PE shipping prices.

[generic]

It's been awhile since I've needed to order a small order (not breaking the free shipping limit on my order) and I can't help but notice the shipping prices seem to be extremely high.

I'm not trying to start a bashing thread or anything, but I help with shipping for a start up company using standard USPS rates, and I can't help but notice that PE prices for USPS is much higher. I'm talking extremely light weight parts.

Can anyone please explain to me as to why?

[XtremeRevolution]

It's been awhile since I've needed to order a small order (not breaking the free shipping limit on my order) and I can't help but notice the shipping prices seem to be extremely high.

I'm not trying to start a bashing thread or anything, but I help with shipping for a start up company using standard USPS rates, and I can't help but notice that PE prices for USPS is much higher. I'm talking extremely light weight parts.

Can anyone please explain to me as to why?

Maybe they bundle their handling costs in the shipping price? Someone has to pay the warehouse workers.

[generic]

Could be, but I figured those cost would be in the mark up of the parts. I would personally like to see PE start using flat rate boxes and envelopes for smaller parts. The USPS even supplies the shipping materials, so the only extra cost is tape on the boxes.

[steveschenkel]

I have noticed this too. I think the difference is how they make additional profits. I try to never order from them unless it is a fairly large order. If it is a small order it is better to deal with Madisound. There shipping prices are more in live with what it actually costs.

[1100xxben]

It's also more incentive for you to buy more product to hit the $100 mark and get free shipping. I agree with you, not bashing on PE at all, I think they are a great company, but it's a win/win for them. Either you spend less and pay more for shipping, so they make X profit, or you buy more product and get cheaper shipping, but they still make X profit from both orders.

[killersoundz]

I have noticed this too. I think the difference is how they make additional profits. I try to never order from them unless it is a fairly large order. If it is a small order it is better to deal with Madisound. There shipping prices are more in live with what it actually costs.

I highly doubt PE is profiting off of the shipping costs. How are you surprised that it's more expensive with oil prices and inflation? FedEx and UPS have to raise their rates consistently to stay in business when we have constant inflation. Blame the federal reserve, print more imaginary money

[killersoundz]

Oh and, their shipping rates they give on the website are 99% likely linked directly to the UPS/FedEX live rate feed or whatever, so the quote is actually coming from the shipper. And they just decide to be nice and eat the cost of shipping when you order $100 or more.

[diy speaker guy]

I highly doubt PE is profiting off of the shipping costs. How are you surprised that it's more expensive with oil prices and inflation? FedEx and UPS have to raise their rates consistently to stay in business when we have constant inflation. Blame the federal reserve, print more imaginary money

I don't know if I'd call it "profit" but PE does charge the customer more for shipping than it costs them (at least that's what I've observed on my last couple orders). And of course, for those of us not in the US shipping is NEVER free no matter how much you order. Of course this leads to less international sales, which sadly, I think is the whole point.

[Johnnycat]

The shipping quotes come direct from FedEx to PE... I have compared the difference from PE site and FedEx site...FedEx is always more.

The flat rate boxes has been brought up before, but I think the issue is that there is no way to know how much product will fit in a one of the boxes and then how you charge if it doesn't fit? Say you order a speaker, it fits in a large flat rate box for say $10, great, but what if you order 2 and now two won't fit in a flat rate box, now what do you do, call every customer back and tell them shipping is more after they have already placed the order...that is a waste of time. Oh, don't forget that every shipper rounds up to the next pound so 1.01 lbs is charged at 2lbs... it is the way of the world.

[killersoundz]

The shipping quotes come direct from FedEx to PE... I have compared the difference from PE site and FedEx site...FedEx is always more.


Yep, A business that ships a lot of stuff actually has a discount on shipping compared to if you went into the FedEx retail store and got a quote. You guys saying PE is charging more for shipping than it costs them are wrong. Their shipping quotes on their shopping cart page are linked to the FedEx/UPS servers for live quotes like they are on most websites. Stop blaming PE, or even the shipping companies, and blame the government (central banking). You are actually mad at inflation here. Go protest wall street not PE.

