delivery takes time...

If you need something instantly, go to the nearest physical store, don't buy from our virtual store.

We simply can't get something to you as fast as if you went to your nearest store and drive home with an item (unless you happen to be in the Albuquerque area--even then, we don't have a storefront so arrangements have to be made in advance for warehouse pickup.)

We are most optimally set up for shipping via FedEx ground.  The most typical scenario is that you purchase an item and we respond within a business day (no packing or shipping happens on weekends or holidays) regarding the packing and shipping cost by sending you an ebay item invoice. You make payment by Paypal on the third day (after making the initial purchase commitment).  We pack and ready the item for shipment within a business day of getting clear payment.  FedEx ground comes and picks up each business day afternoon. FedEx ground delivers 3 to 5 days later, depending on how far you are located from Albuquerque.

If every thing works perfectly, you have gotten the packing and shipping cost in advance, you purchase and pay early in the morning of a business day, we don't have a shipping backlog, no one is out sick, FedEx does not come too early in the day, etc. an item could go out the same day you commit to purchase.  In this case, you could have your item the 3rd day after committing to purchase.

There are a lot of reasons why things don't happen this fast:

• the buyer does not pay for a week or two
• the buyer sends payment by mail (figure 10 days delay if sent first class).
• the buyer pays via e-check rather than credit card as source of funds (figure a weeks delay for clearing).
• the buyer does not provide complete or correct shipping address
• the shipping address is an international destination
• its an item that ships best by mail (we only get to the post office about once a week).
• the item has special packing requirements (item is particularly fragile, large, heavy or awkward).
• something needs to be done to the item or it is waiting for a part to come in.
• our packing and shipping area is backlogged.
• we have run out of some key packing supply.
• our senior packing/shipping person is out or disabled.
• etc.

When circumstances are just right, we have been able to rush-ship a few items such that the buyer got them in less than 24 hours.

• There is a minimum $50 rush charge. 
• The item is easy to pack and ship.
• There is early morning delivery service to the destination address.
• We have clear payment early enough during a business day to get the item pulled from inventory, get it packed and have someone take it to FedEx before the cutoff time for early delivery to the destination address.

Truck shipping has additional issues that affect delivery time.

• The most common delay is lack of delivery contact phone number or business name with payment.
• The bigger the item, the more resources and time it takes to pack it.
• Pre-shipment testing is a common source of delay.
• LTL carrier delivery times vary widely depending on where their terminals and routes are relative to your location (1 to 5 business days in the lower 48 states).
• Guaranteed fast delivery times by LTL can be as much as 10 times more expensive than standard.
• Backhaul delivery can be delayed a week or more waiting for a match, depending on where you are relative to trucking corridors.
• More money can typically get faster backhaul delivery, including transport over weekends.
• Weather or highway closures can derail any type of truck shipment schedule.
• Oversized loads take longer to find a match, get permits and have restrictions on running hours and routes.

International shipments are in a completely different class when it comes to shipping time.

• Figure a couple extra days for export paperwork and overhead after clear payment and before shipping even gets scheduled.
• Add at least 3 days to get to the post office, plus the time of the delivery service.
• The fastest, most expensive service takes at least a couple of days (except for Canada and Mexico). 
• Typical package service takes 5 to 10 days.
• Figure 7 to 10 days for air freight to arrive at the international terminal nearest you.
• Allow 45 days for ocean freight or container to get to the port nearest you.
• We have seen simple items get hung up in customs for weeks with no explanation (one reason phone numbers & tracking are critical).
• If their are possible export or import restrictions related to the item, who knows how long it could take.
• We have seen items take 4 to 6 months to come back to us where there was a delivery failure on the far end.  (Some items just disappear forever).

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