errors, corporate and personal
my error
The logistics of yesterday’s relo actually went really well. Right up until I pulled into a campsite.
I was tired, hot, and probably dehydrated which should have made me more careful. There is an “opening” in the canopy in this site but there are still several trees to dodge. I lost track of one and backed the hitch carrier into it, bending it up pretty good. The bike is fine but the carrier will probably need to be replaced.
I took the bike off to try to get the carrier back into functional shape and I got it about 80% there. The question is whether or not it’s OK to carry the bike on. If so, I can carry the bike down the hill at the next relo and buy a new carrier. If not, I’ll have to chain the bike to a tree, go down the hill to get another carrier and bring it back up the mountain.
Still fatigued from manhandling it in yesterday’s heat so will ponder a couple days.
Also, I thought I picked a spot with enough morning sun to recharge the bank but harvest fell from ~300w around 0930. I put out the portables and may also reposition the van if needed.
Graf’s error
I think this is a business logic error combined with some procedural errors
backordered
On Jan 27, 2021, we Suspended all Backorders, please bear with us as we add back the option to Backorder on select items. If the item is out of stock and has an Add to Cart button, it is able to be Backordered or Pre-ordered.
The problem is that the product can be in stock when ordered then go into backorder when they figure out inventory is wrong.
we’ll call you
That happened to the item in question, a lee safety scale. They left a voicemail on my Google Voice number, helpfully transcribed by Voice:
… this is graph and Sons calling in regards to order [redacted]. We are going to ship your order But unfortunately we ran out of the [Lee scale]. We do have some more coming in I just don’t have an ETA of when so well go ahead and ship everything else and well call you when that comes back in stock
They didn’t call. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but I left in a relo the day I picked up the main order. In retrospect I could have called and canceled the scale since I wouldn’t be there to pick it up.
It did finally ship and was delivered to Colorado Springs while I was in Denver. I incurred another $5 pickup fee, which ate up any savings over the normal Amazon price.
price change
I happened to look at the invoice in the package and thought the price looked high I wrote a quick email to Graf’s CS:
The scale in order [redacted] was $34.19… when ordered but $37.99 when actually shipped. Was that because the sale had ended by the time the scale actually shipped?.
I assumed the software couldn’t deal with that scenario, had goofed, and they would adjust. Here was the answer:
That is correct. We must ship the item at the price it is at time of shipping. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Leaving aside the must wording (sounds like a policy rather than formal requirement) I think this is a failure of business logic. If the customer places an order for a purported in-stock product at a stated price shouldn’t they get that price regardless of when the product ships? If Graf’s is unwilling to honor the purchase price I would suggest contacting the customer with the new price to confirm they still want it. Or just canceling that item.
Graf’s sales are typically 10% off. Not a big deal in this case, $3.80, but they sell much pricier items. Some of the Dillon progressive presses sell for $2,549. Failure to receive a 10% off sale price for something like that is Real Money.
And what would stop a bad actor from running aggressive sale prices, collecting orders, delaying shipment, then billing at full price? Graf’s isn’t doing this but it illustrates why price it is at time of shipping is problematic.
what to do about it
I’m still going to order from Graf’s, mainly due to their flexibility in where they will mail stuff. But I won’t make buying decisions based on their sales prices.
update Aug 11
The issue was apparently reviewed internally at Graf’s. I got another email from Graf’s saying they were taking another look at it.
About an hour later:
Please see attached credit memo and rebill. Refunded your card $4.00. Thank You, [redacted rep name] Sales Dept. Graf & Sons Inc.
I’m glad they took another look at the oddball situation, whether or not they credited back the ~$4 overcharge. Internal discussions about issues like this can get all employees on the same page.
Srsly: do not take my word (or anyone else’s) on matters of reloading. Get some manuals, start with light charges and work up, etc. You are responsible for your own loads as I am mine.