Haiku Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Against my better judgement, I ordered from Rainbow Resource because they had free shipping on orders over $50. I saved about $7 over ordering from Christian Book. Now, of course, I am kicking myself. Their shipping is SO. SLOW. It's like waiting for an ant to crawl around the world at the equator. It's like waiting for someone to bicycle to Proxima Centauri. It's like waiting for your teenager to get out of the shower when you have to pee really bad. I checked tracking again this morning. My order has gone from the state just west of me to the state just east of me, gleefully hopping right over me and (I'm sure) laughing heartily at my distress. Finally, finally, finally (I hope) I have realized that I simply. can't. order. from Rainbow Resource again. Ever. No matter how much money I save. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abba12 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Hehehehe... i simply cannot relate I ordered from them two weeks ago, but, because i live in australia, ill be lucky to see the package before october. Le sigh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Yep, I don't order from RR. I want to, they have so much cool stuff... but it makes no sense how long it takes for packages to arrive. Especially when I can order many things from Amazon and get it in TWO DAYS! (Talk about almost-instant gratification!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentecostalMom Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Wow, I have never ordered from RR, and posts like these make me wonder if I want to! For a savings of $7, it doesn't seem very worth it. I hope it gets to you soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 For a savings of $7, it doesn't seem very worth it. I know, I know, I know! *banghead* I KNEW I shouldn't have done it! I KNEW! I had orders in both carts for two days, dithering about what to do. We are now paying college tuition for my oldest, and I was trying to be thrify. I thought the $7 actually mattered. I WAS WRONG! It's time to buck up and pay for Amazon Prime. *facepalm* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Wow, I have never ordered from RR, and posts like these make me wonder if I want to! For a savings of $7, it doesn't seem very worth it. I hope it gets to you soon! If you need something fast, then no. But if you plan ahead and give yourself a little extra time (ha ha ha ha!!!), its fine. I usually have to go with Amazon's two day shipping..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I have ordered maultiple times for RR and never had a problem. Sometimes it took a week or so but the prices were worth it. Also, some of their prices are lower than Amazon in my experience. Sorry your experience is different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalypso Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I have regretted ordering from them so many times. I have had Amazon Prime for about 1.5 years now, and I have no idea why I didn't get it sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I would contact them to let them know that company they chose to ship their items is taking the scenic route. It isn't their fault, unless they took forever to get the package out the door in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 And it is Christian Book Distributors that I have the shipping problem with, not Rainbow. It is a two week wait when I order from them. But I think I am in the same zone as Rainbow. Happy Amazon Prime user here, too! Yes, it's hard to pay that fee the first time. Will gladly pay it next year, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 They're a lot faster if you order in the off season. For us, the savings is worth the wait in fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 I ordered on August 6th. My order wasn't even given to their shipping partner (DHL) until August 15th, even though they said that most orders were getting out the door in two days (and my order was 4 workbooks, not anything huge or complicated). It then took another three days before the order was even processed by DHL, and now it's just been sent to UPS. If it arrives tomorrow (which is doubtful), it will be have taken 17 days. I think that's pretty ridiculous (even though I know other people have waited longer). And WHY did it take NINE DAYS to get my order to DHL in the first place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I stopped using them years ago and have never regretted it. I think Chrisitian Book is 1000% better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2TheTeam Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Ugh! I have a HUGE load in my cart with them right now. They have been very slow for me in the past too and I'm very hesitant. But, CBD doesn't even have several of the books I need...and neither does Amazon. Plus, the shipping from CBD would be over $20 because it's 10% of the order. So, I am hesitant, but going to do it. *sigh* I did just read the shipping section and it said that orders over $150 would be sent UPS. Mine will be heavy too. Hopefully that will be faster....