SHIPPING CHARGES ???

[ridewv]

For most E-commerce and mail order business' shipping (and handling) is a very profitable part of their operation. It's not uncommon to make 30% or more on S&H. Multiply that times thousands of orders per year. For instance I ordered a small thin plastic baffle for a Cub Cadet lawn mower. The part was $26 (couldn't have cost more than 75 cents to make). "Shipping and handling" was $19.50. A week earlier I mailed a slightly larger box for less than $8.00.

 

[quneur]

You mean I actually have to pay someone to pick, pack and ship the item?

Yep. I bought grips from Midway and the shipping charge was $3.93 but there was also a handling charge of $3.

...the days of skipping state sales taxes on Internet purchases are numbered. Soon you will paying your state sales tax on any item that's taxable, no matter where it's purchased.

Been there done that. Wa state now charges a 'use' tax on all internet gun sales at 9%. The tax is collected by FFL dealers. But if you can prove that sales tax was paid on it, the state will subtract the amount from the 9%. So, if you sell something to a Wa state resident, send them a copy of the original sales receipt!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I think many vendors add some profit to the shipping fees.

That's a bingo! Profit is profit, regardless of how it's made. I've bought more than a few items on E-bay and always factor in the S&H charges when bidding. It is amazing how much S&H varies between sellers, it not unusual to see lower costs from sellers further away!
It's kinda like that 9/10 of a cent that is always tacked onto the price of a gallon of gas, It's there but we mostly don't consider it.
John

 

[ladder13]

Yep. I bought grips from Midway and the shipping charge was $3.93 but there was also a handling charge of $3.

The handling charges goes away when the order hits 40 bucks. I always wait until I have a substantial order.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I just bought a spring from Wolff and the shipping was nearly as much as the spring and, took over a week to get it. Mail wasn't slow it was Wolff. Ordered one Monday recieved email it had shipped the next Monday and got it on Thursday. If however I had have had it shipped USPS Priority it would have cost more to ship that what the part cost and would have taken at least a week from the time shipped to reciept.

 

[markush]

Some company's try to accommodate small orders. Midway does...and I believe their service charge disappears at $25 not $40, unless they changed very recently. Wolff spring does also. Wolff's small package shipping is right around $3.50-$4. While I would like to be shipped things for the price of a postage stamp, I know that isn't going to happen. There are still a few company's that at least try to give you a break on small orders.

 

[old bear]

Shipping and handling are a huge profit center for all companies. Every shipper offers different volume discounts to shippers depending on the volume shipped annually, 40 - 50% discounts are not uncommon.

I have not completed orders, on-line, when I realized that shipping was more costly than the items I was going to buy. Free shipping used to be a come on now it can be a deal maker/breaker for me.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I like the "SPecial handling fee" that MidwayUSA charges. I needed a Ruger grip pin and for a two and a half dollar part it cost me three more dollars plus shipping. Funny thing is USPS will Priorty mail costs less than they charged, the packaging is included in the fee, and it gets to you in two or three days. Mine cost more, took longer, and came in a half ripped envelope. All for a piece of milled aluminum.