Shopsmith specials?

[ScottyBox]

Most folks run "specials" to rid themselves of excess inventory. I've never seen one that runs them to drum up additional business and immediately put them on back order. Why does SS do this? Maybe this is in the wrong area, but it is woodworking related.
Scott

[algale]

It has been that way for a while and it is a frequent source of frustration. On the plus side, they don't charge you until they ship, so you haven't lost anything.

[ScottyBox]

That would be true, but that is the law. You cannot charge legally until the item ships.

[jsburger]

That would be true, but that is the law. You cannot charge legally until the item ships.

Are you sure about that? If you pay for something with PayPal your card is charged immediately. PayPal does know when an item you purchased through them is shipped because you get an email from them saying so. Even if you don't use PayPal most places charge your card immediately. The number that don't is in the minority in my experience. SS is one and Woodpeckers is another. I just recently ordered an item from Walmart on line and my card was charged immediately.

[ScottyBox]

I'm sure, but others may differ. I was in business for myself for ten years and that was what I read and was told by accountants. Frankly, if it wasn't true, I wouldn't do business with the company because even in my opinion, that would be fraud. They can however, put a hold on the account if it's a charge card to veryify the amount. If you use a debit card, I have no idea, I would never use a debit card for an on line purchase.

[cocob]

very true about the frustration with ss I've had my mark 7 for about 6 weeks now, all paid for still don't have the dust collector or tool rest for lathe along with replacement ram for the lift that was said to be wrong they said it was shipping last Friday still haven't seen a thing, and still haven't used the mark 7 to even cut a piece of wood!!!

talk about frustration

[jsburger]

I'm sure, but others may differ. I was in business for myself for ten years and that was what I read and was told by accountants. Frankly, if it wasn't true, I wouldn't do business with the company because even in my opinion, that would be fraud. They can however, put a hold on the account if it's a charge card to veryify the amount. If you use a debit card, I have no idea, I would never use a debit card for an on line purchase.

I don't know how long ago that was but things change. Back in the day when gas stations started taking credit cards they could not charge more for the gas if you used a card as opposed to cash. They can now.

I guess you don't do much buying on line because as I said most companies charge your card as soon as the on line transaction is completed. I never use my debit card on line. I use my CU charge card. No it is not a hold, it is a charge for the amount of purchase. My CU has an app called card guard. It notifies me as soon as any charge comes in. I can complete a purchase on line and usually within a minute or less the phone beeps and the charge is there. I can also turn the cards on and off and set limits on where the card can be used.

If what you are saying is illegal I think there would be a huge outcry from consumers.

[Ed in Tampa]

I think most online credit card transactions are immediate as far as charging your card. However if it is a product that is backordered the charge is delayed until it ships.
Example order from Walmart,if they know the order is going out the next morning they will charge your card. However if the product is out of stock or backordered they by law can not charge your card and must give you the option to cancel the order.
That is my understanding and my experience.
Never use PayPal I consider it very very very risky. But then again never use EBay for the same reason.

[ScottyBox]

Odd I guess. My CC charges always say "pending" till it ships. I guess I'm the lucky one. Not trying to make an issue here, just my experience.

[jsburger]

Odd I guess. My CC charges always say "pending" till it ships. I guess I'm the lucky one. Not trying to make an issue here, just my experience.

OK, if "pending" on your account is what you are basing your statements on then maybe that is something different. I guess to prove your theory one would have to check the account daily to see when pending goes away and then have some kind of proof (shipping email) that it corresponded to shipping.

Not trying to make an issue either but here is what I see. When pending goes away depends on with whom the charge was made and presumably the process that company uses to charge the card.

For example, we went to West Wendover Nevada yesterday to see a concert. The transactions on my debit card at the casino yesterday still say pending today. We went to another store in town yesterday and used my credit card. It still says pending today. However, on the way back today we stopped to get gas with my debit card and the charge is there. No pending.

Another one is when I use my debit card at the Exchange on base to buy gas. It always remains pending for 3 days but when I use my debit card in the Commissary the charge shows up immediately, no pending.

So, I question what pending really means for any particular transaction.