[greywarden]

Welcome to my world, I don't even get the Free Shipping option. I ordered some parts last week or so, still not here. Smartpost is the only affordable option and it take FOR. EV. ER. to get here lol.

[kevinr]

USPS package prices have definitely gone up this last year along with fuel prices. And not just a small amount either .

[XtremeRevolution]

Yep, A business that ships a lot of stuff actually has a discount on shipping compared to if you went into the FedEx retail store and got a quote. You guys saying PE is charging more for shipping than it costs them are wrong. Their shipping quotes on their shopping cart page are linked to the FedEx/UPS servers for live quotes like they are on most websites. Stop blaming PE, or even the shipping companies, and blame the government (central banking). You are actually mad at inflation here. Go protest wall street not PE.

Huh?!?!

Part 015-2, 2ohm 5W resistor, $0.36 added to cart.

Pricing option for USPS Priority mail: $8.66 to my location. ~300 miles.

https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm

According to the USPS website, a 300-600 mile 1lb package costs $5.25 to ship, while PE charges $8.66.

I'm not sure how much more obvious it is that they're either making a profit off of that, or they're using it to cover operational costs in the warehouse. I don't mind it either way, but to say that we're wrong in claiming that PE charges more for shipping than the shipping costs is in itself wrong.

Also consider that companies like PE get massive discounts with business accounts that we can't even come close to comparing. Even with my FedEx business account, the discounts are pretty significant.

Back to shipping out this resistor though, PE's FedEx home delivery quote is $9.51, with a business account. A generic quick quote on the FedEx website brings up a $7.60 cost to ship the same item without a business discount.

They might be linked, but there's always an option for them to tack on a few more bucks for one of the reasons mentioned above.

[generic]

Yep, A business that ships a lot of stuff actually has a discount on shipping compared to if you went into the FedEx retail store and got a quote. You guys saying PE is charging more for shipping than it costs them are wrong. Their shipping quotes on their shopping cart page are linked to the FedEx/UPS servers for live quotes like they are on most websites. Stop blaming PE, or even the shipping companies, and blame the government (central banking). You are actually mad at inflation here. Go protest wall street not PE.

Calm down. I'm legitimately confused. Early this year, I had my Emotiva 12sub repaired under warranty. I was able to buy a UPS shipping label from Emotiva for $18 for a very large box with a weight of 65lbs. At the moment, I'm having trouble ordering a pair of resistors without shipping costing close to $10. I also have shipped a number of books this year for under $3 using USPS.

Did prices really go up that much?

[fastbike1]

It takes PE roughly the same amount of effort to ship a pair of resistors as it does to ship drivers. All costs are borne by the consumer. Companies don't stay in business by doing things for free.

Comparing what is costs you to ship small items via USPS or Fedex isn't a straight comparison unless you pay yourself (at your going rate) for the time it takes to package and deliver to the post office/shipper.

Some large companies do have proportionate rates for small items. If you just want a few resistors or caps, etc, try Digikey or Mouser. Although I still had to pay $5.00 shipping for $1.20 worht of diodes.

[XtremeRevolution]

It takes PE roughly the same amount of effort to ship a pair of resistors as it does to ship drivers. All costs are borne by the consumer. Companies don't stay in business by doing things for free.

Comparing what is costs you to ship small items via USPS or Fedex isn't a straight comparison unless you pay yourself (at your going rate) for the time it takes to package and deliver to the post office/shipper.

Some large companies do have proportionate rates for small items. If you just want a few resistors or caps, etc, try Digikey or Mouser. Although I still had to pay $5.00 shipping for $1.20 worht of diodes.

I believe I touched on this in my last post.



they're either making a profit off of that, or they're using it to cover operational costs in the warehouse.

I personally think the more likely of those two is the latter, which is in agreement with your post.

[diy speaker guy]

You guys saying PE is charging more for shipping than it costs them are wrong.

How about asking for proof instead of bluntly stating I'm wrong? I just dug out the receipt and customs info from my last order. The PE receipt says shipping via USPS Priority Mail International costs $38.55 (that's how much I was charged for shipping). The USPS Customs Declaration form claims postage and fees for this order was $27.31 (that's how much PE paid to ship my box).