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Had this happen a few times with RR and now I shop exclusively CBD or Amazon for new items. I even can get better shipping from ebay sellers when I decide to shop used. I am with you, no excuse for the order to take 9 days to get to the shipper if everything was available. Lamp post is another seller who takes the "whenever I get around to it attitude' with orders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfries Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've found that they are quick to get orders out the door; it's DHL (they are always SO slow!) I have a problem with so I upgraded the shipping on my last order and it was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Ugh! I have a HUGE load in my cart with them right now. They have been very slow for me in the past too and I'm very hesitant. But, CBD doesn't even have several of the books I need...and neither does Amazon. Plus, the shipping from CBD would be over $20 because it's 10% of the order. So, I am hesitant, but going to do it. *sigh* I did just read the shipping section and it said that orders over $150 would be sent UPS. Mine will be heavy too. Hopefully that will be faster....... With CBD, call them and ask for free shipping. They give you a code for orders over $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I ordered on August 6th. My order wasn't even given to their shipping partner (DHL) until August 15th, even though they said that most orders were getting out the door in two days (and my order was 4 workbooks, not anything huge or complicated). It then took another three days before the order was even processed by DHL, and now it's just been sent to UPS. If it arrives tomorrow (which is doubtful), it will be have taken 17 days. I think that's pretty ridiculous (even though I know other people have waited longer). And WHY did it take NINE DAYS to get my order to DHL in the first place? I DESPISE DHL. Any time company use them, I can guarantee my package will end up going the most backwards way to get here! It will be 30 minutes away and sent back to St. Louis. I think it is because it has to go back through the post office. Sounds like you had the problem on both ends though. 9 days to ship? That's terrible. Was something backordered? They have a tendency to hold the entire order until they have all the items when they offer free shipping. RR is in my state and I get fast delivery. I have great service from CB too! I always get free shipping codes for orders over $35! (on the back of the catalogs the send out) And they don't hold stuff to wait for the backorders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I usually place a big order with them in March or so. Since the books are for the following fall, time isn't such a biggie. Otherwise, it is Amazon. They have a policy that if one of your items is out of stock they will hold the entire order for 10? or 14? (can't remember) days. My order is almost always held. Argh! But their prices are good and they carry items that are unavailable at Amazon. They just aren't very speedy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've never had a problem with them, but I always make my big order in February/March. I don't think the shipping weirdness is there fault once it leaves them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfries Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 The last time my order contained a back ordered item they held the whole order for 5 days, then shipped my order without it. If you spend $10 to upgrade they won't hold your orders with back ordered items. But I didn't know if anything was back ordered or not yet so I didn't upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarawatsonim Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 This made me chuckle a bit because I order from RR all the time for its cheap shipping to Canada and it gets here in a timely manner.........which is generally 2-3 weeks ;) But everything generally takes a long while to ship here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobeknofret Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've never had problems with the shipping from RR, and I don't even live in their zone! I do try to upgrade to UPS shipping because it's more reliable here than our postal carrier, but I've always gotten stuff in a timely manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2TheTeam Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 With CBD, call them and ask for free shipping. They give you a code for orders over $100. Really.....That is very good to know! It doesn't change the fact that there are several books I need that they don't carry. :( I usually place a big order with them in March or so. Since the books are for the following fall, time isn't such a biggie. Otherwise, it is Amazon. They have a policy that if one of your items is out of stock they will hold the entire order for 10? or 14? (can't remember) days. My order is almost always held. Argh! But their prices are good and they carry items that are unavailable at Amazon. They just aren't very speedy. It's 5 days they hold it according to what I just read on their site. I don't "normally" (I say that in quotes because we are only in 2nd grade ;)) order anything at all this time of year. We start July 1st and most of my stuff comes from MFW, who is fast. I order in the spring. The reason I'm ordering now is because we are 7wks into our program and it's way too light. We need more. I never anticipated needing to order a ton of books to beef up our program. My library stinks this year too. (I've not had a problem with my library in the past.) I placed my orders for the year back in April. If I had known then what I know now...well...I would have used a different program and I would have ordered it in April. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I don't order from RR to save money, I order because they have more of the stuff I want in one place. I almost always do expedited shipping, and hardly ever do the free shipping. Amazon Prime has me soooooooooooooo spoiled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 It's 5 days they hold it according to what I just read on their site. Thanks. I guess it just feels like a lot longer. