Re: Briel Computing

[schmidtd <schmidtd@my-deja.com>]

On Jun 13, 6:50 pm, mojoehand <mojoeh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I want to relate a recent experience with Briel and see if this is
> typical. An order was placed online with Briel on 29 May. Of course,
> the 31st was a holiday. I was notified that the order finally shipped
> yesterday. Not counting the holiday, this makes 12 days before the
> order was shipped.

I have ordered a 4meg GS board from Vince on two occasions.  12 days
would probably seem like a while to me too; how soon we've forgotten
the old "please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery" in the internet
age!  ;-)

> [...] Briel charges almost $9 for shipping. This is almost twice
> what it costs to ship a small package via Priority Mail.

I think of it this way: if I'm sending something to a buddy, or doing
a favor for someone, then "as much as the post office charges" makes
sense.  If this is a business outfit, where they have to pay for
bubble wrap, packing peanuts, static-sensitive envelopes, gas to the
post office, and the like - then $5 over and above what it costs to
stamp it makes sense to me.  If it's not a favor or charity, then
somebody has to pay for those things.  Businesses have costs to be
recovered.

> I received no emails stating that the shippment would be delayed. Is
> this type of lax customer service typical of Briel, or did I just get
> unlucky?

In my experience (sample size of 2, remember) you just got unlucky.
On the other hand - you got a nice piece of hardware that's awfully
hard to source for less money than you paid, and this one is brand
spankin' new.