Dover is switching to a normal shipping calculation method

[seabreeze]

[QUOTE=ParadoxFarm;8967680]
Not to further sidetrack…well, maybe so…I ordered from Riding Warehouse today, and though I didn’t reach the 50 bucks for free shipping, it already shipped out today, within about two hours. Love them. And refunds for a year![/QUOTE]

Add me to the Riding Warehouse fan club. They are becoming my “go to” mail order source. Their prices are fabulous, ordering isn’t ever complicated, and their customer service is very helpful.

I used to be a loyal SmartPak customer, but I’ve lost interest since their SmartPak branding has taken over (and I’ve only been impressed with a couple of those items).

As for Dover, I gave up on them a few years ago. When I’d make an order, I’d have to ask, “Is this the lowest price this item is offered for at this time?” And then they would ship the order with a mistake every single time. And the shipping policies are just prehistoric. They’ve had no interest in changing that for years, so I just stopped using them.

[trubandloki]

@Dubarry

Not to hijack…but if you are a frequent and loyal Smartpak shopper (like myself), that the free shipping doesn’t apply to “add on” items? This is a term coined by Amazon.

I too do not understand your point.

Anything I add to my monthly Smartpaks ships for free with them. Anything I put in my basket to get me up to minimum order any other time, ships along free.

Heck, I have called later in the day to add something to my order and it ships for free, in a different box (clearly the order I placed online was already packaged).

[largo]

Just had the worst experience with Dover. I tried to order the Riders International Supreme blankets yesterday with the 20% off with the Christmas deal. When I went to order the price didn’t reflect the sale price so I didn’t complete the purchase. I took screen shots of the cart and called this morning hoping to buy the blankets and monogram them. I held for about 10 minutes and when the woman answered it was probably the most unhelpful customer service conversations I’ve ever had. Without letting me fully explain the situation she promptly stated that the 20% off deal was over and that the current deal is on Rambos. Didn’t want to hear anything about the cart not showing the discount.

Didn’t buy the blankets. With this free shipping deal I was optimistic about trying Dover again but their unprofessional service and unwillingness to make the situation right has completely turned me off for good.

Smartpak would have given me the sale price and gotten them to me in 2 days.

[Xanthoria]

By the numbers:

Dover:
Free shipping over $150.
Returns: forever, any condition, no questions asked. You pay shipping.
Selection: massive
Prices: not the lowest

Smartpack:
Free shipping both ways over $75 (or supplement pack orders over $40)
Returns on like-new condition, with the original packaging items within 60 days from the purchase date.
Selection: medium
Prices: average

Riding warehouse:
Free shipping both ways over $50.
Returns on like-new condition, with the original packaging items within 365 days from the purchase date. Qualifying orders will include a Pre-paid UPS Ground shipping label.
Selection: not huge (yet?)
Prices: “guaranteed lowest” and will price match

Look here’s how it pans out: Dover might not be the cheapest to get stuff from, but if you have a blanket from 2 years ago that fails spectacularly on it’s second use, you’re SOL with anyone but Dover IMEX.

I use Dover for the $$$ items that are likely to take abuse, RW or Amazon Prime for the things I need right away, and the others for thing I can’t find elsewhere or which are on super sale.

[trubandloki]

@Xanthoria

Look here’s how it pans out: Dover might not be the cheapest to get stuff from, but if you have a blanket from 2 years ago that fails spectacularly on it’s second use, you’re SOL with anyone but Dover IMEX.

That was not my experience on a brand new fly sheet on the first wear. But, I am willing to say your experience and mine might not be the same.
I have never had a bad experience returning to Smartpak and I have never paid for the return shipping.
The bottom line is, you are allowed to not mind Dover’s misleading advertising and expensive shipping. Keep ordering from them. There are clearly more people out there than just you, that do not mind.
Others are allowed to not like that business model and like how some other business does things and shop there.

[vxf111]

I’ve had Smartpak cheerfully take back worn but defective items that failed.

[Xanthoria]

“The bottom line is, you are allowed to not mind Dover’s misleading advertising and expensive shipping.”

Yes, I am.

"Keep ordering from them. There are clearly more people out there than just you, that do not mind. "

Yes, there probably are.

“Others are allowed to not like that business model and like how some other business does things and shop there.”

Did I say they weren’t?

