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Shipping costs

Started by Snow Snake, January 04, 2020, 01:49:07 PM

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Snow Snake

January 04, 2020, 01:49:07 PM
 Ok, the holidays are over and Amazon continues to grow. I wonder how they can offer either free shipping or for just a few bucks while our Appleseed store has to have a minimum and still charge over $14(priority USPS).Why?
Let's revisit this with the thought of joining the current internet sales boom.               :slap:
Without Knowledge,Skill cannot be focused.Without Skill,Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength,Knowledge may not be applied.
   - Alexander The Great
"The other side of every fear is a freedom."- Ferguson
" Hey Mikey, I'm about to punch that time clock"-Lone Survivor

GTEngineer

#1
January 04, 2020, 08:57:33 PM Last Edit: January 04, 2020, 08:59:17 PM by GTEngineer
Quote from: Snow Snake on January 04, 2020, 01:49:07 PM
Ok, the holidays are over and Amazon continues to grow. I wonder how they can offer either free shipping or for just a few bucks while our Appleseed store has to have a minimum and still charge over $14(priority USPS).Why?
Let's revisit this with the thought of joining the current internet sales boom.               :slap:

Most likely economies of scale, as well as Amazon requiring their sellers who sell items that qualify for "prime" to subsidize the shipping cost through the charges that Amazon charges their sellers to sell through them.  Amazon isn't making $ on shipping, they are making $ on all of the other stuff (web services, apps, video, music, selling your personal information, etc.).  I get that we are used to free shipping over a certain small amount through countless other online merchants, but as big as Project Appleseed is, we are a super small fish compared to the likes of almost any other online merchant that primarily sells online.  Its going to be hard to get that down without moving some serious quantities constantly.

One thought I'd throw out there is that we look into the costs involved of being an amazon seller, see if it makes any sense there.  One concern is that it would be very difficult to separate our products from the countless other "me too" products (shooting mats, slings, etc) out there on the amazon marketplace, we may end up losing $.

edit:
This is where I'd heavily promote the use of amazon smile and set RWVA as the charity of choice.  It doesn't cost RWVA or you a penny and amazon donates to the program.  Spread it far and wide and the more people we get to set RWVA as the recipient on their amazon smile profile, the higher the donation.
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Snow Snake

#2
January 04, 2020, 10:29:43 PM
     :yeahthat:
Yes,I understand and agree with much of what you say. Sticking only with USPS as our only shipper,would not First Class Package Service fit many of our members needs? How often is Priority service really needed? Lets offer choices.
Many orders are impulse and don't meet the $25 minimum. They are left waiting and ultimately  cancelled. Who in retail has minimums? I can't think of any.Lets be member friendly.
   Ken                           
  Ps: I too use the Amazon smile program
Without Knowledge,Skill cannot be focused.Without Skill,Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength,Knowledge may not be applied.
   - Alexander The Great
"The other side of every fear is a freedom."- Ferguson
" Hey Mikey, I'm about to punch that time clock"-Lone Survivor

Beardo

#3
September 12, 2021, 08:28:14 PM
I went to order a few items from the store, over the $25 min, and my shipping cost was almost as much as the items.
This is ridiculous and will not order any new items until this is fixed.  #)
There many different options that are less.
Beardo
KD Rifleman 2020
Pistoleer™  2021

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Guns&Hoses

#4
January 08, 2024, 11:28:30 PM
I realize this thread is a few years old, but it hasn't gotten any better. I just placed an order for a battle road map and two nylon flags, and shipping was over $25. To be blunt, that's ridiculous and not reflective of actual shipping cost.
"Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die; and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life and the duty of life."
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Smallbore (Timothy_D)

#5
June 01, 2026, 12:53:25 AM
I was planning on ordering a range bag and new mat for MamaPinks, until the shipping charges were over 100% of the price of the combined items themselves.

This is not justifiable, acceptable, or sustainable if the store wants to survive.

I get that the volume of shipping isn't comparable to Amazon or Cabela's et al for free shipping, but this mark up is beyond insanity.
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Mike AKA Bandaid

#6
July 21, 2026, 08:01:09 PM
Yeah, I was going to order a bunch of stickers and pens, along with a mat and bag. Total was around $170. Shipping bumped that up to around $330.

What is going on?  :DH: This has obviously been a problem for a while, why hasn't this been resolved?  :wb:
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scuzzy

#7
July 22, 2026, 08:02:13 PM Last Edit: July 22, 2026, 08:08:57 PM by scuzzy
Quote from: Mike AKA Bandaid on July 21, 2026, 08:01:09 PMYeah, I was going to order a bunch of stickers and pens, along with a mat and bag. Total was around $170. Shipping bumped that up to around $330.

