Ordering a River King Cataraft
Ordering generally follows the steps below. The three Steps* (2, 5 and 7) are where a possible payment is required. I use email and Internet extensively for documenting the order because of the speed and the automatic communication trail it leaves. If you don't have easy access to email and Internet I can also use FAX or US Post Office.
Feel free to call anytime with questions but if you request any change to your order I'll follow up with email to maintain that trail. (I save all correspondence and so should you.)
1) Learn Most folks attracted to this website spend some time researching the information here. Through emails or telephone calls they try to gain a good understanding of how the River King Cataraft is designed and if it will fit their needs. I encourage you to take as much time here as necessary. Your questions help me design a better website and ultimately, a better cataraft. If I believe there are better choices for you than this cataraft I will tell you.
2) Place the Order* When you decide which model and configuration you want I'll email you a dated, numbered quote itemizing your choices and what it will cost. This will only have an estimated amount for the shipping costs at this time as I won't know the exact amount until the boxes are packed, weighed and measured. To place your order (if the itemized cost minus the shipping is $500 or more) you make a deposit (20% or $1000 whichever is lower) at this time. You can send a check for this, you can use electronic funds transfer from your bank to mine or you can use my PayPal deposit page. The last two are instantaneous while the check could take a few days to get here. If the itemized cost less the shipping is less than $500 no deposit is required.
3) Production When I receive your I put your order in the stream and start production. (If you choose to send a check as a deposit I actually start some important parts of the process when you tell me that you have sent it so that no time is lost waiting for the check.) Actual production of your order typically take from 2 to 6 weeks depending on backlog (which is highest May through July). I can give you a closer estimate of the ship date when you place your order.
4) Changes and Cancellations If you request any changes to your order after you place it, no problem. Those will be documented on an updated version of the quote that I'll re-send for your approval. This is usually handled by email so there's minimum delay and you are fully aware of what your complete order will cost at every step. If, for any reason you cancel your order before shipment, any unrecoverable expenses to that point will be deducted from your deposit and any balance returned. Actually, this has never happened but a few years ago a guy in Australia cancelled his order just when it was ready to ship. It was only after that experience that I started requiring a modest deposit.
5) Final Payment* At the start of the final production week I will request final payment. That will be the balance stated on the latest version of the quote / invoice form that you have received - less your deposit. You can send a check at this time or you can use electronic funds transfer from your bank to mine. I prefer not to use credit card or PayPal for this payment because they take such a big chunk out of it. During this final week of production your cataraft is assembled, the components photographed in place, everything is disassembled, the parts labeled for your assembly, wrapped and packed into shipping boxes acceptable for the shipping method and carrier chosen. The boxes are weighed and measured which allows me to establish what the exact shipping charges will be.
6) Paperwork Immediately after I receive your final payment (step 5 above) the cataraft becomes your property. I then act as your agent to ship it to you or hold it for your pickup. At this time I mail you the Ownership Title and Certificate of Origin if you will have the boat shipped. These allow you to register your cataraft while waiting for your boat, in states that require that. Some states don't require registration for non-motorized inflatable watercraft. The papers usually arrive before your cataraft arrives. Once those are mailed off I also set up an area on my Internet domain (private for you) where I post the photos of your assembled cataraft along with complete assembly instructions.
7) I can ship your cataraft to you or hold it for pick up.* I can have it fully assembled if you want to bring a trailer and take it fishing. Or it can be ready to go in boxes. No cost to you in either case. If you want your cataraft shipped to you - as soon as I establish the shipping costs for your preferred method (truck, UPS, Fedex, air-freight, barge to Alaska, etc.) I will email you a separate invoice covering the shipping expenses and insurance cost. Most customers pay this shipping invoice by PayPal / credit card which is immediate. Once I receive the final payment (as described back in step 5 above) the cataraft becomes your property. From that point forward I act as your shipping agent and deliver your boxes to the carrier you choose. I pay the carrier as your agent from the funds you send to cover that and I send you the receipt.
