New but wanted to add my 2 or 3 cents on a quick fix that seems good

[Former_Member]

Please forgive a sister if this has been posted before : )

My quick fix: adjusting my listing prices to include my shipping and handling costs, changing all my domestic shipping charges to $0.00 and then ADVERTISING that my Domestic shipping at my store is Always Free.

I played around with other options (such as pricing under a price point - ie. $4.96 rather than $5.00) and having low item prices and adjusting my shipping and handling charges to even the score. (Not outrageous mind you, just like an added dollar or two to my rock bottom shipping charges.)

But on reconsideration, I thought doing it this way would "clean up" the store. And looking at it from a customer's standpoint - the number they see is the number they pay. No surprises.

Thanks for a wonderful team and all my best wishess for success to my fellow Etsy-ers : )

-Debs

[Former_Member]

welcome and good luck!

if you don't mind me adding - the only downside to that is that you will pay etsy fees on your shipping, which you don't when you separate them off.

Also - as an international etsian, I look at "free domestic" and know it's not me.

[Former_Member]

I recently did the same thing :D Hopefully it works..good luck to you!

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Good luck Debs. I did the same thing in March. My customers have been very vocal about liking the new system. It has been good for my business. I hope it works for you as well.

[DarkRide]

(Heather, your meercats are just too cute!)

I've always included shipping with purchases in Canada and US. For my overseas customers, I have a set amount that reflects the average cost of an overseas package minus the average cost of things shipped to Canada or the US.
I'm not sure if it has impacted on buyer's choices at all, but at least I know that if I mess up on shipping prices, I'm the only one who 'pays'.

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Good point , Caroline. When I used to charge for shipping a number of times
I had to rebate. I felt sort of foolish and unprofessional.

[Former_Member]

Caroline from DarkRide says
For my overseas customers, I have a set amount that reflects the average cost of an overseas package minus the average cost of things shipped to Canada or the US.

+++++++

now *that* I like! I remember once seeing a "free to US" shop (not on this thread I rapidly add!!) which had VERY expensive overseas shipping. I just felt like us international peeps were just around to subsidise her local buyers.

[Former_Member]

Isn't that lying to the customer though, if they are still paying for the shipping because you have hidden it in the cost of the item?

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Hi Porsha-no I don't think so. You present an item and say this is what I want for it. The customer responds by buying it or not. No deceit there

[DarkRide]

Lying? How so?! I say it is included with purchase, just like the cost of my supplies are. There are no 'hidden' costs. The price listed is the price.
Frankly, when someone uses the big L word around the issue of free or included shipping, I usually think, they can't/won't do this themselves (because perhaps it wouldn't make sense for their shop), so they disparage another shop for doing what works for them.
Lying. Jeesh.

[FenderGemsNCrystals]

Well Caroline, I like your style and your shop. Kudos on telling like it is.

[DarkRide]

Thank you, Maryanne, on both counts. Really, though, I tell only how it is for me, because that's all I can know.

[lippybrand]

I charge a resonable shipping charge on everything, BUT all additional items ship free because its so easy for me to package them together and they are not heavy. Its an incentive for people to order multiple things at once.