Do any shops charge actual shipping anymore?

[JBeardNC]

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of shops online charge ridiculous shipping rates? To me, it puts me off as a potential customer. I've loaded an online cart plenty of times, only to leave it when the shipping charge is unreasonable. I understand packaging materials and shipping has gone up in the past year, but charging $12 to deliver 6 nipples seems a bit exorbitant. Maybe I'm just getting grumpy though.

 

[Ames]

You are correct. I could put the 6 nipples in a bubble mailer and get them to you for under $2.50.
The rest they are charging is handling fees. I handle nipples for free, but that's just my way of doing things I guess.

 

[Hawken]

The rest they are charging is handling fees. I handle nipples for free, but that's just my way of doing things I guess.

That's always been my policy. Glad to do it.

 

[leadhoarder]

That's always been my policy. Glad to do it.

Yep and if you handle them properly she will return the favor!

 

[deermanok]

I agree that some places are ridiculous. I like to buy stuff from Muzzle-Loaders.com. They ship for free. I recently ordered 2 items from a online retailer that I couldn't find anywhere else. I got kinda screwed paying $ 25.00 for shipping.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

You have to pay them, to get rid of their inventory.

Makes no sense to me either

 

[Hawken]

Well let's be clear, there ain't no "free" shipping charges. It's like Italian spices in Lasagna, they are in there somewhere.

 

[JBeardNC]

I'll

I agree that some places are ridiculous. I like to buy stuff from Muzzle-Loaders.com. They ship for free. I recently ordered 2 items from a online retailer that I couldn't find anywhere else. I got kinda screwed paying $ 25.00 for shipping.

I'll have to check them out. Thanks.

 

[tenngun]

Generally it seems it’s related to the cart price. Recently I’ve bought from several that had free shipping on my purchase but if I was below the threshold paid a fee. I think $50 was the cut off
Maybe you needed three nipples and a box of caps

 

[nit wit]

a business gets screwed with higher taxes and fees these days. I guess they need every nickel. If they go under, what will you do then. I don't like the taste of that bitter pill but I understand!
Nit Wit

 

[Musketeer]

This is one of the reasons my BP has always come from Graf and Sons. Shipping is a fixed $9.95 and hazmat is a paltry (compared to many other places) $12.50, whether 5 lbs or 25 lbs.

 

[oldwood]

Ever since the retailers began using the prepaid shipping boxes , over paying for sending an order goes along with it. All the different sizes are on display at my local post orifice. Books ship fairly cheaper , but all else , too much.

 

[Two Feathers]

JBeardNC:
I agree with you. I've done the same thing many times. Loaded a cart; then when I checked out, the s&h charges were so ridiculous, that I just left it. The downside to that is, then I get bombarded with emails telling me that I left items in my cart?

I'm a vendor so I'm a little familiar with shipping charges, but I'm NOT gouging folks on shipping. I use mostly Flat rate priority boxes, so I already know what the charge will be. I do add enough just to cover the insurance. I know I can't charge for my boxing time and materials even though they cost me. NOT the boxes, those are free, but the bubble wrap and tape, I just absorb the costs. I'm not trying to make a living or get rich, so the s&h charges are secondary. All in all, I agree. Where do these companies get off charging Big $ to ship Small items. They're just gouging the customer, kinda' like the gasoline companies right now.
My minimum charge for shipping is $4.80. That's a padded bubble envelope with barely anything inside.
Happy Easter.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[oldwood]

No offence Two Feathers. We all have to be smarter , and order enough to fill a given size shipping container , so we get the bang for the buck spent. That's just how it is these days . I congratulate you on your efforts to keep you're shipping prices under control as you can......oldwood

 

[Two Feathers]

oldwood:
No offense taken. I wasn't trying to belittle anyone's intelligence. I was just making a statement and voicing my opinion on JBeardNC's comment/post. Myself, I have NO IDEA what size shipping container a company will use when I order something?
I'm not looking to start a range war on this subject.
My apologies if I upset you.
Have a Blessed Easter Sunday my friend.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[Terry Lightle]

Owned a traditional archery supply,charged actual shipping.Ate the cost of tape etc but did deduct it come tax time.The only thing that bothered me was paying CC fees on shipping price .But got a bunch of thank yous for not raping people on shipping and feel like I kept a lot of customers by doing it.

 

[JBeardNC]

You fellas have a Happy Easter as well!

 

[Two Feathers]

Owned a traditional archery supply,charged actual shipping.Ate the cost of tape etc but did deduct it come tax time.The only thing that bothered me was paying CC fees on shipping price .But got a bunch of thank yous for not raping people on shipping and feel like I kept a lot of customers by doing it.

That sounds like a plan. Good for you.
It's always nice when a seller/company tries to help it's customers.
Happy Easter.
God bless:
Two Feathers

 

[Two Feathers]

You fellas have a Happy Easter as well!

Thank you.
Two Feathers

 

[JBeardNC]

Two Feathers, that sounds totally fair, its nice of you to cover those. It seems like you always get the best service when dealing with the craftsman personally. I've read a lot of good reviews of your wares on here. Honestly if I had to do a lot of shipping myself, I'd probably have to add materials into the cost, but I'm a newish Dad and have to budget my hobbies pretty shrewdly. Another thing I noticed on a recent purchase with a fairly well known company, was they charged for FedEx delivery and sent by USPS. I won't mention them, because it could've been a mistake, and not really that much of a deal, but it does makes me consider other retailers now that I need to make another purchase.