Pipe Order, Maybe

[mso489]

At an online retailer, not one of our sponsors, when I clicked on add-to-cart, it flashed a

window that said, "Not available in the quantity (1) you ordered." This happened twice in

slightly different formats. When I went back later, no such problem; the site accepted the

order and they sent me an email order confirmation . When I went back later, they had removed

that pipe from the page. Is it out of stock, or did I get the last one? Only time will tell.

It's exactly the version of the pipe I want. It's a classic but low-priced pipe. We'll see what

happens. Stay tuned. At least I'm not in suspense about a $400 pipe. Ever had this kind of

experience? I'm sort of the angel of chaos in cyber technology, but I do my best not to be.

 

[youngsterpuffer]

Uh oh. Hopefully you get what you ordered. It sounds like a coding error, server glitch, or maybe an admin was updating it and you had some coincidental timing. But hopefully you get what you wanted!

 

[mso489]

They've now sent me a confirmation of shipping, so unless they have sent the same series pipe in a

different shape, this suggests I am receiving the last one, and that I was tripping the system one pipe

prematurely. We shall see. The plot thickens. I'm hoping for the best. The one other order I've had

with this online retailer was handled perfectly. I guess it's all in attitude with technology. I think later

generations find mastering this stuff both routine and pleasing, like a nuanced game. For me, not so much.

 

[flmason]

I would also check your credit card to make sure you were charged the correct price for the pipe you wanted. If the amount is wrong as a pending charge, perhaps you can get the error corrected before the package is shipped.

 

[mso489]

The price on the pipe, plus the description and exact model (the are designated by letter, this one W) are just

right, so it looks on track. Hmmm. We shall see; I will report.

 

[fadingdaylight]

My nerves would be racked regardless of price. Online buying always makes me kinda edgy, I like to be able to see and hold things, pipes especially, before I pay for them. Keep us posted, and hopefully it goes well.

 

[mso489]

Now the USPS tracking says the info has been electronically entered, so something is on the way. Still

no P.O. designated, and no estimated arrival date. A little glacial, but in progress. If I snagged the last

of the shape I wanted (panel pot) that would be cool. Let's see what happens. Yes, it's nice to buy in

person, but then sometimes there's pressure to buy. But I sure like to see and handle a pipe first, true.

 

[dottiewarden]

I'm about to make my first online pipe purchase. It's a crap shoot 'till I know different.

 

[mso489]

I've bought most of my pipes online, and generally it's been effortless. This is more gradual

because I selected the basic first class post. The uncertainty comes from the odd behavior of

the web site, but I've never encountered that before in years of online shopping. With

smokingpipes.com, cup o joes, tabaccopipes.com, and others, no problem ever, at all.

I think this will come through just fine, but it's slower. I'll keep you posted. But take heart,

dottiewarden, and stick with the sponsors, and you'll do just fine. I believe I will too, but I'll

keep you all posted. It was the mixed signals, the clear offering of the pipe with picture, then

the odd out of stock windows, then the ready acceptance of the order. We'll see.

 

[mso489]

According to the USPS tracking, the item has arrived in town (here). So it should show up today or tomorrow.

My sense of the online retailer is that they will have it right, the right pipe as ordered. I'll spell out what pipe

and what retailer when it gets here. The retailer is not a sponsor but has been discussed here before, but quite

a while ago. I went to them because they have the only selection of a given pipe that I could find. My earlier

source of these kinds of pipes had run out of inventory some months ago. Stand by.
Again, don't be afraid to order online. Most online retailers do a meticulous job, often in surprisingly short

delivery times. smokingpipes.com even brought a pipe to my local pipe show to save me shipping! Mostly,

it's A-plus. We get spoiled so any irregularity is surprising, but by-in-large, service is excellent. And it

expands the selection of pipes from scores at our local pipe shop to tens of thousands. Hard to beat.

 

[ruger414]

I'm glad it looks like you're going to get your pipe! Keep us updated

 

[mso489]

Okay, I am spinning this out, since it has taken on a sort of "short story" dimension. I won't do it again

even if I run into quirky web site messages. However, I want to report that the USPS tracking has this

pipe "out for delivery!" So something is on its way, today. I will let you know what arrives. Thanks for

your patience. I'll spell out the details -- what pipe and what retailer -- after we see what it is.
Meanwhile, I have to go see my tax preparer. That should cheer me up -- not.

 

[fadingdaylight]

Good luck mso, we will be waiting to hear the end of the story..

 

[mso489]

Success! West Virginia Tobacco Shop got me a Yello-Bole Checker briar panel pot, per order.

As mentioned above, when I first clicked on add-to-cart, the site flashed a window saying

it did not have the quantity (1) I was ordering, and did this a second time in a slightly different

format. This was the site tripping the out-of-stock software one pipe too soon. When I came

back later, the site took the order, and everything proceeded appropriately. A sub-set of my pipe

stable are American machine pipes. Not many sites specialize in these, and some that offer them

don't let you select between shapes; some just offer "bent or straight." This site has a good

selection, right now the only selection I'm finding for Yello-Bole Checker briar pipes, if you are

interested. tobaccopipes.com has carried them in the past, but not right now. However, it appears

I have the last of the (W) model, the panel pot Checker. The apple shape is also quite attractive, and

they have both bent and straight billiards. Thanks for your patience, guys. I'm glad this had a happy

ending, and kudos to my friends at West Virginia Tobacco Shop. They threw in a pipe nail, the tool

I like best.

 

[fadingdaylight]

Awesome, glad to hear it worked out, I will have to check out their site.

 

[fadingdaylight]

Funny, now that I went to it, I realized I was just on their site yesterday looking at Kaywoodie Saxons, seems they are about the only ones who have those as well. Guess I know its safe to order, thanks mso.

 

[dread]

This was a fun story to follow - kind of a play by play!