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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: nic8612 on September 13, 2007, 11:52:24 pm

Title: ordering from Happ
Post by: nic8612 on September 13, 2007, 11:52:24 pm
Sooo, just a question for those of you who have ordered directly from the Happ website:  How do you figure out how much they charge for shipping?  I was trying to order some things from their website and it took me all the way to the order confirmation page and told me I would be charged tax and shipping, but not how much.  I didn't place the order as I have a big problem with giving out my credit card info and not knowing what I will be charged.  So anyone have an idea?
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Ken Layton on September 14, 2007, 12:28:23 am
That's the way it is from Happ. You're gonna get raped on shipping from them.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Lakersfan on September 14, 2007, 12:36:55 am
Go to the buy/sell forum and see the top post from DiveMaster. I haven't ordered from him yet, but I plan to when I get enough dough in PayPal ;).

A lot of people have used him and recommend him. And he'll give you a price before you purchase.

Oh, and if you don't see something on his list that you wanted, PM him... he may have it.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Joystick Jerk on September 14, 2007, 01:29:24 am
I've found ordering from Happ fairly cheap shipping wise. I ordered a bezel, which came in a giant box, and it was only $20 to Canada.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: mrserv0n on September 14, 2007, 03:08:26 am
I ordered direct for my sticks and buttons, I dont remember the total charge but they didn't rape me by any means.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: scotthh on September 14, 2007, 09:01:02 am
Why would you even consider ordering directly from Happ? Buy from Divemaster (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=47066.0) or Ponyboy (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=36770.0). I have had several orders from DM, he's fast and when there was a mistake, he quickly fixed it. I will continue to order from him. Oh, and I saved a bunch of money.

Competition Joystick (http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/competition_joy.htm)
Happ $14.40
DM $7.95

Highlip trackball (http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56010011.htm)
Happ $94.50
DM $65

pushbutton (http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/5891xxl.htm)
Happ $2.25
DM $1.35
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: brock.sampson on September 14, 2007, 12:20:06 pm
I made the mistake of directly ordering from Happ just an encoder wheel and board for a trackball.  They split my shipment so I got screwed twice on shipping.  I wouldn't recommend ordering direct from Happ.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: unclet on September 14, 2007, 01:18:10 pm
When I use to order from Happ, I would always call the toll free number and place my order with a real person.  They simply ask you for the part number(s)/quantity you want.  They can give you a true total.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: RayB on September 14, 2007, 04:52:52 pm
I've found ordering from Happ fairly cheap shipping wise. I ordered a bezel, which came in a giant box, and it was only $20 to Canada.

You seem to have neglected to mention the packing fee, UPS brokerage fee and added taxes. ;-)

Yes, I can confirm that you order, and they will ship out your order without even notifying you of what the shipping costs is.

Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Avrus on September 14, 2007, 07:53:42 pm
I've found ordering from Happ fairly cheap shipping wise. I ordered a bezel, which came in a giant box, and it was only $20 to Canada.

You seem to have neglected to mention the packing fee, UPS brokerage fee and added taxes. ;-)

Yes, I can confirm that you order, and they will ship out your order without even notifying you of what the shipping costs is.



Yup, I ordered all my stuff through Starburst (I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and $20 would be about 1/3rd of the cost of shipping I paid for about $1500 in parts.  So $20 for one bezel ... is a lot.

No brokerage, handling, or other fees.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: DrFrag on September 14, 2007, 10:30:39 pm
I ordered from Happ recently through their web site and I was expecting to be notified of the shipping charge before they charged me and sent the goods.  I just assumed charging a VISA card an amount that hadn't been authorised would have been unlawful or something.

Anyway, they shipped without any notification.  Shipping came to AU$107 (about US$90).  Only four joysticks and buttons to suit, but the box was about three times bigger than necessary.

I was surprised to find that after receiving the goods, I had not yet been charged.  It turned out that there had been 10 electronic transaction declines over the previous two weeks as they'd attempted to charge my account and been unable, as I'd only allowed for $100 to cover the shipping.  At no time did they attempt to contact me.

When I complained, they said "You were not notify because you placed the order on line."  They also said, as Unclet mentioned, that they can give the amount if you order over the phone.

Maybe they get too many order cancellations when they tell people how much the shipping will cost.  I've never had any international orders for anything come close to the amount I was charged.

The quality of goods is excellent, but I'll look for other avenues to get hold of Happ gear in the future.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: ARTIFACT on September 15, 2007, 12:34:25 am
Ordered my stuff from Divemaster127 (except the Turbo Twist Spinner from GroovyGameGear)

I am VERY happy doing business with him.
I recommend it highly

Go Divemaster127!

Oh, and he takes PayPal.. I like that.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Joystick Jerk on September 15, 2007, 12:46:04 am
You seem to have neglected to mention the packing fee, UPS brokerage fee and added taxes. ;-)

There weren't any other fees. All I paid was the cost of the items and $20 for shipping.


Yup, I ordered all my stuff through Starburst (I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) and $20 would be about 1/3rd of the cost of shipping I paid for about $1500 in parts.  So $20 for one bezel ... is a lot.

