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The shipping is the deal breaker.

DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
edited June 2022 in General Discussion
Shipping costs have gotten so high the past few years that it makes mail order or Internet buying too costly on many items.

Needed something. Looked at a big online seller. Item priced at $11.50. But shipping was $8 making total cost $19.50. Local store had item for $15. Even with tax still $2 less than Internet purchase. And I didn't have to wait 10 days to have it in my hands.

Really bad situation with "HazMat" items. Wow.
....................................................................................................
Too old to live...too young to die...

Comments

  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The other part of the equation is how much time/fuel would you spend to buy local?
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,003 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/737879496

    $10.00 to ship that?



    Its a flat rate bubble envelope.....it cost $9 to ship this thing to where it went in a flat rate bubble envelope......https://www.GunBroker.com/item/733488128

    I would say something harsh about people making comments about something they know NOTHING about....but I think I've made my point.
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
  • jltrentjltrent Member Posts: 9,334 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Shipping costs are to high. I shipped several items recently and if shipping was out of my 2 day delivery zone cost was way to much.
  • sxsnufsxsnuf Member Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    LF,
    Looks to me like you've made DOC's point!
    Shipping is too expensive.
    You seem to have turned this into a "sellers are gouging us on shipping" thread.
    Don't be so sensitive.

    BTW: When the buyer is paying $10 to recive a lil' bubble wrap package, kinda hard to claim THEY don't know anything about the ridiculously high cost of shipping.
    Arrivederci gigi
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,003 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by sxsnuf
    LF,
    Looks to me like you've made DOC's point!
    Shipping is too expensive.
    You seem to have turned this into a "sellers are gouging us on shipping" thread.
    Don't be so sensitive.

    BTW: When the buyer is paying $10 to recive a lil' bubble wrap package, kinda hard to claim THEY don't know anything about the ridiculously high cost of shipping.





    I think people are naive about how things work for everyday people who have to ship things......its not like buying from Amazon or some huge outfit that ships nonsense all over the place for pennies. It actually costs money to ship an item....even a CHEAP crappy item costs something to ship. I am sure someone will come along and say something about not using flat rate and shipping something using ground rates and not priority....but everyday people don't have time to put in to deal with that.

    I agree....shipping costs are too HIGH compared to what they should be. I think they actually raise the rates on ordinary packages to cover the "killer deals" they give to outfits like Amazon.
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The most recent handgun I purchased they charged $35 to ship it ground from OH to VA(FFL to FFL). I assume it is because they sell their guns way below what others are asking on GB for the same item. It still irked me though.
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We small time shippers are paying make up costs of cheap Amazon and other web based giants.

    It would be cool if GB Holdings Inc. could negotiate a good price with UPS/FEDEX where shipping labels could be printed by the seller right from the auction side.
  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    I see so many items that could be slipped into a regular padded envelope or box and shipped far cheaper than a flat rate envelope or box. It only takes sevonds to compare prices.

    Speaking of big company shipping, it seems that we are paying for is shipping an item in a box 100 times larger than needednee
  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,923 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It?s pretty easy to calculate shipping into the total cost of what your willing to pay for an item.
  • wpageabcwpageabc Member Posts: 8,760 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Weighing in all the factors in purchasing is part of the process...

    Including wether or not you can wait....
    "What is truth?'
  • Ricci WrightRicci Wright Member Posts: 8,259 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This subject seems to come up a lot here. I figured my average cost to ship a gun a year or so ago and I think it was $31.00. That is just shipping not materials. I could save money by not insuring everything or requiring an adult sign for the package as they charge extra for these things but I think they are important. I go through a lot of packing tape and bubble wrap none of which shows up for free. I also don't have any guns wrap themselves or jump into boxes. All this takes time and that is my most important commodity,I only get so much you know. I charge $30.00 shipping and UPS just sent me notice of a rate hike. I lose money on shipping but I want to keep the rate as low as possible. I know it sucks having to pay the shipping but I don't know what to do about it.
  • hobo9650hobo9650 Member Posts: 2,759 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I seldom pay shipping on anything, gun related.

