Custom Crops - WARNING TO ALL SCRAPBOOKERS!!

[mom2faith]

Hi all!!

I am an avid scrapbooker and I am always looking for deals and new things online (we do not have a lot of variety around here). So, I found the amazing US store that has some GREAT prices!!

Custom Crops
www.customcrops.com

Well, long story short, the prices are only good if you actually receive the items!!




Here is the information on my order:

• (1) Cricut Cartridge - Paper Dolls $29.99 USD
• (1) Cricut Cartrdge - Graphically Speaking $44.99 USD
• (1) Cricut Cartridge - Mickey Font $34.99 USD
• Priority Shipping to Canada $22.50 USD
• Total $134.47 USD ( about $174 CDN)
• Ordered Sunday Mar 1, all items were listed as "IN STOCK SHIPS IN 1 to 2 DAYS"

This was a GREAT deal for 3 cartridges!! I would have spent $119/cartridge at Michaels. (Even on sale they are $60 each so before taxes it is $180). I was so excited!!




Well, the website promised shipping in 1 to 2 days, so on Tuesday I thought for sure I would have a tracking number. I did not. Below is my communication with the company from that point on:

• Mar 4 - Tried 1-800 # listed on website - did not work.
• Mar 4 - Tried 1-603 # listed on website - did not work.
• Mar 4 - Tried 1-866 # on Paypal receipt - did not work.
• Mar 4 - Emailed twice.
• Mar 5 - emailed again.
• Mar 5 - received response stating item would ship that day
• Mar 6 - email again to get tracking number.
• Mar 6 - received response stating item would ship that day
• Mar 9 - emailed again to get tracking number
• Mar 9 - received emails tating item would ship that day (I am noticing a pattern)
• Mar 9 - made Paypal claim
• Mar 10 - received email with tracking number that does not work from company
• Mar 10 - received email from Paypal with tracking number that does not work
• Mar 10 - emailed company that tracking number did not work
• Mar 11 - emailed company that tracking number did not work
• Mar 11 - received email from company stating that often the USPS tracking numbers do not work (HUH?? I order from the US all the time and have never receved a tracking number that does not work unless it really is the wrong tracking number).
• Mar 12 - emailed again regarding trackign number
• Mar 12 - message on phone from campany stating that it was USPS's fault and that the item was shipped.
• Mar 16 - tracking number still not working, emailed company again
• Mar 16 - filed with BBB (noticed that they have 4 other complaints against them - great!!)

So, here I am 2 weeks after purchase after paying extra for Priority shipping all I have is a tracking number that does not work and I am out my $175 CDN.

I grade this company an F. They fail to respond in a timely manner to emails, their phone numbers do not work, they make up excuses and blame USPS for their shipping problems, etc. I will be shocked if I ever get the items!! (But, I will keep you posted).

[Natalka]

Aw, this is just awful for you.
But my gosh, you're not the only one -
http://www.google.ca/search?q=proble...ient=firefox-a

[xbbx]

Oh dear, you won;t get money back from PP or your Credit Cards? :x

[Sally888]

Just to let you know Priority post by USPS system does have a lot of errors. USPS will even tell you this if you call and tell them you are trying to track.

I've had packages delivered from Texas that never tracked, when I'd look up the tracking it would just say it wasn't in the system yet. I recieved items and they didn't track at all.

I've had priority packages that only track when they've reached Canada customs.

I've had priority packages that track right away and are updated every few days.


Im speaking from someone thats recd over 500 packages from the USA.

In fact i've been waiting for a priority package since Feb 19 and March 1.
The feb 19th one isnt tracking at all, I will wait a few more days then file a claim.
Mail seems too be extremely slow lately.

Anyways Im not saying this is the reason but I did see it hasnt been that long since you paid for the items and Im pretty use to waiting a long time. Priority and First Class aren't speedy, Express is, but not worth the $$$$

Their tardiness for answering emails has no excuse at all.

[mom2faith]

Aw, this is just awful for you.
But my gosh, you're not the only one -
http://www.google.ca/search?q=proble...ient=firefox-a

I am so MAD at myself for not checking the company out first. I NEVER do that!! I usually check everything out first, but the prices got me so excited that I just bought!! And, I needed them right away, so I did not take the time to look into it further. I am hoping that at least posting it here warns one other scrapbooker out there.