The value of your items has nothing to do with how much shipping costs. $20 for a 3 x 3 box from the US to canada is pretty damn low (via fedex), especially considering it probably would've cost 3 times as much through UPS.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: FrizzleFried on September 15, 2007, 01:18:31 am
I called and got a quote for a Vision Pro 19" monitor... I was surprised to find out they were only going to charge me $22.00 shipping total!  That said,  they would be shipping from Las Vegas which is only a 9 hour drive.

Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: RayB on September 15, 2007, 01:32:19 am
their T&C states they charge a handling fee ......

"Minimum Order Policy:
We are sorry but we can not accept any order under $25.00 due to processing costs

Handling Fee:
Orders $25.00 and over will be charged a $5.75 handling fee plus appropriate shipping charges and necessary taxes."


http://www.happcontrols.com/terms.htm
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: AtomSmasher on September 15, 2007, 02:37:08 am
Just order from Ponyboy or Divemaster as the others have mentioned.  You'll pay less for both the parts and the shipping and you'll know the total cost before they ship it to you.  The only reason to order directly from Happ is if you happen to be ordering one of the few parts that Ponyboy and Divemaster do not carry.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Kangum on September 15, 2007, 04:11:05 am
One afternoon I sat down and worked out all the buttons and things I would need and priced it from happ and DM. I pretty much had all intention of happ at this point. after i totalled it all up my order was not 5 or 10 dollars cheaper from DM but over 50 dollars saved from him.

that is not chump change. I have placed it yet since I am changing my panel again but I can tell you I wont be ordering anything direct from happ anymore with that much difference in cost. especially if you start using translucent buttons and things you save so much money by the time your done its silly.

Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: Joystick Jerk on September 15, 2007, 05:16:32 am
their T&C states they charge a handling fee ......

"Minimum Order Policy:
We are sorry but we can not accept any order under $25.00 due to processing costs

Handling Fee:
Orders $25.00 and over will be charged a $5.75 handling fee plus appropriate shipping charges and necessary taxes."


http://www.happcontrols.com/terms.htm


I've done two order so far and haven't been charged their handling fee yet. Maybe their automatic billing system is wonky.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: nic8612 on September 15, 2007, 01:24:21 pm
Well the things that I wanted to order from Happ, none of the vendors mentioned here carry.  I want to order the 27" plastic bezel, a coin door without all of the mechs, and replacement blue coin acceptor buttons.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: divemaster127 on September 15, 2007, 01:52:45 pm
I keep a few bezels but I only order these in when happ offers free shipping due to the high shipping rate, right now i have 19" & 13", I can get you any coin door happ carries, as long as you have a number I keep over 12 different coin doors in stock at all time....I also stock the blue coin rejects all the time, pm If I can help you
dm
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: FrizzleFried on September 15, 2007, 07:17:09 pm
their T&C states they charge a handling fee ......

"Minimum Order Policy:
We are sorry but we can not accept any order under $25.00 due to processing costs

Handling Fee:
Orders $25.00 and over will be charged a $5.75 handling fee plus appropriate shipping charges and necessary taxes."


http://www.happcontrols.com/terms.htm


Can someone tell me what in the HELL a handling fee is?  Isn't the whole JOB of a vendor to HANDLE merchandise when they sell it.  These morons just need to raise their prices a couple percent and ditch that ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- "handling" charge.
Title: Re: ordering from Happ
Post by: u_rebelscum on September 17, 2007, 04:37:45 am
Can someone tell me what in the HELL a handling fee is?  Isn't the whole JOB of a vendor to HANDLE merchandise when they sell it.  These morons just need to raise their prices a couple percent and ditch that ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- "handling" charge.

Someone packs the items.  The person packing is paid per hour (I doubt salary), so the time costs money. 
Add the packing materials costs, including tape, box, and padding.

That is what handing fee is.  (And in California, handling fee get the sales taxed, but shipping shouldn't.)

And since the above costs of, for example, two trackballs is not twice that of one trackball but almost the same, putting the costs in the list price of said items over changes high volume customers and subsidizes low volume customers.  And since happs is oriented for high volume costumers... :-\

Note: I am not defending happs.  I'm just explaining the "good" reasons many businesses use handling fees.  There are also the "hidden" and "sneaky" reasons most often mentioned by small customers.

I don't mind the fixed handling fees like happs as long as long as it's clearly stated, but ones that say something like "$7 for first item, $2 for each of the rest" get my goat.  Just add the $2 to the list price and use a flat "$5 handling fee".


Disclaimed: I used to pack for a small business back in the days, and we charged a flat $1 handling fee, in addition to the shipping fee.  Customers complained at the shipping costs, but we past on exactly what we were charged (+ the $1 handling fee).  At the time, shipping costs for single items overnight were more than the items themselves even before the $1 handling was added, but we had zero control on the shipping fees. But some customers are just plain stupid: we gave a 40% discount at 5 items, so it cost more to buy 4 than 5 (and 5 cost the same as 3), but people still bought 4 even after I explained that the total for 5 was $30, and the total for 4 was $40.  (The shipping costs we were charged were the same for up to 5 items.)  We listed the shipping costs, but people still chose the highest costing carrier, and then blamed us for the shipping costs being so high.  Even after they checked shipping costs online with the carriers (and they'd get the same numbers) they'd still complain we should give free overnight shipping.
So I've been on both sides of shipping fees.