Pelican Parts just lost me *rant warning*

I only needed one part, for about $25, which didn't quality for free shipping. So I loaded the cart with things I'll need eventually, but don't have an immediate need for. Using the guidance of the Web site, I continued to add items until the Free Shipping barrier was broken. I go to check out only to find that some items come from a different warehouse and therefore the shipping will be charged on those items. I called customer service, but they are unable/unwilling to make any changes. He kept explaining where the warehouse were, etc. I don't care if the warehouse is on the moon, I'm just the consumer. Told him they'd lose the business. He didn't seem to care. Good alternatives to Pelican?

sunset. suncoast. autoatlanta.

OK, ranting a little quickly there. I just deleted the stuff from the other warehouse and maintained free shipping. Crazy. I simply followed their own prompts to add more to meet the minimum. I know there Web site leaves a bit to be desired, at least IMO. I guess the backend stuff that determines what the customer is shown during ordering could also use some updating. And I'm still frustrated that the cs agent didn't get my point. He just kept explaining over again that there were multiple warehouses.

I've ordered parts from Suncoast Parts and from Sunset Imports and been very happy with both of them.

Suncoast is great -- if you call them, tell them you are a RL'er, and they usually cut a discount. Thanks, DS

Never understood the draw of Pelican. Suncoast is always cheaper for me.

I think Pelican does a fine job. They have a way for you to save on freight in certain scenarios, and other items from other locations get charged freight. It costs them, so you pay. If the guy would have explained it like that he would have likely been called rude but that's what he was getting at with the multiple warehouses. They couldn't bundle it into the free freight offer.

I've purchased thousands of dollars of parts from Pellican Parts and NEVER had one issue when I restored my 82 SC. Also I just ordered a wheel liner from them and again no issues. I tried ordering from Suncoast but there shipping was over 50.00$ crazy. Suncoast did contact me asking why I cancelled the order and told them that Pellican was shipping for free. They NICELY told me that that part is sensitive and must be packed very carefully. Well when I got the wheel liner it was packed so well I questioned the free part. Now I know pellican was more expensive but still cheaper than suncoast with shipping. I have ordered from Suncoast and willl continue to do so in the future.. I like them both... cheers

Wayne is the owner and a good guy search my threads I put one of discount codes pelican sends me on the free thread here on RL and a "self appointed" Rennlist Attorney posted in my thread that it was illegal to post this discount...much too my surprise Wayne posted in my thread in my defense... Send him a PM and I'm sure he would appreciate the feedback and also will help you out and remedy you situation....also I bet he'd like to know who on his staff made such a lasting impression on you as well

If Pelican had promised free shipping and then charged for shipping after the fact, I could understand the rant. BUT, their website is very up-front about the fact that depending on the warehouse, some parts don't ship for free. You can see in the shopping cart whether you've hit the bar or not. You either accept it or you don't. No need to pull the I'll-take-my-business-elsewhere card. Pelican has been very supportive of the Porsche/BMW community, what with their message boards, excellent service manuals, etc. Are their prices always the cheapest? No, but in a world where people willingly stand in line to pay too much for the latest iCrap from Apple, I don't sweat a few bucks to get a part shipped to me.

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+1,000 I have ordered thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Pelican and I will continue to do so. The one time I did have a problem with my order, Wayne stepped in and bent over backwards to make it right...he is a stand up guy.

The same thing as amazon free shipping. Confusing? U bet. I ordered many things from them, on-line or by phone, always good experience.

Ive never seen that issue on pelican but I have seen it on rockauto ...forcing me to switch part vendors to bundle the shipping. The web sites never tell you which warehouse stuff ship from until checkout .. so far very happy with pelican for porsche and bmw parts .. but sounds like they are not immune from this issue either ....

One more point ... pelican site makes it easy to pick porsche Oe equivalent parts which they have from quality German vendors ... I think more appropriate for many of us on 10 y/o cars ... for genuine porsche parts sonnen and other dealer sites seem to be cheaper on the few items I checked ....