Sorry to hear they failed to stand by their guarantee on the fly sheet…

[dps]

Dover is so expensive I don’t know how they stay in business. Do they think we don’t shop around?

[Jersey_Fresh]

Well Dover listened and dropped the free shipping minimum to $100 (eye roll)

[inca]

And last night I got a pair of Ovation paddock boots, 2 pair of lovely socks and a cute boot bag for a gift for just over $100. I do love their clearance sales!

[drkarins]

Another who stopped even looking at Dover a few years back with one exception for a noseband not carried by anyone else.

Big fan of RW and SP, Prime though will shop around as often deals elsewhere.

Did go to the new Dover store in our area though still about an hour out of the way (happened to be going by so stopped in). Found two closeout blankets but interestingly, the cashier had to take ten minutes thumbing through catalogs to give us the best/most recent price despite the price/amount being posted in the store. Luckily husband was paying attention - cashier accidentally looked up an old number for one blanket - the posted (and more current) price was $20 cheaper than whatever she found. So if you go to the store, be sure to do your homework ahead of time regarding pricing. Heck, save time and tag the pages in the catalog!

Sorry, Dover - you have a great inventory and good sales but your shipping and pricing need work.

[VTMorgan06]

I’m just curious if people have had experience with Dover honoring the ‘no questions asked, any time, any condition’ return policy. I’ve never had to return anything from them so I’m wondering if they always honor it. I’ve had wonderful return experiences with SP, never ordered from RW…I’m going to check it out now!

[vxf111]

I had former barn mates who took their Rider’s Northwind blankets in at the end of every winter and traded them in for new. Not defective, not damages-- just turned in worn for new. Dover did it every time.

[foursocks]

Dover is great for returns. I have never had an issue, nor have any of my friends. We have a store nearby and the staff there are fabulous so it is one of my go-to sources. I have only ordered a few things online and the shipping has always been totally ridiculous so usually I try to just get whatever I need ordered by and delivered to the store.

[GucciJumper]

Free shipping from Dover for today!

And also. Smartpak will only pay for shipping if it’s returned within 60 days now. I’m bummed since my mom bought my present so early I couldn’t return it for free for a bigger size.

[anon99446150]

I think what always bothered me about Dover was their claim of “big savings” when their prices were actually the same, if not higher, than their competitors. The “savings” were only off of the MSRP. There would be times when I would look in their sales section and the prices were no lower than Smartpak. I understand they have a business to run and some manufacturers prevent discounts on certain items, but don’t present something as a great deal when it’s really not. It just feels shady.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=GucciJumper;8975026]
Free shipping from Dover for today!

And also. Smartpak will only pay for shipping if it’s returned within 60 days now. I’m bummed since my mom bought my present so early I couldn’t return it for free for a bigger size.[/QUOTE]

It was stated above that their return policy is 60 days, and it’s not. That’s just for free shipping. They will cheerfully take back any item just like Dover will. They just exchanged a helmet for me that was bought in April but given to me as a gift last week. I had a receipt, got store credit for a helmet that fit, no problem.

[Laurierace]

Smartpak may “cheerfully” take back any unused item but their return policy doesn’t hold a candle to Dover’s. I bought a Hott Wash last winter from Smartpak. Used it once, it didn’t work. Packed it up in the box it came in and returned it. They deducted $75 from my refund because it was “used” I asked how I was supposed to know if it worked or not without trying it and all I got in response was “good question.” Never gave them a cent since then.

[vxf111]

Laurie,

I am not doubting AT ALL that you had that experience. That being said, I have never encountered that problem. I have returned many items. For sized items, SP always sent me a return tag. No questions asked. For both new and used/defective items they took the items back and gave me a FULL refund. I have never experienced any deduction for items being used. I would be upset if I did, in the case of a defective item. I’ve been a SP customer and I have ABSOLUTELY called them out for things I think they didn’t handle properly (i.e. the whole HK nosebands go kaboom issue a year or two back) but I have never heard anyone other than you have a deduction from a return on an item. I wonder if you just got a really bad CS rep or if that’s some sort of anomaly.

[ParadoxFarm]

Huh…I’ve returned things to SmartPak used as well, and have gotten my refund. One thing was very used, but it rusted and they refunded me. I’ve never had a problem with them, either. Sorry you did, Laurierace!