10-25-2011, 01:48 PM
Charlie B Wrote:Go to Litchfields web site and read what is posted about DCC Specialties and shipping. and I got a reply from DCC Specialties stating in fact that is what their policy was. I don't make these things up, and I verified what I was stating before I made a post.
Litchfield has stated that it is because of this companies and others that they have to eliminate the free shipping on more than $75 dollar orders....If Any store wishes to raise prices or shipping charges I understand that, things are going up, I just don't like the way this has played out.
If Litchfield didn't want to let the blame be placed, they didn't have to mention names.
This is the reply I received about the inquiry to DCC:
Yes, DCC Specialties policy mandates minimum pricing and free shipping cannot be used as a way to circumvent the policy
Tony
Charlie
I'm not disagreeing with anything you have said. What I am saying is that Litchfield is free to ignore DCC Specialties policy, and would win any dispute in front of arbitrator or judge over those terms, should DCC Specialties decide not to sell to Litchfield. I would be very surprised to find Litchfield management is not aware of the law. Unfortunately, unless we are dealers ourselves or are customers that can prove adverse impact (you could with the loss of free shipping), there is no basis to make a claim or take legal action. If you could show sufficient damages, you could make a claim, and when not satisfied, go to small claims court. Other than that, the onus is on Litchfield to do something about the situation.
But if things deteriorated to a legal battle, Litchfield would lose in the end because DCC Specialties could make sure it's not worth Litchfield's while to carry the DCC Specialties line (slow shipping, messed up orders, and so on). Which is probably why Litchfield puts up with the policy rather than fight it.
Fred W