Shipping Prices!!!!

[skydragon]

Hey Skydragon,

Love your avi btw! We ship out DIY items.. some of which do not fit into a small flat rate box or to many items to fit properly (have to have some room for bubble wrap/peanuts).

If I use a 7x7 box the charges are based on the following.

Weight up to (Lbs.) L 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 4.9 4.95 5.05 5.15 5.25 5.35 5.55
2 5 5.35 5.95 7.5 8.1 8.6 9.55
3 5.7 6.55 7.5 9 9.95 10.7 12.7
4 6.45 7.55 8.6 11.9 13 13.8 15.3
5 7.65 8.75 9.85 13.5 14.85 15.85 17.65
6 8.3 9.65 11 15.05 16.65 17.8 19.9
7 8.95 10.55 11.75 16.8 18.4 20.05 22.4

Not the entire data, but an example.

All of our orders go priority, flat rate box or no. Any vendor can get free boxes from USPS, if they use them for shipping. My 7x7 boxes are not flat raters, but I ship most of my priority mail with them. When the cost goes above the $10 for the med flat rate box I switch over. My customer still only pays $6.00.

Also, we ship alot of heavy items.. so our shipping cost isnt really comparable to a "juice" vendor.

I totally agree, if your paying for priority mail, you should get it! We have used the bubble mailers for replacements, free samples ect.. never an order tho.

Hi Kimerpuff,

Thank you about the avi. It is actually thanks to Malyden but as you can surmise from my name, I do love dragons.

Anyway, it sounds like most of what you ship hits above the one pound point in which case shipping would be more. And when that is the case, the buyer really can't (or shouldn't) complain. That is fair shipping. Sounds like you actually take a hit on your shipping at times and I actually don't think that is fair to you but again that is just my thinking.

I think it can be a fine line because there are those who don't think about the fact that there are costs involved other that "actual" shipping costs. But as stated above it is pretty minimal. The vendors deserve to recoup that but no way does it cost them a couple of dollars more.

The ones that bug the heck out of me are the vendors who charge priority rates and send first class or parcel (mostly first class as it is usually under thirteen ounces for me at least) and those that charge seven to eight dollars even though it could fit in a small flat rate box or the weight is only a few ounces. That is when I decide I will no longer buy from them no matter how much I like their product. Again, that is just how I feel but it is up to each consumer if they don't mind a vendor ripping them off and making profit from shipping. The only way to stop vendors like that is to stop ordering from them.

I also admit I personally don't like having to pay for priority when I know the product could be sent for approx. two dollars with costs covered. That is why I and I know others start looking for just a very few vendors to order from even though we might like to try something else.

If I ever start to DIY, I will definitely keep you in mind. That might not ever happen though.

 

[mauisun]

I can only speak for Pamela and myself and our company. we are looking into ways to ship first class for folks just buying a 5ml or something inexpensive, or even just a battery or atomizer. there are always issues where delivery confirmation is a must in this business. We do priority mail with delivery confirmation to get the product in your hand fast and so we know you got it. There is the added fact we can print it out and not stand at the post office, a daunting task in a big city.
We have in the past done specials where we shipped first class and it worked great for everyone involved so we will do it some more in the future. as always, we take special requests, if someone wants to save a buck by getting it first class with no delivery confirmation we can comply with that.
i saw a post here where someone was suggesting we, like other vendors are making some huge profits. trust me that is not the case. there is alot more to this game on the higher end then not. the list is endless from business licenses to insurance to gas for the vehicle to accountant costs. trust me the list is endless.
We do the best we can under the circumstances. Of course we attempt to make a profit but we don't need it to be gross. We enjoy interacting with our customers more then making the money. Sometimes it's all about the human side of things and not about raking in the dough...

 

[skydragon]

I can only speak for Pamela and myself and our company. we are looking into ways to ship first class for folks just buying a 5ml or something inexpensive, or even just a battery or atomizer. there are always issues where delivery confirmation is a must in this business. We do priority mail with delivery confirmation to get the product in your hand fast and so we know you got it. There is the added fact we can print it out and not stand at the post office, a daunting task in a big city.
We have in the past done specials where we shipped first class and it worked great for everyone involved so we will do it some more in the future. as always, we take special requests, if someone wants to save a buck by getting it first class with no delivery confirmation we can comply with that.
i saw a post here where someone was suggesting we, like other vendors are making some huge profits. trust me that is not the case. there is alot more to this game on the higher end then not. the list is endless from business licenses to insurance to gas for the vehicle to accountant costs. trust me the list is endless.
We do the best we can under the circumstances. Of course we attempt to make a profit but we don't need it to be gross. We enjoy interacting with our customers more then making the money. Sometimes it's all about the human side of things and not about raking in the dough...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you making a profit. That is why you are in business. I would hope nobody begrudges you a profit. It just shouldn't be from shipping. Not saying you are doing that but some are.

