Calumet

photogincollege · Jul 13, 2009

Now let me start this off by saying I love calumet, and their CF cards look amazing. But I would just like to say that their shipping for a cf card is OUTRAGEOUS. It's nearly 10 dollars, to ship one cf card. and I live in Michigan, they have a store in Chicago. Does anyone else see this as a bit ridiculous? Or am I just crazy?

benhasajeep · Jul 14, 2009

Did they ship it by mail or UPS / Fedex? As it may not be them padding the S&H but actually having to pay UPS / Fedex fee. Even if it were shipped parcel post thats still a min of $4.90 just for the shipping.

I just ordered a new changing tent from them and it was only $8 for standard ground shipping to Maine. So, maybe you $10 is a bit high but again how is it being shipped. Mine is comming slow (read as cheapest) boat.

Now, don't get me going on ebay and alot of the sellers S&H. Were basically people are selling stuff from a drop ship warehouse and they are selling the items for cost, but jacking up the shipping to make their proffits. And if you send back the items (for being broken, junk whatever), they still make money due to S&H not refundable!!! And they don't even touch the items. Hell some of them the listings and checkout are automatic. Very little effort on their part at all! I thought about opening an ebay store :evil: but glad I didn't now

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JerryPH · Jul 14, 2009

Calumet has always been more expensive than other retailers that I know. In general, I do not purchase from them. I stick to Adorama, B&H for most of my purchases... but I **never** make a purchase without extensive research on pricing anyways, often going for other retailers (like Amazon).

Recently I bought a Sigma 50mm F/1.4 and though the price was 1 dollar more, it included free shipping. Other retailers were 1 dollar less expensive, but had shipping costs that were between 15-35 dollars, making the final cost more expensive.

I went through Amazon and was happy.

Moral of the story... do your homework before plunking down your hard earned cash.

CxThree · Jul 14, 2009

Shipping is the reason I went with the Amazom Prime option. I pay $75 a year to them for prime ($50 if you buy it during a special like they ran at Christmas) and then you get free 2nd day shipping on any Amazon Prime eligible items. While that is not everything they sell, it's quite a large percentage of items. You can also get overnight shipping on any item for $4.99, I believe. I find my wife and I using it for items rather than heading out to the local stores. We have a 10 month old so we always need some items like bibs, diapers, etc.

It paid for itself during the Christmas season alone. I did all my shopping for family there. I also look there first when doing any camera gear shopping.

As another option, is anyone here on the boards in the Chicago area? Maybe they can work it out with you to get the card for you.

benhasajeep · Jul 14, 2009

I joined Amazon Prime last Nov. The fee has been more than paid for by the included 2 day air shipping. Several occasions items came next day. I find myself going to Amazon more and more. But they play pricing games with alot of stuff. One amount in the morning, higher in afternoon and down again later on (or over a couple days). Maybe not so much with photo stuff, but happens alot with woodworking stuff I buy.

My last 2 orders from Calumet were due to others being out of stock though. I normally get my E-6 chemicals from Adorama (B&H doesn't ship hazmat). But Adorama has been out for over a month now. So, I went to Calumet as they had the chemicals in stock. Although they were $4 higher, they shipped very promptly and I am happy with the service. And the 2nd recent order was for a new larger changing tent. Again they were the only one with that large of one in stock. So, they got my order again.

What really suprises me is some of the bait and switch photo retialers selling on Amazon Stores and they have good reviews. Did they change their practices or they just play nice with Amazon orders?? But they don't have the ultra low prices on Amazon. More normal prices that others sells items for. So, because of normal pricing they play nice, and not try the call us bit, or you want these "optional" items bits?

photogincollege · Jul 14, 2009

Oh I priced checked all over, I didnt actually order the card once I saw the shipping. Was just curious to others thoughts, I will have to check out that amazon prime. Thanks All!

fast1 · Jul 15, 2009

JerryPH said:
Calumet has always been more expensive than other retailers that I know. In general, I do not purchase from them. I stick to Adorama, B&H for most of my purchases... but I **never** make a purchase without extensive research on pricing anyways, often going for other retailers (like Amazon).

Recently I bought a Sigma 50mm F/1.4 and though the price was 1 dollar more, it included free shipping. Other retailers were 1 dollar less expensive, but had shipping costs that were between 15-35 dollars, making the final cost more expensive.

I went through Amazon and was happy.

Moral of the story... do your homework before plunking down your hard earned cash.

for the free shipping, how long did you have to wait?

benhasajeep · Jul 15, 2009

fast1 said:
for the free shipping, how long did you have to wait?

The free shipping from Amazon (for anyone, most anything they sell over $25) is standard ground shipping (they call it Super Saver). So, 3-5 days deppending where your located. Prime members get free 2nd day air service (have to pay yearly fee). This is only from items sold by Amazon, and doesn't include other merchants selling on Amazon's site.

Amazon is really good about shipping things right away. Some places has a day or two delay on internet orders. But Amazon is really quick on getting the orders out.

CxThree · Jul 15, 2009

To be clear, if you go with Amazon Prime, its free 2 day shipping. $4.99 per item overnight shipping.

inTempus · Jul 15, 2009

It's pretty common for retailers to turn a profit on shipping. I ordered a $9 Omni-bounce for my 430EXII flash and the total with the cheapest shipping was $17. The shipping cost me as much as the little plastic thing which weighs nothing. That's through Amazon.

NateWagner · Jul 15, 2009

I will say I got my lighting kit through Calumet and I ended up paying it was either 13 or 30 dollars for the shipping (I know a large variance, but I can't remember). Anyway, the box was huge and probably weighed 25-35 pounds. so I'm not going to complain about that at all.

It's the small items where they really get you. That's where I find adorama and B&H to be a good bet anyway.