Clay, thanks and likewise I appreciate it when folks do me a similar favor. I believe that bad business practices can often be modified too. I believe that oft times an online business may not be crooked, just greedy or too wrapped up in their own needs that they don't realize they're being inconsiderate of their customers needs, which is why whenever I find something offensive to me as a customer, before I leave that site, I'll take the time to shoot them an email and let them know what it is that turns me off (or flat out pisses me off, lol), and that in the interests of protecting friends and associates I'll be spreading the word. I think if they get enough feed-back they may change their ways, after all it's about $$$.
Chuck, yeah I realize that these kinds of items are bulky so shipping ain't cheap. The Altestore sells Solarworld panels, really well-built and made right here in the US of A, but the shipping for one blew my mind, like $257 for a big 275 w panel
. That said, when I checked the shipping on 6 panels it was only $30 more
so if you're buying a small quantity then it's far more reasonable, although I still think that price to ship 1 panel is WAY high!
Now Renogy sells their panels for fairly cheap, like a 300w 24v Poly panel on sale for just $235 which is dirt cheap at $0.79 a watt! Plus they offer free shipping within the lower 48, only hitch is you have to buy 2. I've heard some people swear by them and have good service, but I've no personal xp, but at that price and free shipping I'm really leaning that way ;?D
EDIT: Okay seems a little fishy now cuz after mentioning the free shipping, which DID come up when I faux ordered a pair a while ago, I checked again after being told it wasn't so, and low and behold when I tried to enter the order, just like before (the info even auto-filled) I'll be buggered if it didn't come up with a shipping charge of $260 for 2 panels!!! So I dunno wtf is going on, maybe someone else has had a similar xp with their site