HutShop.com

Full review
I ordered a footprint for a Sierra Designs Asp 3 backpacking tent to use on an upcoming backpack trip in the Olympic Mountains. When I received a 'Tracking information for Order‏' email from HutShop stating that my order had 'shipped' Monday the 11th, I made plans to use the product for the following weekend on my planned backpack trip (I also paid for expedited shipping). It was upsetting to log on to UPS tracking and see 'Billing Information Received' every time I checked in. To see it again this morning, the day after I returned from my trip and and 9 days after I placed the order was the deal breaker. 
 
Although this may seem petty to some, it is upsetting to me as a customer to have to go through this kind of frustration - waiting for over a week for an order to 'Process', when HutShop says it has 'Shipped'. I was told by the HutShop customer representative that the item was in-stock, and per the internet order page, it would 'ship' in 5 to 7 business days - but it really hadn't shipped at all, it was 'PROCESSING' - and the agent stated that I would receive it in about 2-1/2 weeks from the date that it had posted as 'Shipped' on their order history page. Go figure...... 

Why deal with an outfit like this when there are so many other reputable companies available on-line that will go out of their way to provide prompt service to their customers? Having to wait 2-1/2 weeks for an in-stock item to process, ship and arrive is just ridiculous.

In the end I cancelled the order and was charged a 15% restocking fee on HutShops $45 'on-sale' price (yes, they charged me a restocking fee for an item that never even left their warehouse!). And to top it off, the customer representative hung-up on me after I cancelled the order.  I had to call back and ask another agent to email me a cancellation verification.

As it turns out, I was able to get the same product on-sale from REI for $28. So in the end, and despite their ludicrous restocking fee, I ended up saving some money by shopping with REI. Cancelling the order was the right call on multiple levels. Listen up HutShop; your handling of this transaction was pathetic......and thank you REI - (by far the best customer service in the industry).

Needless to say, I will never do business with HutShop again. Potential HutShop customers - be advised to read the fine print on their order page.......and did I say - Buyer Beware!

UPDATE: I recieved my ASP3 tent footprint from REI two days after I placed the order - great service and sure beats 2-1/2 weeks from HutShop.......