Rant ON Shipping on steel orders Whats the real cost???

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Hankins

Hankins

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Shipping on steel orders Whats the real cost???
Placed an order with Carl at Amtek talked about the last order where they over charged for shipping and was given a decent rate this time.
Will add that McMaster Carr gives decent rates on shpping as well !
Just ordered from Admiral and was charged $35 shipping on $56 worth of steel :mad:
MSC is the same way I will not order from them again either.

No slander if it is the truth.
What a load of crap.
What good is Low Balling your steel price if we get raped on the shipping and charged full retail plus for shipping
Like the Vendors on Fleabay who over charge for shipping
I am sick of it:thumbdn: I work in a shipping dept and know what the actual cost to companies is and most (Especially the larger ones) get 60% off retail shipping costs.
Time to make our voices heard to the Bean Counters who's only concern is looking good to their Boss
 
It gets even worse when there are brokerage fees!!! That's why I continue to pay 50$ for steel analysis on big saw blades... it's cheaper than getting steel shipped!
 
Not to disagree with the point you are making, but the charges are for shipping and handling.....not just the postage charge. It costs for the packaging, the employees who pack it, and the other miscellaneous things ( like the trip to the PO in some cases). Also, on small orders, the cost of processing the order can be more than the profit.
 
You're just ordering from the wrong people. I haven't dealt with Admiral, but I do know that MSC and similar companies are great if you happen to know someone who works there. They're not really set up for guys like us who order a couple hundred dollars' worth of barstock here and there. If you're only buying $50 worth, yeah it's really going to seem like you're getting hosed.

Try Aldo or Tracy. They'll hook you up right :thumbup:
 
I think that Admiral puts all of their shipping rates in their Bladesteel.pdf. They used to anyways. No surprises on shipping for me every time I ordered from them.
 
I got an order in from Aldo at NJSteelbaron yesterday. 33 pounds for $36, not too bad I thought.

I need to rethink my pricing, my wife is sending a couple of knives out today and it's probably going to run me $30 to ship the two... no good for me as a seller. I'm used to selling rocks, I can put 30# in an $11 box but a 2 pound package can just as be steep and needs to be insured or confirmed on top of that.
 
Daniel, the USPS flat-rate boxes are nice but not always the best deal. I find I always save a least a few bucks when I actually take the packaged knife in and have them weigh it. The savings generally covers insurance and delivery confirmation :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
Daniel, the USPS flat-rate boxes are nice but not always the best deal. I find I always save a least a few bucks when I actually take the packaged knife in and have them weigh it. The savings generally covers insurance and delivery confirmation :thumbup:
Click to expand...

That's the truth, I have shipped most for a minimal amount but these were heavy. I packed one in a tube and weighed it, threw it in a FRB. These were heavy and very inexpensive so it cut into the cost but my lesson is learned.

I do go kind of crazy with my wrapping and such... I even throw in a ballistol treated towel on some. I tend to overkill everything, lol.
 
bladsmth said:
Not to disagree with the point you are making, but the charges are for shipping and handling.....not just the postage charge. It costs for the packaging, the employees who pack it, and the other miscellaneous things ( like the trip to the PO in some cases). Also, on small orders, the cost of processing the order can be more than the profit.
Click to expand...

This is what I was going to say when I read the title!!

A lot of people do not realize that they are paying shipping AND handling not just postage. I personally do not charge handling on my knives but anytime I have ever sold anything on ebay I do, Heck it costs me to run to the post office so I include that.
 
I know just the shipping was about 65 cents a lb. Then you add in the handling fees and it adds up quick. I have had good luck with MSC, Mcmaster, Pacific Machinery and tool steel, and Aldo. All have been fair based on actual shipping charges. I have had a Co charge me $45 cut fee that was outrageous(piece of 416 1/4x1/25x10' cut in half). It brought a decent price way out there. Unless it will fit into flat rate boxes expect some pretty high shipping. The last 1095 I bought I drove to Portland to pick it up. Cost me $35 in gas and 2 hours of time. Got 100lbs of material so not too bad if I don't include my time. If you buy from Kelly Couples he was shipping for free if you order over $100 worth of material.. Might want to check into it.
 
I have been buying from admiral and MSC for almost 20 years and have had great service from admiral and excellent service from MSC. I have an account with ups and I can compare shipping rates. For the service that MSC gives the shipping rates are a bargain. What other company can you call with that kind of selection and KNOW that you will have the item the next day. I have yet to find another company that gives me similar service. They are my gold standard.

Del
 
I ordered a 6' bar of 1" square 1045 from MSC and shipping was only 15.75 on a 86.60 order and get this I ordered yesterday and it was delivered today,excellent service as usual in my experience---Regards Butch
 
Guess my panties were in a Bunch this morning....
Just feelin the pinch on the pocketbook. Need to make bigger orders and talk to whoever is the salesman there to see if they can help out.
 
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