outrageous shipping charges

[Kevin]

So I like bumper stickers and order some online from time to time. I put them on different ammo boxes so I can remember what is inside. It's a silly system but works for me. There is one website, Cafepress. I'm not endorsing this web site, I could care less if they go bankrupt tomorrow. I just ordered some stickers. So their shipping charges on 5 stickers was 3.50 or something. I had wanted to order 8 stickers, but the shipping would have been $15. for 8 thin stickers.

Do they not realize I can place two orders and save $8?

But like the other thread about Home Depot Customer service, I wasn't insulted or had to put up with some clerk checking their phone or listening to music. Online ordering is much easier!

 

[akbluz]

We in Alaska get "slam dunked" on shipping charges most of the time... and Free Shipping only applies to the lower-48. I have refused to order many items due to the unreasonable charges. And I believe the USPS charges the same to mail stuff to here.
(rant over)

 

[Kevin]

You mean in Alaska Amazon for example doesn't have the free shipping? Oh i didn't know that at all.

The last lair of shoes I ordered from Zappos. I ordered them Saturday night and had them Monday afternoon. Free shipping. They don't offer that in Alaska? I'm not being sarcastic just didn't realize how it works up there.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I recently aquired a set of Lee bullet mold handles from a seller on Gunbroker. Bid was $15 and change. After I "won" them I realized the seller ONLY ships via UPS. No post office shipping. Not wanting a bad feedback in my GB history, I went ahead and paid the $15 and change for the dang UPS shipping. The shipping cost as much as the item! Not such a "deal" after all...:x

Lesson learned, read the shipping small print before hitting the bid button... :roll:

 

[Jim Puke]

Lesson learned, read the shipping small print before hitting the bid button... :roll:

That is the FIRST thing I determine before even looking seriously at anything that anyone has in an ad or on a website...if the shipping is not to my liking...I move on.

 

[737tdi]

Lesson learned, read the shipping small print before hitting the bid button... :roll:

That is the FIRST thing I determine before even looking seriously at anything that anyone has in an ad or on a website...if the shipping is not to my liking...I move on.

Absolutely: If I am interested in an item online the first investigation is shipping price. I love MidwayUSA but you have to be very careful with their shipping. If an item or two is backordered and they come in at different times you will pay shipping 3 times. Once on the original order and then on the other two items as they come in. I am email registered with dozens and dozens of online companies I am interested in and I get multiple offers for free shipping every month. I will find something I like say from Brownells, then wait for the free shipping code. Gotta play the game I guess.

Karl

 

[redhawker]

Some people use shipping to make their profit. I've seen items listed at bargain prices but the shipping is twice the item price. So item X costs $10 locally but you can buy it on e-bay for $2! Such a deal until you have to pay the $10 shipping charge (and it weighs 1.5 oz).

 

[Xsales]

Online orders, I always look into the shipping rates

If a seller states no price I ask them for a close guestimate before I bid - if too stupidly high or no reply, I keep walking

As said, at least with items that can ship flat rate priority it IS the same per the USPS to ship to AK and HI yet most sellers freak out and over charge them there folks

Shipping heavy rifles and such IS a different animal

 

[Zorba]

The other gotcha are people who insist on shipping Priority Mail. Not so bad on stuff that fits in the $5 box, but the bigger boxes get more expensive fast and Parcel Post or UPS is far cheaper. That, or those who ship tiny orders via UPS for $8, when it would cost $2 to ship first class. See this on eBay all the time...

 

[737tdi]

Zorba: So sorry the shipping is $2. LOL. You just can't ship for free for pete's sake.. Ya gotta pay. buddy.

Karl

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

Why can't online sales just buy some envelopes like I do to send small parts in? But NO, they have to send an item in a 4x6x6 box and charge $15.95 for a $5.95 item. When I sell a part here on the forum I get a small padded envelope and shipping usually costs $2.39. I sold a Super hammer>$35 + $2.38 mailing. I did OK by charging $35 shipped. Easy? Ain"t It!

 

[loaded round]

I enjoy buying and selling on both Ebay and Gun Broker, and sometimes Amazon. Quite a few times I'm convinced that some sellers are trying to make up for low selling prices buy charging exorbitant shipping charges to increase their profit margin. Most of these a-- h--- sellers think that most of us buyers never heard of USPS Flat Rate shipping (excluding firearms and ammunition). I too, pass over these offers.

 

[4kdave]

Just an example of rates: I sold some magazines a while back & put 6 years in a box & took to UPS...$63.00 quote then to USPS...$60.00 quote. Took 2 medium flat rate boxes at USPS & shipped the same magazines for $12.65 per box or $25.30 total.

 

[loaded round]

...like I said.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Just an example of rates: I sold some magazines a while back & put 6 years in a box & took to UPS...$63.00 quote then to USPS...$60.00 quote. Took 2 medium flat rate boxes at USPS & shipped the same magazines for $12.65 per box or $25.30 total.

Next time you ship books/magazines/papers, ask about the "media rate"----shipping heavy books and magazines is much cheaper. Of course it takes a few days longer but what do you care as the seller if it takes 3 days or 10 days.

 

[Dan in MI]

I just asked about media mail for shipping magazines.

That's a no-no. Apparently, if it has advertising in it, it cannot go media mail. Also, media mail is quite often inspected to make sure no one is scamming it. They told me media is the most inspected type of mail and it is stated in the media mail option that can inspected.

 

[737tdi]

Dan: That is true. A few years ago I did a Karma on here for some old western novels. I went to the post office with them already packed up and asked to ship them as "books". They asked to see them. I said sure, you repack them though. When I said that they marked them as "books" and they went on their way.

As far as the ebay sellers using UPS. Think about it, it is for their convenience. The truck comes to them and hauls off that days sales. No hassle for them. It is kind of like mechanics using the tool truck, buy a tool from them and they come back every week. If that tool breaks you go to the truck and get a new one. Same with UPS, if the package is lost or damaged UPS pays, not so with USPS, you have to purchase their insurance. It is all about, again, convenience.

Karl

 

[AJGUNNER]

I just asked about media mail for shipping magazines.

That's a no-no. Apparently, if it has advertising in it, it cannot go media mail. Also, media mail is quite often inspected to make sure no one is scamming it. They told me media is the most inspected type of mail and it is stated in the media mail option that can inspected.

One more thing I just learned here at the Ruger Forum.