vendor with fair shipping policy needed

[frankjay02]

hello all,

Does anyone know of any vendors who may charge actual weight for small light orders. I bought some bits and small sanding drums and spent about $60 from a vendor that is highly touted here.It weighed 4.5 ounces ,actual postage of 2.24. I paid 7.99 shipping and HANDLING. I should have read the shipping charges more closely that is my fault. He said it was their flat rate policy.

Maybe this doesn't fit under this forum. If not, just delete it, sorry in advance if it is.
..thanks
Frank in NJ
I will not mention vendor here. If anyone wants to know you can PM me.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

www.thewoodcraftshop.com they charge actual shipping plus a dollar to cover the package. I have ordered one knife and paid only about $2.00 for S&H, good people, quick delivery.

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Another good one is The Carving Glove Guy, only bought from him once it was one Dockyard knife, he did not charge or very little S&H.

This one does not stock everything but it says free shipping - http://www.woodakoodashooda.com/id24.html

Dave

[FishMan]

What would you consider to be a fair handling cost?

Maybe the vendor had to buy a package, send someone to the post office for a stamp, pay someone to fill your order from inventory then put it into the package, drive the package to the post office, and if you paid by credit card maybe they also had to pay the credit card company.

You don't mention the vendor but maybe they also had to pay salary and benefits to the employee who did all this to get your order to you.

In my humble opinion $5.75 ($7.99 - $2.24) to do all that does not seem unreasonable. But surely there are vendors with better S&H rates. Hopefully we'll hear about them here.

[Mitchell]

^good point about the 'real' costs of shipping. Many companies may have to add those costs because they don't have any way to recapture those expenses otherwise. Not saying that those were justified, just helping explain why some companies charge as they do.

[aulddiy]

Whhhooo I got a bee in my bonnet about handling charges. To collect a tax of £3.50 the Royal mail charged be £9.45. The sender in the Us had already charged me $13.75 for postage. I'm not a happy sailor on the charge Royal mail made. THe two vendors already mentioned charge at cost, well they have for my orders.

[mobjack68]

Hey Frank.....I refer to the dilemma as "CDB"....cost (of ) doing business.
I live in NowheresVille. Entering and leaving town signs are on the same post. I have tinkered with materials..(all families and sorts) and tools most of my life. The internet has been the greatest thing for me and my interest in things ..weird...AND OBTAINABLE....postage and handling NOT INCLUDED in purchase price.

Most sites I see that have things for sale are selling at a lower price than a retail outlet...reduced overhead, sorry. Some folks gouge because they can, others because they have to. If you cannot get what you need/want locally, well there you are. If you can buy local and choose to buy and ship?? justify it however you have to.

I have been suckered in with ebay sellers and outrageous shipping.....It really is caveat emptor. The real question I feel the need to ask.....have you ever gotten a really good deal in spite of s+h??? Does it all even out somehow?? And that my friend, is how I sleep at night!!!

[brian-bailey]

I have found when placing small orders on-line that it is best to call or e-mail customer service when placing your order and they will adjust the shipping charge from their standard on-line rate.

[frankjay02]

Thanks for all the replies. If my post was read it started out..."Does anyone know of any vendors who may charge actual weight for small light orders.""

Someone or two mentioned COB. Sure cost of doing business needs to be added in..that is what setting a price point is about and costs should be included in that price not using shipping as an income stream. I am not adverse to spending money, my camera bag and fly rods attest to that. I just hate being nickled and dimed. The blame falls on me..I should have asked more questions and gone elsewhere prior to buying. As far as I am concerned, my post has been answered.
The closest place I can buy carving tools is about an hour or so ride to Allentown Pa.. No one seems to sell them in NJ.
thanks again for all the help and no more answers are required by me.
Frank

[DiamondWillow]

I think someone mentioned www.thewoodcraftshop.com at Bettendorf, Iowa there cost of shipping is very, very reasonable. They run a business there also and feel they don't have to charge an arm and a leg to ship you something. I have ordered a good number of things from them and have always been very happy with their shipping charges.

Gene