When FREE SHIPPING! is not free shipping

[Tonykarter]

Just got an email from Pyramid.  Featured prominently in the title:  10% OFF!  AND FREE SHIPPING!*

And hidden not so prominently in the fine print:

* on orders of $150 or more.


That's not free shipping Pyramid.  That's deceptive advertising, even if it is in the fine print.

[Airnut]

Sorry l don’t  see it! Their is clearly an * after free shipping which notes all stipulations.

[Roadworthy]

I think most of the folks here are already aware of this gimmick.  I agree it is presented in a misleading manner but all the facts are there if you read the fine print.

[Tonykarter]

And that is my point.  A sales "gimmick".   Less gimmicks.  Please.  And Frank I must apologize to you.  I did my own misrepresentation in reporting this.  It did not have an asterisk behind the "FREE shipping". Cut and pasted from the email, it read like this:  You can't beat our 10% off + FREE Shipping + 3x Bullseye Bucks* sitewide sale, but this OFFER ENDS TOMORROW, so ORDER TODAY!.

So to a reasonable person it would appear that the asterisk is a caveat to the 3X Bullseye Bucks, not to the FREE shipping, and reasonable minds would infer that the shipping was indeed free, especially since the word FREE is the only word of the three deals that is featured in capital letters.  Even more deceptive in my opinion.

We have a code to get 10% off anytime.

Isn't PA's Free Shipping always $150?

   

[horseman76]

I'll pass on free shipping for small stuff and take the greater gladly. I recently bought an A/V compressor $1100., Weighting 75# and I'm happy the shipping out to Arizona was free! I'll take that any day . Wayne

[pyramydair]

Hi Everyone - Kristen here at Pyramyd Air.

First off - thanks for your feedback.

We put the asterisk at the end of the statement because things are notated in the fine print that apply to the entire promotion (in this case: You can't beat our 10% off + FREE Shipping + 3x Bullseye Bucks* sitewide sale, but this OFFER ENDS TOMORROW, so ORDER TODAY!).  In this case, we have to let people know about the stipulations of the free shipping ($150 order minimum, contiguous states, ground shipping), as well as the fact that some items are excluded from the sale (coupons not allowed on certain items). 

And yes, Tonykarter, while Pyramyd normally offers free ground shipping on orders $150+, some coupons we advertise do NOT combine the free shipping with the % off deal (in these cases, if you applied the coupon code, we would only offer you whichever is the better discount - the free shipping or the % off).

We aren't trying to deceive our customers by any means, we just want to convey our marketing promotions as cleanly as possible in our creative, which is why we put the disclaimer at the bottom. 

Thanks for being valued Pyramyd Air customers - we do appreciate it.

Kristen

[ezman604]

MANY thanks Kristen for the explanation. And the always outstanding support PA gives to GTA Forums and the entire airgun community!!!

[K.O.]

sorry Kristen but the over $150 could easily be in just as large print as the rest of the ad... That would make it very clear would it not... otherwise people will feel it is the deceptive type of marketing that disrespects the customer... You folks at PA do do a great job... But I do feel that Marketing should at all times show respect to the customer in even the smallest ways...

do not even get me started on many in the industry that use deceptive fps/fpe claims instead of educating the customer... I guess these rifles are still considered toys not tools... and that the customer is treated like a mark is evident to the informed...  

Fortidude ad, 800 fps with lead... what lead pellet...  oh not the normal 14 ish grain... sad... long term shows disrespect to the customer and destroys trust...

[wimpanzee]

I feel that PA puts forth a greater effort to transparency than most other vendors - they'll often list the pellet weight used for testing FPS (hint: it's usually an 11.2gr RWS) AND the FPE generated by that pellet. They do NOT seem to list those details on items they haven't personally tested.

From any marketing campaign, you always have to expect these shenanigans - I think most marketing departments would have an aneurysm if they couldn't hide unflattering details behind an asterisk. The fact is though, the details about the shipping requirements ARE THERE on the same page that the asterisk appears, you don't have to click through hoops to find the caveats.

Due diligence by the customer is just as important as due diligence by the vendor.

[K.O.]

