Rainbow Resources- good? bad? ugly?

[plain jane]

I need to place an order for my materials for next year. I am going to buy everything new this year and would like to hear your experiences (good and bad) with Rainbow Resources. I like that I can get almost everything I need in one place but if I'm setting myself up for a disappointing experience I'd rather shop elsewhere and save myself the frustration.

 

So, what says the Hive? :bigear:

[Parabola]

My experience: for the most part good. Sometimes their shipping is long. Customer service has been great to me though. I will order from them again I'm sure.

[Guest Mrs. Tick-Tock]

I live not far from Rainbow Resources. I've ordered from them with great results, love the customer service I've received over the phone when I've called. Was about to order more but got what I wanted second hand from a friend. Their catalog has a place on my reference bookshelf.

 

Mrs. Tick-Tock

Peoria IL

[Jen500]

I've placed three orders from them this year, and I have no complaints.

[Bula Mama]

I've had nothing but excellent results from Rainbow. The shipping isn't the fastest ever but everything's always arrived in great condition. I like Rainbow!

[Maisy]

They won't necessarily tell you if something is on backorder when you order online (and I believe they have a disclaimer there as well). One year I waited and waited and finally called. They were very friendly (said call everyday if I wanted to), but--in my experience--they won't initiate contact when an item is temporarily out of stock. And it can, for a time, hold up the rest of your order.

 

Overall, friendly service, very helpful. I order something from them every year.

[triadofchaos]

i've occasionally had a back ordered item or two, but for the most part i am happy with them. i order usually 2x a year from them. as long as i time it right and don't order during "peak" times, my order shows up in a decent amount of time. i agree with the PPs re: customer service. they have always been helpful and pleasant. i agree it is nice to get everything from one place.

[asher]

I agree with the previous posters, the shipping was REALLY long for one backordered item the year before last, but all the orders I've placed in the past year have been VERY fast. I've even returned things w/o a problem.

[CactusPair]

Rainbow Rocks! I try to buy everything from there. Shipping is surprisingly fast--usually 2 days--to my house.

 

Prices are excellent, usually the cheapest next to Amazon.

 

Plus, you can return stuff for up to 6 months. And I return a lot of stuff. Never a problem. They refund my $ quickly and never complain about how much I buy and send back.

 

The people who work there are helpful and nice.

 

Their catalog is an engrossing read, very detailed and delightfully written.

 

I'm a devoted customer.:)

[VaKim]

I've always been very satisfied with them. One time I made the mistake of ordering during the busy time when everybody else was ordering, and my order took a couple weeks to come, but all the other times, it has come within a week.

[Kelly on the prairie]

Rainbow Rocks! I try to buy everything from there. Shipping is surprisingly fast--usually 2 days--to my house.

 

Prices are excellent, usually the cheapest next to Amazon.

 

Plus, you can return stuff for up to 6 months. And I return a lot of stuff. Never a problem. They refund my $ quickly and never complain about how much I buy and send back.

 

The people who work there are helpful and nice.

 

Their catalog is an engrossing read, very detailed and delightfully written.

 

I'm a devoted customer.:)

 

 

:iagree:

[Missouri Mama]

Great company! I have placed the bulk of my orders with this company for the past 7 yrs. You can't beat them for pricing & abundant resources. In fact, I received a call from their customer service about a recommendation I made on my order form; they actually read them! My orders have arrived quickly, but yes, some backordered items have taken a while.

[PeterPan]

Great place to order from! If you order in the busy season (summer) obviously your order takes longer. I place a couple orders during the year, and at slower times the shipping is crazy fast. I've always gotten a pleasant person when I called to add an item or tweak. You're going to be fun. Order and enjoy! :)

[angela in ohio]

We order (a group of friends and I) from them several times a year. I always call the next day to see what is backordered, and we make decisions on whether to wait for it or not. We always have a good experience.

[Hillary in KS]

I've ordered from them for the past 7 years, and have had nothing but good experiences.

 

I always phone in my order, and ask if they see anything backordered. (They can't tell from their computer system what's out of stock until the system is updated the next day, though.)

 

Usually the shipping is super-fast. Sometimes I've had to wait a couple of weeks, especially if I am ordering during a busy time. (like August) But that is sort of to be expected. :)

[chiguirre]

They're a very reputable company. I'd also recommend looking at their toy section, they've got a lot of great stuff and they're actually cheaper than amazon on a lot of things. If you need to round out an order for free shipping, this is an easy way to do it.

[Bambam]

I have ordered with Rainbow for the past five-six years. I've always been pleased with their prices, their customer service and how well they package the shipment. I know now to order at non-peak times so my shipment only takes a week. Personally, I'm glad they don't hire a bunch of folks off the street to assist at peak shipping times --- because if they did, I'm pretty sure my order wouldn't always be correct like it is now. Yes, things are back-ordered but I can deal with that, sometimes it indicates that on the website, sometimes it doesn't.

 

One of the science kits I ordered from them came still shrinkwrapped but was missing an item. It wasn't Rainbow's mistake, but the mistake of the kit vendor. I called Rainbow and told them and asked what they wanted me to do. They shipped me out a replacement immediately, and apparently they also called the vendor who also shipped me a replacement as well.

 

I have found they are cheaper some items than Amazon.

 

I will continue to order from Rainbow Resource. I want them to stay in business!

[MicheleinMN]

Okay, I'll be the out man out....I do not have the patience to wait for an order from Rainbow Resource. One time....never again, but that's just me. When I place an order, I want it yesterday, so I'm not good with waiting. :ohmy: YMMV.

