Bad Form, dietsmokes.com.

[mmkeebler]

You've obviously never seen a joyetech wholesale price list(just as one example). I have. Believe me, there's more then enough cost and overhead "recouping" being done well before any shipping charges are added. As the gentlemen mentioned previously, I ONLY order from suppliers who offer free shipping(knowing what the retail markup on these items actually is) - two specifically who also have the lowest prices I've seen. Even if wholesale shipping from China is factored in, we're still talking about triple digit gross profit margin percentages across the entire product line. This isn't a knock on any particular supplier or vendor, they are all doing it to a somewhat obscene extent(some more than others - I would assume to offset a perceived lack of sales volume). I can't speak for vendors who supply only non-Chinese origin products , however. Luckily, analog cigarettes are so expensive, there is still a savings and, obviously, the assumed health benefits.

Actually, I have. Which is also a reason I'm quite probably a bit jaded at the lack of service from some places. *shrugs*

 

[markarich159]

Actually, I have. Which is also a reason I'm quite probably a bit jaded at the lack of service from some places. *shrugs*

Hi mmkeebler;
Actually I was responding to a statement made by someone else in the thread, not your post. But you're absolutely right in your observation, the insane profit margins(when you're aware of them) on top of a lack of customer service is enough to jade anyone to some suppliers.

 

[Vodka]

I run a store (completely different business, not related to ecigs at all) that also does online orders. $8 as an average price for UPS isn't that far off. We charge a flat rate of $5 an order, no matter how big or small, and I can tell you we lose money on probably 98% of the packages we send out.

Of course, lose money is subjective, since that loss is one of the many things we factor into our markup.

Like you said though, there's no excuse for poor customer service.

I've only done one order with DietSmokes, and it worked out great--I had my eGo in my hand about 30 hours after I ordered it.

 

[martha1014]

IMO all ecig suppliers deal with lower weight products. It would always cost more to use UPS for lower weight items. I prefer USPS and it usually does not take as long to receive order. 7.99 is rather high based on other ecig suppliers. lst class USPS is around 3.00 and priority is usually 4.95 and UPS is more like 7.99. Most suppliers offer free shipping for a certain amount usually 100.00. The free shipping has been known to increase sales and I would buy more to get free shipping. Suggestions would be to decrease shipping charge based on cost of good. My husband has a website selling knives (which are usually heavier than most ecig supplies) and he charges 6.95 up to 25.00, then 5.95 up to 75.00 and 4.95 up to 100.00 and them free shipping. Even though a large percentage of his orders are over 100.00 he still make on an average of 500.00 a month off of shipping.

You can see suppliers charging 7.99 has the potential of making a good profit just on shipping.

The entice customers the shipping charges should be very reasonable. I know that is one reason I will chose one supplier over another.

 

[BradSmith]

The way to solve problems like this is to buy from the guys that give you free shipping. Yeah I know it's not possible in every case (damn you Tornado!!) but when it is possible that is the retailer that I go with.

Do I resent retailers that do not provide free shipping? Hell no cause retail is a tough gig and you need to recoup costs and offset overhead in any way you can to survive.

What happens normally in my case is I end up adding $20 to $30 in extras in order to hit that magic number I need to hit to get my free shipping.

The retailer moves more goods and i get a feeling of added value.

It's a win-win situation that I wish more suppliers would figure out.

I sold on e-bay for years and years and when I did an auction I always offered free shipping, it just brought in more bids. But, when I was doing a buy it now I would set the shipping high. Why because the final value fee is based on the sale price and does not include shipping. It is interesting that I could list the same guitar for let's say $149 with free shipping and it would sell faster than the same exact guitar for $119 with $30 shipping. It ends up being the exact same price but people like the thought of free shipping. In another business that I used to run I did free shipping on orders over $500 this worked great for us because it stopped people from placing an order once a week for say $125 and they would stock up and order thier $500 bucks worth of Valves (I sold ball valves and gate valves) at the start of the month. This way we only had to put together one order a month vs four. WIN WIN situation.

I also like place like Cignot that offer free shipping IF you order more than X amount. I think it's good business and gives the person the option of saving up for a bigger order or going in with a friend, or just saying the heck with it I need it now.

Lots of different business models work, but I agree free shipping can be a great incentive. As for the e-mail all I can say is that the customer is always right. It does no good being anything less than polite, unless of course you are sick of the custormer and are hoping they will go away.

 

[Mr. Mom]

What do you guys think a fair price would be for flat rate shipping for any size order?

John

 

[Taelor]

What do you guys think a fair price would be for flat rate shipping for any size order?

John

Hey, maybe I am the minority, but I think fair pair price is what ever the cost is to you. Maybe once a price target is hit, offer reduced or free shipping.

I hate inflated shipping charges, if someone, like Brad, had an item with an exaggerated price for shipping, I would pass their auction up in a heartbeat. Afterall, chances are there are more sellers with free or exact shipping fees.

 

[Tampa2]

@River, I have my own reasons for asking this question. But, other than free, what do you feel is a fair shipping charge? You have to remember that some items ordered are less than the cost of shipping! But I think that you made a fair statement in your reply and would really like to hear your opinion.

 

[Elendil]

Hey, maybe I am the minority, but I think fair pair price is what ever the cost is to you. Maybe once a price target is hit, offer reduced or free shipping.

I hate inflated shipping charges, if someone, like Brad, had an item with an exaggerated price for shipping, I would pass their auction up in a heartbeat. Afterall, chances are there are more sellers with free or exact shipping fees.

I've been on ebay almost since day one and purchased thousands of items. I never, ever cared about shipping. I cared about one thing: Total Cost to me. If I could buy an item for $100 with free shipping or the exact same item for $10 with $80 shipping, I'd buy the second item because my total cost was less. End of story for me.

 

[Ragamuffin]

I know this is an older thread, but I just couldn't resist: I gotta agree with Elendil on this one and it made me laugh when I read what was written about eBay. I once sent a not-so-polite e-mail message to a seller about his over-inflated shipping cost and how I thought he was ripping people off with it. He lowered the cost of the shipping and I bought his item! He still made out and I got my item. Then I felt foolish for blasting him in the email, but he was a real businessman, and knew what he was doing. A little reduction and he still got my money.

 

[Max0819]

What do you guys think a fair price would be for flat rate shipping for any size order?

John

4.95 Up to 100.00
Free over 100.00

Done, done, did it...


Max

 

[Virtues]

LOL! Seller got caught in multiple lies and still tried to play innocent. That is one heck of a con-man, certainly is an "asset" to their company.

Then he has the nerve to ask what is fair shipping costs, effectively admitting that he is/has and will always be, dictating the cost.

This made my day. I won't forget it.