incrediBILL - 7:07 am on Sep 19, 2011 (gmt 0)

Waiting 5-7 days is legit but bad service if customers aren't forewarned. Making customers wait because you don't want to temporarily bankroll the orders is completely unacceptable customer service IMO. When I place an order, unless it's specified otherwise at order time, or some hobbyist stuff where time doesn't matter much, I expect it to ship ASAP.

Here's the problem with delayed shipping...

For instance, just ordered something this week and discovered 2 days later they hadn't even processed the order yet. Needed the stuff before end of week, ordered in plenty of time from local in state biz to get it delivered on time, but thanks to the merchant screwing around I had to get stern and forced him to eat a Saturday shipping charge.

Probably won't order from them again and I'm ordering almost $1K/month in these supplies at the moment.

Lost my biz that quick by screwing around.

Bottom line, be upfront, if your customers will tolerate it, fine.

Most probably won't and will shop with faster ship times IMO.

FWIW, I'm an Amazon Prime guy, like my shipping cheap AND prompt.