I can scan these documents if you want to see the proof but I hope that isn't necessary since I don't own a scanner.

You could say "That's fair to pay a few bucks for the handling" but then why doesn't everyone have to pay a few bucks more for handling?

[tedwilt]

Simple fix: Always plan to order $98. It is not that hard to find something you need and just wait until you have a full order. I am very happy with PE.:)

[XtremeRevolution]

Simple fix: Always plan to order $98. It is not that hard to find something you need and just wait until you have a full order. I am very happy with PE.:)

That's how I look at it. I'll usually be at around $70 on my orders. Tack on $20 for shipping and you're at $90. I'll add some filler items like screws and speaker gasket tape, and the PESAVE5 coupon brings me down to ~95 shipped. I can hardly complain. It is what it is. Even after the shipping price is included, nobody else does it any cheaper. I think the shipping costs are fair regardless of where they use the extra money.

[irhuelaudio]

Yep, A business that ships a lot of stuff actually has a discount on shipping compared to if you went into the FedEx retail store and got a quote. You guys saying PE is charging more for shipping than it costs them are wrong. Their shipping quotes on their shopping cart page are linked to the FedEx/UPS servers for live quotes like they are on most websites. Stop blaming PE, or even the shipping companies, and blame the government (central banking). You are actually mad at inflation here. Go protest wall street not PE.

You are absolutely right that a company like PE gets a discount. What that means is that when I pay $10.00 for shipping to PE, they are charged a discounted rate for that shipment, lets say $7.00. That means that PE is making (in this example, not actual data) $3.00 to ship me that product on top of the product mark up. I have absolutely no qualms with PE, in fact I think they have some of the best service available; I'm merely pointing out that it is very likely that PE is making revenues off the shipping charges.

[Johnnycat]

OK, So I just did a test...

Cost to ship a 300-804 to zip 91355 through PE $20.84

Cost from FedEx website $21.77

Now PE does state that they add a $.99 handling fee.

[XtremeRevolution]

OK, So I just did a test...

Cost to ship a 300-804 to zip 91355 through PE $20.84

Cost from FedEx website $21.77

Now PE does state that they add a $.99 handling fee.

Again, PE also gets their shipping quotes with a significant business discount that you won't be getting with a quick online quote.

[Johnnycat]

I'm not following that...

Are you saying that they are padding the price beyond the .99 handling fee?


Again, PE also gets their shipping quotes with a significant business discount that you won't be getting with a quick online quote.

[whatatrip]

I am confident PE has things figured out relatively fairly. Items like drivers are priced so that they can absorb shipping costs as long as the order is in excess of $98. Consider the labor and materials involved in an order and running it through the “system”. Parts must be ordered from suppliers, shipped to PE, opened, stored on shelved, inventoried and all of that takes labor and material. It is easy to include those costs in the price of the product.

Selling a product involves receiving and processing an order which involves labor and the cost of the “system”. There are a few bucks involved in just that aspect I am sure. There is labor involved in picking the order from the shelves, packaging it for shipment and doing the related paperwork which costs an additional few dollars. It doesn’t matter too much whether it is a $0.36 part or a $98.01 part, just processing either order is going to cost $6.00-$7.00 plus the shipping costs. The $98.01 part has that processing charge built into it but it is not realistic to include that cost in a $0.36 part. There is likely $.03 in each $0.36 part to cover shipping and handling. If you buy 273 of them, you get to the minimum order.

I would agree that $8.66 shipping for a $0.36 part is expensive. I would also say that if a company did ship a $0.36 part and only charged actual shipping charges, not only would it still be expensive but that company would go broke very fast without a minimum order amount. The best approach to buying AND selling is the minimum order, free shipping method. It is so much easier and “convenient” to buy a dozen resistors, capacitors and other inexpensive parts to keep on hand for yourself or share with other DIYers in your area.

[XtremeRevolution]

I'm not following that...

