For similar reasons and unpredictable drivers from UPS, a few years ago we arranged for our QBP shipments to be sent to a nearby UPS store. We have to pay a small handling fee at the store, but it solved our delivery challenges from QBP. We worked with our regional sales rep at QBP to set it up.
Regarding J&B, we also have to use the UPS store address as their delivery driver was not able to call in advance to allow a volunteer to meet them at the shop.
Regards, Doug Cutter Fort Collins Bike Co-op
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 25, 2014, at 12:08 PM, Leslie Peteya lesliepeteya@gmail.com wrote:
Hi all, Wanted to warn y'all of dealing with QBP.
After 7 years of having a dealer agreement with QBP for your basic small potatoes shop stuff, we decided to shut down our account with them over their new inability to ship to a new ship-to location. I succinctly explained the nature of our shop (volunteer, limited shop hours, etc.) and necessity of shipping to a different location, but it fell on deaf ears.
Damn shame, because they said we were an excellent account with good financial management.
I also wasn't pleased that they said they denied other new co-ops an account based on similar issues.
This comes after their corporate policy of tightening up on third party suppliers, designed to keep the local bike shop in business. Ironically, we're still around after multiple for-profit local bike shops in our area have failed, and as a local community bike shop, we're now being hurt by the very policy designed to protect LBSs.
We still have an account with United Bicycle Supply, and I'm exploring new accounts with Cyclone and Seattle Bike Supply.
Can anyone recommend other suppliers that support our shops with community missions?
Thanks, Leslie Durham Bike Co-op