> Are severely delayed shipments the norm for BD? I ordered a
> single small part 1.5 weeks ago and just now got a message
> saying it was shipped today.

Ben,

We offer several delivery service levels, with delivery times varying from
overnight to 10 business days.  Orders placed via Expedited shipping (Red or
Blue Label on our website) ship same or next business day if in stock
(depending on how late in the day you order), and reach you in 1-3 business
days.  On the other hand if you order via Economy shipping (our
cheapest/slowest method, and the default on our website), we promise only
that in-stock items will reach you within 7-10 business days.  Usually they
ship within 1-3 business days, and we beat that 7-10 estimate by a large
margin.  But since Economy orders ship in the order received, this can vary
depending on how busy we are.  Last week we were shipping Economy orders
several days out; this week we're shipping almost everything same or next
day (Economy or not).  We're a small shop so it can fluxuate depending on
our workload. As long as the order reaches you within that 7-10 estimate we
don't consider it late, so that - not the ship date - is what we go by on
Economy orders.  This is explained on our website (both at
http://busdepot.com/help.jsp#DELIVERY and on the checkout page as well).

What this means is that if you're not in a rush, Economy shipping is the way
to go because it's cheapest.  Most likely (especially now that we're past
peak season) you'll get your order much sooner than the quoted 7-10 business
days  But that's NOT guaranteed, so the bottom line is don't order via
Economy if you can't risk that wait.  If you need the part faster, it pays
to upgrade to one of the Expedited methods. Often the 3-day option is hardly
more than the price of Economy shipping, and when our lower prices are
factored in you still save money versus ordering via Ground shipping
anywhere else.

Your order should reach you within the 7-10 business days we quote for the
service level that you chose (Economy). However, in reviewing it I have to
admit that it shipped later than it should have.  I see that other orders
placed at the same time as yours shipped sooner. That should not be the
case, as the switch was in stock and Economy orders are supposed to leave
the building in date order. I have had a stern word with my shipping manager
and will be watching this closely for a while to make sure it was an
isolated case. Meanwhile, if the order does not reach you by Monday (the
10th business day), please email me and we will make some sort of price
adjustment by way of apology for failing to meet our stated timeframe.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT