AKBuilder.com Shipping Rates

[bigthaiboy]

I just went to AKBuilder.com to order:

2 sets of AK rivets
2 x AK gas piston rivets
1 set of Tapco G2 trigger group

And the total for shipping came to $11.85 for priority mail. The total weight of this order is less than 5ozs. But since Curtis has updated his website (and no doubt his shipping calculator), his shipping rates have sky-rocketed. This order will easily fit into a small priority box which can be mailed with delivery confirmation for $4.75 if the shipping label is printed online. You can't tell me insurance for a $50 order is an extra $7.10

Although, I really want to support Curtis and have always been extremely happy with his products and service, there's no way I'm paying $11.85 for shipping less than 5oz. Sorry. Well, needless to say, I ordered from Midway USA, where I was charged $4.44 for shipping.

I don't know how others feel about his shipping rates, but as someone who has been buying from AKBuilder regularly for the past few years, these latest shipping rates make no sense to me.

[TURBOELKY]

My order was $28 shipping the other day.... I was like
couldn't believe it. I guess he needs to make more $$ because we dont spend enough?
Then again, my order was slightly heavier than yours, I'm sure thats why.

[venturasurf]

For some reason it always defaults to USPS for shipping on his site even if UPS is cheaper. Make sure you take a look at the different shipping options.

One thing about Curtis though - I don't mind paying a buck or two extra on the shipping. His stuff is dirt cheap and I've never had any online vendor at all whatsoever respond so quickly to everything. You call, he's on the phone. You order something, 5 minutes later you have a tracking number. Amazon's got nothing on him.

[ott1]

One thing about Curtis though - I don't mind paying a buck or two extra on the shipping. His stuff is dirt cheap and I've never had any online vendor at all whatsoever respond so quickly to everything. You call, he's on the phone. You order something, 5 minutes later you have a tracking number. Amazon's got nothing on him.

His stuff is not the cheapest and definitely not with the exorbitant shipping charges.

[s30]

Ive found out if you call him he can work on the shipping price.

[Psy Crow]

For some reason it always defaults to USPS for shipping on his site even if UPS is cheaper. Make sure you take a look at the different shipping options.

One thing about Curtis though - <snip> You order something, 5 minutes later you have a tracking number. Amazon's got nothing on him.

This was not my experience.
I ordered on a Thursday, tracking info arrived the next Tuesday.
3 days (5 if you count the weekend) != 5 min.
Note that I am not complaining, just offering my experience, YMMV.

[My375hp302]

perhaps that's for shipping AND handling. Boxes, tape, and the guy getting paid to package it up aren't free. Been to Walmart latly? Notice how the cost of everything is going up? That cuts into a small business's bottom line too. If a few extra bucks keeps the guy who has the best ak stuff out there going then so be it. Nobody ever said this was a cheap hobby!

[bigthaiboy]

For some reason it always defaults to USPS for shipping on his site even if UPS is cheaper. Make sure you take a look at the different shipping options.

One thing about Curtis though - I don't mind paying a buck or two extra on the shipping. His stuff is dirt cheap and I've never had any online vendor at all whatsoever respond so quickly to everything. You call, he's on the phone. You order something, 5 minutes later you have a tracking number. Amazon's got nothing on him.

Yes, admittedly at checkout, it did offer me a UPS Ground option for $10.03, but the package will likely arrive early next week. I need the AK parts for next weekend, and UPS Ground is too slow to guarantee delivery this week. Also UPS's rates are not geared to shipping small, light packages. For small packages weighing less than 13oz, a 1st class mail with delivery confirmation option would make much more sense for the consumer. Even a big company with huge shipping volume like Midway USA, offer a 1st class mail option in their shipping at checkout.

perhaps that's for shipping AND handling. Boxes, tape, and the guy getting paid to package it up aren't free. Been to Walmart latly? Notice how the cost of everything is going up? That cuts into a small business's bottom line too. If a few extra bucks keeps the guy who has the best ak stuff out there going then so be it. Nobody ever said this was a cheap hobby!

Priority Mail boxes are free. You can order them online and they get delivered to you for free. Once packaged, you can request USPS to pick-up the packages up from your location. You don't even need leave the house.

Unlike some people, I do not have unlimited funds to spend on my hobby. I ship packages by USPS and UPS all the time, and know shipping rates, so I know when I am being overcharged. Handling charges should not exceed the actual shipping charges by 150%.

Like I said before, I really want to support Curtis, but if I can make a similar order else where and save $7.66, then my wallet is going to decide where I buy from.

[Jayruta]

I have to agree with Bigthaiboy ,Curtis shipping charges are a bit high. I always try to use to USPS for any delivery that I need to make and USPS flat rate boxes which are FREE can hold quite a bit. If weight or dimension restriction prevent me from shipping USPS I then only turn to UPS or Fed-ex.

[sandeggo]

I've been experiencing a similar problem while shopping for my build parts. I'm trying to get all the parts, flat, rivets, center support, followers, floorplates, reinforcement plates, etc.. It sucks because there is no "one stop shop" so to speak so I'll have to pay shipping twice. Curtis has the parts but won't ship mag parts so I have to source those some other place.

[darthnugget]

I must agree his shipping rates and prices on parts seem to be creeping up. I picked up some rivets, a few reamers, a couple flats, center supports, drill bits, spot welding tongs, and rail alignment fixture, and it came out to be $288 shipped. The box that came was 5"x12"x5" and the shipping was $18 alone. The actual shipping cost on the box... $5.

[straykiller]

The box that came was 5"x12"x5" and the shipping was $18 alone. The actual shipping cost on the box... $5.

Wow thats rediculious, i could understand maby a buck or two extra to pay for the time he takes to package it but dam thats a rip off