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Shipping Question This is just an open question. I'm trying to make a decision about shipping. Right now I charge low prices and then charge shipping based on distance and weight. It's usually within +/- $.50 of what the actual shipping cost is. If we were to offer free shipping, we would have to build shipping into the cost of our items. Obviously we would only offer free shipping over a certain amount, like $25 to $50 depending on how it works out. I can't sell a $5 item and offer free shipping. When you shop online, do you look at prices + shipping? I think that my prices are fair and shipping is fair because it's what I actually pay. But I realize that shipping is very emotional and some people don't want to pay it. Another alternative is to do "flat rate" shipping like $5. Then I would only have to increase the prices a little bit. I'm just looking for opinions. Thanks!! Erin |
I am facing that dilemma also... I only charge for the actual package and shipping itself... leave alone gas for the trips, or anything else... but at the same time I want to be fair with the costumers... so I am ok with absorbing that... but to offer free shipping, I get your point, and honestly don't know... I think you should have a minimum shopping ammount for that... and I guess people realizes they usually have to pay for the shipping... Just make sure to clarify it... :confused: Now I don't know if my post has any sense, LOL, had a bad night sleep... :cool: |
In your case I think sticking close to actual shipping costs would work better for you since you carry products of differing sizes and weights. If you offered flat rate and someone bought like 3 bottles of something which are heavy you would end up losing money. Overall I think people would buy more product if you offer free shipping for a certain dollar amount. |
I prefer it when a seller charges me actual shipping costs (or close to it). I hate it when I'm charged $10 for shipping, and when the package comes, the postage says $2 :mad: Offerring free shipping for a certain dollar amount could also be very successful. If I'm only buying items that total $40, but I notice that there's free shipping on orders of $50, then I will look for something else to buy that will give me the free shipping. BTW, I'm just checking out your site now! I might have to wait a couple weeks to place an order (I've been on a doggie shopping frenzy and it's starting to catch up to me :p). Good luck with whatever you decide :thumbup: |
for things like toys, USPS Priority actual cost should be pretty low, for heavier but relatively small things maybe use a prepaid flat rate box. this might be hard if you have to integrate this logic with your ecommerce software though as most of them just calculate base on an amount plus weight with their API. |
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When I post items for sale on YT, I always just include the shipping and paypal fee in the price ahead of time instead of saying $8.00 for the dress, $1.00 paypal fee, and $3.00 shipping. I like when I just see an amount and know that's all I have to pay..not that I have to add so much for shipping on top of it |
Yes shipping is tricky i always charge as close to shipping as possible i useually eat some shipping but thats ok :D and i hate when ppl charge per item shipping like if you order 2 dresses they charge $3 for each item shipped when it only costs $3 to ship them both together. when i ship for ex.. I charge like $2-$3(depending on what it is) for up to 2-3 items and then add like $0.50-$1.00 for 4-6 items (again depending on what it is) Shipping has gone up so much latley it's hard to keep it low. I don't even add the cost of my envalopes,Gas,Tape,Pay pal fee, to shipping i just feel that it's my responsiblity to eat that stuff to keep the shipping and prices low for my customers.:D |
I think using the actual shipping cost is the fairest way to go. |
OK so it looks like I'm not the only one struggling with this. :D I want to do free shipping over a certain amount, but my current e-commerce site won't allow it. Luckily my husband is a programmer so he offered to find me a new solution or write one. I just need to tell him how I want it to work, so thats what I'm trying to figure out. Thank you all for your responses. I actually do like that my site gets so close to the actual shipping costs. I sat and entered the USPS shipping table from 1-70 pounds to each state. It took days. Then I weigh every item. So far we've been happy with priority mail. |
As a new yorkie mom, searching sites and products (having to order many items from the net)...the shipping is an important aspect for me. For instance, I found a coat in a clearance section for $12.99. Was so thrilled and excited until I added it to my cart. The shipping charge was $14.99....I no longer felt it was feasible to purchase it. Who in their right mind would pay more for the shipping than the product? Insanity. Needless to say I didn't purchase the coat. I ALWAYS consider shipping when purchasing something on-line. I have no problem paying actual shipping cost (or close to it) or having a choice of shipping methods (ex: US postal cheaper, UPS faster but more expensive, etc., as long as the amount of charges are all listed for comparison). Free shipping is always a bonus, but my personal opinion is to charge the amount it actually cost to ship. |
sorry - computer issues - didn't mean to post twice |
It sound like you are pretty happy with your shipping as it is....are you sure you want to change it? Has there been complaints about it or are you thinking if you change, you might get more costumers? I think I would leave it be, if it is working good for you and is so close to the approx amount. AND if you want to add from shipping on orders of $25 or more (or whatever you stated), then go for it...it sounds like that would be great. You get to keep the shipping that has been good so far, but have this as an option and may get more business from it too! I love your site btw!!! |
I lose Money or shipping all the time. It's hard with all these new postal changes to know what to charge. I never expect my customers to pay my paypal fees. I have been charging a litte more on shipping,one day I lost like 9 or 10 dollars on ,oh I think it was 4 packages. Still for the most part I lose some gain some...so maybe it breaks even in the long run. |
Just a thought, to all those with businesses, have you thought about having the postal meter thing put into your home/business? It weighs the item and prints a label, then charges your account. Something to think about. Also, forgive me if I am wrong on all of this as I have been out of the US for almost 4 years, but doesn't the PO pick up if you call and ask for pick up, especially on the flat-rate boxes? |
Yes you can schedule a pickup. I have looked into the scales,with all the new postal rules on size,thickness I'm afraid of not getting it right and having them retunred to me.;) |
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