Are you saying that they are padding the price beyond the .99 handling fee?

Yes. Unless they use severely oversized boxes for all of their shipments, their business account allows them to get big discounts over what you are quoted on the FedEx site.

[johnnyrichards]

There are no online companies excited about shipping you a single resistor.

[killersoundz]

I am confident PE has things figured out relatively fairly. Items like drivers are priced so that they can absorb shipping costs as long as the order is in excess of $98. Consider the labor and materials involved in an order and running it through the “system”. Parts must be ordered from suppliers, shipped to PE, opened, stored on shelved, inventoried and all of that takes labor and material. It is easy to include those costs in the price of the product.

Selling a product involves receiving and processing an order which involves labor and the cost of the “system”. There are a few bucks involved in just that aspect I am sure. There is labor involved in picking the order from the shelves, packaging it for shipment and doing the related paperwork which costs an additional few dollars. It doesn’t matter too much whether it is a $0.36 part or a $98.01 part, just processing either order is going to cost $6.00-$7.00 plus the shipping costs. The $98.01 part has that processing charge built into it but it is not realistic to include that cost in a $0.36 part. There is likely $.03 in each $0.36 part to cover shipping and handling. If you buy 273 of them, you get to the minimum order.

I would agree that $8.66 shipping for a $0.36 part is expensive. I would also say that if a company did ship a $0.36 part and only charged actual shipping charges, not only would it still be expensive but that company would go broke very fast without a minimum order amount. The best approach to buying AND selling is the minimum order, free shipping method. It is so much easier and “convenient” to buy a dozen resistors, capacitors and other inexpensive parts to keep on hand for yourself or share with other DIYers in your area.



I know I was on PE's side through this post, and I still am, but it sounds like you're defending that it would be OK for a retailer to sneak in hidden charges in shipping to profit. I don't think that's right. They are already making their profit in the markup of the product FOR providing a service and believe me when I say retailers in general have it pretty good on that end. Sometimes a retailer profits more from a product than the manufacture. I despise most retail stores...

[christianb]

Yes. Unless they use severely oversized boxes for all of their shipments, their business account allows them to get big discounts over what you are quoted on the FedEx site.

I work for a large company that ships quite frequenty with FedEx. We have an account with them and you wouldn't believe the discount we get. I'm talking 70-80% off what a single customer would pay.

For example, I shipped a 42 lb. box yesterday from Ohio to Alabama, dimensions were 24x20x30. I used FedEx Priority Overnight with a 3PM guarantee delivery time. $32. Yes, $32. You or I tried shipping that we would pay over $100. Businesses pay way less than we do and we pick up the slack.

[XtremeRevolution]

I work for a large company that ships quite frequenty with FedEx. We have an account with them and you wouldn't believe the discount we get. I'm talking 70-80% off what a single customer would pay.

For example, I shipped a 42 lb. box yesterday from Ohio to Alabama, dimensions were 24x20x30. I used FedEx Priority Overnight with a 3PM guarantee delivery time. $32. Yes, $32. You or I tried shipping that we would pay over $100. Businesses pay way less than we do and we pick up the slack.

I had the same experience shipping when I worked for Zurich several years ago. We'd ship out newly imaged PCs with 2 day shipping and we'd pay like $15. We're talking big boxes here.

They're definitely making revenue off of the shipping fees. Whether its to increase overall profit margins or to pay warehousing costs is unknown to me.

[killersoundz]

^^^ yeah you guys are right

[diy speaker guy]

I know I was on PE's side through this post, and I still am, but it sounds like you're defending that it would be OK for a retailer to sneak in hidden charges in shipping to profit.

Like I said before, profit is the wrong word. I'd say the small order US customers and all non continental US orders subsidize the free shipping (for the people that qualify). There's nothing unethical or immoral about that, it's just a business decision, probably a very smart one from a business POV. If I lived in the continental US I would be thrilled with this policy. But I don't and I'm not. I still think PE is a great company though and I am a (mostly) happy customer.

[panterra]

Be glad they don't operate like informercials.