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2TheTeam Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks. I guess it just feels like a lot longer. :lol: Well, when you add that to DHL's crazy shipping methods and everything else, it feels like FOR-E-VER...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Nothing was back ordered. They just took their sweet time, for whatever reason. I guess I should order a CBD catalog so I can get free shipping codes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaOfalotta Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Ack.. I love RR :laugh: I ordered way back in in late April/early May and my 50lb box made it here quicker than the ONE book I ordered Aug 9th. Personally, I have saved a rather large amount of money. Add that to the free shipping and its worth the wait. (For me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I have ordered maultiple times for RR and never had a problem. Sometimes it took a week or so but the prices were worth it. Also, some of their prices are lower than Amazon in my experience. Sorry your experience is different. This is my experience. They do take a bit longer and sometimes things are sold out. But their customer service has always been great and their prices are usually better. You just need to know what you are dealing with. I don't order from them right before school starts or if I'm in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 I don't order from them right before school starts or if I'm in a hurry. That's the thing, though. If they are business like any other, why are there certain times of year we can't order from them if we expect reasonable shipping times? Amazon, CBD, any number of used book websites, and plenty of curriculum-specific sites (such RightStart Math, when I used them) are able to ship in a timely manner whenever you order from them. Why does RR have such unreliable shipping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy in TN Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I have never had a problem with RR's shipping speed. I usually order a large box, but even small boxes get to me in under two weeks. That time frame is acceptable to me. I order in the spring things that we will be using in the fall. I do have Amazon Prime. So, if it is one workbook or something I need in a couple of days and Amazon has it, I order it from them. Mandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypatia. Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I'm in the same spot right now. I wish I had just paid to upgrade the shipping, or had the planning to order a few weeks earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratford Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I ordered in August last year and it took for.ev.er. to get here. This year, I ordered in June (a massive, mammoth order) and it was here in under a week. I was rather shocked, but very happy. I think I just need to get my order in early again next year......if I'm ever this organized again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollhouse Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 We ordered from RR this year and got a notice that one of our items was backordered so they'd have to do the 5-day hold to wait for it...the policy itself didn't irk me, but what was a bummer was that we never got a shipping notification after that. So I waited the 5 business days, then six, then seven, thinking they still hadn't shipped. The package actually arrived maybe 8-10 business days after I ordered, but it felt really long because I was fretting that it wasn't ever going to ship. I should have just called and put myself out of misery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 That's the thing, though. If they are business like any other, why are there certain times of year we can't order from them if we expect reasonable shipping times? Amazon, CBD, any number of used book websites, and plenty of curriculum-specific sites (such RightStart Math, when I used them) are able to ship in a timely manner whenever you order from them. Why does RR have such unreliable shipping? When I've ordered too close to school time, things have been sold out (I have the same problem with MUS). IDK why their shipping is slower. But I like saving money and my orders do get here in one piece so I keep shopping there. I just accept that that is how they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I got my RR package 11 days after I ordered. Like a turtle. But there are some things RR has that CBD and Amazon don't, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Speaking of Amazon Prime, I don't have it but the free Super Saver Shipping seems to ship as if I did. They use the 2-day tape on the box, and I've always gotten it within two days. I guess so many people have prime, it isn't worth using the other tape. Then the shippers give it priority because of the tape. I am cheap enough, that I can be patient if the shipping is free, so it amuses me when it gets to me fast. I also suspect my city has a larger than normal percentage of people that frequently order from Amazon and have prime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I LOOOOVE Amazon Prime. It is worth every penny to us. But, I still had to buy from RR. There are some things that Amazon simply doesn't carry. With the free shipping from RR it is sensible for me to order