How do companies offer Free shipping

[Dudlee]

With the cost of shipping a guitar across the country being $80 and up,
How do a lot of places offer free shipping? I bought a Washburn hard case on amazon that needed some fixing for $40, shipped free. It was shipped in a double size box that originally contained 2 of the cases, each in their own box.

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by Dudlee

With the cost of shipping a guitar across the country being $80 and up,
How do a lot of places offer free shipping? I bought a Washburn hard case on amazon that needed some fixing for $40, shipped free. It was shipped in a double size box that originally contained 2 of the cases, each in their own box.

If you use a particular shipping service a LOT, you can work out a deal.

[HodgdonExtreme]

They bake their shipping cost into the price you pay.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

If you use a particular shipping service a LOT, you can work out a deal.

+1

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

They bake their shipping cost into the price you pay.

+1

Both great responses.

[mc1]

I think about this a lot. If I have to ship a book to Ontario, it costs me between like $7 and $30. $7 for the slowest ground, no tracking. $30 for 3-5 day with tracking. For even faster delivery, it costs more.

Often I order from online stores, where it's a minimum of $35 or $50 or $75 or whatever. So I have to hunt around to find like 4 or 5 or 6 or whatever items. So I do that, then order. My order often ships in 2 or 3 or 4 or whatever separate packages, arriving at separate times.

The conclusion I have come to, is that the average Joe shipper is very much subsidizing the big companies shipping costs. They are getting a deal that is ridiculously low, while we pay the bill.

[guitargabor]

Originally Posted by mc1

I think about this a lot. If I have to ship a book to Ontario, it costs me between like $7 and $30. $7 for the slowest ground, no tracking. $30 for 3-5 day with tracking. For even faster delivery, it costs more.

Often I order from online stores, where it's a minimum of $35 or $50 or $75 or whatever. So I have to hunt around to find like 4 or 5 or 6 or whatever items. So I do that, then order. My order often ships in 2 or 3 or 4 or whatever separate packages, arriving at separate times.

The conclusion I have come to, is that the average Joe shipper is very much subsidizing the big companies shipping costs. They are getting a deal that is ridiculously low, while we pay the bill.

That is how just about all of the corporate entities function and we just keep taking the bait...

[Tico]

No matter what they claim, NO company offers "free" shipping.
Shipping is just already factored into the price.

Oh and companies that do lots of shipping negotiate cheaper shipping than you or I could.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

That is how just about all of the corporate entities function and we just keep taking the bait...

Well, I don't mind taking the bait when they offer free shipping, but I am discouraged when I need to do the paid shipping.

What do you suggest for us plebs who need to ship stuff?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Tico

No matter what they claim, NO company offers "free" shipping.
Shipping is just already factored into the price.

Oh and companies that do lots of shipping negotiate cheaper shipping than you or I could.

I don't mind them working the "free" shipping into their costs. That's fine. What I wonder about is why their shipping to me seems way less than my shipping to them.

[MakingMusic]

I always wondered about that, too. I figure shipping is probably factored into the price and if the seller is large enough, they cut a good deal with FedEx or UPS. Can't think of any other way.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by mc1

I don't mind them working the "free" shipping into their costs. That's fine. What I wonder about is why their shipping to me seems way less than my shipping to them.

Quantity.

You and I can't negotiate for shipping only one thing.

Imagine how many packages Amazon Prime ships - hence they can negotiate the lowest shipping costs in the universe.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

That is how just about all of the corporate entities function and we just keep taking the bait...

What bait are we taking, free shipping?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Tico

Quantity.

You and I can't negotiate for shipping only one thing.

Imagine how many packages Amazon Prime ships - hence they can negotiate the lowest shipping costs in the universe.

Sigh.

I still think you're missing my point. It's fair if we all pay our share, but if the single shippers subsidize the big companies, well...

[Tico]

Originally Posted by mc1

Sigh.

I still think you're missing my point. It's fair if we all pay our share, but if the single shippers subsidize the big companies, well...

Sorry, I'm not following you.
Can you explain further why someone shipping only one thing should expect to pay the same rate as a company (or an individual) that/whom has a negotiated and signed a contract to ship zillions of things ... economy of scale, and all?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Tico

Sorry, I'm not following you.
Can you explain further why someone shipping only one thing should expect to pay the same rate as a company (or an individual) that/whom has a negotiated and signed a contract to ship zillions of things ... economy of scale, and all?

Well, I guess it's because it take the same amount of time and energy to move that one item from me to Amazon, as it takes to get it from Amazon to me.

Can you explain how if I order 3 items from Amazon, and they cost $35, with free shipping, and Amazon ships them in 3 different packages, it would cost me more that $35 to ship them back?