And that's not all! Act before midnight tonight, and we'll send you a second set - absolutely free, just pay seperate shipping and handling.

[johnnyrichards]

I had the same experience shipping when I worked for Zurich several years ago. We'd ship out newly imaged PCs with 2 day shipping and we'd pay like $15. We're talking big boxes here.

They're definitely making revenue off of the shipping fees. Whether its to increase overall profit margins or to pay warehousing costs is unknown to me.

I would bet it is nothing more nefarious than to discourage small orders. They are a PITA to fill, people pay with credit cards so they also pay that fee etc. They make a disincentive to purchase small dollar items, and they give a nice incentive to put together expensive orders.

What noone else has mentioned in this thread is that with rare exception, they do not penalize you for weight, either.

They just don't want you to place a credit card order for a $1 resistor, so they build into their pricing structure a means of discouraging you to do that.

[linwin3000]

Question! Does PE have a minimum order amount, below which there is a specified add on charge? If so, might this be confused with the higher cost of small and inexpensive parcel shipping?
Richard

[whatatrip]

I know I was on PE's side through this post, and I still am, but it sounds like you're defending that it would be OK for a retailer to sneak in hidden charges in shipping to profit. I don't think that's right. They are already making their profit in the markup of the product FOR providing a service and believe me when I say retailers in general have it pretty good on that end. Sometimes a retailer profits more from a product than the manufacture. I despise most retail stores...

Believe me; I am on your side when it comes to shipping charges. At the same time, as a former business owner, I also know that it costs money to fill orders and some orders don’t pay for themselves if there is no minimum order amount unless shipping charges include the cost of fulfilling the order.

I tried ordering (1) resistor for 48 cents. The shipping charges were $4.71 via smart ship. Twenty-five years ago I had a minimum order of $50.00 and a minimum shipping and handling charge of $4.50. IMO PE is not at all out of line on this small of an order. If I ordered (10) the shipping was $5.29 via smart ship. Given the small quantity, I think that is still a bargain. It would be pretty hard to process and ship an order for $4-$5.

However, if I ordered (100) the shipping was $16.58 via FedEx. I wouldn’t pay that much given the quantity I was ordering. Shipping on (250) is $19.92 via Fed Ex. At that point I would order another (30) and get free shipping.

If I want a Coke, I will go to the store and buy not just (1) Coke. I would buy many other items to make the trip worth it. Online retailers are doing much the same thing.

I also know that a lot of companies do “make money” on shipping charges. I avoid excessive shipping charges just like I avoid high prices. I’ve never ordered a really “small” order from PE. There have been times when I wanted a $50.00 item but couldn’t justify the shipping charges so I just added it to my list and purchased it when my list totaled more than $98.00.

I have every confident that those who are selling items made in China are making a lot more on the items than are the Chinese. Often the finished product from China is cheaper than the raw materials in America. Americans make far more money on Chinese goods than do the Chinese. This will change as the Chinese middle class grows and Chinese wages become closer to ours.

[djg]

LL Bean now offers free shipping. Do you think they are losing money on their shipping? Free pizza delivery. Is the guy driving to your house for nothing?

Does anyone think PE is making too much money?

[generic]

LL Bean now offers free shipping. Do you think they are losing money on their shipping? Free pizza delivery. Is the guy driving to your house for nothing?

Does anyone think PE is making too much money?

I don't think any of us can know for sure if they are making too much money, but I do find their shipping pricing too high. I noticed that if I add more to the cart, that shipping is the same, so they are clearly not charging their actual shipping charges, even if they are adding a .99 handling fee (that is a completely fair price BTW).

I forgot to add a few parts to my last order that broke the free shipping mark, and now I'm in a bad place. Guess I'll just have to wait till I need more stuff. The problem, I'm not in the market for any audio stuff right now.

I know that in the past, businesses have lost my order due to crazy high shipping cost. I was going to order a audio rack from amazon, and the shipping was $85. I called, just to make sure this wasn't a mistake. It wasn't. I ended up buying a more expensive rack (the one I really wanted) and it was actually cheaper, because shipping was free.

