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the biggest unknown right now is future of shipping costs - there’s big upward pressure from FedEx and UPS to drive prices up now that they have more leverage a

by xoxoy 6y ago

the biggest unknown right now is future of shipping costs - there’s big upward pressure from FedEx and UPS to drive prices up now that they have more leverage and had been inundated with shipments during the height of the lockdown - both have already said they would raise rates for large and bulky shippers for holidays. it’s pretty apparent that a lot of retailers just hide the cost of shipping in jacked up prices and still claim free shipping. unclear how long that can last before more consumers catch on - I certainly feel like online shopping outside of thing sold and shipped directly from large retailers are highly inflated because of this.

hellweaver666 6y ago
As a consumer I can't decide if I would rather see cheaper product prices but have to see shipping separate or pay a little more and not have to think about the cost of shipping. It doesn't help that a lot of people that do separate shipping also bump up their shipping costs too, making a little profit on that as well.
conjectures 6y ago
> unclear how long that can last before more consumers catch on I'd rather have it that way round than get to the checkout and find 'O yea and there's £5.99 delivery charge as well'.
- xoxoy 6y ago
  you’d rather buy something for $100 with free shipping vs $80 and $10 shipping? that’s my point - it’s a psychological game that retailers exploit. it’s the same thing as listing something as $150 and having it on “sale” for $100 because it psychologically feels like you’re getting a great deal even if the retail price was always just $100.
dalbasal 6y ago
Shipping costs are a cost. It's not underhanded to include shipping in the cost of a product. Shelf space, refrigeration, etc are also a cost. They're included in the prices of regular stores. IMO it's mostly a UI thing. Free or flat rate shipping is easier to communicate to users at the operative time. The alternatives are too complicated.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- stevewodil 6y ago
  Additionally shipping is a separate service. If the product price includes margin for shipping, that's great for me when I return the item and get the full price refunded. Otherwise once you pay separately for shipping and the item is delivered it's uncommon to refund any shipping costs if you return the item
darksaints 6y ago
> unclear how long that can last before more consumers catch on I have never been under the impression that consumers don't know that shipping costs are bundled in with prices. They may think their prime fees cover shipping costs (they don't), but there isn't some long running retail conspiracy trying to scam people into thinking something is cheaper if it says free shipping. Free shipping has a lot more to do with price transparency. Because it is a lot more frustrating to put something in your cart thinking it is $5 and then checking out and it saying $15. This is the same complaint that Europeans have when visiting the US and not knowing what something will cost because we don't include sales tax in the price.
- xoxoy 6y ago
  I’m saying people would “think” they are getting a better deal if they saw something for $100 and free shipping vs $90 and $5 in shipping.

by xoxoy 6y ago

hellweaver666 6y ago

As a consumer I can't decide if I would rather see cheaper product prices but have to see shipping separate or pay a little more and not have to think about the cost of shipping. It doesn't help that a lot of people that do separate shipping also bump up their shipping costs too, making a little profit on that as well.

conjectures 6y ago

> unclear how long that can last before more consumers catch on I'd rather have it that way round than get to the checkout and find 'O yea and there's £5.99 delivery charge as well'.

xoxoy 6y ago
you’d rather buy something for $100 with free shipping vs $80 and $10 shipping? that’s my point - it’s a psychological game that retailers exploit. it’s the same thing as listing something as $150 and having it on “sale” for $100 because it psychologically feels like you’re getting a great deal even if the retail price was always just $100.

dalbasal 6y ago

Shipping costs are a cost. It's not underhanded to include shipping in the cost of a product. Shelf space, refrigeration, etc are also a cost. They're included in the prices of regular stores. IMO it's mostly a UI thing. Free or flat rate shipping is easier to communicate to users at the operative time. The alternatives are too complicated.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
stevewodil 6y ago
Additionally shipping is a separate service. If the product price includes margin for shipping, that's great for me when I return the item and get the full price refunded. Otherwise once you pay separately for shipping and the item is delivered it's uncommon to refund any shipping costs if you return the item

darksaints 6y ago

> unclear how long that can last before more consumers catch on I have never been under the impression that consumers don't know that shipping costs are bundled in with prices. They may think their prime fees cover shipping costs (they don't), but there isn't some long running retail conspiracy trying to scam people into thinking something is cheaper if it says free shipping. Free shipping has a lot more to do with price transparency. Because it is a lot more frustrating to put something in your cart thinking it is $5 and then checking out and it saying $15. This is the same complaint that Europeans have when visiting the US and not knowing what something will cost because we don't include sales tax in the price.

xoxoy 6y ago
I’m saying people would “think” they are getting a better deal if they saw something for $100 and free shipping vs $90 and $5 in shipping.