[prim*rose]

Last year I ordered a SOTW from their website (I think it was the activity guide and it was listed as "spiral bound"). I got the order confirmation and a little later got the order - but on the packing slip it said this item was no longer available. I was a bit peeved that they didn't email me or make contact earlier, so I sent them an email saying how disappointed I was. I got a phone call the next day from customer service and she sent me a different version with free shipping. Overall pretty happy with them, but wish they would have a different system in place for things like this.

[riada]

I order yearly from RR and aside from the occasional back order I have been completely satisfied. Customer service has always been very friendly regarding back orders and the shipping is reasonable. I like the convenience of using their wish list feature and then placing one order instead of several to get free shipping.:001_smile:

[karensk]

I have a hard time waiting, too, so I always order at least $150 to qualify for free shipping and then pay the $10 expedite fee. It's usually here within a week, even in busy season and with backordered items.

[praisefor3]

I have a thousand dollar order so I compared everything with Amazon and CBD using a chart (and the sick part is I actually enjoy doing this!) and...hands down RR was cheaper on 99% of the items. I've found if it is more of a book not necessarily specifically for hsing, Amazon can be cheaper. But otherwise I was blown away how much I saved with RR on the whole order. When I do have some things for CBD that I want to order I put enough of the items that are the same price as RR into my cart, along with the specific CBD things I want, to reach the level I need for free shipping (assuming I have a code) and I'll do the same for Amazon if I've been waiting to collect but then the rest comes from RR.

[threetreasurs]

I have ordered from Rainbow for 15 years, usually 2-3 times per year, and have never once had a problem. Pretty good track record!:001_smile:

[sweetbaby]

My experience has been mixed but I use them anyway because they have everything. :smilielol5: Sometimes they don't notify you when they ship your order so you have to call. (Just did that yesterday). If you returned something, you have to pack it tightly or no refund. I returned a book two years ago that was packed by UPS. It arrived ok but I was phoned so they could tell me that one of the edges of the book (paperback) was slightly rolled and I was not getting a refund because it could not be reshelved in that condition. I was told to take my refund up with UPS and I'm still waiting for my refund two years later. So if you return something, pack it very firmly esp if it's paperback.

 

My only other complaint would be the loooooong shipping. It takes a week for them to process your order and if you have a backordered item, it could take longer. The last backorder item that I was mailed arrived two months after I had placed the order. No kidding! Other than shipping problems, they have very polite customer service and they are like the North Pole at Christmas for homeschoolers. :D

[Teresa in MO]

My recent experience has been great. I placed a large order with them last week. The next day I recieved an email from them stating that one item was on backorder and they would wait 5 business days to see if the item comes in before they ship. I just received and email from them this morning stating that my order has been shipped and gave tracking info. I was surprised to see that it should be delivered by UPS today! Now, they are in IL and we are in MO, so its not that far. So, I am very pleased by their service.

[profmom]

I've placed a large order with RR every summer for years! I always try to beat the summer rush though. I sometimes place a Christmas order for educational games and toys too.

[hsmom]

I place mine in January with them. This way it is after any holiday stuff they have going on and before tax return time. Which as all of you know it is a crazy time anywhere.

 

I have had fast shipping, great customer service, and great prices. I call them the next day to make sure everything is okay with my order, but I do this with a lot of places.

[kls126s]

I just ordered several big orders in a row (buying for the year but splitting it up for the monthly budget :glare:) and had no problems. I called a couple of times to check on something and they were extremely friendly and helpful on the phone.

 

I'll use them a lot, I think.

[MommyInTraining]

I like ordering from them and will do so again....

[Zoraida]

My first choice for ordering items is always Amazon. I live in Texas and Amazon has a warehouse in Dallas. I have been amazed at how quick I can get an item from Amazon. I can place an order and receive that item in the mail the very next day. If I don't receive the order the next day, I know the warehouse in Texas doesn't have the item and that item is being shipped from another part of the country.

 

My second choice for ordering has always been Rainbow Resource. I have learned that the best time for me to order from them is always on a Monday and than I always recieve my order at the end of the week usally Friday or Saturday. For me, I consider that fast service. My only complaint about RR is backorders. I just recently placed an order 4 weeks ago and am still waiting for the item. When I called about this item I was informed that I should receive it sometime in the middle of July. So we will see.

 

Blessings

 

Zoraida

[Momof2kids]

I have been ordering them for years. In my experice shipping is FAST!! I always get exactly what I ordered (CDB has made several mistakes over the years with my orders, but I still love them. They are very nice.)

 

I have even done a return with them and had no problem getting a refund.

 

My only problems are:

 

We live in Illinois and they are in Illinois so I have to pay Illinois Sales tax which REALLY stinks! It just cancels out their great prices! If you don't live in Illinois, then this won't matter to you.

 

Shipping is free on $150.00 and over. BUT if you return something and the total order then falls below $150.00, they will re-caculate your order and charge you shipping so your refund will be less than you expect it to be. I DO NOT like that at all!

 

But overall, I do like them and will continue to order from them.

[Peso]

You really can't go wrong, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time and don't order at the last minute.

 

Also make sure you want what you get, they are not fond of returns, and I think they charge a restocking fee -- I could be wrong about that, but worth checking first!

 

Have fun!

 

Penny

[5knights3maidens]

I just received my order and something was missing. I e-mailed right away and they are sending the item. No problems what so ever. They were very polite in the e-mail.

[HollyinNNV]

I like RR and have only had positive experiences with them!

Holly