question on ordering truck delivery items from HF?

[wquiles]

I have been looking at a mini mill and/or perhaps a larger lathe from HF, but when I called to ask how they do the truck delivery, the HF folks stated that there is no way to schedule a delivery, nor there is a way for the truck delivery guys to give you a heads up as to "when" they will delivery - she said they used to call ahead to let you know when they would deliver, but that they no longer do it.

According to the nice lady on the phone, when the item comes, the truck delivery folks will attempt to deliver and if you are not home, they will give you a call. That is supposed to be how it works today.

Does anyone else thinks this is madness? Most folks work during the day and will not be home! Of course this means that it is pretty much guaranteed that the truck will attempt to deliver when you are not home! This means that the truck folks will have to either wait there at your house doing nothing for possibly 1/2h to an hour (or more) while you get free from work and drive home, and/or that they will have to for sure come some other day. Sounds like a waste, doesn't?

Anyone ordered recently from HF with truck delivery that can confirm/expand how it is currently working?

Will

 

[sortafast]

I just got an 8x12 mini lathe from them in early Jan. I had it sent to my father-in-law's shop because they are almost always there, and they have a forklift. But yea, they dont call, they didnt even let me know when it was shipped or when it was gonna get here. I had to call and double check that it was shipped and even then they couldn't really tell me when it would arrive. They could only say that it could take upto 14days. But I just chaulked it up to you get what you pay for (as bad as that sounds). I thought that they had an option to pick it up at a dock or something though. That way you could get it at your convenience. But if you dont have a big truck or access to one, it could become a pain. Then theres unloading....

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Will,

Is FedEx Freight a possible option? They are pretty good at letting you know about delivery, or you can pick it up at their terminal. I had my lathe delivered by FedEx Freight--it came on a truck with a tailgate lift. The guy also had a small hand lift and just whisked it into a garage (it was on a pallet).

At the terminal, they usually have fork trucks and will load it on your truck, if you have a truck.

I had a fairly heavy phase converter loaded into the back of a Subaru Forester, no problem. I'm sure a mill/lathe will be a bit bigger.

 

[wquiles]

Thanks guys. It does look like I have little choice if I want to order from them

Do you guys know if the HF Mini-Mill is carried in stores, or does like some other items (like the 8x12 lathe) only available for catalog order?

Will

 

[gadget_lover]

I've seen that one in the local HF store. Then agin, they also had a 9x20 set up for a while.

Daniel