MBK weirdness your OLD orders may have disappeared...

[Mark5]

MBK still can access the old system. All of that order history is available (if you want it).

[davefoxx]

They seem to be backlogged on orders. I have had a standing order for about a week without shipment.

I placed an order last Thursday evening (after they were closed), which shipped on Saturday and is supposed to be delivered tomorrow.  I have a second order placed on Sunday that does not appear to have shipped yet.  We'll see if that takes all week to ship.

DFF

[chicken45]

I received my T1's in the normal amount of time.

[DeltaBravo]

Ordered two weeks ago with no issues.

[Bill H]

Really wish people would read the OP before posting. This is about orders before their website makeover disappearing...

[davefoxx]

Really wish people would read the OP before posting. This is about orders before their website makeover disappearing...

Bill,

I went back and re-read your original post.  I'm not criticizing you, but it wasn't clear that you were talking about orders placed before the changeover.  Between that and the title to this thread, it was easily interpreted as the loss of current orders.

DFF

[Point353]

My most recent order didn't disappear, but the protective packing material essentially did.

MBK seems to have switched over from using styrofoam "peanuts" to inflatable bags.
https://www.storopack.us/products/flexible-protective-packaging/air-cushions/airplusr/

Unfortunately, most of the bags inside my most recent shipment were deflated and the contents was banging around inside the box.
Don't know if those bags are unreliable or if MBK doesn't know how to use them, but either way I'd rather they went back to using the previous styrofoam type cushioning material.

[StewRRFan]

Interesting.  My last two orders from them.  1. Air bags (few cars/MT M1A's)  2. Pink Peanuts (PRR T1, track switch and couplers)

I wonder what decides on what they use as packing.

[mu26aeh]

I would be relaying the feedback on shipping materials and choice there of back to MBK.  I'm certain they'd appreciate hearing about it, and making sure 1) their employees are packing it correctly 2) their customers are happy and receiving product that is not damaged during shipment

[nkalanaga]

Given that model railroad items, and packages, often have sharp corners, air bags could be punctured in transit.  Peanuts, or old-fashioned newspaper, would probably work better in many cases.

I'd prefer the newspaper myself, because it's easier to get rid of then peanuts, and because I can get "extra value" by reading the paper, especially if it's the local news or comics.  For disposal, newsprint can be flattened and stacked, taking less room in the trash.  It can also be burned, if allowed, or composted, or shredded and buried.  Peanuts basically last forever.

[TLOC]

The free shipping on orders over $100 ends at midnight. Good sale prices, free shipping and no tax was too good a deal. Got my 1st Xmas present for me ordered.

Tom

[davefoxx]

The free shipping on orders over $100 ends at midnight. Good sale prices, free shipping and no tax was too good a deal. Got my 1st Xmas present for me ordered.

Tom

Yep,

I just spoke to Santa and confirmed that an order was placed for the 2017 Kato N Scale Operation North Pole train set for my daughter for Christmas.  It was at the top of her Christmas list, so why not?

DFF

[Point353]

Something to keep in mind - especially this time of year when the "porch pirates" are out in force - is to keep a close eye on the shipping carrier's tracking info.

For me, shipments from MBK via USPS usually go from the Baltimore area to a major sorting facility about an hour away from my location.
The package then goes to the local post office and gets sent out with the letter carrier, typically being delivered mid-afternoon.

However the latest shipment  - of items purchased during the extra 5% off sale last week - took a somewhat different route.
The package was shipped out Monday and - up until late Tuesday evening - USPS tracking info showed an expected delivery date of Thursday.
However, sometime during the overnight, the tracking info showed that delivery date had changed to Wednesday and the package had gone instead to a different USPS facility about half an hour away.
By the time I checked my email just after 8 AM today, the tracking info showed that the package was already at my front door - evidently not delivered by the regular letter carrier.

[MK]

Could be the temporarily hired holiday help.  Time for misdelivered mail to your neighbor's house! 

[flight2000]

Peanuts basically last forever.

Depends on which ones you're buying.  I picked up a bag of shipping peanuts from Staples about a month ago and they are 100% compostable (made from corn and potato starch).  Placed one in a glass of water and it dissolved in a matter of hours.  They are much more environmentally friendly these days, which is a good thing. 

Having said that, I believe Kleins is still using the pink peanuts.  Not sure if they are bio-degradable or not.  I just reuse them for my shipping needs as required. 

Cheers,
Brian