View Full Version : Am I just hormonal or are shipping charges getting ridiculous?
robmab719
06-21-2004, 04:09 PM
I know shipping charges are one of the downsides of shopping online, and I'm willing to pay a slight premium for the convenience. But today, I was about to order a diaper bag that I found on sale at www.modernseed.com. When I went to check out, the shipping charges were $11.95! Yikes! Since when does it cost $12 to ship a diaper bag that probably weighs all of 2 lbs?
After more research, I realized that site's shipping charges are strictly based on order total. So the more your order costs, the more shipping you pay -- no matter if you're ordering one item or 10 items. I just don't get that. Shouldn't shipping be based on weight? That's how USPS, UPS and Fedex charge. Don't ya think they might be onto something here?
Not to mention that many sites are now offering free shipping if your order is over $75 or $100. It's like they feel they're making enough money off you at this point, they don't need to soak you with additional charges for shipping. That's a nice touch.
Anyway, I didn't order the diaper bag and ended up sending an email to Modern Seed's customer service asking why on earth they are charging $12 to ship a diaper bag. Not sure if I'll get a response, but somehow it made me feel better to at least send the email.
lmariana
06-21-2004, 05:39 PM
Robyn,
I did the same thing! I had a coupon code from Modern Seed and priced up the Loom. When I saw that they were going to charge $12 to ship it, I freaked out and emailed them. They emailed me back offering cheaper shipping, but I still wasn't thrilled, I think they took it down to $8 or something. If you order it anywhere else, you at least get free shipping!
So, I hear ya, it's not hormones! :)
Mariana
www.heinzandmariana.com
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003
ktdid74
06-21-2004, 07:12 PM
I think Hanna Andersson takes the cake though. I think they charge way too much for shipping. I would buy more from them but I feel like I'm being punished with the shipping costs. Even if you just want to buy a dress- $7 for shipping! I'm always on the lookout for websites with free shipping!
It's not the hormones. Shipping prices these days really stink!
robmab719
06-22-2004, 12:03 AM
Yep! That's exactly why I've been able to resist ordering from them. Even if you get in on a great sale, the shipping costs make it as bad as paying full price!
Rachels
06-22-2004, 07:44 AM
Agreed! Shipping prices at some online retailers keep me from purchasing stuff. There are few things I need THAT badly, kwim?
-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/character/2/character39.gif
"We have a secret in our culture...it's not that birth is painful, it's that women are strong!!" - Laura Stavoe Harm
I completely agree! I have cracked + ordered a few items but I definitely would order more if they dropped the charge or had a flat fee. All of these sites make a lot off of the purchases, especially diaper bags which are marked up about 100 percent, so I usually order from sites with free shipping. Usually...
Jenn
DS 6/3/03
While I agree that shipping prices are often rediculously high (especially when you're talking about merchandise that often is priced as full retail even though they don't have the retail overhead), just about everyone (catalog, paper or online) charges shipping based on order total. While the shipping companies do charge by weight, it would be more over-head for these catalog companies to track the weight of each item (then there's the question of packing materials, etc). So they simplify everything by just charging a flat rate so everyone knows how much they will pay ahead of time.
jd11365
06-22-2004, 10:56 AM
I just ordered a balcony net from OneStepAhead and they charged $7 bucks for shipping and an additional $10 to make it Priority...I am fuming...$17 for shipping of a net that probably weighs 2 lbs. at the most??? Ugh! Even the $7 was ridiculous...but $17?? The darn thing cost only $25...shipping was almost as much as the item!
Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
May '03
You might be hormonal :) but you're not nuts to think shipping is ridiculous! I totaly factor the shipping costs into the purchase price. I rationalize shipping as offsetting tax plus a premimum since I never get to go out shopping any more. But when the charges are high, I just pass the purchase up.
Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03
and number 2 EDD 9.14.04
redhookmom
06-22-2004, 12:30 PM
I think about the tax too. If the shipping is higher then the tax I would of paid locally I don't usually buy it.
khakismom
06-22-2004, 12:38 PM
ITA! In the beginning heyday of the WWW, almost all shipping was free. I bought lots online. Now, it is rarer. I hate choking on Hanna's shipping charges and except for them, there's not much I order online any more unless I can get free, or at least very cheap, shipping.
Dcclerk
06-22-2004, 06:43 PM
Not pregnant, though maybe a bit PMS-y ;) here, and I'm totally with you. In fact, I wrote a letter to Pottery Barn not that long ago telling them exactly what I thought about their ridiculous shipping. (I'm embarrassed to admit, however, that I just bought some stuff from there today and sucked up the ridiculous shipping:( !). I tell Babystyle every time I go into their stores that their shipping kills me. (They at least are somewhat nice and if it is an item that the store carries but just is not in stock, they will waive the shipping fee if you order at the store.)
robmab719
06-23-2004, 06:22 PM
Pottery Barn is the worst! In a fit of desperation I once ordered a table and a rug from their catalog. I think the shipping was over $100. I still don't know WHY I did that! (Though the table does look beautiful in our house.)
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