    I buy almost everything from one FFL, drive 45 minutes to her house, pick up items, get a hug, say hello to Shelby. return home.[:D] Thanks Kasey.
  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thats why you don't buy things off the internet........... not only shipping but with guns add $25 or more for ffl transfer and you have $50-75 more in gun than face to face...
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,003 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/737879496

    $10.00 to ship that?



    Its a flat rate bubble envelope.....it cost $9 to ship this thing to where it went in a flat rate bubble envelope......https://www.GunBroker.com/item/733488128

    I would say something harsh about people making comments about something they know NOTHING about....but I think I've made my point.
    https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm



    We make our labels on the USPS website....we put the customers email address in and even get an "on line" discount and as I said before.....the item that I showed cost us a little over $9 in a bubble wrap flat rate envelope. You can pull up whatever info you wish....but unless you actually USE the system you have no idea what the TRUE shipping costs are. Plus.....as Ricci mentions "these things don't just wrap themselves up and jump into the boxes."

    I think most sellers that do this regularly have figured out an average that it actually costs and list all their items around what they think the average item actually costs to ship.
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,009 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/737879496

    $10.00 to ship that?



    Its a flat rate bubble envelope.....it cost $9 to ship this thing to where it went in a flat rate bubble envelope......https://www.GunBroker.com/item/733488128

    I would say something harsh about people making comments about something they know NOTHING about....but I think I've made my point.
    https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm



    We make our labels on the USPS website....we put the customers email address in and even get an "on line" discount and as I said before.....the item that I showed cost us a little over $9 in a bubble wrap flat rate envelope. You can pull up whatever info you wish....but unless you actually USE the system you have no idea what the TRUE shipping costs are. Plus.....as Ricci mentions "these things don't just wrap themselves up and jump into the boxes."

    I think most sellers that do this regularly have figured out an average that it actually costs and list all their items around what they think the average item actually costs to ship.


    Agree 100% Kasey. Some people who are in the middle of the Country are able to ship most stuff for under $30-35 bucks. I'm stuck in Oregon and if I have to ship something big to the other side it costs me good $$. I still think that posting a fixed shipping cost is better than the "estimated cost". You win some and you lose some..I just shipped a 410 Citori from Oregon to Kentucky insured for $2K and it was just a few pennies short of $80. And of course Fedex busted the whole thing up and I'm now filing a claim...[B)] Yea, shipping things really sucks. As you said, for those who don't do it, if you don't like the shipping costs don't bid[}:)]
  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,830 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are paying $9 to ship flat rate bubble envelopes, you are getting *screwed* bigly!

    They cost less than $7 to ship via USPS. That is mainly what I use to ship anything small and is over 2 lbs.

    Merc

    PS-I do know what I'm talking about. [:D] I paid USPS about $60k in postage last year.




    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/737879496

    $10.00 to ship that?



    Its a flat rate bubble envelope.....it cost $9 to ship this thing to where it went in a flat rate bubble envelope......https://www.GunBroker.com/item/733488128

    I would say something harsh about people making comments about something they know NOTHING about....but I think I've made my point.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,510 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by hobo9650
    I seldom pay shipping on anything, gun related.

    I buy almost everything from one FFL, drive 45 minutes to her house, pick up items, get a hug, say hello to Shelby. return home.[:D] Thanks Kasey.


    The Gas would kill me. 18 hours away, but it would be worth it, just to meet Kasey[^]
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    just bought two tractor tires off i-net from Iowa...name brand and 8ply over local 6ply...60% of local price and free shipping ...plus recieved in my driveway by fedex in 3 days..they were paid on the spot and shipped within 3 hours of my purchase..that's the way it is supposed to work
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    The most recent handgun I purchased they charged $35 to ship it ground from OH to VA(FFL to FFL). I assume it is because they sell their guns way below what others are asking on GB for the same item. It still irked me though.



    Run over to Brown and ask what it will cost you to send a handgun. Last one I sent ran $80. Blame the shipping company, not the shipper.

