Replies

1. 
   douglas2cats | Feb 22, 2005 04:36pm | #1

   Well it's been 7 or 8 years so my memory isn't all that good. But I got my PM66 from Amazon. I seem to recall it being about a week before mine was delivered. I had mine shipped via FedEx Liftgate service for an extra $50 - money well spent. FedEx called the day before they would have attempted delivery and arranged a delivery window with me for when someone would be home. They showed up when expected, lowered the saw off the truck and wheeled it right where I wanted it. Couldn't have been simpler.

    

   If you build it - he will come.

1. 
   jaypoe | Feb 22, 2005 04:52pm | #2

   Thanks, I wasn't given a lift gate option but it is a curbside delievery. I assume they ship to a transfer station on a big rig then out to local delievery with a smaller truck with lift gate. I have heard from some they only drop it off curbside. I think that they say that meaning thay are not going to help you lug it down your basement steps or to keep it clear that they will only drive and deliever as far as the truck can go. I believe that statment has been taken to literaly.

1. 
   douglas2cats | Feb 22, 2005 05:45pm | #4

   Thanks, I wasn't given a lift gate option but it is a curbside delivery. I assume they ship to a transfer station on a big rig then out to local delievery with a smaller truck with lift gate. I have heard from some they only drop it off curbside.

   That sounds a little vague. I deal with freight carriers quite a bit at work and dont recall hearing the 'curbside' designation before. Since they haven't shipped yet, I would immediately call Amazon and inquire what carrier they are going to use, and whether it includes liftgate service to get it to the ground. Curbside doesn't necessarily imply to me that the delivery truck will have a liftgate. It may mean nothing more than the truck won't require a dock leveling system for a drive-on forklift to unload. If they're shipping common carrier, those drivers aren't required to (and usually won't) unload the delivery or even help unload. It's possible that curbside delivery means the truck pulls up to the curb, rolls the load to the back edge of the truck with a pallet jack, and the driver watches you sweat while you try to figure out how the heck you're going to get it off the truck. Amazon is getting a big chunk of your $$$ - they can certainly put up with another call from you to make sure you're getting something you can handle delivery-wise.

   I was just about to submit this and just for kicks I entered "Common Carrier" "Curbside Delivery" on Google to see if I could get a definition of what that meant. I think my suspicions were correct. This webpage from PackShipUSA has their definition of what it means - see the highlighted stuff in yellow

   http://www.amishtraditions.com/shipping_information.htm

    

    If you build it - he will come.

1. 
   jaypoe | Feb 22, 2005 06:38pm | #5

   I have heard curbside delivery desribed as they will bring it to your curb and no further. I previously mentioned, I think it has been taken to literally. A salesman from a local shop told me, "We will bring in to its final location, not like the online companies who only deliver curbside." I would define curbside as bringing it as far as the truck can go without driving off pavement. I think that they claim "curbside delivery" just so that thay are covered when someone asks, "Hey, can you help me carry it down three flight to my basement?" or dirve around back through my mrashy swap of a lawn. Would be funny though if the guy stops at the end of my drive and says "allright here it is." (Maybe not funny.........but probable?) Gonna call today regarding lift gate and why the unit hasn't shipped. Thanks

1. 
   douglas2cats | Feb 22, 2005 06:46pm | #6

   I was just trying to give you a heads up. If you're prepared to manually unload it, no problem, but the saw is heavy. I'd say you'd need at least 3 people, preferably 4 to get it from a truck bed down to the ground. It just sounded like you were assuming liftgate, and I don't think that's what you're getting. Would have been a pretty rude surprise if you were all by yourself when the truck showed up.

    If you build it - he will come.

2. 
   jaypoe | Feb 22, 2005 06:51pm | #7

   Just off the phone with Amazon. Due to be shipped today and they will bring it in my shop and even unpack and take packing materials with. So far so good. Just gotta hold tight.

3. 
   jaypoe | Feb 22, 2005 07:01pm | #8

   Another story from shipper directly. Will come with lift gate. Will not take packing mtrl and the date is set (last day of estimated shipping window). Was hoping earlier but have lots of other work to do till then to keep me busy.

2. 
   bones | Feb 22, 2005 07:42pm | #9

   "I assume they ship to a transfer station on a big rig then out to local delievery with a smaller truck with lift gate."

   Thats a big assume. Amazon should be able to give you the carriers number and the order number. You need to call them. Most of the time its tailgate. This means it will show up on the back of a Semi and you are responsible for getting it off or you can pick it up at the truck terminal.  Amazon, or whover they contract through will probably use various OTR companies for delivery depending on where you live.  I would call and get the contact info and ensure you have a hydrolic lift to get it in.  I once ordered a wood stove that came tailgate. It weighed 1000 lbs. I assumed the guy would have a hydrolic tailgate but boy was I wrong.  I ended up sliding it off the semi to my pickup on 2x12's and then from the truck to the ground. Pay the extra for the help. My saw (not from amazon) came from overnight express and the palet jack and help was worth the $75.00 and then some.  Good luck!

2. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 22, 2005 04:59pm | #3

   they are very reliable (when it comes to delivery time estimates) with anything that can be shipped via UPS.

   Common carrier is another story -- more variables, so I think you will need to cut them more slack.

3. 
   JMartinsky | Feb 23, 2005 01:32am | #10

   I have purchased plenty of items from Amazon including a PM66 (good choice!). I have found their shipping and service to be excellent. If something hasn't shipped when they said it would, I would contact them about it.

   Good Luck!

   John

1. 
   joespehar | Feb 23, 2005 04:44am | #11

   I recently bought a Jet cabinet saw from Amazon. From the time they shipped it (about 5 days after my initial order), I knew the name of the freight company and was able to track it by internet. The actual shipping from Minnesota to my house in Massachusetts took about 6 days. I made no special requests , but it was delivered by a truck with a liftgate, and the driver wheeled all seven boxes into my garage. I have no complaints about that shipment, or about the half-dozen smaller tools I have gotten from Amazon.

4. 
   AndyE | Feb 23, 2005 06:27pm | #12

   I got my 66 about 2 years ago from Amazon, pre price increase and with tennoning jig. It was shipped to a local drop center who then called for directions. They did show up with a lift gate which I think I did specify. Dont remember paying any extra for it. The driver helped get it off and onto a sled I built to get the saw across the crunchy snow to my shop stairs. I didn't expect any more help than that. I believe most drivers will be willing to help get stuff off the truck, if for no other reason than to finish thier route, and anytime I have had large or heavy things delivered the driver has helped even if the lading stated "driver not responsible for unloading..." blah blah blah.

5. 
   sawdustmaker | Feb 23, 2005 09:28pm | #13

   I think a lot of the freight issues can depend on the driver. A 60 plus year old Teamster in a union-strong town might tell you to go pound sand when you ask him to help. Most drivers are willing to help. Like another message stated, the driver wants to move on to the next stop.