Good, Bad or ugly: Shipping charges

Would you spend more online if the shipping was:

  • Reasonably priced. ($5 or less)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Free if the amount was over $50

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Free for a limited time

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • money is no object. Charge whatever

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I really don't care how much it is. I don't buy online

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
Mike G

Mike G

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I recently purchased an item online for $20, and the shipping charges were $7. The item weighed under a pound. I also made another purchase online, with a total of over $50, and I not only got a discount, they shipped it for free! It's weight was almost 5 LBS.

While I'm not opposed to shipping charges, I think that if the shipping chargs were a little more reasonable, or even free on spendy items, I may spend more.

What do you think?

Please take the poll, and post your comments.
 
I do a lot of buying online, mostly for convenience since I don't have much time (nor do I have a car :( ). Though I certainly wouldn't mind getting free shipping for a limited time or after spending a certain amount (and I do take advantage of such offers when I can), I would prefer if shipping charges were reasonable all the time since in most cases my purchases are less than $50. Web prices are generally lower anyway, and I don't really mind paying shipping as long as it's not insanely huge. Auction sellers sometimes piss me off, though, because of their crazy shipping charges. I remember one eBay seller who charged me $12 for shipping a small item but sent it via first class mail for a little over $1.50. Had it been sent insured and expressed, ok, but uninsured first class?? To me that is just dishonest, rude, and unreasonable.
 
I think a couple of the choices fit, but there are exceptions. I think that a reasonable charge is acceptable. If the item is light I think a $5.00 charge or free shipping on orders over $50.00 would be appropriate. If the item is heavy, charge me what it costs to ship and insure it. I have no problem paying the shipping charge. It is when people try to make extra profit off of what they charge for shipping that I get pissed off.


Edited to correct a typo.
 
It depends on where the parcel is going...

For example, my Canadian wife has paid obscene amounts of money to send low cost items back home...and I've paid obscene amounts to send items north to my Canadian friends.

Also, USPS has implemented a 'Zip code' pricing policy as of this year...so what once cost $4.55 to ship Priority Post anywhere in the contigeous (48) states, can now run as high as $7.25...factor in packaging and drive/wait time, I don't see $10 as out of hand. (Not an option in the poll...eh?) ;)

Mel
 
I think the problem depends on the situation, If you buy say a knife at a cost that the dealer has so low that hes making very little profit off it, and it cost 5.95 for him to ship it, I cant see fussing about it. Now most of the places that I have seen that offer free shipping are doing so because they have that cost figured into what your paying for the item I.E it aint really free (not all dealers, just saying some). But yes i do have a problem with places that sell cheap then tack on extra S&H charges, kind of cheap way to do things to me. But take New Graham for example what ever you pay for the item really doesnt matter as far as shipping cost, the weight doesnt so much matter any more with UPS shipping rates like they are, so a 1 pound item cost us 5.95 to ship as well as a 5 pound item etc. but that 5.95 has shipping insurance so i wouldnt care to pay that for shipping. Im saying that are you really getting a deal with free shipping or lower cost shipping when you sit down and figure out what your really paying for? If you can buy the item for $110 bucks at store A and get free shipping, then go look at store B and can buy the item for $90 plus 5-6 bucks shipping, where did you save the money with free shipping?

While Im at it I was thinking of another post i was reading earlier about the USPS and how much better it is then UPS, and it very well might be, but what most dont consider is the hassle, its fine to take 1 or 2 boxes to the USPS for shipping, but try doing it with 10,20,50 + packages that need to be shipped, it's alot of trouble and hassle, thats why UPS gets used so much by larger buisneses.

My 2 cents anyway.
 
I don't mind a fair and upfront shipping charge, but when they're sneaky or over the top about it it bugs me. If the cost with shipping is close to store cost then buying online loses some of its allure, but still isn't out of the question. I was once charged $9 to ship a small folder, and I thought that was a bit much. Someone else tried to charge me $40 shipping for $20 worth of merchandise. Now that sucks.
 
when you speaking about dealers it would be nice if the larger companies would give more leadway on this. sometimes I think the larger the company, the more the shipping. not always though. does anyone know, do these large companies get deals shipping??

Now if your talking individuals it can get expensive giving free shipping. I ship many things priority mail and priority mail has gone up (certain zones). ups is a little cheaper now, but I personally dont trust them as much, as Ive had problems with the ones in my area.
 
Generally as long as the shipping charges are fair not many will complain. It is not hard to figure them out with all of the online tools today. What really bugs me is when a seller charges a fixed amount, say $7.00 and when the package arrives the postage is marked on the package $1.79 (not exact numbers).
 
Please understand that what I am basing my prices on are shipments originating in the country of delivery. I realize that as a Canadian I am going to pay a lot more to have something shipped to me from the U.S.. That is to be expected and I have no trouble with it.

With the charges going up at the Post Office as Mel mentioned, I think that $10.00 is certainly not unreasonable. If the shipper is paying $5.00 to $10.00 to send a package it would be very difficult to write that off when the item purchased is only $50.00. That is 10% to 20% of the value of the item. That can eat up most of the profit made on a knife sold by an on-line dealer.

So I guess what I am saying is that I have changed my thoughts on shipping charges. Just charge a fair price for shipping and I will be happy. Those that overcharge for shipping will not get my business.
 
I don't mind a $5 or $6 shipping charge, but it's nice when the shipping's free. I just bought a few small items from TADGear; since I was already spending ~$80, I found a couple of other things I could use in order to bring the total to $100+ and get free shipping. I see that as a win-win situation: TADGear sells more stuff and I don't have to pay for shipping.