I've been shopping at Pelican Parts for many years and never had a problem. I usually ask to speak with Darren and he handles everything for me. I also shop at Suncoast and autoatlanta and neveer an issue Guess I'm just lucky. I try to use the sponsers on these various forum sites

WAAAAA lets see, - what could I say to make the tears stop.....how about - awe hell, I dont care

Speaking from having 17+ years of developing online commerce sites and shopping carts, pelican is one of the worst designed commerce sites I have seen in a long time. It takes way too many clicks to find a part, or to just browse. And while they do have the note about free shipping only applying to items shipped from their Northern California warehouse, it is buried deep within the shipping details on a pop up window that no one will ever view. It isn't rocket science to code for/detect and then communicate to a customer when they have added something to their shopping cart that may disqualify the offer, or to at least make it clear right from the outset that the offer only applies to certain products. Poor design leads to poor customer service.

Pelican's website it absolutely terrible. I use Sunset and if I need it fast Suncoast

Pelican just like 99.9% of online retailers drop ships most of their products, that is the only way to offer free shipping. They don't have a warehouse in Northern Cal, their supplier (SSF) does. Other sellers such as Suncoast, Sunset etc are actual Porsche dealerships they get their parts directly from Porsche of North America that is why their cost is lower than Pelican and other retailers on Genuine parts. That is why you always have to pay shipping cost with Suncoast, Sunset etc because they actually have to ship the products from their location and keep them on the shelves.

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Love your plates!

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Anyone for any reason can offer free shipping! Anyone for any reason can refuse to honor their free shipping offer! Doing this will make the customer mad!

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After a recent simular experience with Pelican "customer service" I found Circle Porsche's new parts website. Good prices, 10% discount for PCA members, & you can call or E-mail for questions from knowledgeable Porsche parts guys without attitude.

Fact: There is no such thing as "FREE SHIPPING"

I just received my order of front and rear brake set-up from Pelican. The whole process from start to finish was satisfying ,to say the least. i paid shipping on two separate orders and still paid much less than i would have if i ordered the parts from a dealer here in Ontario. I talked to a sales person named Glenn, he was quick and very friendly and even tried to get me the best shipping quote. Im fairly new to this game, but my money goes to Pelican vs. the not naming any names dealership in ontario that charges alot more for the same parts. just my 2

Thanks for the comments, everyone. As I said, I was adding items and finally got to a point where I needed just $.75 to get free shipping. Once I was over the free hump and actually went to check out is where I was no longer eligible for free shipping on the entire order. I deleted the stuff coming from SoCal and still managed free shipping on the NorCal stuff. As has been pointed out, it would be nicer if the items told you up front, or the software didn't offer free shipping unless it really was going to be free. So I ordered, and probably will again. The crazy thing is, I ordered at #PM PST yesterday and had it today. Free. But I am in NorCal....

Big fan of Pele here, too. never had a problem always got wat I wanted, FAST and never got my panties in a bunch over a lousy few bucks in shipping charge. So called adults these days are pussies and spoiled little girls......(no offense to little girls)

Could be worse. I just ordered a full set of high and low beams for the 996tt since the right side failed. After I reinstalled the front light housing all the lights magically started working again. $150 in bulbs on the way though...ugh.

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So you admit, then, that you do in fact wear panties?

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+996 "Only three types in the world: Dicks, ********, and Pussies..."

Lighten up Fransis.

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He thinks he's better than anyone else. Now that they are paying him to be a moderator, makes it even worse.

Too each his own, i guess. Personally, I've always been happy with their website. I've purchased parts from them for 8 years.

I've purchased from pelican parts on many occasions. Their prices are very reasonable. I've never had a problem with any of my orders. If one should arise, I'm confident it'll be handle to my satisfaction. Just having that sense of security, creates a superior customer experience.