I know with priority you get free delivery confirmation if you print from the USPS site. I don't remember about first class but as best as I can recall, none of my first class shipments (even when I paid priority price) has had the delivery confirmation sticker on the package.

 

[karmatized]

you can print first class with delivery comfirmation if you know how. But then here is the question There is no really backend for doing this type of business that i know of which accounts size into the shipping esimates. If that was the case this would be a open and shut case. But since its not available there is a sliding scale. Shipping estimates are done by weight, destination and method.

Hence why its easyer for most suppliers to simply ship flat rate for 5 dollars and take the buck or 2 loss now and then as a cost of doing business.

 

[Kimerpuff]

Shipping confirmation is key to many of us suppliers! I have had one person who claimed she didnt get her product. With out the confirmation, I would have had to eat $50.00. I also watch my tracking for delivery, I can use those time frames to quote customers. Most of our packages land in 2 days, and the more rural are 3. You can bet my postmaster has heard from me on a 4 day delivery hehe!

I do lose some here and there, but my customers are happy and to me that is what is really important!

DIY is awesome, you dont know what your missing hehe Jking.. If the e-liquid you use makes you happy, keeps you off the analogs that is where you should be

 

[skydragon]

you can print first class with delivery comfirmation if you know how. But then here is the question There is no really backend for doing this type of business that i know of which accounts size into the shipping esimates. If that was the case this would be a open and shut case. But since its not available there is a sliding scale. Shipping estimates are done by weight, destination and method.

Hence why its easyer for most suppliers to simply ship flat rate for 5 dollars and take the buck or 2 loss now and then as a cost of doing business.

I'm not really sure what you are saying. You are asked what type of package and dimensions you are mailing which then gives you the quote. But when you take an order I understand it wouldn't be practical to enter in every order but you can have a price generated at check out depending on the location and weight. Again, first entering in the information about what type of package you will use.

 

[skydragon]

Shipping confirmation is key to many of us suppliers! I have had one person who claimed she didnt get her product. With out the confirmation, I would have had to eat $50.00. I also watch my tracking for delivery, I can use those time frames to quote customers. Most of our packages land in 2 days, and the more rural are 3. You can bet my postmaster has heard from me on a 4 day delivery hehe!

I do lose some here and there, but my customers are happy and to me that is what is really important!

DIY is awesome, you dont know what your missing hehe Jking.. If the e-liquid you use makes you happy, keeps you off the analogs that is where you should be

Unfortunately you will run into people like that. It's a shame you have to deal with them.

Yes, much better to have happy customers.

You know, I still haven't found a liquid that keeps me completely off analogs but if I tried to DIY, I am quite sure I would poison myself or come up with some really horrendous flavors. LOL. Although it is something that has crossed my mind.

 

[karmatized]

Im tired lol, so i type dumb when im tired. I try not to forum too much when that happens. No i just mean ya know, For example il charge 5 dollars and if i cant fit it into a flat rate box then sometimes i have to take that small hit for sending it non flat rate just to avoid the next level of it.
and as kimer said yeah the delivery confirmation is one of the most inportant things to protect a supplier and customer. I track packages all they way to the customers door.

 

[Lezil]

there are a few nice sites that have 5$ or free shippiing

 

[son et lumiere]

Shipping prices are a big part of why I like strictlyejuice because they have free shipping on all orders over $10.

 

[candre23]

Shipping prices can easily make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. That's why I included them in my cost per ml juice chart.

 

[skydragon]

Im tired lol, so i type dumb when im tired. I try not to forum too much when that happens. No i just mean ya know, For example il charge 5 dollars and if i cant fit it into a flat rate box then sometimes i have to take that small hit for sending it non flat rate just to avoid the next level of it.
and as kimer said yeah the delivery confirmation is one of the most inportant things to protect a supplier and customer. I track packages all they way to the customers door.

Okay, now I understand what you were saying.
I understand about wanting delivery confirmation but that is free when printing the label off the internet. Some vendors lead you to believe that is part of their cost of shipping and try to justify a higher price with that. I also know many vendors don't.

All I know is that there are some vendors ripping people off with their shipping charges no matter how they want to spin it.

I know setting up first class shipping is a little more initial work but if it were me, I would offer both as I would want consumers to at least give me a try and if my shipping is more or close to the same amount than say the one bottle of liquid or box of cartos they want to try, many won't do it anymore.

I know there is one vendor in particular that has juice I like and comes out with new product I would like to try but I won't use him because of his high shipping. Just out of principle.

But, as I have said, it is ultimately up to the consumer. Either stop buying from them and let them know why or keep getting cheated.

 

[markarich159]

i saw a post here where someone was suggesting we, like other vendors are making some huge profits. trust me that is not the case. there is alot more to this game on the higher end then not. the list is endless from business licenses to insurance to gas for the vehicle to accountant costs. trust me the list is endless.

Liability insurance?? Can you please expand on that as I have never heard of an insurance company underwriting or extending liabilty insurance to an, as of yet, unapproved market/item. It would certainly be a great step for the industry if this were the case.

