Reloading supply that deosn't gouge on shipping?

[areaone]

I feel that in many cases the shipping is just another profit center in the scheme of the business plan. I really would like for someone to explain to me and the rest of us that incur HAZ MAT fees of $27.50 what exactly those fees represent in addl handling or processing to justify those fees. I see nor armed guards, explosion proof boxes or high security delivery service when I receive my shipment, and I can tell you without a doubt that those HAZ MAT packages are handled exactly the same as your Xmas gift that you ship to Grandma. I have received those with dented corners, sides and abused the same as any other package. After spending $$$$every year with Midway, I have quit them, the webpage is a pain in the ### and their prices are too high and shipping is out of hand---Thanks a lot Larry Potterfield . I a have been buying my reloading from a local that operates out of his home (in the country)-he wholesales from Grafs and then adds his markup, and his prices are very good even with sales tax when considering the Haz Mat and Shipping. A $350. powder order from Powder Valley is about $10.00 higher with the local, so that is where I go. I used to buy Mail Order, but have changed to local if necessary, Local big box, Gander Mt and Scheels are priced out of the market for me. Gander is $29.95 on 1# powder and $50.00 on 1k primers plus tax. No Thanks.

 

[CaptainMal]

Yesterday I bought my wife a Walther PK380 at a small, local shop. Last night she found extra clips for it on Cheaper than Dirt for $28.

ONE little clip costs $15 for shipping and handling from them. Seriously. What a joke!

I did not order spares yet as we are just heading out now to shoot it for the first time. When I do it won't be from them.

 

[amlevin]

I really would like for someone to explain to me and the rest of us that incur HAZ MAT fees of $27.50 what exactly those fees represent in addl handling or processing to justify those fees.

It's not what you see that causes the carrier to charge the extra fee. They are required by the "Fed's" to make sure the packages are "overpacked". They are also marked with the appropriate Hazmat label as per "classification number" and then there are additional restrictions the packages as they are handled.

From NFPA 495

Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants in quantities
not exceeding 100 lb. (45.4 kg) may be reclassed for transportation
purposes as flammable solids (Division 4.1) when packaged
in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation
Hazardous Materials Regulation (49 CFR, Part 173.171), and shall
be transported accordingly.
11-3.5 Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants exceeding
100 lb. (45.4 kg); or not packaged in accordance with the regulations
cited in 11-3.4 shall be transported in accordance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for Division 1.3C propellant
explosives.
11-3.6 Smokeless propellants shall be stored in shipping containers
approved by US Department of Transportation

The extra "Hazmat Fee" doesn't mean Security Guards, etc, just more paperwork and handling processes by UPS. That's where the money goes, not to the Shipper.

As for shipping being a "profit center", if you only knew how expensive those "Shipping Departments" are. Those boxes, plastic peanuts, or cute little "air pillows" aren't exactly free. T he people that put the stuff in the boxes don't work free either. You pay for all that in one form or another. Higher prices for S&H or higher prices for product.

When ordering powder and primers, it pays to "stock up". If you want to order a pound here and a box there, then be prepared to pay extra. My last order for powder and primers had an "effective" Hazmat fee of $0.50 per pound/box of powder/primers. Shipping worked out to about $1/lb. It took a hand truck for the driver to get the package to my door. 8)

 

[Jeff A]

I am a UPS shipper (not a shooting related business). I ship UPS because of dependability and tracking. The postal service to too tricky. My customers sometimes complain about the cost of shipping, but UPS sets the charges. I would have to subsidize my shipping to make it cheaper and I am in a low profit business. Some merchants (like myself) cant afford a new web site with multiple shipping options. So be it.

Having said all that, MidwayUSA is an all around great company to deal with. They have multiple shipping options as well.

 

[TheSnake]

Just to show shipping can be done cheaply, I am a Tech guy and I purchase stuff from Woot.com, one deal per day. They sell all kinds of stuff from very small items to 60" big screen TV's and shipping is 5 bucks on anything they sell. The kicker is that you can purchase up to 3 of any daily item for the same 5 bucks shipping. That's right, 3 60" big screen TV's for 5 bucks shipping. Now these guys know how to ship and they sell thousands of items each day and the items they sell are the lowest price available. If they can swing a great deal on shipping that averages out, so can all the other big guys.

