TRASHED Condar Probe thermometer shipment (pics)

[120inna55]

Here's a very good example of shipping packaging disproportionate to the delicate nature of the item sold. I ordered it through Amazon, but it came directly from Condar. This is exactly the way I received it. Even the top of the envelope was torn this way upon arrival. I'm surprised the thermometer stayed in it.

The face of the thermometer is bent resulting in the paint having flaked off. A set screw (or something like that) is loose within the package.

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Amazon says I have to contact Condar directly. I only got voicemails when I called yesterday. I've fired off an email. We'll see if they make good without my having to pay extra shipping.

And on that note, is there a more attractive option? The 70's color scheme is ugly. Why can't I find a probe thermometer with a simple black and white gauge, and maybe a glass crystal? I don't see why Condar has the monopoly on this market, offering only one style that is obviously dated as far as aesthetics. My intention is to install it on the back of the stove pipe, out of clear view since it's so ugly.

 

[offroadaudio]

Sorry to hear of your trouble - I've always had great luck with Amazon.

The good news is, you're already at 400deg!

 

[pen]

The first probe that came to me came w/ the face smashed in 1/2. It still was functional, but the paint was shot.

I contacted Condar and no questions asked they shipped me another one and also asked that I describe what happened so that they could better design packaging. Guess they haven't changed anything though.

pen

 

[120inna55]

...I've always had great luck with Amazon...

Yeah, me too. The problem is not with Amazon. Condar shipped the item directly. Amazon just "negotiated the sale" if you will.

 

[oldspark]

So Condar does not know how to pack its own product?

 

[Intheswamp]

Sorry to hear of your trouble - I've always had great luck with Amazon.

The good news is, you're already at 400deg!

Think of the reduction in wood usage!!

Yelp, Amazon usually ships things pretty well but I've had several occasions where the secondary shipper (Condor in this case) just don't give much thought to it. Our of curiosity...did you get free shipping or did you pay for shipping?

Ed

 

[pen]

So Condar does not know how to pack its own product?

Exactly. Condar should anticipate the worst w/ something like that going through the mail.

pen

 

[120inna55]

The first probe that came to me came w/ the face smashed in 1/2. It still was functional, but the paint was shot.
I contacted Condar and no questions asked they shipped me another one and also asked...

I hope that will be the case with me.

...that I describe what happened so that they could better design packaging. Guess they haven't changed anything though...

The packaging is fine for retail if it's hanging or sitting on a shelf, but to ship it, they need to use a box, not a lightly padded envelope. I can't believe this is a rare occurrence.

 

[120inna55]

...did you get free shipping or did you pay for shipping?

Free shipping. Which is supposed to sacrifice expedience---not quality.

 

[pen]

I would imagine it's a numbers game with them. What percentage of probes do get damaged verses not? 1 in 50 damaged? 1 in 100? At some point they must have decided that it's chaper in the long run to risk having a few damaged and need to replace them instead of paying extra for each and every one sent out.

it's too easy to make good packaging for this, so I'd imagine it must come down to cost.

You were simply the "lucky one" I suppose

Also, once they are sending you the new one, I'd open that bad boy up and see if it could be put back together. so long as the nut isn't completely stripped, it might be doable. If it does work, you can save it as comparison to your other. Of course, that's the inner-nerd in me talking.

pen

 

[120inna55]

Here's the email I sent them (while I was pissed):

<snip>I ordered the FLUEGARD PROBE THERMOMETER (MODEL 3-39) through Amazon.com on January 15, 2011.

I received the thermometer today, February 2, 2011. The package is damaged and torn. The thermometer is protruding through the package. The thermometer's face is bent and the paint has flaked off as a result. An apparent set screw is loose within the package. The retail packaging is damaged as well. I can provide pictures if needed.

Amazon.com states I must contact you, the seller, directly.

I do not intend to pay any more shipping charges. The damage is the result of shipping packaging disproportionate to the delicate nature of the item sold. Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange an exchange/replacement.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this unfortunate matter.<snip>

Here's the nice response from Condar's marketing director:

<snip>Not to worry, we will send a replacement FlueGard Probe Thermometer pronto.



If you have a moment, tell me more about why you purchased via Amazon. Was it the convenience? Was it price? Was it Amazon’s credibility?



Regardless of where, why, and how you purchased, we’re delighted that you chose a MADE IN AMERICA Condar thermometer!<snip>

 

[Todd]

I went with SBI after learning the Condars are reading 100-200 degrees high. It reads about 50-150 degrees less than the Condar in the 400-1000 degree range.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/search/wood-stove-thermometer

 

[Intheswamp]

...did you get free shipping or did you pay for shipping?

Free shipping. Which is supposed to sacrifice expedience---not quality.

Where does it say it doesn't affect quality of shipping? I've also seen where free shipping on amazon will definitely cause an intentional delay in shipping. I have ordered something with free shipping before and then canceled my order 2-3 days later only to reorder it again in a couple of days....interestingly amazon quickly shipped it the *second* time around....I guess they didn't want to risk losing the sale that time. In the last year or so I've seen where they will quickly put an "in process" or whatever note on the ordered item and state the order can't be changed/cancelled...though it still takes several days for it to ship. Through the years amazon has figured out how to work their system and they're in it for the dollar.