And as juicefreak(I believe) and myself already noted; most of us know or have seen the wholesale cost of most of these items. The average Gross profit(profit from sales vs. item cost excluding payroll, overhead, ancillary expenses) for the US small business is roughly 37.3%(from S&P 500, specialty retail category). Based on the wholesale costs I've seen(directly from the suppliers/wholesalers) for e-cig related products, I've seen across the product line GP margins of 100%-400%. And again, being a direct to consumer web based retailer, overhead, payroll and other related business costs(although seemingly "endless" to you) are as low as they could possibly be as compared to any other retail setting. Volume may not be as high as other settings, but that's why you set your pricing to be competitive as to maximize volume to the greatest extent. I'm sure you do a great job with your customers and truly do care about CS and (due to volume sales issues) aren't making millions; but I have to disagree, you are , technically, making gross profit margins that most other small business's would kill to make. Plus your overhead & other costs of doing business, again as compared to other retail settings, would make most retailers envious. If the market itself were larger, you would be making a boatload of money.

 

[lasttango]

???

no... these folks might be "covering costs" through shipping... but they are certainly not "making money" off of them...

the overhead for a company like nHaler who charges $7 is a lot higher than a friendly ma and pa start up...

You pay for service and affiliation...

If you don't like it, buy elsewhere.

I admit, I won't pay $7 shipping for two atties...

but... for larger orders and when quality counts, I don't mind.

 

[5cardstud]

Shipping prices can easily make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. That's why I included them in my cost per ml juice chart.

I agree. I ordered again from Good Prophets last night and their $3.00 shipping seems fair and honest. Some vendors get up around $7.00 and call it shipping and handling. I call it an added couple bucks in their pockets.
Excellent chart

 

[radicaljd]

???

no... these folks might be "covering costs" through shipping... but they are certainly not "making money" off of them...

the overhead for a company like nHaler who charges $7 is a lot higher than a friendly ma and pa start up...

You pay for service and affiliation...

If you don't like it, buy elsewhere.

I admit, I won't pay $7 shipping for two atties...

Speaking of atty's and shipping, this morning I ordered 2 genuine Joye 510 attys from strictlyejuice.com for $13.90 ($6.95 each). I used the 10% coupon code, so the total was $12.51. And since it was over $10.00, I got free shipping. Now that's a deal!

RadicalJD

 

[markarich159]

???

the overhead for a company like nHaler who charges $7 is a lot higher than a friendly ma and pa start up...

You pay for service and affiliation...

What is this elusive "overhead" that keeps being brought up in a direct to consumer web based retail business. Besides being a pharmacist, I am a partner in a brick and mortar credit bureau/medical billing/ and collection agency so I know about overhead. Overhead is/are fixed indirect costs not relating to or applied directly to the output of your good or service. We have administrative costs, rent, insurance(liability, workmans comp, Bonding fees), taxes(local, state and federal), Utilities, trade organization dues/fees(ACA, PCA, CBA, several local area COC), marketing costs, office equipment rental fees, internet services, phone services, IT management costs, web server costs, Local Business licensing fees, Professional certification fees, Bulk mailing service fees, ancillary payroll expenses, business payroll tax, software management fees, car rental/transportation expenses, entertainment expenses, attorney & Legal fees, etc.... Very few of these categories apply at all to a direct to consumer web based business; their overhead is as minimal as you could hope for in a business.

If you don't like it, buy elsewhere.

I do.

I admit, I won't pay $7 shipping for two atties...

Nor should anyone, it's ridiculous.

but... for larger orders and when quality counts, I don't mind.

Agreed, as long as the shipping charge is in line with the actual shipping cost incurred by the shipper.

 

[Natario]

Shipping prices can easily make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. That's why I included them in my cost per ml juice chart.

Thank you for the chart! You did a big accounting work.
I bookmarked it for future references and made a reminder to myself to go there every time before purchase which, in truth means -- almost every 3 days lol.It will be used often!

 

[karmatized]

Here is some perspective.

first class mail 6 oz small flat yellow bubble mailer with delivery confirmation from new york to texas is about 3 dollars. to cali its above 3 dollars, closer to about 3.6. This is not some magic number this is the actual cost. Just sent a sample to someone, this is the true price. No magic or games. delivery confirmation is 19 cents. So its not really a big cost to it. The bulk of that was just 6oz which equates to a 15ml of juice.

You can only get delivery confirmation with first class mail and up.

A package can be shipped with even slower methods but then you dont get delivery confirmation. And any supplier who ships without it is doomed to suffer rampant fraud which will in turn teach them to protect them self and they will end up raising those shipping prices to first class with delivery confirmation at the very least.

 

[markarich159]

Shipping prices can easily make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. That's why I included them in my cost per ml juice chart.

Agreed with Natario, great work candre and time well spent. I will also bookmark this for future reference.