I ordered a book last night. It was from a referral of another quilter on this board. The book was on sale, yea, we like sales. When I placed the order for $4.00, the shipping came up as $7.00 !!!!! I thought that was kind of high for a book, I don't need it in THAT much of a hurry. I sent an email and I got a response this morning, quite fast I thought, they said the computer put an automatic charge of $7.00 for shipping but they would adjust the charge when it was sent out. The shipping was adjusted to $2.00. Much better don't you think.
It was, Phillips Fiber Art.com. IFY. It is alway good to hear about the companies that work with you, as well as, the ones that don't.

Thanks for passing the info along. It's an example of what can be done when we become proactive, it's always good to find ways save ourselves money while getting items we want.

I agree--thanks!

This site is so great, I've had wonderful service from them also.:)

That's very considerate of them. Thanks for letting us know.

Thank you for letting us know this :D:D:D

I have done the same thing when buying numerous items from sellers on ebay - some wont budge but they dont end up in my "saved" sellers list lol thanks for the information.

I find it very annoying that shipping is most often charged by the dollar amount, not the weight and size amount. I know they have to charge something, but one pattern for $9.00 does not cost over $5.00 for shipping and handling.

on ebay if the shipping is way beyond what it should be then on feedback, give positive, but the star thing at the bottom, I always give the lowest stars. Pushes them way down on the priority list when looking for an item.

I would ask if they could send it media mail, much cheaper

I have found this same thing happening. I pay special attention to what it cost for shipping when ordering. Some cost are reasonable for the items weight and size. When I order something tiny for a tiny price and the shipping is 3-4 times higher than the item, I don't need it that bad. Thanks for sharing your experience.

two thumbs up for asking what is going on.. I would have frowned and decided if I really wanted the book..

nice to know !

Ell

thanks for letting us know, this way we can all help others, shipping cost is high

YES I know...despite the fact that the shipping can include the cost of packing materials, our gas to deliver it, our ink to print the label AND the fact that ALL ebay buyers want their order TODAY..but only want to pay for next month's shipping rate!

I even shipped for FREE like ebay said we should and still got low DSR's on shipping..and I did NOT add anything into my shipping cost..and even refunded if it did come in under...do you know how many people do NOT check their PP accounts to see that refund??

So glad I closed that store..I can actually SLEEP at night and not worry about pleasing a hundred strangers with BAD manners every day!

I actually bought some patterns on ebay just this week from a seller in Alaska..her shipping quote seemed high so I ask her, and she said yes, the "model" put the price in at $4.95 for priority, but patterns can ship first class for only $2.50(there were 4 of them)...
what wonders a little communication can bring about!

WRONG...most people do not realize that anything UNDER 13oz can actually ship cheaper going first class! Most times I can even add Delivery confirmation and still be lower than MEDIA...

I think it's show how really foolish it is for the business not to get the auto charge removed from the order submission. I don't understand taking the risk if losing a lot of orders over something so easy to change. When I see a high shipping charge I AUTO click cancel.

i can't tell you how many times i've cancelled an order because the shipping is out of line. if only companies only realized how much business they are losing by putting an 'automatic' charge on. or... they may realize that there are a certain number of people that will just pay it and the extra money for shipping becomes part of their profit.

not true, the cutoff is about 7 ounces. For instance, a 13 ounce book is $2.41 media, $3.41 First class.


Also, please (PUHLEEEEZZE) speaking as an ebay seller, if you are unhappy with any aspect of your transaction CONTACT the seller before leaving feedback and give them a chance to make it right for you. Feedback is NOT a way to communicate with the seller.

Spoken as one who got marked down (1 star on all 4 categories) for an item which did not arrive and for which the buyer received a full refund. Now I ask you, is that fair?

I am afraid it is I that is correct...
as taken from the USPS website:
First-Class Mail gets your mail there fast.
Postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats) and small packages can be sent using First-Class Mail®. This service, along with Priority Mail and Express Mail, is ideal for sending personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, and bills or statements of account. It may also be used for advertisements and lightweight merchandise. First-Class Mail prices are based on both the shape and weight of the item being mailed. For items weighing more than 13 ounces, use Priority Mail.

