The problem is that in one merchant builds the S & H costs into the price
and another doesn't, he's perceived as having the highest price. Some of
blame for this goes to all new and easy methods of advertising. The minute
one merchant does not include S & H in the price, most are forced to do so.
It would sure be easier for all of us if it was as you suggest though!
73
Carl
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Shohet" <kq2m@mags.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 7:11 PM
Subject: [Towertalk] Buying nuts and bolts - Rationalized gouging
> Whatever happened to the concept that you build your "costs" into the
price?
>
> Do Doctors bill for postage, handling, etc? NO!
>
> Do Life Insurance companies bill for telephone calls, medical tests,
medical
> underwriting, postage, etc? NO!
>
> Do consultants bill a "handling" cost? NO!
>
> Do supermarkets bill a "handling" charge for their food? NO!
>
> Billing for actual shipping costs is one thing, but billing for "handling"
> is pure crap! EVERY business and business operator has time costs and
other
> fixed costs - that is part of being in business. If you can't build those
> costs into your price per item, then the "market" is telling you
something -
> namely that there is not enough demand for your product to justify the
> price! Either EAT THE COST or get out of the business! Don't make
excuses
> to rationalize an additional charge!
>
> Years ago, EVERYONE built these costs (except for shipping) into their
price
> , and generally the service was much better. This handling nonsense has
> just become another profit center and another way to gouge.
>
> If you can't make money selling $0.25 parts for $6.00, then get out of the
> business. Charging an extra $6.25 for handling is pure robbery!
>
> > I implement ERP systems, and I can tell you that Steve is on the money.
> > There's the order taking, order processing, pick list generation,
picking,
> > packing, loading, shipping, documents, etc. NONE of it IS FREE.
>
> Every business and professional consultant has to deal with the same
issues
> and many others. That is part of being a businessman. No one is holding
a
> gun to anyone's head to hawk their wares or services. That is a matter of
> choice.
>
> That is why the S & H for a small order is a larger percentage than S & H
> for a
> > large order. The amount paper work remains about the same for one bolt
as
> > it does for 100 items.
>
> Paperwork is part of the job - without the paperwork there is no bolt to
be
> sold. This is not justification for "handling". This is just another
lame
> excuse to pad the order total.
>
> Bob KQ2M
>
>
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