utilities, payroll, health benefits, and lots of other expenses. Hopefully you can see that our expenses are astranomical. But we still try to be competitive with our prices and do not have intentions of making profit on shipping. As I stated earlier we are in the process of converting to a new more accurate shipping cost calculator that will be integrated into our shopping cart. For now just call us if you feel shipping is to high and we will most likely give you a discount on shipping.

We now ship out all items that are in stock within 24 hours and by March 1st will ship out all orders same day that are ordered by 4pm est time. Bear with us during our growing pains as we adapt our company to the changing market. Any time you have compliment or compliment feel free to contact our customer service team or myself.
Thanks,
Greg
www.CustomMaxima.com

 

still a great place to shop!

 

This thread has gotten too long for me to read. Let me just add that I personally find the shipping rates from CustomMax very high unacceptable and for this reason I dont order from them. Procarparts attempted to charge $20 shipping because I won the clears on Ebay for a $42 the set. Max Tuning in Essex,NJ asked $78 for a set of clears if I go picked them up. Told him laterz... Found a set in FS section at maxima.org .. $50 shipped incl PIAA Xtrm White bulbs! Now, thats more like it.

 

so you won them and didn't pay? Your post insinuates that you won them from procarparts but didn't want to pay $20 shipping, WHICH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU BID, so you went somewhere else...that's shi**y . At least MrCollegeGuy admits his mistake and paid.

 

Yeah,that's a ghetto thing to do. As a seller on eBay, and a business, I hate people like that. For my direct sales, if someone thinks shipping is too high and they don't complete their order, nothing lost. But on eBay if someone bids and backs out, we still get charged the fees. And it takes a good bit of time/energy to get those fees refunded from eBay.

I mean, you don't walk into a restaurant, eat and then refuse to pay because the check is more than you expected do you? Well, maybe Nymaxedout is the kind of guy who does that.

 

I actually read through the entire thread, and I can totally agree with both sides of the discussion. I hate to bring it back up. But after reading this I decided to do a search. From most recent on to 8-01 and there were more.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=custommaxima
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=custommaxima
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=custommaxima
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=custommaxima

I actually did a search before I ordered from them. I saw posts on shipping charges and the estimated and actual delivery times. I ordered from them knowing (or better yet)EXPECTING that I was going to be charged X amount of dollars, and that it was not going to be on time. Sure enough, it took like 2 months to get my grill, but I didn't trip. And what is the point of my post? hmm I don't even know why I started, I guess if people use the search function time and time again this subject has been beaten to death.

I would buy from them again even though it took as long as it did.