my SM books and AoPS and science stuff, and Critical Thinking Press etc from them. I can buy from individual publishers, but then I have to pay shipping on each item. I feel your pain. I ordered a week ago and beyond the initial order confirmation email I haven't had any contact from them. I have no idea what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airforcefamily Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've only had problems with slow shipping from rr when something is out of stock. They hold the entire order just to see if the out of stock item will come in. Now, if I'm going to order, I call and check the stock on every single item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 I've only ordered from Rainbow a handful of times. The reviews on this forum are so mixed! I order quite a bit from CBD, but I do have issues with their shipping and my orders getting here in one piece. What's funny, though, is that Rainbow had to re-send my last order because they didn't ship it well. (It was maps and they didn't put them in a box, but just between two sheets of cardboard.) I think my regional post office is the culprit, unfortunately. I have started calling my orders in to CBD and that seems to help some because they package it all a little better. CBD does offer free shipping over $100 as others have said. My last order was a couple hundred dollars and they actually sent it UPS, for free. Yay! And I know you all are saying CBD doesn't have what you need, but I've found many times that Rainbow doesn't have what I'm looking for. I love me some Amazon Prime, though. I ordered some Abeka books last week and they aren't supposed to get here until next week. I ordered some books from Amazon this morning, and they will be here tomorrow. Woot woot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I will go out of my way to order something used from an Amazon seller rather than buy from RR. All of the stuff I ordered last week from Amazon third party sellers arrived today. Still nothing from RR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I always pay the $7 to upgrade shipping. RR gets to me way faster than Amazon. Even though I pay for prime, they don't honor it to Alaska. They use a really annoying 3rd party shipper that holds things in Hebron for several days before they even send it up to AK. If I order something oversized (giant bags if dog food, snow shovel, baby gate) they send it 2-day UPS though. That is nice! Little things take a couple weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I pay an extra $10 for expedited warehouse handling. They won't hold your stuff is something is backordered, and your order jumps to the head of the line...they will ship it out in 24 hours. It's worth every stinking penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 My RR orders have always come just as fast as CBD or faster. ;) I think you should order in the spring next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 They didn't get my business this year because of shipping issues last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 I think you should order in the spring next time. I order when I need or want stuff, and I expect that they have reasonable, consistent shipping times. If they can't, they lose my business to a place/places that can. This is not my first issue with RR shipping ... it just happens to be the most recent (and last, as I will never order from them again). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I love Rainbow Resource. I usually save up and do a big order to save on customs fees. It takes 1-2 weeks to arrive, but that is expected. OP, I understand your frustration, but I also envy the free shipping and no customs fees that you enjoy:) I just placed an order and I saw on Facebook that due to demand and school starting, they were shipping out orders without waiting for backorders. I quickly contacted them and had them hold my order. They found it before it shipped. Yay! I didn't want more customs fees when the thing I needed most was backordered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Hehehehe... i simply cannot relate I ordered from them two weeks ago, but, because i live in australia, ill be lucky to see the package before october. Le sigh... My last order from them came in 3 weeks!! And that was after they held it for a backorder. Three weeks! I was doing a happy dance! But you won't have it that fast this time of year. Americans are so spoiled with their cheap, fast shipping! :001_tt2: (Says this American who used to be spoiled with cheap, fast shipping but moved to Australia four years ago and now pays very much more for the privilege of slow shipping!) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I order when I need or want stuff, and I expect that they have reasonable, consistent shipping times. If they can't, they lose my business to a place/places that can. This is not my first issue with RR shipping ... it just happens to be the most recent (and last, as I will never order from them again). Alrighty then. that is your prerogative. :) I have ordered from them several times at different times of year without issue. I mentioned the spring thing sort of tongue in cheek anyways. ;) I have yet to find anyone else who has a comparable inventory to RR. Also their prices are almost always lower. I have no experience with DHL I don't think we even have that around here. One other thing of note is you have to only count business days fro shipping, weekends do not count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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