Kustom King and 3 Rivers

[nanook712]

Yes but weight and size are the biggest factors.
Not every thing needs to be shipped UPS many small items are shipped in bubble wraped envolopes reg. mail.

[Roger Norris]

OK. Your right. 3Rivers should declare themselves a charity and give the stuff away, frieght included. Whatever. Some conversations are too stupid to have.

[nanook712]

No one said that. Lets keep it real.

[PhilFloyd]

As long as shipping charges are based on the price of the item instead of actual shipping weight + insurance value + auxillary shipping costs, shipping charges are going to be way out of whack on some items.

My shop has a program that takes into account actual shipping charges for any given weight to any given zip code at the requested service level, insurance costs, then adds a nominal percentage to cover other shipping costs.  We do not try to make money on shipping, but we do try not to lose money.

[nanook712]

Thats all I'm talking about Phil !

[alligatordond]

In 1993 Gabby at Kustom King allowed me to "register" as the groom before my wedding. I figured if the bride could do it.... Got darn near everything I registered for too(Even cut my kids umbilical cord with a Zwickey from KK.) My non trad friends were impressed an outfit would do that,let alone a mail order one. Top flight outfit all the way. Time to place an order.

[Roger Norris]

"(Even cut my kids umbilical cord with a Zwickey from KK.)"

You Sir, win the award for being the most traditional guy I know! ;0) That is amazing. I would bet you are the only guy on the planet who can claim that!. Dangit. Good idea.    

[alligatordond]

Absolute true story. Was going to do it with my Randall Knife but the sterilizing process would ruin the handle. So I suggested a Zwickey, the midwife bought into the idea and she was amazed at how quickly it cut thru. No it wasn't shot from a bow. I'm pretty sure I told Gabby at KK the story but if not maybe she'll read the thread.

[Woodduck]

I just decided to check both for myself. I usually look for the best deal.
I picked one item I wanted: Feather Fletching Tape.

3Rivers was $7.50 and $4.95 s/h = $12.95.

KK was $6.65 price reduced for online sale was $6.65 and $5.95 s/h = $12.27.

I can't get in my vehicle and go to the next town and back for that. (but there's no archery shop, ha, ha)

Plus I would have to drive about 80 miles, one way to get fletching tape.
I think I'll deal with both of these folks, online, just as I have in the past; with no problems ever from either of them.

They both send me catalogs and I try to order something from both of them every year.

Plus, they SPONSOR THIS SITE where I enjoy visiting, every day!

[George D. Stout]

I think it's pretty convenient that one can sit in front of their expensive computer; click a few clicks and order anything they want.  Then, however, like too many spoiled customers, they expect everthing else to be given to them, as if they deserve some kind of special treatment.  It never ceases to amaze me at the selfishness of people.  They couldn't really care less about those who wait on them.  If the shipping is too much, then don't order from them.

[IB]

As I read 2fletchs initial post, I have to wonder how we got to where we are with this thread.

I am not as blessed as many of the Gang, the closest Trad Archery supply for me is at least 5-8 hour drive.

I thank the owners of both these establishments for providing a SERVICE for folks such as I.

And folks that's what it is a SERVICE and as with any SERVICE. Your free to be served some place else. I fought so that you may have that RIGHT!

[Ray Lyon]

There are some pretty interesting comments and assumptions here regarding shipping.

Using a dollar chart for shipping is generally implemented because of convenience to the customer. Many people will use a credit card for purchases, but not all do. If you want to take the time to send of an order, have the weights and boxes packed and then have the company call you back with the shipping charges, then have you send off your money order. That just isn't good business.  Tim at Kustom King said they tried to have the customers figure shipping in the past based on weight, postal code and all and invariably they had countless errors on the customers part and follow up correspondence to customers wondering why they were charged differently. The standard charts take all of that out of the equation and allow the business to provide fast service without the correction follow-up hassle at the fairest way they can while keeping it simple.

It's interesting to see all the "screw the customer" comments when this form of shipping charge was put into place to keep other costs down (paying for staff to enter every order and calculate shipping or to correct shipping calculation errors by the customer) and for the convenience of the customer.

I have no problems with 3 Rivers or Kustom Kings pricing or method of doing business. If I did, I'd find a different place of doing business.

[2fletch]

You are right Ray, shipping a variey of products of differrent sizes and weights would be maddening with out preset rates.

[NDTerminator]

I truly appreciate 3Rivers (have never done business with KK), BUT...

Both these business's like any, occasionally step on it.  I've had it happen with 3R.  I've read of some good ones with KK as well.
To ignore it is unrealistic.

I personally believe a fair critique when this happens is not only reasonable, but gives any business an alert that they may need to address a problem.

IMO, to refuse to acknowledge they make mistakes and place them above critisicm is unfair to customers first and the business second itself...

