Joke if you wish, but that is/was not my intent.
So, let me clear up a few things:
Steve-
I'm happy to see you responded. You need to know that I asked to speak to you and your salesman refused to transfer me to you. He stated that you were "too busy" and that it didn't matter because you were not going to change "company policy" just because I was in the military. I followed that up with an email to Partznet explaining my dissatisfaction with the salesman and I've yet to receive and email back. My hope was that you would read this, contact me and maybe even acknowledge that shipping to an APO is not the same as shipping overseas.
Gator et al-
BECAUSE I'm in the military overseas I have the benefit of using the US Postal Service as my primary means of shipping goods. In fact the USPS guidelines that apply to you are no different than the ones that apply to me. So, ask yourself, would PARTZNET send you an item via USPS...the ultimate answer may be no due to possible business deals with FEDEX or UPS, but the possibility exists. On the other hand, I do not have those options (at least not without paying additional import fees even though I'm a US citizen). My statement, while you may not like it, is true. By not shipping to APOs, Partznet can not support any overseas military member's parts needs. To clarify, I'll even update my sig to state that more explicitly.
You may not know this, but shipping to an APO is not the same as shipping overseas. Shipping to an APO means the goods go to either New York City or San Francisco. The rest is handled by the military mail system. Additionally, the shipping rates are the same as the ones you'd receive. It is not fair or accurate to group shipping to and APO and shipping to and overseas country as the same thing. They are not the same. Now you couple these facts with the notion that all USPS insurance and customer service handling processes are the same and you see that not shipping to a military member overseas is a disservice to us. We do not have the ability to go to our local Wal-Mart or Autozone and get what we need. My specific case delt with a trailer hitch that Toyota themselves were less than supportive with. I must say though, that Deland Toyota of Florida did in fact ship me the hitch assembly (through US Priority Mail) and it arrived in only 4 days.
Now, why couldn't Partznet done this? I can't answer that, but in my military environment, hiding behind "Company Policy" just doesn't cut it. If you are able to help, you help...bottom line. The focus is on our teammates and the good of what we do, not the pain or inconvenience it may cause ourselves.
I agree ribbons and flags are nice, but those things only seemed to flurish after 9/11...where were they prior to that? Supporting the troops, to me as a troop, is an agreement between those of us that serve and those of you that don't. And, here is how it breaks down: I don't ask unless I absolutetly need assistance, and if you can help me you try your best to do so. Air conditioners sent to Iraq is a perfect example...and they didn't even ask for them!
My beef with Partznet is not centered on their unwillingness to send me a part (even though at the time they were the only would that could) but the fact is the individual on the phone (I really wish I could remember his name) displayed such a dismissive tone with me that I resented helping protect his feedoms. I can't explain it, but I've not been that pissed in quite a while.
I love my career choice and I wouldn't have it any other way, but until you put yourselves in my shoes or the shoes of my bretheren I'll have to brush aside your "failure to understand" and agree...you may never understand.
That said Gator, it sounds like you support us, and for that I thank you.
PARTZNET.COM DOESN'T SUPPORT THE TROOPS OVERSEAS!!!!
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