One of the things I really like to see is a reasonable amount for an upgrade to UPS 2 or 3 day air. I'll spend an extra few bucks to get a high ticket item sooner, but some places want to bump it another $20 for expedited shipping.:barf:
 
I voted for "reasonable" charges. What I mean is fair and honest-actual shipping cost. We get reamed on shipping. We all know it.
I don't like the idea of paying $6-7 for some little package that takes 5-7 days to get here, when I could send the same package for half the cost, and have it arrive in half the time.
Yes, if dealers charged actual shipping charges rather than some bogus flat rate I would buy more online.
 
As long as the shipping price is disclosed, I don't see a problem. I consider what it will cost me total to have the knife arrive at my door. If I'm not happy with that number, I don't buy.
 
I voted with OwenM - I hardly ever, if ever, shop with an online merchant if their shipping charges far exceed the actual cost of shipping via their advertised method.

Same definitely goes for eBay - but I was recently had on an auction for a Palm m100. Seller charged me $7 shipping, and then sent it via first class mail :rolleyes: I realize that she didn't make a bundle on shipping, but sheesh, for $7, she could have at least shipped it Priority w/ insurance...it took over a week to get to me as opposed to the typical 3 days for Priority mail! :mad:

Matthew
 
I always look at the Shipping charges and factor that in to the purchase.

If you want to hear about outrageous shipping charges listen to this.... I purchased a Custom knife from a relatively unknown maker. He told me that he would mail the knife out by FedEx Next day delivery as that was his preferred method. He then charged my Credit Card $50.00 :eek: for Shipping and on top of that it was Five days before I received the knife. :mad: Needless to say I immediately returned the knife, contacted my CC company and got ALL the charges promptly refunded. IMO that bordered on Theft!

Shipping is NOT a way to recoup the cost of a Sale Item and everyone should try to learn the actual cost of Shipping before making a purchase.
 
Here are my views:

- I honestly don't mind paying a reasonable shipping charge.

I know. . ."reasonable" is very very very subjective ! But I don't expect to pay $14+ for a 10" X 6" X 2" parcel and it take 7+ days to arrive at my abode.

- I'll never turned down free shipping. :p

- I want to be able to select the "shipper" (FedX, UPS, USPS, etc.).

- I want to be able to select the type of shipping service (ground, air, or slow boat from China).

- Insurance is thru the roof ! Especially considering the hassles one has to go thru when filing a claim !

Keep the following in mind folks. . . File a claim with UPS, Fed X or USPS and they require you to provide written proof of the actual cost that you paid for the item along with a small list of other things. If the package isn't packed/wrapped properly (to the industry/insurance standard) your claim will be disapproved ! When filing a claim on a damaged parcel. . .keep all of the original packing materials with the parcel and describe (exactly) how the item was packaged !


I won't even get into the reasons that businesses don't like to keep shipping materials (boxes, bubble wrap, peanuts, tape, etc.).
 
While I agree if the shipping charges are up front and you want the item, then go for it. BUT I think people should charge what they want for the item instead of trying to make it up with shipping. Handling fees are BS, You know you are selling online, You know what must be packaged, Charge accordingly in the price of the item. Most knives, especially folders, can get shipped USPS Priority mail with delivery confirmation, To pretty much anywhere in the country for around $4.30. Now if you are shipping out of the country, maybe I can understand jacking up the price of S&H, Because you have to fill out forms and its gernerally allot more hassle then sending a regular package, I love how people on Ebay sell knives and swords for a buck, then charge $20 S/H
 
Lots of good points here.

I have been using USPS priority, with delivery confirm for the trades I have been doing lately, and it has been great! I ship the items out for $4.30, and it's there in 2 or 3 days, no matter where in the country it goes! My last order took 8 days to arrive via UPS, from across the country, and it cost me $7. That is rediculous.

I know merchants will say that it costs them for boxes, packing material, ect, but, USPS Priority stuff is provided for free, and according to my local distribution center, they will pick up priority packages if you call the 800 number listed on the packing material!

I know there have been problems with USPS, but for what they charge, and the time it takes to get there, not to mention the free supplies, my money is with them. IMHO, UPS is too slow, and too damn expensive.
 
Unfortunately, if something is lost or stolen, or fraudlent through the mail, getting your money back is like pulling teeth. We gave up on USPS when it took us 6 months to get back our money on an order. Between that and the amount of time it takes to get through the line at our local office, we now only use USPS for our military customers overseas.

UPS allows us to keep our costs down, which means we can pass on a price savings to our customers. Items retailing at $20 typically don't have much margin to begin with... and free UPS shipping is out of the question unless the item is at full bore retail & keystoned.

There are certain things you can expect with discount stores. Free shipping is part of the tradeoff when you expect cut throat prices.

Just my two cents.

Kevin
 
Kevin;

It's my understanding that USPS will pick up if you are using priority.

I understand why you use UPS; it is a pain for me as an individual to use them, because they have limited hours at their terminal, the terminal is in another city (travel time), and if I use a sub agent, I get stuck with a 20% surcharge. On the other hand, you get a truck probably once a day to pick up your ship outs, and you have computer software to generate labels, ect.

IMHO, UPS is business friendly, and they are not general public friendly, where USPS is general public friendly.

I also understand about margins, but what I don't understand is how some 'net stores can offer free shipping, and still sell at a discount, and others cannot do the same. I would think that if the free shipper isn't making money, he/she would fold pretty quick.
 
I hate when there are shipping charges! Just include it in the price, even if it costs a little more it makes you feel better. And that is what it's all about. Feeling good. Free shipping makes me feel good. I just bought two batteries at photobattery.com and there were no shipping charges. I even got my batteries in two days. That made me feel good.
 
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