Oh dear, you won;t get money back from PP or your Credit Cards? :x

Paypal is reveiwing it, so that is out of my hands right now. As for credit cards, this was mistake #2 on this order (#1 being not checking out the company first). Mistake #2 was that I used my bank account through Paypal, so if Paypal says no, I am stuck. I let my excitement get the better of me this time!!

Just to let you know Priority post by USPS system does have a lot of errors. USPS will even tell you this if you call and tell them you are trying to track.

I've had packages delivered from Texas that never tracked, when I'd look up the tracking it would just say it wasn't in the system yet. I recieved items and they didn't track at all.

I've had priority packages that only track when they've reached Canada customs.

I've had priority packages that track right away and are updated every few days.


Im speaking from someone thats recd over 500 packages from the USA.

In fact i've been waiting for a priority package since Feb 19 and March 1.
The feb 19th one isnt tracking at all, I will wait a few more days then file a claim.
Mail seems too be extremely slow lately.

Anyways Im not saying this is the reason but I did see it hasnt been that long since you paid for the items and Im pretty use to waiting a long time. Priority and First Class aren't speedy, Express is, but not worth the $$$$

Their tardiness for answering emails has no excuse at all.

Thank you for the feedback on USPS. I have never had a problem with them before, so I assumed they were onthe up and up. I did not realize that there were tracking concerns with them.

You are right though, they should be responding to my emails, and the items should have been sent in the 1 to 2 days as promised on their website.

Now I just have to play the waiting game

[Alixana]

I've had problems with USPS tracking too. It took days before I could get my number to work, or it'd update when it reached Canada customs.

But the company does have poor customer service not answering emails right away.

I hope you get this resolved.

[mom2faith]

Well, much to my surprise, the items came today!! The tracking number is still not working.

I cannot believe it.

I still do not recommend this company to anyone. I paid extra for the Priority shipping and they still did not answer any of my emails. Oh, and their phone numbers still do not work.

Anyways, the prices are good, if you are willing to be patient and put up a fight, you may eventually get your items.

Amy

[Natalka]

I'm glad you at least got the items.... Enjoy!

[rachel1496]

I'm glad you got your items but I would still be wary of a company that lists 3 non-working phone numbers.

[mtszucs]

Nothing has changed since November 2008. I put in an order July 8 and I have 3 emails from 3 different people with 3 different excuses as to why it has not been shipped. Never order from them again.

[Dee09]

Thanks for sharing, it sure does help others.
And you're not the only one who has gotten so excited at a deal/etc and forgot our usually cautious self!

[1boy1girl]

Custom Crops is pretty well known for 2 things - great prices, super slow shipping.

[1764]

hm, priority doesn't arrive that quickly... it takes my package a week to two usually and depends if you live in the city or suburbs/rural area which takes longer...

[Nana2boys]

Well, much to my surprise, the items came today!! The tracking number is still not working.

I cannot believe it.

I still do not recommend this company to anyone. I paid extra for the Priority shipping and they still did not answer any of my emails. Oh, and their phone numbers still do not work.

Anyways, the prices are good, if you are willing to be patient and put up a fight, you may eventually get your items.

Amy

I was really surprised to read your comments, I have dealt with this company for about three years now and have never had any difficulties with postal issues, credits, e-mail etc. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for exceptional deals.

[poocheymama]

I too am very disappointed in Custom Crops. It has now been 10 business days since I placed my order and it has stilled not shipped. I called them using the toll number (the toll free number would not work but I think that is because I'm calling from Canada and it's only toll free for the States) and they told me that they are just behind on filling orders and they have hired some more staff. I think they should remove OUR ORDERS NOW SHIP IN 4-6 BUSINESS DAYS from their website because it's false advertising and I also think if they can't keep up with orders from one sale don't have MORE sales back to back! I have ordered many times from OH MY CRAFTS (in the States also) and the only time I had a bit longer of a wait was over the Xmas period and that is to be expected. It's tough for us Canadians because we also have to wait for stuff to clear customs which adds even more time!!! I also don't think that if I want to cancel my order because they can not fufill their stated shipping times that I should have to pay a $10.00 cancellation fee! If I cancel before the 6 day shipping period then yes I would agree it should be paid but they are not living up to their end of the deal. They also bill your credit card right away, not when the order ships. I guess I will be dealing with OH MY CRAFTS in the future. I wish Canada would get with the times and offer more products for cardmaking & scrapbooking that are made in Canada so that we don't have to buy from the States! Everything good comes from the States grrrrrrrrrr