I feel that PA puts forth a greater effort to transparency than most other vendors - they'll often list the pellet weight used for testing FPS (hint: it's usually an 11.2gr RWS) AND the FPE generated by that pellet. They do NOT seem to list those details on items they haven't personally tested.
I very much agree with the above


From any marketing campaign, you always have to expect these shenanigans - I think most marketing departments would have an aneurysm if they couldn't hide unflattering details behind an asterisk. The fact is though, the details about the shipping requirements ARE THERE on the same page that the asterisk appears, you don't have to click through hoops to find the caveats.

You either are treating the customer with respect or you are not... If you build a reputation  that is trusted why not work to keep it... if you build a rep for hiding things no biggy?

Due diligence by the customer is just as important as due diligence by the vendor.

Yeah I feel that is what a marketing major would say.. it makes it ok cause that is just the way things are accepted to be... reality it says trust is not important...and I feel in the long run "caveat empator" bites ya(the marketer) in the rearmost portion...

[bandg]

It's easily understood if one takes the time to even grossly read what is presented.  As others have noted, the free shipping can really help on large orders.  Pyramyd always packs their pellets (and other items) very well.  Seems some would complain that a free lunch isn't tasty enough.

[K.O.]

No it is about treating others as you would wish treated... and thing that can be done to have the BEST reputation possible as a marketing entity... everything else is fluffy bs...

[bantam5s]

It's not necessarily deceptive as it's right there, but you do have to give it a second look.

[mr007s]

Once you know it is free with a purchase oe 150$ or more it will no longer be deceptive to you. Lots of things I buy have free shipping with a purchase of x amount or more. Olive oil, free after you reach 45$. Cabelas, Midway, Basspro, Jerky, and a host of others offer the same in varying amounts of purchase amounts.

 Amazon, Ebay have true free shipping (lots of times the free is already been added to the price, that is deception to me.)

[Orion]

Once you know it is free with a purchase oe 150$ or more it will no longer be deceptive to you. Lots of things I buy have free shipping with a purchase of x amount or more. Olive oil, free after you reach 45$. Cabelas, Midway, Basspro, Jerky, and a host of others offer the same in varying amounts of purchase amounts.

 Amazon, Ebay have true free shipping (lots of times the free is already been added to the price, that is deception to me.)

Agree, but even if you know, then you see an special, that will end tomorrow and it says FREE shipping.... I think that should not be part of the special, because it sounds like a good deal that will expire soon, when it's not.

When I read the email for the first time I also though it was a good deal to have the free shipping to later realize that was not special, it's like they always have it (because even if free after 150 it's a special, we could not have that either)

But being used to have that free shipping "special" permanent, then it's a big weird they mention FREE shipping on the email.

[Rico14]

Pyramyd is not the only site that has minimums for free shipping. Do you complain about them too, or only Pyramyd because you have a forum to post the compliant? Check your prices no matter where you shop online. Some of the places that offer "free" shipping have just included it in the price of the merchandise.

[Habanero69er]

It clearly says $150.00. Sorry if some don’t know how to read. My advice is stay off the tarmac at an airport, because it doesn’t state “watch out for propellers”. Adults actually read before they act.
Sorry if this is viewed as harsh, but if you’re going to shop online, you need to learn to read.

[Bicycleman]

OUCH!

[soolio]

I'll pass on free shipping for small stuff and take the greater gladly. I recently bought an A/V compressor $1100., Weighting 75# and I'm happy the shipping out to Arizona was free! I'll take that any day . Wayne

I’d like to know where you bought that compressor for $1100. Thanks;)

[Orion]

And I read it and I realized it, I was just sharing that even when I knew about the free shipping for 150+, when I read that email for the first time I though it was free shipping during the time period, it didn't happen to you? Good for you then. For me it wasn't a big deal because I was not looking to buy anything at this time.

But that is what marketing do.

I think this post still valid for those that are new and reading this (and not the fine print) so they realize that there's no Free Shipping from PA if your order is not $150+

The other interesting fact is that it looks like offering free shipping looks like a big deal for a lot of people, most of the big purchases will cost more than $150 and the small purchases (ammo) the shipping is around 10$.

I'm not in marketing, but I'm just thinking what is more cost efficient, do a really free shipping couple of days and no 10% off and see if that sells more than anything you have done.

Marketing might be reading this too so, I see this post valid, not at all a complaint because we have the forum.

And to be clear, I support PA and the great work they do.