|
|
Post by PickyChicky on Sept 20, 2015 15:58:10 GMT -6
I've been meaning to write this article for ages and finally got around to it today. It's the first in a long line of articles I intend to write (and continue writing). I just figured I'd start by posting this one first since the holiday shopping season is pretty much upon us and shoppers could use the info. So, let me know whatcha think!  How Free is Free Shipping...Really? |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2015 5:24:22 GMT -6
I actually read it by clicking on the link via Facebook. I like it. I think that you covered all bases.
|
|
|
|
Post by thecornerstonecowboy on Sept 21, 2015 11:24:51 GMT -6
Good article.
BTW, I never liked the phrase "free shipping". It really should say "shipping included", but that is not how most marketplace sites are set up.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2015 12:12:03 GMT -6
Great article. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by PickyChicky on Sept 22, 2015 3:36:40 GMT -6
Good article. BTW, I never liked the phrase "free shipping". It really should say "shipping included", but that is not how most marketplace sites are set up. I agree that "shipping included" is a more accurate description. Saying that it's "free" is just one of those deceptive marketing ploys. I don't offer it very often and must admit that I said it was free, but it basically was as I explained in the article. What I have a problem with is the big box stores claiming free shipping when their prices are inflated to INCLUDE shipping. I'd much rather they be upfront about what I'm actually paying for. By the way, did anyone notice how I left eBay out of it? LOL The only two marketplace venues I mentioned were Amazon and Etsy, but I may add eCrater since I sell there. I thought about doing that at the time, but figured it wouldn't be familiar to internet shopper. However, they'll never become familiar with it if they're not made aware of it. |
|
|
|
Post by kenoticket on Sept 23, 2015 1:21:16 GMT -6
Good article Nicole. I hope a lot of shoppers read it!
I've never offered free shipping because like you say, someone has to pay for it. Every time I see a seller offering free shipping I want to reach through the computer screen, grab them, and slap them up side the head. I'd like to contact each one of them and ask them if they really think we're that stupid! I'd love to tell them to just tell the truth.
I can always tell too. When I see an item that is let's say $15.00 plus shipping, and then see the same exact item for $25 with free shipping, I go to the seller that charges shipping. And, if I can only find the item from one seller and it has free shipping, I don't buy it because I don't like to be lied to. I've never ever purchased an item that had free shipping.
keno
|
|
|
|
Post by PickyChicky on Sept 23, 2015 10:24:30 GMT -6
Every time I see a seller offering free shipping I want to reach through the computer screen, grab them, and slap them up side the head. LOL I know what you mean! While I've done it in the distant past with stained glass items, I didn't do it for very long because the shipping cost varies so greatly for large, heavy items between zones. Anything I've offered it on since has been something that can ship First-Class at the same rate no matter where it ships, but I even quit doing that. I don't think I have anything with free shipping anymore. If I do, it's because I haven't caught it yet. Anywho, thanks! I hope a lot of shoppers read it, too. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 15:22:32 GMT -6
I've rarely used free shipping. I think the only times I've offered it is when my purchasing price was low (more room for a profit because of this) and what I could sell it for was definitely decent with offering free shipping.
|
|
|
|
Post by PickyChicky on Sept 23, 2015 15:47:39 GMT -6
I must admit that I've been pondering using it again on First-Class eligible items like my ornaments. The way I do my pricing is to keep the cost of the item price + shipping at the item's market value (give or take no more than a couple/few bucks). So, if I were to just add the two together and offer "free" shipping, I wouldn't be charging anymore than I already am (since it's First-Class) and the total cost would still be at or below the market value. Actually, it WOULD be free shipping considering that I try to keep the total purchase price around the market value. Just like in the case of the Josef Originals doll I mentioned in my blog article. So, it would still be keeping in line with my idea of not using deceptive practices to lure customers in. Plus, I should clarify that the ONLY reason I have thought about it is to make it easier on both customers and myself. By doing so, the customer would see upfront what the total cost is and I wouldn't have to worry about entering the appropriate dimensions on Etsy to get it to calculate combined shipping properly. About that...I recently discovered that Etsy's shipping calculator was quoting ridiculously high rates when combining even two ornaments. I was entering the dimensions of the box I use to ship one in (7x7x6) and it was combining two ornaments into my largest box (22x14x12...or something like that), which puts it in the dimensional weight category. So I went back and edited the dimensions to the actual size of the ornaments (or the boxes they come in) plus maybe an inch to allow for some space in between. The problem with that is that it now tries to put individual ornaments into one of my smallest boxes that I don't actually ship them in (8x6x3 that allows for NO wiggle room). It really doesn't matter when it comes to the shipping rate quoted (since it's under the dimensional weight requirement), nor does the customer see the box size it will ship in (as I'm told by the self-proclaimed experts), but that's what got me to thinking about just offering "free" shipping on those and making it easier on myself. At least on Etsy. As for my eCrater shop, I don't have this problem because it doesn't ask for dimensions. So, if I WERE to offer "free" shipping on Etsy listings, my eCrater listings would appear to be cheaper at first glance. While I would prefer customers to purchase my items via eCrater rather than Etsy, it's my Etsy shop that is doing far better. So, I'm not sure if I should go that route because it might hurt the little (but better) business I'm getting there. Although, I could just do the same thing on eCrater, especially since it quotes retail shipping rates rather than commercial rates like Etsy does. At this point, I think I've got the dimensions fixed on almost everything that needs fixing on Etsy (I think I have about 10 listings left to fix), so I'm not too worried about changing anything else at this point... I would just like to hear y'all's thoughts on that particular scenario. |
|
.jpg)