[Emmons]

I agree 100% with 2fletch!!  Also I have to give a thumbs up to 3rivers.  I live in south america and I pay 2 dollars more then actual shipping.  To me the is some excellent service.  I have to go today to the post office and pick up my last order.  The only thing I wish they would do is not include the invoice on the box.  Here if the box comes as purchased goods, I have to pay 20% import tax.  But I fully understand that they must do this and I accept it in return for the great service they provide me.

James

[duck'n]

I have never had anything negative to say about either of the two.  I am pretty new to traditional so I like being able to call and talk to a traditional bowhunter.  Alot of times I need some advice in selecting a product.  This has never been a problem at 3R or KK as well as one of the smaller outfits that is a sponsor here.  I try to spread the business around and there are certain things that one has and the other doesn't so that is how I decide.

[JBiorn]

Roger has a very good point, Chris. We can hardly fault a business for trying to make a profit-----they aren't in it for the fun of it all(well almost), and they have the unenviable job of having to deal with customers each day(to me thats worth a little extra right there).
 This is how these people pay their bills----not just their own bills, but their business' bills as well! I'll be danged, but the money just adds up right there.
 I have a lot of respect(and envy)for those that choose to go their own way to brave the world of small business.

 Jeff

[dakota tim]

I'm so thankful for 3 River's & Kustom King!  I live in a little town on the prairie & would have to drive hours to find a trad shop.

I just placed a $75 order & shipping was $8.95 (3River's this time).  What a bargain!!!  Great service, etc. from both!

[Shakes.602]

Now I cant say I have Ever Ordered Anything from the Shops in Question here, What I have to say has  NOTHING  to Do with Their Service or Lack There Of. This is just going by what I Do Know and I will try to keep it in that  PERSPECTIVE
     I Personally frequent "LOST NATION" for the Majority of my Arrow Making Needs, etc. Larry and Janice Murray have been a GREAT HELP to ME , Personally, and I would just Rather Do Business with Them. I have gotten a Lot of things shipped to me Priority Mail, and I know they have "OverHead" as Everyone who Runs a Business has to deal With, Unfortunately.
  I was considering a Purchase or 2 on some Items on "Kustom-Kings On-Line Catalog". From what I have read, it makes me a little Apprehensive. Cant really say anything good or bad at this time.
   To be Honest, 3-Rivers is the "Hard-Sell-Type" of Shop, in  MY  Opinion, and thats like a "Used-Car-Salesman" in My Eyes. I dont want the Push-Hard-Sell Type. It just turned  ME  Off from the Start.
    I know for a while there was some "Conflab" about "Martin Girls" using "Sex" to draw attention to their Product, I think it was the Last TBH or Possibly PA, I saw an ad, with a Girl for the Tomahawk Bow, which is 3Rivers " BOW  of Choice for the Masses",with  US  being the Masses. I wasnt Impressed.  AGAIN MY  OPINION , ok?
      I would much rather use the  SMALLER Shops  for My Equipment for these reasons, amongst others, and from the "Thousand Dollar in My Mouth" Comment on the "Masters of the Barebow" DVD, to the Dale "BIG SAFARI HUNT" Again,NOT the Least Impressed.
      Again,  MY OPINION  and  CHOICE  of Where I Buy  MY  Archery Supplies, and Thats That.
      If I have Offended,Embarassed, or Just Plain Made Mad, I Sincerely Apologize.....
  Archery is for ALL, and FUN if Ya Do it Right!!      

[Kingstaken]

I gotta agree with 2Fletch. Been dealing with KK and 12 years or so and 3 rivers alil less.

"Imagine a business where the major majority of sales is mail order and many times you only sell 12 nocks or 12 140gr screw-in tips in a order?  Takes a very caring company to be that committed to it's customers."

Sure I get back ordered items once in awhile. But for a sport which is not in as much demand as others, how much stock can a company hold. They run out of tapes, gloves, even arrows have been a big deal this past winter with one of the major manufactureres moving their location.

Depending on the season especially during Christams when we buy/get gifts for the holidays.
What good would a company in traditional archery be if they did not participate in our sports to know what is good or not. Their hunting just like us. Some other companies shut down for a week or much more.
As for delivereies, they each know what works well to allow them to be somewhat be competive and found their best sources to ship. You cannot spend hours a day making out your UPS, FEDEX OR USPS etc. shipping tickets to shipment 5 different ways .
No easy answer for shipping unless prices for all items go thru the roof to help pay for extra people who will not be productive all day. The guys who pack and ship also building arrows, stock and everything else.

Being a "Traditional" archer and having two companies such as KK & 3RA is much more a blessing and should be weighed like that.

Let me repeat something I said earlier as I hope others may absorb and truly understand.
"Imagine a business where the major majority of sales is mail order and many times you only sell 12 nocks or 12 140gr screw-in tips in a order?  Takes a very caring company to be that committed to it's customers."