I know the customer pays for shipping - hell, the customer pays for *everything* - but to think it costs the vendor nothing is incorrect. If the S&H were a line item like everything else it would be easier to define and control - whenever a vendor offers "Free" shipping, it's true to say the customer pays, but the vendor also must "pay" a part. Actually to say the vendor pays is not accurate - actually it comes from his profit area. Also, with the internet it's possible to check prices cross a wide range of vendors - even though the parts are nopt comparable - so you might get a quote on a widget amplifier for $200 from Rusty and another quote for the same part name for $75. But you have no way of knowing that Rustys parts are made in Germany (likely by a Turk working on a production line ;-) and the other vendor is buying his parts from China made by who knows. So, while it looks like you are doing comparison shopping you are only going half way. There's no way of knowing the true quality until the parts is installed and works or doesn't work. If it works, fine - at least for a while, if not, I would bet Rusty is easier to deal with that some other people - especially eBayers who disappear frequently.
So, while it says Free Shipping it is built into the price - which the customer pays but the vendor *has* to make money or he won't be around very long. Hopefully, the pricing is something like this - cost of part - $60, overhead (advertising, office space, phone, etc) $10, free shipping $5, profit $25 - total $100. If the S&H increases as it does frequently the shipping cost might go to $10 and profit will go down to $20. Total price stays the same. Same thing happens when the rent or insurance goes up - profit goes down or price goes up. And with those websites featuring Chinese & other parts offering split second pricing, it can be difficult for Rusty to raise his price everytime UPS raises theirs - also, Rusty matches other internet prices putting more pressure on him to keep prices down. Basic business stuff. If any of you ever want to open or run your own business you need to understand the basics. Otherwise the doors close pretty fast. Take care -- Larry T (66 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rusty Cullens" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:03 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT Free Shipping? > We only offer "free" shipping because my %%$$##@@ competitors do. Before > there were 42,976 other people doing this we charged shipping on all > orders. > I wish we still did, we spend an enormous amount on shipping. > > Rusty Cullens > BuyMBparts, Inc. > Tel 1-800-741-5252 > Fax 770-454-9745 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Chuck Landenberger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:42 AM > Subject: [MBZ] OT Free Shipping? > > >> Tom, >> >> You are right on target! Remember TANSTAAFL? >> >> "Free" is one of the most overused terms in all advertising! The >> more appropriate statement would be "Orders over $99 shipped at no >> direct charge to you." We all should know that those $'s are >> somewhere in the "cost of doing business" and incorporated into "mark >> up". >> >> Personally, I would rather just pay the product price plus the going >> UPS/USPS/FedEx shipping cost. >> >> As a business owner, I certainly would want to know how much my "free >> shipping" costs are (% of total $'s of orders over $99) and spread >> that cost when pricing my products. >> >> One more thought - Actual shipping costs are based on weight and >> volume (size of box). Why is "free" shipping based on order amount? >> Just an inquiring mind! >> >> Take care, >> >> Chuck >> Phoenix AZ >> On Feb 12, 2008, at 8:53 AM, Tom Hargrave wrote: >> >>> There is no such thing as "free shipping". Regardless of the business, >>> shipping is paid by the customer or it is absorbed by the seller and >>> paid for indirectly by the customer. >>> >>> Thanks, Tom >>> 256-656-1924 >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > > > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
