Ups / Fedex Shipping Rates Increasing In January

fuel wasn't dropping when this was first announced which was about a month ago. i think i read at the time they were increasing overnight and ground services. interesting they are doing it by size though. i guess amazon is killing them with odd shaped, oversized boxes, that are often less than a pound but take up the same space as a large tv. we once ordered 2 10speed sized tired. and they came in 2 boxes that could have held a complete bicycle.

for us of course that probably means less sales. i think there are a number of people that were very excited to buy things only to add up the shipping. and after their hair turned white, they just backed out of the store and never came back.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

"...for us of course that probably means less sales...."


That's exactly what crossed my mind when I read the article. I'm sure there will be posts saying we've beat the shipping horse to death, but just thought I'd provide a heads-up through the article, as the rate increases do occur around the holiday period, even if it's after Christmas. I think lots of folks wait to purchase stuff after the holidays looking for deals/discounts.

Personally, I don't think the fuel prices will remain low either.

I imagine some folks are scared away by the S&H costs, but logically that makes no sense, at least on larger purchases, because buying from sites like FAA isn't exactly cheap. People who buy art, etc. on line should already know this. On the other hand, I bought my wife a birthday present through FAA and the S&H actually did almost make me go over what my Pay Pal budget was at the time. Then again, most of what we sell here can't easily be bought anywhere else. Not sure if the S&H costs *should* affect us that much. But, of course, someone will come behind me and tell me how wrong I am.

I guess I should post a disclaimer. I've posted the link to the article only for informational purposes. It is not intended to knock the practices/policies of FAA.

This is what makes free shipping imperative. Buyers will pay a higher price for the product, if free shipping is attached. I learned that back when I was doing all my own printing and shipping.

Free shipping is perceived value, not true value, but it's a fact that perception is reality -- especially when it comes to consumer spending.

people are shocked at shipping. i've had plenty of buyers who told me, they were ready to buy, and then saw the shipping was how much? and that was that. and that is true about the shipping - if the price was tacked onto the main picture and it said free shipping, they would gladly pay it and buy more. you'll see that on amazon all the time. i won't buy a $10 item with $10 shipping. but i may buy a $20 item with free shipping.

of course it becomes a gamble that way, free shipping near your house or across the world will vary and it may get confusing. i've had people who wanted 60" prints and others that wanted to sell out of their bar. they wanted me to send them work and they would sell it with a cut. and i told them i couldn't possibly afford that. he was excited to get a discount and i can only assume he checked the shipping and i have not heard back from him since.

decorators are used to getting in bulk and paying shipping, it shouldn't effect them too much. i think it will mostly effect large canvas and framed prints. things in tubes shouldn't be an issue.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com