SHOPINPRIVATE.COM President Tom Nardone Isdera, PriveCo Deceptive shipping information, rude customer service Internet

I do a lot of shopping over the Internet from various companies, receiving multiple packages every week. I've never had a shipping issue until I shopped at Shopinprivate.com.

According to their webpage (http://www.shopinprivate.com/shippinginfo.html), their shipping options include Ground, Priority, and Express. When you click on the photo of the USPS Priority box, you get info on that service (estimated time 3-5 days, delivered by the Postal Service, guaranteed to arrive no later than 10 days).

When I ordered my item, I was given the option of Ground, Priority Delivery, Accelerated Prioirity (sic), Express, Free Shipping, and International Air Mail. I chose Priority Delivery, assuming the order would ship via USPS Priority, since the company claims to ship through USPS and when I clicked on the "Priority" photo on the Shipping Info webpage, it comes up with the info for Priority Shipping.

My order arrived 14 days after I placed it. Much to my surprise, it was not sent USPS Priority. I sent email to customer service, who did not respond to clarify the shipping issue. I called and talked to a customer service representative. Turns out my packed was shipping via DHL from their warehouse and then picked up by USPS and mailed by ground; there's no USPS Priority involved at all. The rep apologized that I did not understand their shipping policy, but that "there was nothing he could do about it."

I wanted to warn everyone about this unclear distinction between Priority Shipping and Accelerated Priority (which apparently is true USPS Priority, but who knew). All other websites I've shopping at who ship via USPS use "Priority Mail" to mean USPS Priority Mail, not some DHL/USPS ground combination.

I'm very disappointed with the service I received, will not be shopping with this company again, and will be posting my experiences to other online forums.