We've been using weight/distance based shipping because it's totally fair to all of our customers. If we're shipping just a few items, we are always accurate with our shipping quotes. The problem is never with shipping one item or two items, that's totally predictable. It's when a customer orders 6 or 8 or more different items that the shipping quotes get out of line, because you have to account for packaging weights, which are additive when estimating but not when actually shipping, whether the customer buys one or 10 items.

It's a little complicated, but basically what happens is that people get over-quoted for shipping and walk away, even though their actual charges are going to be lower. A lot of stores address this by rolling the packaging weight into a handling charge, but a lot of customers don't like handling charges.

So, we're considering going to flat-rate shipping and lowering our free shipping limits, to compete with Amazon, who does this. (Fabric.com is owned by Amazon). Thus all the questions.

I really appreciate all the responses so far, keep them coming! :thumbup:

a. Do lower free shipping limits entice you to buy more, or less?

If I am close, a free shipping limit MIGHT entice me to buy a few dollars more. I'd say Amazon gets me there pretty often! Regarding heavy items, I would understand that above a certain weight, free shipping could not apply.

b. Is predictability of shipping costs in your ordering important to you, or would you rather be surprised when your shipping cost is lower than quoted?

I like predictability. I frequent online shops that I know what to expect shipping-wise when short on shopping time, if all other factors are equal.

c. Do you walk away from an order if shipping costs are quoted too high, or do you take the time to check the store's shipping policy?

I probably would look elsewhere.

d. Does having a lower free shipping limit compensate you for paying too much for shipping on smaller orders?

I think so...I've never actually thought about it! But the idea of a shop with a reasonable flat-rate shipping cost and a lower free shipping limit is appealing.

Ditto, plus I will buy more to make the minimum, (as the seller wants.)

Oh...some tough questions. Shipping costs are important to me and I want to know exactly what it is going to cost me upfront. If I think its too high and I really really must have the "whatever"...I might email to negotiate shipping if the policy is a flat rate. If its just a quoted shipping and handling cost and I think it is too high...I don't waste time..I just walk away.

I like sites that offer free shipping (at a specific $ amount- they always get me there).

I always decide if it would cost me that much to drive to get it, if its cheaper to ship..I'll buy it on line.

My two cents here. The companies that offer free shipping exclude us here in AK. If they use flat rate boxes at USPS the price is the same as continguous USA. Connecting Threads will not ship free to AK no matter the size of the order. Does it stop me from shopping with them--NO! Because the deals I can get--I just placed a large order of batting that was on sale. 4 of us ordered together and we split the shipping so we do well that way. I am used to paying for shipping most places.

Shipping or the cost of gasoline to drive some place to get it without shipping costs--works out the same unless I am going to drive there for something else. Those are considerations but looking at where I live, I ship and pay the price. Hope this helps you all.

I find it hilarious that consumers compare shipping costs to the cost of the item they're buying. What does one have to do with the other? They won't buy a $5 item because it costs $4.95 to ship. So if you buy a thousand dollar ring you should pay a thousand dollars to get it shipped to you? Think about it. Or more importantly, go to the www.usps.com site and see what postage costs these days. Education is a wonderful cure for ignorance. Believe me, most of these joints are NOT cheating you.

I will order more if I get free shipping. If the company gives free shipping with $50, that's what I'll order.

On the other hand, I will walk away from an order if the shipping price is too high, even if the order is full of "bargains".

I will also "wait" for a long time until I accumulate enough "wants" to make the $50 limit.

Whenever I buy on Ebay I only buy with free shipping, even if I pay higher for the object.

This is how I feel too.

If only free shipping was free for the seller I'd be rich! :roll: