[Towertalk] Buying nuts and bolts - Rationalized gouging

[Carl - WC4H]

I did not want to add to this continuing thread but since it looks like it
won't end anyway, here it goes:

Most systems on the web cannot  calculate the handling charge until the
entire order is placed, unless it's a fixed charge per item.  If the charge
is based on weight, size, etc., it can not be calculated until the order is
complete.  I host a few web sites and I have tested at least 20 different
shopping cart systems, and this is how they function.  If they recalculated
the charge after every item you bought, then the complaint would be that it
was too slow and the question would be: "Why doesn't it just calculate the S
& H at then end? I know I have to pay it, so why waste my time."

Furthermore, if it's UPS, or USPS, there's no mystery since they have
published rates on their respective web sites.

Any consumer that has ordered anything over the web, by catalogue, or by
phone is aware of S & H !  If they are not, they are not paying attention.
Consumer beware and aware is not just a slogan.

As for disclosure, I always see some note that says "Plus S & H".  While it
may make for a point of discussion on a reflector, the truth of the matter
is that every ham that has ever ordered anything for delivery is aware if
there will be an S&H charge, how much it will be, and the effect to TOTAL
price.

The same Hams (me included) that moan and groan about paying too much for
shipping are the very same ones that would be up in arms if the price was
higher because the shipping costs where included.  We can't have it BOTH
WAYS!

My approach is like this:
If it's a MAJOR item like a Radio, Tower, etc.,  where shipping can get
costly when coupled with the insurance, I shop for the best TOTAL PRICE..
That is, price + taxes + plus S&H + insurance.

If it is something like a bolt, I shop for a quick and somewhat reasonable
price.  To date, I get them all locally since we have fastener places
around.

I try to weigh to cost of me driving 30 or 40 miles (tolls, gas, wear &
tear, time) against ordering a product.

The result is that I'm happy about the deal BEFORE making it.  If I don't
like the deal for ANY REASON, I simply DO NOT MAKE IT.

As a CONSUMER, there's one true POWER that I have.  I do NOT HAVE TO BUY
FROM a VENDOR! When enough people don't buy from a vendor, the vendor gets
the message and either adjusts or goes belly up.  Ham vendors know that we
have one of the STRONGEST WORD OF MOUTH networks around.... it's WORLDWIDE!
They also know that we will use this for or against them according to the
individual case.

73
Carl

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Shohet" <kq2m@mags.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2002 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Buying nuts and bolts - Rationalized gouging


> Hi Tom,
>
> > The out-the-door cost to ship an empty "free" box, when we did a cost
> > analysis at Ameritron in the 80's, was over $4 in direct overhead
> > cost not including postage or shipping fees.
> >
> > I'm amazed we complain about any vendor trying to cover those costs,
> > and just break even.
>
> Several reasons we complain:
>
> 1) The price of the item is always advertised prominently but the
"handling"
> charge IS NOT!
> If the merchant was as proud of their handling charge as they were of
their
> product and price, they would ADVERTISE the handling charge just as
> prominently.
>
> The excuse that "My competitiors don't do it so I don't want to be at a
> compeititve disadvantage" is a lame rationalization for the
non-disclosure.
>
> The truth is that people that charge handling charges generally don't want
> it known until the order is placed because they KNOW that few people will
> cancel their orders at that point.  Even better (for the vendor) is when
the
> salesperson never discloses the actual handling charges and simply lumps
it
> together with shipping on the bill and the first time that the unwary
> purchaser sees it is they get their charge card statement - at which point
> they are not going to go through the expense and hassle of returning it!
>
> Yes, the purchaser SHOULD ask for the amount of the handling charge, but
> more importantly, they shouldn't have to ask for it, it should be
disclosed
> and advertised prominently in advance.
>
> 2) The customer service in many companies absolutely stinks from order
> processing to shipping to billing, etc!  So now we the customer are being
> hit with a "surcharge" for inefficiency, lousy attitude and non-disclosure
> on the part of the company and its employees.  This would make almost
anyone
> angry.
>
> I would much rather face exorbitant part prices (which we already face) -
> which ARE obvious up front and make a decision on that basis, rather than
> play this guessing game of handling charge non-disclosure, which, to me,
is
> dishonest and sleazy.  Even if it were disclosed, IMO, a separate handling
> chanrge is still gouging - but we don't need to revisit that thread.
>
> As far as overhead goes, every business has it.  It's part of the cost of
> doing business.
>
> 73
>
> Bob KQ2M
>
> > As for the price of parts? Anyone who sells anything to the
> > government is not allowed to sell the part for less to anyone else,
> > as was pointed out by others.
> >
> > I can buy an equivalent part from Motorola NOT sold to the military
> > for about $15 less than a similar part that is sold to the military.
> > 73, Tom W8JI
> > W8JI@contesting.com
> >
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> >
> >
>
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