Other > Random Ranting

Fucking Highway Robbery

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Soul Sojourner:
This is true, but as I have said, I've purchased things online from other people, small businesses, and large business alike. You would think a single person wouldn't compare to Amazon, and yet, the shipping prices have never been as high as this. I have sold things myself and never had to charge anyone as much. Even when I sold things bigger and heavier.

I personally suspect shipping costs is where they get some of their profits. After I got hit with the *real* price I showed my father, that was his thought as well. He owns a retail store and has sold stuff online on various occasions as well and says he doesn't usually have to charge that much for shipping. Of course, most things are bigger and heavier than a screwdriver, and often go farther than Ohio. ;) He told me to open a dispute as well, but I rather tell them about it first, seems more courteous that way. Anyway they said they could drop it to 8.95 and if it was that in the first place I would've left it be. I still don't like damn near 9 dollars for shipping, but it's within reason.

I still need the screwdriver regardless, so it works out alright.
However, I do not believe I will buy from there again. I might look another time, but I'll only consider buying if I find an "apply" button and it shows me a reasonable shipping price.

Meclar:
Found another used books store in town today.  Their  sign says "We Buy & Sell Textbooks"  so I assumed it was just textbooks.  I went in looking to buy and sell textbooks, as it turns out they don't sell textbooks in the store but only online and they're shipped from their warehouse 25 miles from here.  Instead of textbooks in the store they have regular used books.  Got 5 books for 15 dollars (5 dollars of which supposedly went to a charity for Haiti).  Fuck B&N and they're delicious little confectioneries.

Soul Sojourner:
I buy online for a reason. Good luck finding anything like that around here. I live 10 miles out of a small town, surrounded by more small towns.

Mo:

--- Quote from: Soul Sojourner on March 13, 2010, 02:57:10 PM ---I personally suspect shipping costs is where they get some of their profits.

--- End quote ---

Absolutely.  Many years ago there was a big racket on eBay with sellers ripping buyers off with the shipping.  eBay cracks down on sellers who over charge now.

Meclar:
I disagree that it's common practice.  There's a lot of costs in the shipping business; fuel, unions, insurance, equipment maintenance, hazmat standards, customs etc.  If the price of shipping is high it's for the shipping company to make a profit.  If it's an item that you can buy in a store that's also available online for 5 dollars more because of shipping, the online seller has to lower the price to offset that price to the consumer and give a competitive price.  If it's a specialty item that can only be bought online because of it's rarity or it's simply not a retail market for it, then there's a lack of competition which increases the price.

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