Is anyone finding themselves loading up a cart of fabric online at great prices and then when you get to checkout, the shipping cost causes you to walk away with nothing? I know shipping costs are up but it also seems that some sellers either:
1. make money on shipping by overestimating what it might cost and then keeping the difference or 2. send it by a higher cost shipping option than it really warrants with no other options. For example, just this morning, it happened to me twice. I picked some fabrics that were a really good price (about 12 yards). The shipping cost was about $11. When I added an extra dollar to each yard, it wasn't as good a bargain. Then I wanted to order a pattern with the ruler included for about $15.00. The only shipping option was Priority for $8. I don't need it in two days - I'd rather wait a few more days and pay a little less. Am I the only one frustrated by this trend? |
I do this all the time. The shipping adds so much to the tab the good deal is no longer a good deal:<
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I am totally with you, I have walked away numerous times because of sipping costs. I now do most of my ordering from Connecting threads and fabric.com. CT has free shipping over 50 bucks and fabric.com over thirty five bucks. I usually have NO problem spending that much! LOL
David |
I have left many a shopping cart when I get to the final cost. I always add the shipping cost to see if it is still a good buy. Often I find that the cost is greater than the regular price of the fabric. I have many LQS close to me so it has to be a good buy for me to shop online. When I get an email for 10% off, I don't even go look because I know the shipping will eat that discount up. I ship a lot, so I know when I am being overcharged for shipping.
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PS. buying from people on this board is also awesome!
David |
You have to remember that when you are paying the shipping you are also paying for the person to box it up, the tape to close the box, the labels , etc...
When they ship only priority it could be because they can get delivery confirmation on the package to make sure it gets to where it is suppose to be. |
what chaps me is when you order things that charge shipping according to how much money you spend, the more you spend the more it cost!, it can be a small lightweight item but cost $100 and $8-9 for shipping. I've paid $6 and when I get the itty bitty envelope it may have $2.34 postage but they sure don't give you a refund.
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Sometimes the shipping is re-calculated before the CC is charged. I have contacted the shops to see if I could get a cheaper shipping if it was something I really wanted. If they would ship cheaper I would buy it, if they wouldn't I told them no thanks.
I also look at the shipping before I hit the 'buy' button. I live in a community with lots of LQS, Jo-Anns, Hobby Lobby, etc where I can probably get it the same price right here when I have added in the shipping and get it right now! I love it when they have 'free shipping'..... |
I have won $10 prizes from the FabShop Hops and not used them because of the ridiculous shipping. I have also emailed a shop because they wanted some ridiculous shipping amount for a pattern and they adjusted the shipping manually. They have to put something in to calculate automatically but can make adjustments manually. It doesn't hurt to ask.
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To me, it always seems that shops offer free shipping within continental USA. Not meeting that criteria often adds unreasonable amounts of money. I've managed to negotiate shipping by calling the vendor, since a problem always arises with some companies (such as FedEx) and not others (USPS). If there is no on-line option to choose shipping method, I always call. If shipping & handling seems just an exhorbitant 'extra', I'll find somewhere else to buy.
I understand why companies have preferred methods, and handling costs but don't understand when anything different becomes impossible. |
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