[OP]
Contributor
I just went to order a router bit and have it shipped ground. The place is about 200 miles. At checkout, the company wants nearly 20 dollars to ship one router bit by UPS. Why not simply stick it in a one price small box from the USPS for much cheaper? Guess I will order from Amazon and the Prime will get it here just as quick for no cost. Anyone else dislike it when businesses try to profit from shipping?
Contributor
The price of something online is always the item plus shipping. When you see a lower price than you expected, you can bet the shipping will make up for it.Originally Posted by Rich Riddle
I just let my Prime membership expire because of the $20 increase but I do miss it a little. But now Amazon has free shipping on orders over $35 so that helps.
Guest
RouterBitWorld - $1 shipping
http://www.routerbitworld.com/default.asp
I even purchased some Freeborn shaper cutters from them. Good prices, fast shipping and good service
Member
I own a business that has a weekly UPS bill around $300. The minimum charge is around $11 for 1 pound item, residential delivery at COST. Delivery to a business address is closer to $9 at the minimum. USPS is cheaper but only useful for very inexpensive items as those idiots will just leave it anywhere and SAY they delivered it, leaving the shipper with no way to get reimbursed for the items never received by the buyer.
As bad as the UPS delivery guys are, the US Postal Service seem to only hire the mentally handicapped that are completely incapable of basic functionality. I've heard so many horror stories from customers. I've personally argued with USPS delivery people insisting that they had to deliver a package with MY address on it to the business next door. I've been forced to physically threaten the staggeringly stupid carriers in order to actually receive packages addressed to my business.
$6 for delivery sounds better than $11-13 as long as the item is not critical and is worth no more than $20-30.
[OP]
Contributor
It wasn't a lower price than expected; it was the same price as all the other vendors (full retail) but excessive shipping fees.
Contributor
For what it's worth, our USPS mail carrier is first rate.
Contributor
Well, you definitely don't want to shop there!
Member
Some places get crazy with shipping cost. I like places that offer free shipping, free shipping with $$$$ order or just a flat rate.
I hate places that don't give shipping cost "Will be added to your bill when shipped" or make you go through the checkout process with name, address etc.... before you see shipping cost. 100% they lose a sale from me.
For router bits, I like to use MLCS woodworking. Free shipping if you need just one bit. I have had good service with their router bits.
"Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
- Rick Dale
Contributor
I have to agree with Jay - my USPS carrier is a woodworker and carefully hand delivers all my packages to the door unless they are really small packages. He is especially careful when he knows I have exotic wood or tonewood coming in for guitars. Of course, that also means he wants to know everything about what I'm doing in the shop, what did that piece of wood look like that he brought me yesterday, what am I going to do with it, how will I cut it, etc. - but the key is he does a great job.
David
CurlyWoodShop on Etsy, David Falkner on YouTube, difalkner on Instagram
Member
Guess you missed the $74 Prime deal two or three weeks ago. Maybe they will offer it again?
I use to order a lot from Amazon till they went from $25 to $35 for free shipping. Seemed I could always tack on something to reach the $25 order but at $35 I was buying stuff I did not need. ( I do not have Prime)
"Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
- Rick Dale
Member
I'm confused. When did "need" ever enter into a purchase? I buy because I "want" it, and therefore I never have issues with the new minimum at Amazon being $35. (I've got the laptop at an angle in the unlikely event my wife looks over from TV viewing and reads my response.)
Member
+ a cpl on the guys with good USPS service.Ours is just a small local post office where we have a po bx.They bend over backwards for us.
But I hear what the OP is saying,overcharges on shipping would seem to me to be a business buster for them?I was under the impression businesses had contracts with UPS based on so many estimated pkgs of some targeted weight....or some such?Which kept their prices much lower than what an individual pays?
Contributor
+1. When I use USPS to ship they have done a good job at a reasonable price. UPS does a good job for me too. But those yellow and red trucks - I avoid like the plague.
Member
Interesting that some people are having good experience with USPS. I'm glad to hear it. Perhaps SoCal gets all the ones that couldn't make it elsewhere.
That doesn't solve the problem where their system allows a USPS box to be left in an area where theft is almost guaranteed. Their insurance will not pay to replace an item if the carrier says he delivered it, which can be leaving it in front of the door of a closed business with lots of other traffic in the area. Also their delivery tracking system sometimes will show a package as delivered, when it is not. They say on their tracking website and in person that the package can be delivered up to two days after it shows delivered!
Sounds like each person should decide what works for their delivery address.
Contributor
I sure did! Nobody told me! Pretty dumb on their part because I was a Prime member for 3 years. If they had emailed a "We want you back" offer like that I would have taken it.
I don't care about any of the other Prime offerings besides the shipping. I'll bet that's the case with most people.
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