Shipping costs

Though there is certainly an overhead cost involved with picking, packing, and shipping, I agree that many companies mark up the shipping charges a little too much. This especially true with online auction resellers and other "discount" stores who get their extra markup in the shipping charges. I've had items sent priority mail (previously $4.60) that charged me $18 to ship. Thats a bit much.

This has been happening as long as there has been mail/internet order. Think about it, it's not called "shipping/handling" fees for nothing. You're paying for the packing/packaging materials, as well as a human to do the actual packaging and shipping. It's not rocket science, no, but it still adds up.

Also, I'm sure some companies add on a little extra to make up for their "cheap" prices. You advertise your item for $10 with $5 shipping versus your opponent's $12 price but with $2 shipping. In the end you still made your money (if not more) but your price appeared to be cheaper. Again, this is nothing new, it's up to the consumer to compare actual final costs. If you want to see good examples of this, check out ebay.

Dope

I both buy and sell quite a bit on fleabay. I learned very quickly to always check the shipping costs before bidding! Some folks apparantly make most of their profit from "packaging and handling" charges, along with just plain overcharging for shipping. Be careful out there!!

Yeah, I've noticed specifically hunting and firearm websites never seem to have free shipping deals.

I bought a small gun rug from CTD, the item which weighed maybe a 1/4 pound and cost $7 cost $11 to ship.

If you are willing to pay, they will charge...

CTD is the absoute worst. OpticsPlanet is the best with free shipping.

It's frustrating, especially when the shipping charge is more than the item costs. I try to wait until I have several things to order but sometimes that backfires (one or more of them will be out of stock, or no longer on sale by then).

CTD is the absoute worst.

Click to expand...

+1

When did they get so bad? I had a spurt of ordering stuff from them about 2 years ago, and it didn't seem as egregious as it does today.

yep, boxes, materials...

and time all add up.. PLus, toss in a couple bucks for "overhead" and bob's your uncle.

Now, the bigger question is... what the heck are you gonna do with Coyote Pee? The Roadrunner already knows that trick.

Meep Meep!

I sent a couple of parts to Idaho and used the UPS Stiore. On the phone they quoted me $12.95. When I got there, the total charge was $15.40. You'll love this... The extra $2.45 was a pick-up/fuel surcharge. GO BROWN!

Buy from Graf's. They charge $4.50 for shipping, flat rate.

Sidenote - I just shipped two rifles, it cots me nearly $40. BOY shipping went up...

With the cost of fuel heading for the moon it is going to get a lot worse.

Handling charges are standard business procedure. Most people are under the impression that firearms and accessories dealers make a lot more profit than they do. True they make more profit on accessories than guns, but most of them I know aren't getting rich. Bottom line whether they lump it into the retail price or charge for it seperately you are paying a handling fee.

This is why when I buy I try to do multiple items so that at least I am getting something for the shipping cost. I will shop around before ordering as to who has the least charges for shipping.

Shame on a company for trying to keep the doors open...........

I recently bought a USB hard drive case, basically a small, empty aluminum box, 2-3 oz.
Cost: 99¢
Shipping: $12
Still, $13 was an acceptable price.
Know what you're willing to pay and shop where the price is right.

There are costs associated with packaging and getting the stuff shipped. That said, I tend to give preference to those vendors that are recovering costs rather than attempting to implement a secondary profit center.

OK to name names?

Midsouth Shooters Supply charges actual freight. They're really rather obsessive about it - your cost will equal what it says on the shipping label to the penny.

Sportsman's Supply on AuctionArms charges a 12.00 flat rate for both handguns and long guns. Everything goes USPS and he throws a generic hard case in on the long guns. No surcharge on credit cards either.

Anybody can do anything they want to with respect to charging freight. Admittedly, I do tend to favor those that don't inflate the numbers.

There's no difference between paying 80.00 for a product with 20.00 shipping vs 95.00 with 5.00 shipping but I've found that the guy with the 20.00 shipping is usually charging the 95.00. It's up to the buyer to "do the math".

you have a choice, pay more for an item and get actual shiping costs or pay less and pay a "handling fee"

you have a choice, pay more for an item and get actual shiping costs or pay less and pay a "handling fee"

Click to expand...

T'aint always the case. MidSouth, as example, has sometimes had the best price before freight is factored in. Generalizations may result in your spending more than you think.

And congrats on post 666.

I here where you’re coming from. You find an item for sale that’s a $2-$5 price range and the shipping is $5-$10. It's cheaper some times to pay the store price and get it when you need it. I realize there are items that fit that category. I recently purchased my M1 and the shipping was $20 dollars. I can live with the shipping because of the price to shipping ratio.