** Note to mods: I wasn't sure where to post this. Please move if there is a more appropriate place **
I am putting together a portfolio of prints for an upcoming portfolio review and needed a nice clamshell print box. I have one from Archival Methods and it's really nice quality so I decided to order another.
I decided to place an order from a big, well-known photography retailer but the size I was after was listed as a 'special order' with availability given as '3-7 days'. I ordered it a month in advance of the portfolio review so 3-7 days plus the shipping time sounded fine. Two weeks later I still hadn't heard a word about it so I contacted the retailer. They told me it hadn't shipped yet and, according to their last update from Archival Methods, it would be 'another 7-14 days or so' before it shipped. Apparently it was being drop-shipped directly from Archival Methods. Now time was running short and they didn't seem confident about when I might receive it. Given that it was a special order, it was not returnable or cancelable, despite the fact that it was going to be way overdue.
I took a look at the Archival Methods website and the size I was looking for was 'in stock'. I called Archival Methods and told them the story. They couldn't explain why the retailer was claiming the box was currently unavailable when it was in stock. I decided to just place an order directly with Archival Methods and deal with canceling the order with the retailer after the fact. The person I spoke to at Archival Methods told me to add a little note in the 'special instructions' section to say I needed it fast and they would try and ship it out the same day. An hour later, I had a shipping notice from UPS! A few hours later I had an email from UPS saying that the package would be delivered in two days! I had selected UPS Ground shipping when ordering and figured it would take about a week to arrive (I'm in CA, Archival Methods is on the other coast). As it turns out Archival Methods upgraded my shipment to UPS 3-Day Select without charging me the difference in shipping cost. Now the box will arrive in plenty of time!
Oh, back to the original retailer. I called them to cancel the original order for the box. They reiterated that special orders were usually not cancelable, but they could find no record of an order being placed for the box with Archival Methods so they canceled the 'order' and refunded me. Apparently, they didn't actually order it at all. Bizarre.
Apologies for the long-winded post, but we tend to only hear about the negative experiences people have with companies so I thought it was worth posting about my great experience with Archival Methods. Top-notch customer service that earned them a customer for life.
I am putting together a portfolio of prints for an upcoming portfolio review and needed a nice clamshell print box. I have one from Archival Methods and it's really nice quality so I decided to order another.
I decided to place an order from a big, well-known photography retailer but the size I was after was listed as a 'special order' with availability given as '3-7 days'. I ordered it a month in advance of the portfolio review so 3-7 days plus the shipping time sounded fine. Two weeks later I still hadn't heard a word about it so I contacted the retailer. They told me it hadn't shipped yet and, according to their last update from Archival Methods, it would be 'another 7-14 days or so' before it shipped. Apparently it was being drop-shipped directly from Archival Methods. Now time was running short and they didn't seem confident about when I might receive it. Given that it was a special order, it was not returnable or cancelable, despite the fact that it was going to be way overdue.
I took a look at the Archival Methods website and the size I was looking for was 'in stock'. I called Archival Methods and told them the story. They couldn't explain why the retailer was claiming the box was currently unavailable when it was in stock. I decided to just place an order directly with Archival Methods and deal with canceling the order with the retailer after the fact. The person I spoke to at Archival Methods told me to add a little note in the 'special instructions' section to say I needed it fast and they would try and ship it out the same day. An hour later, I had a shipping notice from UPS! A few hours later I had an email from UPS saying that the package would be delivered in two days! I had selected UPS Ground shipping when ordering and figured it would take about a week to arrive (I'm in CA, Archival Methods is on the other coast). As it turns out Archival Methods upgraded my shipment to UPS 3-Day Select without charging me the difference in shipping cost. Now the box will arrive in plenty of time!
Oh, back to the original retailer. I called them to cancel the original order for the box. They reiterated that special orders were usually not cancelable, but they could find no record of an order being placed for the box with Archival Methods so they canceled the 'order' and refunded me. Apparently, they didn't actually order it at all. Bizarre.
Apologies for the long-winded post, but we tend to only hear about the negative experiences people have with companies so I thought it was worth posting about my great experience with Archival Methods. Top-notch customer service that earned them a customer for life.
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