I get not being able to loose money on shipping, and maybe make an extra buck or two on orders, but if any business is fluffing 6+ bucks on orders, then that is too high.

[jclin4]

Let's say you own and run a warehouse full of stuff. 20 customers come to you, each with a $5 order to be shipped to 20 different places. Then a single customer comes with a $100 order.

Which customer makes you happier? Do you not have the right to pursue happiness?

As has been said, fulfilling orders costs money. PE is only managing those cost as it sees fit.

[generic]

Let's say you own and run a warehouse full of stuff. 20 customers come to you, each with a $5 order to be shipped to 20 different places. Then a single customer comes with a $100 order.

Which customer makes you happier? Do you not have the right to pursue happiness?

As has been said, fulfilling orders costs money. PE is only managing those cost as it sees fit.

Lets say someone has a history of hundreds if not thousands of dollars with of buying history. If they one day need a small item, should they be treated like it's their first order? Should people be punished because they only need one item today?

I order my car parts online and I was going one place for all of them. I had been going for the better part of a decade. One day, I needed two small gaskets and they wouldn't fulfill my order because it was too small. I found another online vendor and I was able to fill the order just fine. Where do you think I'm going to go the next time I need a order. Large or small?

Nuff said.

[djg]

My point about free shipping is that it isn't free. Someone is paying for it. As added to the product price. This can lead to "unfair" costs, as in the guy who lives in Xenia, OH getting free shipping vs the guy in Maine getting free shipping. It costs more to ship farther, thus the Xenia customer is subsidizing the Maine guy, by way of his product pricing. (Xenia is very close to PE). The large order free shippers are subsidized by the small order shipping costs. The fairest would be everyone pays actual shipping and handling costs, which hopefully would lead to infinitesimally lower prices for all. JMHO.

[awwnuts]

Does anyone think PE is making too much money?

Not from consumer sales. They make much more on contract with the government.

[XtremeRevolution]

Believe me; I am on your side when it comes to shipping charges. At the same time, as a former business owner, I also know that it costs money to fill orders and some orders don’t pay for themselves if there is no minimum order amount unless shipping charges include the cost of fulfilling the order.

I tried ordering (1) resistor for 48 cents. The shipping charges were $4.71 via smart ship. Twenty-five years ago I had a minimum order of $50.00 and a minimum shipping and handling charge of $4.50. IMO PE is not at all out of line on this small of an order. If I ordered (10) the shipping was $5.29 via smart ship. Given the small quantity, I think that is still a bargain. It would be pretty hard to process and ship an order for $4-$5.

However, if I ordered (100) the shipping was $16.58 via FedEx. I wouldn’t pay that much given the quantity I was ordering. Shipping on (250) is $19.92 via Fed Ex. At that point I would order another (30) and get free shipping.

If I want a Coke, I will go to the store and buy not just (1) Coke. I would buy many other items to make the trip worth it. Online retailers are doing much the same thing.

I also know that a lot of companies do “make money” on shipping charges. I avoid excessive shipping charges just like I avoid high prices. I’ve never ordered a really “small” order from PE. There have been times when I wanted a $50.00 item but couldn’t justify the shipping charges so I just added it to my list and purchased it when my list totaled more than $98.00.

I have every confident that those who are selling items made in China are making a lot more on the items than are the Chinese. Often the finished product from China is cheaper than the raw materials in America. Americans make far more money on Chinese goods than do the Chinese. This will change as the Chinese middle class grows and Chinese wages become closer to ours.

Who said PE was out of line? Who said they were doing anything wrong? Do people assume that just because there's a discussion, someone has to be saying something bad about something or someone else?

The question was why the rates are as high as they are, and reasons have been provided by several people. Nobody said it was a bad thing or that it was wrong. Its not like we're unhappy because of these shipping prices. We should indeed be grateful for being able to place small orders, but I can hardly say any of us are ungrateful.

[cjd]

Back when I made/sold custom (hand-built) car mods, packaging materials often cost me more than the materials I used to manufacture the product I was offering...

Shipping isn't just about carrier costs.

