Shipping Cost Rip-Off

[oledawg]

I was looking for a .22 scoring plug, found The exact same plug for $10.00 at three places 2 of which were big on-line PB/Pellet companies one wanted $10.00 for shipping, the other wanted $15.00 while the ebay seller I purchased from shipped it for free.

I understand the big companies have much larger overhead than the ebay person, none the less it is just a scoring plug that goes in a small cushioned envelope.

Ok done venting.

[ac12]

Standard problem when buying something small and relatively inexpensive.
If they send it priority mail, according to the USPS site, the smallest Priority Mail box is $8.30, the padded envelope is $8.40.  And this is just the postage.
Add to that the cost of someone picking the part in the warehouse, and packing the box to mail.

The eBay seller is probably a guy working out of his house, and mailing "cheapest way." 
Even in an envelope, a plug would have a postage surcharge, because of the thickness.  It won't be able to be processed through the machines, it has to be manually processed. 
So after postage, and the cost of a padded envelope, he is selling it for maybe $5. 
If it cost him $4, he makes a whole $1.

[CraigH]

USPS 1st class is best for very small items being shipped by private individuals.

I once got WT Tools to ship some urgently needed drill bits that way instead of their usual $8.50 charge.

But on the whole though, shipping is expensive unless certain special arrangements by certain vendors are latched onto.

[oledawg]

I get your points, they are well stated and fully understand shipping costs. I should have clarified better I feel 2 of these companies are adding money on top of the actual shipping costs. Small envelope, weight it a few stamps and that is it. I know most larger businesses don’t ship that way but they should. The ebay guy should have charged me something I don’t want them to make minimal profit.

I also understand free shipping is not free, I’m paying for it, it is just in the overall price.

[Blutroop]

Try shipping to Alaska

[ac12]

Try shipping to Alaska

Or Hawaii.
When I lived there, there was NO UPS ground.  That leg could go by sea.  Just put the UPS container on a container ship.
So we had to PAY $$$ for UPS AIR.

I understand there is a freight broker that will consolidate shipments in LA, fill a container, put the container on a ship, and unload the container in Hawaii.  That is what UPS should have done 40 years ago.

[Blue]

I feel 2 of these companies are adding money on top of the actual shipping costs.

I worked for a small business where we would occasionally mail things to our customers when it was more convenient for them than coming in to pick it up.

Whenever we would mail something we would charge them MUCH more than the cost of the shipping because someone would have to package it up, drive it to the post office, wait in line, and drive back.  The owner considered everything over the cost of postage as coverage for the costs of getting the package into the USPS system.

This is obviously less of an issue when your whole business is “mail order” and everything must be shipped but I think big businesses would rather advertise a lower price then add in “extras” like shipping.

I see it as corporate game playing.  Offer a low price so it looks good when price shopping then start adding things in when completing the sale.

[Paul Stakun]

Amazon.  $10 free shipping.