Shipping costs, enough is enough!...

**Blade Boy** · 10-08-2011, 05:56 PM

What is it with vendor's that make a profit on the products they sell and feel that they need to make a profit on shipping too! I am not going to start naming names (don't want to step on anyones toes or get into a argument with their defenders but the shipping charges from so of these companies is obscene, I ship thing quite frequently and kinda knew what it cost, sorry just venting and wanted to hear your views on this matter.

**k2clones29** · 10-08-2011, 06:00 PM

Another reason why I like some vendors that are B&B friendly. Many offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount (and it's not an unreasonably high amount).

**mmack66** · 10-08-2011, 06:01 PM

I don't buy if the shipping is high.

**Samec87** · 10-08-2011, 06:14 PM

I always make my final decision on the purchase after I see the shipping charge. And I agree, some of the charges are a little excessive. Not all vendors are like this though.

**Nicks&Cuts** · 10-08-2011, 06:35 PM

Many of the Vendors listed here on B&B offer generous discounts to us as B&B'ers (See the Vendors Corner or search for one of the threads listing shaving supplies in your area/country). As k2Clones29 mentioned as well, you can often get free shipping on orders over a certain amount. Ultimately, I don't buy if shipping is unreasonable (as either a total amount or as a % of my total purchase).

**CyiDev** · 10-08-2011, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Blade Boy

What is it with vendor's that make a profit on the products they sell and feel that they need to make a profit on shipping too! I am not going to start naming names (don't want to step on anyones toes or get into a argument with their defenders but the shipping charges from so of these companies is obscene, I ship thing quite frequently and kinda knew what it cost, sorry just venting and wanted to hear your views on this matter.

To be honest, traditionalshaving.com here shipped me a package very cheaply. I have however seen some outrageous shipping prices from Amazon vendors that do not fall under prime shipping. There is also the fact that some people use companies that ship the package using the three main carriers indirectly. Ship N' Mail here in my town charges twice as much as going directly to either UPS, Fedex or USPS. You may also need to take into account the box, materials, employee etc. I compare companies after the shipping price before I decide on what one is giving me a "better deal".

**devorenm** · 10-08-2011, 06:41 PM

Actually, I have to say at least domestic I find shipping to be very reasonable most places. I mean think about it - if you can get a tub of shave cream from the West Coast to the East Coast insured in three days for six bucks that is pretty good. It can seem expensive if the cream only cost 15 bucks to start with but still...

**DOLLARBILL** · 10-08-2011, 06:43 PM

I always check shipping charges if they are out of line I don't waste my time!
Enjoy Your Shave!

**eastomjac** · 10-08-2011, 06:49 PM

if the shipping is not normal....lost a sale! its a scam to make more on the product and i wont play,period

**Foyle** · 10-08-2011, 06:59 PM

Well, vendors pay for more than just the shipping charge, they also pay for packaging and other shipping related costs. Anything a business spends money on has to be re-earned and should be re-eanred at a profit. The point of business is not to break even it's to earn a profit and that's a good thing. Anyone who doesn't understand that won't stay in business for long. Profit and capitalism are the reason anyone enjoys the standard of living that they have in the free world. There is such a thing as obscene and un-fair profit margin but no one is earning that on shipping.

Keep in mind as you vent that vendors likely make a very, very, very small profit if any at all on shipping. Some vendors offer shipping discounts or even free shipping on orders over a certain amount or for various products. They are not just going to throw that money out the window however. It's made back somewhere else. I enjoy getting free or cheap shipping as much as the next guy but as someone who has worked in the retail industry in one aspect or another my entire adult life I understand the costs that businesses incur, costs the customers don't fully appreciate; especially on shipping. So I'm sympathetic.

**DSB** · 10-08-2011, 07:00 PM

If the shipping costs are unreasonable, I take my business elsewhere.

**njpaddy** · 10-08-2011, 07:07 PM

Free may be better, but the cost of postage and supplies is factored in there somewhere. The way I look at it is, if I can afford to spend $20+ for an English shaving cream instead of buying a $2 can of cream at Walmart, it's kind of silly of me to complain about a few bucks for shipping. If I feel it's really outrageous I just don't buy.

**Bejaar** · 10-08-2011, 07:16 PM

I agree that shipping charges from the big guys (UPS, FedEx, DHL) can be outrageous, however they do cut corporations and businesses a nice deal. A friend of mine working for a corporation (to be left anonymous), usually ship items from the office. Truthfully, I can say due to the bulk shipment discount these carriers give out, he can send a package that usually costs him $26 as an individual for a third of the cost if shiping from the office. As I do not know what goes on behind the scenes at shaving vendors, I can't really say that they are taking advantage of these packages. But knowing what I know, I'm skeptical that all of our fellow merchants do not play fair when it comes to shipping.

