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I guess I'll take this old topic about RS's publications to bring you my concern on ordering via Richard's website 5 weeks ago. I chose to FAX MY ORDER, as the other option for non-US residents was print and send via snail-mail and I didn't want something to take that long.
I'll copy their shipping method (displayed in their fax page)here:
United States Shipping Options
____ UPS Ground (5-10 Business Days) $12
____ UPS Second Day Air (2-3 Business Days) $16
____ Priority Mail (5-10 Business Days) $12
United States Territories Shipping Options
____ Priority Mail (5-10 Business Days) $12
Canadian Shipping Options
____ UPS Canada Express (5-7 Business Days) $21
Foreign Shipping Options
____ Foreign Mail (10-15 Business Days) $32
OK, the last option applies for me. $32 and there I go to order the famous Hard Cover Alla Prima. I printed and filled the page to be faxed accordingly, plus added my email address in the bottom of the page asking them to email me and confirm my art order was OK. Well, I got the confirmation, but for my surprise the shipping address was totally messed-up (wrong spell for my city, my phone number displayed instead of Zip Code, etc). I emailed back immediately and prompted them to correct the shipping address and that's when my worries started. In the next day I've got an apologizing email from Stove Praire saying that they provided a replacement order which "is scheduled to ship via International Air Mail and should arrive within 3-8 weeks". Notice that the originally announced "10-15 Business Days" in RS's website wasn't taken into consideration. I then phoned Stove Praire (unfortunately not toll-free when calling from Brazil) and was told I'd really have to wait 3-8 weeks.
It's not usual for me to pay $32 for a Mail Service and have wait so many weeks. When I buy art stuff from USA it takes one week, or 10 days at latest. I know there are several Mail Services available, but I always choose the best/fastest/safer one, and the price is pretty much like that (not rarely cheaper).
After 4 weeks I phoned Stove Praire AGAIN asking if my order was on the way, because in my mind they should have a tracking number to check where the pack is. And again, for my surprise, I was told that they don't have a tracking number and gave me no other info then that my order could take up to 12 WEEKS to arrive. So, now it's 12 weeks. Where are those 10-15 business days?
5 weeks are gone now and I find my hopes of getting the book soon is vanishing.
Maybe they should take better care of their customers. I admire Richard Schmid so much and definitely didn't want to suffer such bad feeling about his website and co-workers.
If someone is willing to help me, they have a toll-free telephone number for US residents. Please email me (antcarlos%mgt.com.br) and I'll give you their number and my order number. I wish someone could get from them better information than I did.
Sorry if this is not a pleasing post, but I believe we artists should count on each others when something art-related is beyond our control.
Best regards,
Ant
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