    Yeah I think shipping is high, but my time is not free, either, I am with Alpine, I could buy locally, but I would rather be on here buying guns, things I cannot find locally.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oakie smacked the tack. Any time you want to gritch about shipping, just jump in your car and go get the thing instead. Oh, wait. It's coming from 1,500 miles away? Huh. Ten bucks sounds kinda cheap now, doesn't it?
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,003 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    If you are paying $9 to ship flat rate bubble envelopes, you are getting *screwed* bigly!

    They cost less than $7 to ship via USPS. That is mainly what I use to ship anything small and is over 2 lbs.

    Merc

    PS-I do know what I'm talking about. [:D] I paid USPS about $60k in postage last year.




    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    quote:Originally posted by austin20
    https://www.GunBroker.com/item/737879496

    $10.00 to ship that?



    Its a flat rate bubble envelope.....it cost $9 to ship this thing to where it went in a flat rate bubble envelope......https://www.GunBroker.com/item/733488128

    I would say something harsh about people making comments about something they know NOTHING about....but I think I've made my point.




    Maybe its added insurance?? I don't make the labels....I just see the totals on the labels as I'm packing up the shipping. Since I'm the one that does the auctions I try to look at how much is on the shipping labels just to keep a general idea of what things are costing to ship. When I see $9 on a label that I'm slapping on a bubble wrap envelope.....everything that I listed from that day forward got $10 entered as the shipping cost that might be shipping in a bubble envelope.

    We paid a little over $50K to the US Postal Service last year.
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,003 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Oakie
    quote:Originally posted by hobo9650
    I seldom pay shipping on anything, gun related.

    I buy almost everything from one FFL, drive 45 minutes to her house, pick up items, get a hug, say hello to Shelby. return home.[:D] Thanks Kasey.


    The Gas would kill me. 18 hours away, but it would be worth it, just to meet Kasey[^]



    I wish you would!!! I'd LOVE to meet you.
    LOCUST FORK CURRENT AUCTIONS: https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=618902&PageSize=48 Listings added every Thursday! We do consignments, contact us at mckaygunsales@gmail.com
  • rob223rob223 Member Posts: 2,358 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Large items may well be worth the shipping cost for a single item. Where it becomes difficult, is where you have a seller with a single item, or only one item that is of interest to you. The shipping than sometimes out weighs the overall cost of said item. Especially ammo where is must be sent UPS or Fed Ex ground. I've ran into that several times where you find something of interest, but the cost isn't practical, or they refuse to combine s/h to help reduce overall shipping cost on multiple items.
  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    one example, went on midway to look for depriming rod for lyman die. I think the price was $4.79-499. shipping was $4.99. we are talking about a small threaded rod 4 inches long and about the size of pencil lead. It was worth $5 to me but not $10. I swapped one out of another old die I had and will keep a lookout locally and at the local shows, a lot of times you can buy whole used dieset for less $10.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One thing that irritates me know end is how the USPS seems to be going in the direction of all flat rate shipping boxes. You can go on their website and get all kinds of free shipping supplies including boxes. The problem is finding USPS boxes that are not flat rate. I ship a few items a week and I have to keep a good supply of different sized unmarked boxes, which take up space that I don't really have.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can get all kinds and sizes of free USPS boxes for Priority Mail that are not flat rate. The problem is that when you use their Priority Mail list of boxes, there aren't options for lots of them. I still have a dozen or so each of single and double VHS shipping boxes, for example. My books fit them exactly and it would be convenient to use them - but just try to find them in the Click and Ship list.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • Hennecy2005Hennecy2005 Member Posts: 1

    The seller posted 3 items and wanted me to pay the shipping for all 3 items posted. And when asked about combine shipping? He got heated, and started arguing with me about his past history of purchase on gunbroker. But paying $65.00 for 4 boxes of ammo is gouging no matter how look at it.

  • mac10mac10 Member Posts: 2,701 ✭✭✭✭

    i have allways combined shipping where i can most do not even say thanks but o well

  • BrookwoodBrookwood Member, Moderator Posts: 13,734 ******

    Hennecy2005, I ask that you start a new thread pertaining to this subject instead of digging up old outdated material that is no longer relevant to the costs of shipping today.


    This thread is closed

This discussion has been closed.