First-Class Mail includes:

First-Class Mail Cards – rectangular cardstock mailpiece not contained in an envelope.
First-Class Mail Letters – small rectangular mailpiece no thicker than ¼ inch weighing 3.5 ounces or less.
First-Class Mail Large Envelopes – flat rectangular mailpiece no thicker than ¾ inch.
First-Class Mail Packages – a box, thick envelope, or tube weighing up to 13 ounces.
Presorted First-Class Mail – for high volume business mail
First-Class Mail Commercial Plus – Commercial customers who mail higher volumes of lightweight packages have the option to use First-Class Mail service.
Priority Mail® - Cost-effective delivery in 2-3 days to most locations.

The PO here always asks me if I want Priority or First Class. The difference in price is pennies. If there is room on the truck/plane third class and media mail go the same time as priority mail. Only if the mail transport is full do the lesser posts have to wait.

guess what...some place do NOT have the option! Depending on what CART service they use..

I looked into opening a store on YAHOO instead of ebay...the way yahoo stores are set up, there was NO way to change the shipping model. I could not see charging $4.95 to ship a pattern that I could send for only $1.65! So, no yahoo store!

You may both be right. Since we can only get Paypals required delivery confirmation on what's called a "1st class parcel" there is a point where is is not cheaper to send 1st class, and I'm pretty sure you nailed it at around 7 - 10 ounces.
Media used to not be destination dependant - same price per pound no matter where it went, but now it isn't. So that explains the varience in price.

Anyway, I include shipping in my book prices, so no one can ding my stars. [I don't sell quilting books]

Good customer service!

Thanks for info!

Whoa.......................

Do you not look to see what the shipping is before you bid? If you don't, the seller certainly doesn't deserve bad feedback. It's nobody's fault but your own.

If shipping charges aren't listed and you bid anyway, well, again it's nobody's fault but your own.

I don't sell on Ebay, but I find it very dishonest for people to leave bad feedback because they themselves screwed up.

People really do need to understand carriers, charges, Ebay, and shopping carts before they make themselves look foolish.

Hi...I ordered the Mariner's Compass book from them...I also was charged $7 for shipping...however, when the book was actually shipped, they had deducted $2 from that amount automatically...they only charge what it actually costs to ship...a great company!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Naomi

Thanks

actually just the opposite is true - Media Mail USED to have zones ( a long time ago) but now it is the same price if you are mailing across the country or next door.


And the good news is.... high priced government consultants are hard at work right now thinking of ways to make it even MORE confusing!!

We have to be our own advocates, no matter what the situation, right? Edie

I don't know who referred you..lol..maybe me..but I've order from Phillips Fiber art (a ruler) got a call for them personally and received 2 rulers for the price of one and got it in 48 hours..they were really great !! It is nice to hear the good side of things !!

Good to hear that they worked with you and good for us for future online buying!

Thanks!

All of the delivery sources are ripping us off. The business that we order from, US Postal service, UPS, FEDx, etc., etc., etc. Ordering is not always the best way.

Thanks for the information. Great customer service. Like others have said, high shipping charges make some items not worth buying. I have decided not to buy several items on Ebay which are reasonable but have extraordinarily high shipping costs. I think they sell things cheap but make up for it with high shipping costs. I guess you have to consider the total cost of the item.

Yes indeed that was much better. You can ship books USPS Media Mail and depending on the weight and size, you may be able to ship for about $3.00 or under. If you want it shipped priority, again depending on the size, the one size fits all envelop is $4.95

$7.00 was a bit much and they were right to reduce that for you.

I do order on line quite often and sometimes when you get to the shipping (and handling), it's way more than the item is worth! So I never buy unless the price plus is worth it. You were fortunate that they adjusted for you.

Thanks for all the information....

Don't try that with Clotilde...they refuse to lower their "shipping and handling". I had the same issue with a pattern. The S&H was more than the pattern. Their response, "our S&H is based on the cost of items, not the postage and we include handling". I told them I would not purchase anything from them where the S&H was more than the price of the product. See if they can "handle" that. I stopped buying from them altogether, after their response.
D inTX

So glad you checked this out!They did right by you.

A similar thing happened to me recently. I was attempting to order a box of gourmet chocolate's from a company in NYC. The box came to under $20 but it said the shipping charge was $46, WHAT! I didn't put the order though and the next day received an email from them saying the shipping should have said $12. Might pay to check with the company about shipping charges before placing any order online to make sure it's correct.

Shipping charges always shock me! I ship a lot of stuff around the country (not for sale, just to my sister and friends, care packages and the like) and it's never that expensive... but everytime I try to buy something online that I think is reasonably priced... BOOM! S&H costs!
Good to know they worked with you... companies that are willing to help their customers will have repeat customers and recommendations.

I have purchased from them and they are always great.