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Ordering Tubes

C

canton

Super Member
I am going to have to order some tubes AFTER the Holidays I know shipping is unreal this time of year that said. The question is > Has ordering tubes been a problem long wait period and if so what places have you found to be slow and if so are there any tube brands that are harder to get in a decent time frame. Might be a worry over nothing issue but figure you guys would know.
Thanks again,
 
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In addition to the seasonal load there's also a big slow down on anything that has to cross a border. Things sit at border points for days on end waiting for clearance.
 
What tubes are you looking for? Tube Depot is in Memphis and they are pretty quick. If you are looking for something odd from overseas then it might be a while.
 
I try not to be in a place where i need to order them. Keep enough spares on hand so that you can replace one or 2 when they quit.
Keep a good stock on hand as if they may stop selling new ones next week, because theres a good chance that at some point they'll be nearly impossible to get.
 
I have not had any problems with 3-5 day deliveries this fall/winter, from Tube Depot, The Tube Store or pretty much anyone else so far.
 
Recently paid for usps priority mail 3 days and it came in 12 days when I called and complained usps said only next day is guarantee not related to buying tubes but talk about a slow down... Usually things moved faster during the holidays due to added labor but not this year
 
Well since you brought this up. I ordered tubes from a reputable place (I don’t want to state the retailer). It took ten working days to receive them. Just received them yesterday. The last time it was 4 days to my house. Same shipping method. Frustrating, but there’s worse things that can happen. Life’s good.
 
Appreciate the reply, sounds like a bit slower in some cases but there is no real dry spell going on with what I am looking to pick up. That just inclueds the normal output tubes EL 34's and the few pairs of 12 X's. Good enough I will be prepared for a little extra time just to be sure.
 
USPS is currently swamped due to COVID-19 and the holidays. UPS and FedEx are not having the same issues to any real extent as far as I know. I send a lot via USPS, and I am seeing delays of 5-10 days on a lot of stuff, though a surprising number of packages still arrive quickly.
 
My recent "two to three day" priority mail package took five days to arrive. USPS has had, and still has issues...

The anticipation is usually worth any wait. Enjoy the tubes...
 
Thanks TB, I will wait till after Christmas really amp up the anticapation. Now the snow is here so it is going to effect a lot more in the next few days. HO HO HO ! I hope to go crazy with some purchases after Christmas I do it every year. Family asks what do you want and I say oh nothing just something little if you want. But after Christmas I go for my audio stuff. It is a tradition. Better stop or I will divert my own thread. Ha like I care about staying on point. Wonder how many people have played Frank Zappa " Yellow Snow " already here in the NorthEast.
Enjoy,
 
Most online tube vendors I’ve dealt with ship within a day via USPS. Jim McShane (the nicest of the bunch), Tubestore, Vacuum Tube Values, SND Tubes were all fast with their shipping.

Tubes Unlimited was slow to ship - I had to call the guy to get a tracking number, and then he waited another week to ship.

Vintage Tube Services took about 2 months to get my tubes to me the first time. The second time took around 7 weeks. Great tubes, for sure, but I don’t think I can wait that ling again....
 
If McShane has what you're looking for, I think he is your best option. The tubes will be thoroughly tested and Jim is a great guy on top of it.

http://www.mcshanedesign.net/

And yes, usps is terribly behind right now. Ordered something from Michigan 8 days ago and it's still hasn't left Michigan.
 
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I bought during the summer months and got them from thetubestore and it took extra long. Why I do not know. They are out of Canada if I am correct. Anyhow thanks for the tips. Damn storm did not help my plans one bit for audio or otherwise. I will order my stuff after the rush. I will stop by the audio shop things will be calm and get some help with one of my TT's. The amps one at a time, but there I got help but he like everyone else is Covid Shy right now, so it moves slow. I got plans I got the old pcs I got patience some times, it is part of the fun of it all as long as the end result is done right. I do not mind going back over stuff but none of this well ah I dont know talk. Too bad about the slow tube delivery some people are having lot of audio freaks like to have something for under the tree I get that. I better stop talking thanks for all the help. BMC that is a long wait man, hang tuff I am sure it will be worth it whatever you are building. ?
 
I just ordered some from Jim McShane and it couldn't have gone any smoother in terms of ordering. I had a couple of questions for him, he answered quickly, I pulled the trigger, he sent an invoice, and tubes were ordered.

He does only ship on Tuesdays and Fridays.
 
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