**dpmtherrien** · 10-08-2011, 07:17 PM

I think that if the shipping costs are out of line, that once people find that fact out, that vendor won't be in business very long. I find it a huge turn off when shipping costs are high.

**dpm802** · 10-08-2011, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Foyle

Well, vendors pay for more than just the shipping charge, they also pay for packaging and other shipping related costs. Anything a business spends money on has to be re-earned and should be re-eanred at a profit. The point of business is not to break even it's to earn a profit and that's a good thing. Anyone who doesn't understand that won't stay in business for long. Profit and capitalism are the reason anyone enjoys the standard of living that they have in the free world. There is such a thing as obscene and un-fair profit margin but no one is earning that on shipping.

+1 ... I don't have a problem with vendors that add in a small service fee into S&H to cover their overhead expenses. They need to pay for the costs of having it shipped to them in the first place, the expenses involved in storing it in a warehouse or stockroom until it gets sold, and the cost of having an employee process the order and bundle it up to send out.

That being said, its reasonable to see a flat-rate S&H charge of $5.95, knowing that $4.95 is going towards the Priority Mail, and $1 is added to cover the vendor's other costs. A vendor that would charge $10.95 for the same service is gouging, though.

As others have said, the S&H cost is often what makes or breaks the deal for me, and will help me decide if I'm going to pull the trigger or not.

I won't pay extra for Expedited Shipping, and I won't pay extra to use one service (USPS / FedEx / UPS / DHL) over another. They're all good, and the only thing that counts is the bottom line.

Naturally, any vendor that offers Free Shipping will get my business first, as will those that offer B&B Discounts ... but ultimately, its the total cost of an order that matters most to me.

**vinny1957** · 10-08-2011, 07:29 PM

I also agree. I have not purchased items because of the shipping costs and cancled orders after I find if the shipping is high.

**proxymoron** · 10-08-2011, 07:34 PM

It's the people that charge outrageous S&H on ebay in a transparent attempt to skirt fees that I take issue with. Think your time is really worth that much? Stop selling old crap on the bay.

**BBrad** · 10-08-2011, 08:05 PM

Here's a true story . . .

A very lucky businessman bought an established distribution company, which was well-respected in its industry and operated at a profit. After several years of enjoying that profit, he gave the business to his college-educated son as part of his retirement plan. Daddy's little idiot quickly realized that we shipped over 400 packages per day to our customers in New England and New York, and saw a wonderful way to make money with no additional investment in equipment or labor.

He negotiated an additional 25% discount from UPS, at the same time adding 10% to the rate tables in our computer system. He instituted a $2.50 handling charge per order in addition to the inflated shipping costs. Several thousand dollars per day were directly added to our bottom line, thanks to his genius at work!

Soon we were failing to meet our sales budget. He saw that shipping profits were down as well, so in true idiot fashion he raised the overcharge to 20%. "Our customers will never know", he said.

In less than a year, we closed our doors. Daddy's Little Idiot failed to realize that zero packages shipped meant zero dollars through the door. Customers vote with their feet . . . and will not buy from those who charge unfair or outrageous shipping costs.

A fair recovery of cost is good business. Boxes, bubble wrap, and peanuts all cost money, and a fair handling charge covers for that. But, when the seller is charging over $10 for a $5 flat-rate box, he doesn't get my business!

**bacardipr05** · 10-08-2011, 08:13 PM

I agree with most of the other sentiments if the shipping i feel is too much i skip. I understand besides the actual cost of shipping their are other costs involved. Thus that is why is called shipping & handling. Even for a small business they may usually hire a part-timer or maybe a local kid to help in packaging. I know their are labels to print, bubble wrap, boxes, peanuts etc. Their are some vendors who charge a pre-determined amount for shipping in which case depending on what you order maybe fair or outrageous. Yesterday i wanted to try a moisturizer as a after shave balm. This particular moisturizer was only 2 ounces so it shouldnt be more than $3 or $4 bucks to ship. I shopped around and some of the shipping charges I felt where a little high. I then stumbled upon a vendor who shipped it for free at a competitive price as well.

**ackvil** · 10-08-2011, 08:14 PM

One of my pet peeves, too. At one time I wanted to order some razor blades that would cost $25. The shipping cost per Priority Mail was $5 - 20%, I ended up saying no thank you. And this was from a B&B vendor who has a lot of supporters on this site.

Like a few others I am willing to wait one extra day and and save $3. In contrast, I ordered a Muhle R.41 razor from Traditional Razor IE and got the razor for very reasonable shipping charges and it arrive here fro Ireland super fast;