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12-11-2008, 10:59 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 304
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Free Shipping
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Why aren't any of the home brew supplys offering free shipping?
They should jump on the band wagon this holiday season like other retailers.
I really dont need a free t-shirt or bottle opener.
Can there margins be so small that they can't give us faithful customers a break! Sorry for the early morning rant. Merry Christmas
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12-11-2008, 12:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,657
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1. Morebeer does
2. You aren't ordering $20 shirts that weight an ounce. You are buying cheap heavy stuff. Shipping is a bigger deal for them than The Gap.
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12-11-2008, 12:13 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 1,287
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kegconnection.com is offering free shipping on orders over $100. Unfortunately, I don't have the cash to take advantage of it 
__________________
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2003!!! Whoop!
Quote:
Now, Harry you must know all about Muggles, tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?
- Arthur Weasley
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12-11-2008, 12:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 304
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Moorebeer has free shipping on some items over $59.00. What if you want something small a hydrometer/fittings ect how about free shipping under $59.00.
It is Christmas after all.
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12-11-2008, 12:39 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Hanover, PA
Posts: 5,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hammer one
Moorebeer has free shipping on some items over $59.00. What if you want something small a hydrometer/fittings ect how about free shipping under $59.00.
It is Christmas after all.
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If I need small items like those that you listed, I hit up my LHBS or wait to piggyback those items onto a larger order. |
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12-11-2008, 01:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 304
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You guy's are missing the point. Its Christmas. I'm not looking for free shipping 24-7 365 just a little Christmas gift to all those who support the business via the internet. Isn't it better to make a small profit for a short time and gain loyal customers than to say were not making our 40 to 80% mark up so screwdge you.
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12-11-2008, 01:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Hanover, PA
Posts: 5,687
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hammer one
You guy's are missing the point. Its Christmas. I'm not looking for free shipping 24-7 365 just a little Christmas gift to all those who support the business via the internet. Isn't it better to make a small profit for a short time and gain loyal customers than to say were not making our 40 to 80% mark up so screwdge you.
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I understand your reasoning, but we're not talking big national retailers here who are trying to maximize profits and increase consumer spending in an economy that's in the crapper right now. Do you really think a 40- 80% markup is accurate?
Sure, I wouldn't mind a holiday gift of free shipping, but the lack of one from the online homebrew suppliers that I support isn't going to sour me on their business. Hell, the $6.99 flat rate is probably comparable to what I'd spend in gas driving to the two LHBS that I patronize from time to time. |
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12-11-2008, 02:31 PM
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#8
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Vendor
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,737
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To weigh in from a HBS side of the discussion, free shipping on orders is difficult to do for most stores. The items that are shipped tend to be heavy which does not help, and the overall volume of sales is a huge factor.
A simple example:
Buy a sack of grain for $50 (20% profit) = $10 profit less $20 shipping = -$10
Buy a sack of grain for $50 (30% profit) = $15 profit less $20 shipping = -$5
Buy a sack of grain for $50 (40% profit) = $20 profit less $20 shipping = $0
Buy a sack of grain for $50 (50% profit) = $25 profit less $20 shipping = $5
Buy a sack of grain for $50 (80% profit) = $40 profit less $20 shipping = $20
80% profit is very high estimate, and even with that, $20 per sale needs to cover all other expenses. You have to sell a lot to make it even a little bit worth it.
We offer $6.99 flat shipping because that is the smallest amount we can charge to help offset the average shipping cost. It does not sound like a lot, but it makes a huge difference in being able to keep prices low.
Ed
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12-11-2008, 03:06 PM
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#9
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Pissing in Post Toasties
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Shady Shores, TX
Posts: 9,521
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Lets face it - free shipping is, for the most part, a gimmick. You don't get free shipping, you only get products with the shipping cost worked into their cost.
Homebrew stores, online and local, are there for one purpose - to make money! If they aren't making a good profit, they wont last. Even with shipping, many online stores are cheaper than your local store when you have an order big enough that it's worth their time to deal with it.
Do you really think that a HBS is going to make money with free shipping on a $10 hydrometer, $3 shipping, $1 box, and $1 to the employee that picks and packs the hydrometer? With larger orders all those costs are spread out over more items - thus the somewhat common free shipping after $XXX
All that to say - support your LHBS when you can (you'll avoid shipping...), get your large orders online if it makes financial sense. And pay shipping.
__________________
If I have to bend over to start the job, so does she. - JohnnyO
Nothing to worry about, but really hard to get enough for a whole bowl of cereal. - bull8042
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12-11-2008, 03:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Local Mind Expander of Cleveland, OH
Posts: 1,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hammer one
It is Christmas after all.
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Not everyone celebrates Christmas ya know 
__________________
Brewer for Hoppin' Frog Brewery.
"I am not an alcoholic, I’m a drunk. An alcoholic means that I have a problem and when I drink all my problems go away."
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