Years ago the original outpost.com had a gimmick that was free next-day shipping. Well, I couldn't resist it....I ordered a cheap camera lense cleaning kit for around $3 from them....yelp, it was delivered the next day to me. I asked the delivery guy how much this probably cost them....he responded with "probably between $12-$15". Outpost.com basically when out of business in the next year or so and got swallowed up by Fry's. I think amazon is smarter than that.

Anyhow, I hope the second gauge gets to you in good shape...and I'm with Pen, see if you can re-hab that beat up one.

Ed

 

[kettensäge]

Probably cheaper to skimp on packaging and replace the occasional "damaged in transit" item than carefully pack and ship every item as it should be.

 

[kettensäge]

Pic's finally loaded, no way that should be in an envelope, probably jammed the sorting machine.

 

[Corey]

Dang - sorry to hear. Kind of a stark contrast to a couple weeks ago when I ordered a small, solid block of stainless steel. Came wrapped in bubble pack and packing peanuts in a double walled cardboard box. Well, best wishes for a speedy replacement!

 

[120inna55]

I went with SBI after learning the Condars are reading 100-200 degrees high. It reads about 50-150 degrees less than the Condar in the 400-1000 degree range.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/search/wood-stove-thermometer

That is better looking.

 

[Highbeam]

I ordered my probe meter direct from Condar and it arrived with no damage. Since they sell direct they are wondering why you bought from amazon and paid a third party. Interesting.

I would change a couple of things on the condar meter such as the colors, the size of the numbers, the accuracy, and the range. I don't need to know if my flue temps are at 1600. I would like the full range of meter motion but only between 0 and 1200 degrees which should provide more detail. It's not bad, I really like the condar meters and company. So much that I went back to them and bought their surface meter which is much more modern looking.

 

[120inna55]

I ordered my probe meter direct from Condar and it arrived with no damage...

To be clear, while Amazon negotiated the sale, Condar shipped the thermometer directly.

...Since they sell direct they are wondering why you bought from amazon and paid a third party...

Condar is a seller on Amazon. That is their decision. I used Amazon for convenience, points, and free shipping. I wonder if the shipping quality would have been any different it I had ordered directly from Condar, but I don't know why it would make a difference. Again, Condar shipped the item directly to me. I have an invoice from Condar. The package contains brochures for Condar products. The package has Condar's custom return address label with Condar's logo. The only thing Amazon did in this case was to negotiate the sale.

 

[Highbeam]

I totally understand what you did. I like amazon also. Didn't you notice that Condar, in their email, was probing you (ha!) for info on why you didn't just buy direct?

I realize that it had nothing to do with the shipment damage. That probe meter would have been shipped the same way nomatter who you bought it from since Codar chooses to pachage them that way.

Even when your posts are pleasant and polite, your crazy avatar photo makes me read them like you are a raging lunatic. Like you are screaming with your jaw clamped shut.

 

[120inna55]

I totally understand what you did. I like amazon also. Didn't you notice that Condar, in their email, was probing you (ha!) for info on why you didn't just buy direct?...

Yes, I did notice that, and I fully intend to respond in a likewise manner. I do appreciate that at least they fain interest in improving their business model, even if prior posts indicate they have not actually modified their behavior with respect to inadequate shipping:

The first probe that came to me came w/ the face smashed in 1/2. It still was functional, but the paint was shot. I contacted Condar and no questions asked they shipped me another one and also asked that I describe what happened so that they could better design packaging. Guess they haven't changed anything though. pen

...Even when your posts are pleasant and polite, your crazy avatar photo makes me read them like you are a raging lunatic. Like you are screaming with your jaw clamped shut.

Heheh...yeah, while my avatar is a real photo of me, it is contradictory to my actual demeanor.

 

[DanCorcoran]

"Heheh…yeah, while my avatar is a real photo of me, it is contradictory to my actual demeanor. "

I have to agree with Highbeam. I have a negative reaction every time I see your avatar photo and it biases me against what you are posting. I don't expect you to change it for my sake, but just thought feedback wouldn't hurt.

 

[kettensäge]

"Heheh…yeah, while my avatar is a real photo of me, it is contradictory to my actual demeanor. "

I have to agree with Highbeam. I have a negative reaction every time I see your avatar photo and it biases me against what you are posting. I don't expect you to change it for my sake, but just thought feedback wouldn't hurt.

No harm meant but... this is exactly why you can't always go by looks, especially an avatar.

 

[120inna55]

"Heheh…yeah, while my avatar is a real photo of me, it is contradictory to my actual demeanor. "

I have to agree with Highbeam. I have a negative reaction every time I see your avatar photo and it biases me against what you are posting. I don't expect you to change it for my sake, but just thought feedback wouldn't hurt.

No harm meant but... this is exactly why you can't always go by looks, especially an avatar.

I think they're just commenting on how the avatar "paints" the post, albeit subconsciously.

 

[120inna55]

Update:

The replacement came in today in perfect packaging (in a box). It should be noted that it cost them $1.56 to ship in the padded envelope and $2.75 using the box (both first class USPS).

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