I agree with most of Matt's comments, except speed. Satellite is not the speedy juggernaut that Groovetech is, but I've not had to wait more than 4 or 5 days for the order to ship in three orders I placed this Summer. I assume they've improved this.
Re: availability. I think they've improved, but still have issues. I ordered 10 records in June and they were all in stock - shipped in two days. In July I raided their massive sale. I ordered 31 records. They told me two were not in stock within 24 hours, so I had them ship the remainder and they shipped in the next day or two. When I received the order, I got one of the records I was told was not in stock, one I didn't order and two were missing (given the size of the sale and my order, I wasn't upset). The one missing and the one unexpected washed, but I was stuck with one record I didn't want and was still missing a 2x pack. I emailed to get a return authorization number which was authorized within a week of returning the record. They credit me the full (not sale price) cost of the missing record and authorized free shipping on the credit. I ordered 4 records. Two were not in stock so I asked for two replacements. The next day Mike called me to verify my replacement choices due to email problems at the store (they were calling everyone)! This service really impressed me, and Mike took the time to pull all the records while I was on the line to confirm it would all be taken care of. The records shipped the following Tuesday. I don't mind if they're a little slower, but the ease of use of their database could use some improvement, and the 'not in stock' issues are a tad annoying. However, I love to support a store with service this good. I tend to accumulate orders from different stores, then order when the quantitiy amasses. I think Groovetech is totally class too, although Berwick Street will likely get most of my business going forward. ;) One other note: I hear that they've received a bit of a techno infusion post-Temple, so look for good things ahead. Tristan ===== Text/Mixes: http://phonopsia.tripod.com Music: http://www.mp313.com Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew L. Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <313@hyperreal.org> Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [313] Satellite records - it's been asked I know > I used to place orders on occasion with Satellite, but it's been a while > since I've done so... maybe 4 or 5 months since my last order with them. > (It was shortly after they implemented their so-called "real-time" inventory > online.) > > Speed of Shipment - I'll rate it poor. Most shops I order from can have my > order within a week, most times less depending on their location. Satellite > has never failed to take at least 3 weeks (ok, maybe 2 on one or two > occasions) to ship my order to me, regardless of when I place my order > (supposedly they process web orders on Sundays and then ship them the > following Sunday). They were to have changed this procedure in order to > expedite the process, but my last order still took well over 2 weeks to > arrive. Taking a week to get around to reviewing your order sort of defeats > the purpose of having a "real-time" catalog available online. Maybe this > has changed since, but this was my last (and only) experience with them > under the "new" system. > > Service - Other than the agonizing waits for my orders, I've never had a > reason to deal with them over any problems. My bills have always been > correct, and my records have always arrived in good shape. > > Accuracy of stock - this goes back to the first point I replied on. I would > suppose if you attempt to order a record and it says "out of stock", then > it's likely out of stock. To say that you will get everything you order > that is supposedly in stock is a falsehood. Either the online inventory is > not 100% correct, or some of those items disappear from inventory between > the time you order them and the time your order is processed. I think I got > zero'ed on two pieces I ordered from my last shipment, and I only ordered > like 5 or 6 items. Historically, in the couple of years I've ordered from > them, I've had a roughly 80% success rate in getting everything I've > ordered. > > Are they reputable? Yes. Do they have a great catalog to look through? > Yes. (The Realaudio samples are great when they work.) Would I buy from > them again? Yes, but only if I've exhausted some of my other options first. > > Matt > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Web Site: http://www.magicmattkelly.com > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <313@hyperreal.org> > Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 7:25 PM > Subject: [313] Satellite records - it's been asked I know > > > > but how are they for mail-order within the states? > > Speed of shipment > > Customer Service > > Accuracy of stock on web (in stock or not) > > etc. > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