 

[tenring]

As I stated last week, I ordered two 100 count boxes of .224 bullets from Midsouth totalling $38.90. They added $9.49 for "FEDEX freight". When I asked them to ship the bullets in a USPS priority small box, the CS rep said they use the cheapest shipping available, and the PO fee with insurance would be more than the charge she quoted me ($7.35). I did not want insurance, but she said it is required. I agreed to pay the FEDEX fee anyhow. Bullets arrived a few days ago. This morning, I put them in a PO Priority box with Midsouth address on it and took it to the PO. The weight was exactly 2.3 lbs. Total charge would have been $5.30 in that box. Midsouth actually charged me $9.49 or about 30% cost of the entire small order!! I used to trust Midsouth, but they obviously have changed their policy. I will be looking for another supplier.

 

[NoahbodyImportant]

I wanted a single round SLED for my M1 Garand. Fulton Armory has it for $11.00 and some change, but they want $10.00 to ship it.

No thank you.

 

[amlevin]

Remember folks, it's not only a "shipping charge", it's a "Shipping AND Handling" charge. They figure they can capture some of the cost of that minimum wage person that stuff's your order into the box, applies tape and label, then sets it on the pile for the shipper.

I used to do likewise before I retired. I'd just take all the shipping expenses from previous years, figure out an average shipping cost for small, medium, and large, orders, and then use a flat rate to add to the order based on it's size. At the end of the year, extra "S&H" revenue just went to profit. If a deficit, then S&H was raised for the next year. Only way you'll get around that as a consumer is to pay a higher price and then have the seller claim "Free Shipping". I't just a matter of what you end up bending over for.

 

[KEYBEAR]

On the other end i am amazed how cheap shipping can be . I ship a lot of Guns and shooting stuff .
With the price of gas I can ship a 10lb. package 700 plus miles for less the $20 bucks . A flat Rate box any place in the U.S. for $12.00 or less . I sent a Ponsness Warren Loader 48lb. to Georgia Fed-X 500 miles for $32.00 it was deliverd in two days .

 

[tenring]

Remember folks, it's not only a "shipping charge", it's a "Shipping AND Handling" charge. They figure they can capture some of the cost of that minimum wage person that stuff's your order into the box, applies tape and label, then sets it on the pile for the shipper."

===================================Employee wages should be factored into their profit margin, not charged to the consumer.

 

[Gundog64]

I understand the use of the word shipping, but have to take exception with the word "Handling". Try and tell me an owner of the business has all of his costs and overhaed figured to price his product accordingly, but has to add on for "handling". I call BS on that one. If this is true why don't they call it Shipping, Handling, Marketing, Advertising, Sales staff, Insurance, Building costs, etc.......... You get my drift.

 

[amlevin]

I understand the use of the word shipping, but have to take exception with the word "Handling". Try and tell me an owner of the business has all of his costs and overhaed figured to price his product accordingly, but has to add on for "handling". I call BS on that one. If this is true why don't they call it Shipping, Handling, Marketing, Advertising, Sales staff, Insurance, Building costs, etc.......... You get my drift.

I've been there, in the rooms where decisions to add charges like this are made.

It's all about being able to chase a "price point" on the product. The executives and managers know that most people will make a buying decision on the best price they see for same products. They often don't take into consideration all the added charges that get kind of hidden in the advertising.

If all people were astute about the "End Price", these TV Marketers would all go out of business. Ever notice the ads for Choppers, Pasta Cookers, and such, that always have "Order NOW and we'll double your order, just pay extra Shipping and handling. So here's how one of those works. Order the "Deal of the Day" for $19.95. Get your order "doubled at no charge" Shipping and handling is $9.95 for EACH item. Total cost to the Customer for two "Deals of the Day" would be $40 for two items that will eventually sell on the "As Seen on TV" shelf in your local Dept Store for $12.95 each, no shipping.

People get so focused on the "up front price" that they overlook what it will cost them in the end.

Businesses are free to charge anything they want, in any manner they want, to offset their costs of doing business. It's up to the Customer to be aware of all the "extras" added on to the bill and decide for themselves if they want to pay them.

Again, pay more and get free shipping and handling, or pay less, then get the charges added. Customer's Choice.

 

[TheSnake]

Another good marketing move is to offer free shipping on orders of $xxx.xx or more. Many, including myself, will add to the shopping cart until you get over that amount to save on shipping. In know it will cut into additional profits, but if the free shopping break even is 150.00, then make the free shipping mark at 175.00 to encourage the customer to spend more money. This only works if the prices are competitive but it does work.

But the best marketing strategy is simple; have what they want in stock when everyone else has empty shelves and they will pay shipping.