Van Cafe "Route" shipping protection

[shagginwagon83]

Since the launch of Van Cafe's new website, during the checkout, I noticed an add-on item for "Route" shipping protection.

I usually opt out of this - as I have never had any issues with shipping from Van Cafe. But on my last order I forgot to uncheck the box - For my $175 order, it was $7 for this addon.

My understanding of anything I buy from the interwebz, it's on the seller to ensure the package makes it to the buyer.

Has anyone had any experience using Route to resolve shipping issues?

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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[MarkWard]

I have not noticed this. Considering how many packages are delivered safely, seems like just a side bet that will generate more money than it pays out. Interesting idea.
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[DanHoug]

i declined the $0.98 charge. always seems to be a hassle of hoops and ladders to try to get settlement out of these. USPS and UPS have been incredibly reliable for me... last FedEx delivery was laughably incompetent and now triggers a "Frau Blucher" response in me.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[TopBud]

I just placed an expensive order from Renogy and I noticed the same thing. I opted for paying it. I did this because I spent lots of money and want to make sure I get it. I have heard about lots of shipping issues, items getting lost, stolen from door step or delivered to the wrong address, and the package getting all messed up. From what
I read, this protects the buyer from any issues with shipping.
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

[Glenn]

It's called insurance, you assume the risk if you decline adding it.

BTW, when i sell stuff, I always include the cost of insurance in the price... it's not an option. If the customer doesn't want to pay it, they're welcome to drive over and pick it up in person because i won't ship without it.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[mikemtnbike]

All insurance is gambling backed by mathematics. The math says the company will make money regardless of payouts. That's why the insurance is even offered, with rates adjusted as needed to ensure money continues to be made. As consumers, we are either forced to buy insurance to protect ourselves, others, and lenders/businesses OR we choose to gamble on whether or not the risk of loss is worth the cost of insurance.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Glenn]

Do you have car insurance?

I was sitting at a red light when a municipal garbage truck slammed into the back of my car and pushed it into the back of a F150. Of course the F150 driver is suing both of us even though its the truck driver's fault. Luckily i'm well insured and my lawyer is not concerned my insurance company will pay anything. Either way i'm covered if the court finds me liable and my lawyer is free.

In many states, car insurance is optional. Try to collect against an uninsured driver that lives in a trailer park and has no assets.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[kamzcab86]

[Ahwahnee]

[Glenn]

[alaskadan]

Living in Ak. we see alot of damaged stuff by the time it's shipped to us. Sometimes it's just mind boggling how crappily things are packaged. Yes crappily. Though it's nice to have the option of insurance or not. A brake drum, well maybe not. Pretty hard to damage that, I just want it to be true .

[Glenn]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

so... my opinion?

totally worth it.

I never have had an issue with shipping....ever. I went to check out and saw the .98 "fee" and thought "you fuckers" and I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't want to figure out how to get rid of it, so I just paid the buck

I literally received an empty box, with the neon stickers you see taped to it. I contacted GW/VC about this.

Long story short, ROUTE was a total pain in the ass to navigate, at least on a laptop. They want you to install an app on your phone (no thanks) so after some back and forth with GW/VC they did all of the legwork despite me thinking I had the claim filed (the ROUTE interface SUCKED imho)

Within a day or 2 VC/GW got authorization to re-send the package. It was about a week or so but I got a new order safely delivered to me.

Like I said, I have NEVER had any issues and would have opted out had I had the time to figure it out, so I just 'ate' the fee and man am I glad I did. There was over 100bux worth of shit in that box and other than a delay (dealing with ROUTE/ GW/VC) I got a new order.

In todays world of nobody giving a shit, this saved my ass. I mean it's only a buck for Christs sake. Somehow my order was stolen while in the chain of command AT the post office as it showed up to me with the "dude, your box is empty" stickers. I have never seen them before in my life and hope never to again.

All in all, it was super easy, didn't have to play fuck fuck with the post office and it got sorted FAST (at least I felt it did, compared to dealing with the usps) Other than the inconvenience of having to actually deal with the stolen contents, it was very easy and well worth it. If an extra dollar is going to break you, you need to reevaluate your life.

TL;DR spend the extra dollar.
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[shagginwagon83]

It’s not just $1. I just did a sample checkout with a $700 rear swing away and the insurance was $15. On my $160 order it was $6.

I am glad you had success with Route. I may consider it in certain situations moving forward.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Abscate]

You have to. Read the terms and conditions On each order carefully.

FOB or Free on Board describes when and where the ownership of the goods transfers from seller to buyer. It is not necessarily your porch, especially for drop shipped or third party items
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.ssS!

[shagginwagon83]

There is a 'toggle' switch under shipping to where you can opt out of Route.

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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Phishman068]

It is not "on the seller" to ensure the item arrives safely- it's on the seller to ensure the item is SHIPPED.
I own a small business, and the second I hand off the package to the shipping company (Say UPS for example), I am not "Responsible" for the package.
If I offer insurance on the package, which you chose not to buy- your issue of your package getting lost is with the shipper, it's no longer my package. Of course, I'll make the claim, and I'll follow up to help you- but in the case of the high end items I make and sell, when they go missing and you chose not to pay extra for insurance- I absolutely have nothing "I" can do.
In my case, I'm making wedding rings, which are very often ordered irresponsibly close to a wedding. If the shipper loses your package, I can't just "ship another one", and how would "I" be out that money and the money associated with rushing that order- when you chose to save?

In my case, the insurance generally doubles the shipping price, and people certainly don't like to pay it.

I've seen ALOT of packages get lost, ESPECIALLY around the holidays (NOW through Christmas), so don't rely on 3 day shipping to be anything less then potentially 6 days, don't expect that it couldn't take 10 days, and always opt for the insurance- ESPECIALLY around the holidays. UPS and Fedex have both eliminated their guaranteed dates, and lowered their limits on what packages are automatically insured for (I think it's $100?), so if you've got a package that costs more than that..... pay it.
Or it might not show up at all.

Also note, an insurance claim will take a long time to pay out.
It could be months. In the meantime, a vendor may ship your replacement parts, they may not- they haven't been paid for yet.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[deadaheadub]

I’m guessing part of the Route fee covers the “carbon neutral” shipping expense.
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Grateful daily,
Ryan
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Past loves: '65 Bug, '70 Westy poptop, '64 Squareback project, '76 Westy tintop "Loose Lucy", '76 Westy tintop "Sharee"
Current:'84 Westy poptop "Ramblin' Rose- Rosie" w/ 2003 Subaru EJ25 conversion

[steve244]

I think we're too used to Amazon where you report it missing and they send another right away.

With gowesty's shipment I got half one day and half the next. UPS screwed up and showed it "delivered". I figured it was either still on the truck or at the wrong place. Emailed GW and they said to contact UPS. Came the next day so all's well that ends well.

The only thing I expect is for the shipper to have ensured it adequately so if it doesn't come or is damaged there is some recourse.
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82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...