What is going on?  :DH: This has obviously been a problem for a while, why hasn't this been resolved?  :wb:
My understanding is that the price quoted for shipping is just an estimate and usually not even close. And then they adjust things afterwards once they get a better cost estimate and then do a partial refund? I'm guessing it's due to the software being run but don't know the details. I'd mentioned at one  time they need to put text to that effect all over the store website. I'm sure a lot of business is lost due to that. I'll get some more info on this. I don't run the store myself. I do know that they want to redo the whole thing. But that's way in the future most likely.
"There is no difference between Communism and Socialism, except in the same ultimate end: Communism proposes to enslave men by force, Socialism by the vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide." Ayn Rand

Fulcrum

#8
July 22, 2026, 09:55:25 PM
It's fine if the shipping shown at checkout is not the actual shipping cost, and the real cost will be calculated by a person after they package everything, and that's what you will actually be charged. But if that's the case, there needs to be a step where you get to verify and agree to the real shipping cost before the items are shipped. No one's going to agree to $150 shipping charge, hoping it gets reduced to a more realistic $20.

Thaddeus

#9
July 23, 2026, 10:20:03 AM
Something must have glitched with the shipping calculation at the store. Would it be possible to PM me a screenshot of the order and shipping estimate? I'd guess something like that should be in the $20-ish range for shipping, as that is what is normal.

Thaddeus

Mahamotorworks

#10
July 23, 2026, 11:12:24 AM
Just added the shooting mat/bag combo. Shipping is $65

https://imgur.com/a/GSMkpyo

MAHA
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Thaddeus

#11
July 23, 2026, 11:27:06 AM
Can you PM me the image? I don't see anything on the link you posted.

eaglescouter

#12
July 23, 2026, 11:42:41 AM
Quote from: Thaddeus on July 23, 2026, 11:27:06 AMCan you PM me the image? I don't see anything on the link you posted.
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Recon82

#13
July 24, 2026, 02:03:48 PM
I've wanted to buy several things (the new awesome range bag and a shooting mat for example) from the store but I refuse to pay the outrageous shipping costs.
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Thaddeus

#14
July 24, 2026, 02:58:54 PM
If you would PM me a screenshot of the shipping prices I'm hoping to see if there is an issue with the software used to ship via UPS.

The Appleseed Store does not charge any add-on fees for shipping. We simply pass along the shipping fees that are charged to the Store per shipment. Weight, volume and distance impact those costs. And, I agree that sometimes those can seem pretty hefty. The Store gets a small volume discount on fees but nothing clost to what shippers like Amazon can command.

The Store exists to support Appleseeders with items that are useful on the line, and items that are uniquely branded for Appleseed. Any 'profit' that is made goes directly back into Appleseed to support the mission. Please support the Store when you feel it is appropriate for your situation.

Thaddeus

Prescott

#15
July 24, 2026, 06:49:41 PM
I have quit using UPS for my business as their rates are out of control.  I used to be able to ship a 50# box from CA to WA for $50.  Now it is $150-$175!

If you are not a major customer, they are getting all of their profit from small shippers so they can subsidize the shipments of Amazon.
"America will never be destroyed from the outside.  If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln

scuzzy

#16
July 24, 2026, 07:11:00 PM
Quote from: Prescott on July 24, 2026, 06:49:41 PMI have quit using UPS for my business as their rates are out of control.  I used to be able to ship a 50# box from CA to WA for $50.  Now it is $150-$175!

Yeah - no kidding. I gave away two desktop computers to instructors recently. Figured it would be about 30 bucks each to ship. I wound up paying close to 80 for one and 120 for the other. Ouch. And least they went to good homes and they are now running Linux and not Windows.
"There is no difference between Communism and Socialism, except in the same ultimate end: Communism proposes to enslave men by force, Socialism by the vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide." Ayn Rand

Mrs. Smith

#17
July 24, 2026, 08:24:58 PM
Quote from: Prescott on July 24, 2026, 06:49:41 PMI have quit using UPS for my business as their rates are out of control.  I used to be able to ship a 50# box from CA to WA for $50.  Now it is $150-$175!

If you are not a major customer, they are getting all of their profit from small shippers so they can subsidize the shipments of Amazon.

pirateship.com my friend. Won't help with store things but you will pay below standard rates.
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