[Johnnycat]

Not from consumer sales. They make much more on contract with the government.

And you know this how?

[awwnuts]

And you know this how?

It's public data.

[djg]

So we (U.S. taxpayers) are all subsidizing ourselves or each other, depending on how you think. Our taxes go down the rathole of inflated PE gov't contracts, and we benefit by way of insanely low consumer pricing. The more you buy, the more you save.

[Johnnycat]

It's public data.

Where?

[Bart Oetken]

Well, boxes arent cheap and shipping material isnt cheap either. Nor paying the guy to walk around and look for your product and fullfil your order. He demands insurance and benefits from his employer.

Fuel isnt cheap as well. I know Im with you on shipping prices. Madisound is alot cheap I've noticed even on large cost orders.

So why are they costing more money on small orders? I think its because all of the people that order over $100 or more. Think about it PE has to pay for all that free shipping out of there own pocket.

So there philo is the less you buy the more you pay for shipping and the more you buy the less you pay in shipping.

Actually if you have a business account with PE, no matter if you spend $100 to $400 you still have to pay for shipping.

The only way to bet that is to buy over $500 of product or more.

So you think the end user is getting bent over, try having a business account and not getting a break at all on shipping unless you spend $500 or more.

Bart

[killersoundz]

Well, boxes arent cheap and shipping material isnt cheap either. Nor paying the guy to walk around and look for your product and fullfil your order. He demands insurance and benefits from his employer.

Fuel isnt cheap as well. I know Im with you on shipping prices. Madisound is alot cheap I've noticed even on large cost orders.

So why are they costing more money on small orders? I think its because all of the people that order over $100 or more. Think about it PE has to pay for all that free shipping out of there own pocket.

So there philo is the less you buy the more you pay for shipping and the more you buy the less you pay in shipping.

Actually if you have a business account with PE, no matter if you spend $100 to $400 you still have to pay for shipping.

The only way to bet that is to buy over $500 of product or more.

So you think the end user is getting bent over, try having a business account and not getting a break at all on shipping unless you spend $500 or more.

Bart


No offense dude I'm also a PE wholesale customer but you can't complain about paying the shipping cost for an under $500 order when you're getting wholesale prices lol. I do agree sometimes it 'sucks' but even worse try getting hit with the Ohio sales tax :eek: That makes me hate life sometimes, especially when I used to do very expensive orders..

[generic]

Well, obviously their are a lot of different opinions and views. Overall, I'd like to see PE to start using flat rate shipping boxes and envelopes. The supplies are free, and it could help take some of the sting out of the smaller orders.

Surly I'm not the first dope to leave out or forget something in a larger order. Or, even if something very small and light is needed, shipping shouldn't be $10. I just shipped something out of the country first class USPS, and between my charges, shipping materials and actual shipping charges, it was still under $10.

[Bart Oetken]

killer, I total agree with you. Wholesale prices are hard to bet. But, Overall I love pe, I always take advantage of the free shipping. And if you think about it, it's a very nice marketing techniqe. Think about it you advertise for free shipping over $100 dollars. It makes no sense why you would pay $75 for something and pay $20 something for shipping. We all agree on that.

Just think about the sales pe will bring in. Sales brings alot of business with fedex. They probably get a discount because of amount of shipments they fulfill. So regardless, there making money, fedex is making money, and your happy because you need, and you got free shipping, while pe's recivable accounts grow.

Not a bad way to sell some speakers dont you think?

I would like to see there store someday. Maybe I can go fly to ohio and drive a uhaul back to kansas.

Bart

[Whitneyville1]

Every Thursday and most Fridays I do shipping for the hobby shop I "store sit". Fed Ex has been wooing us, knowing we do most of our shipping by USPS Priority Mail (free boxes are a BIG incentive). Early this week I sent them an e-mail of our last month's $8000+ shipments of 138 packages to 34 countries. All "cube-out" before they "weight-out" because little trains and plastic model kits aren't heavy. Their return quote was $3800-odd dollars for 3 day delivery to anywhere in the world for those 138 packages. The boxes will cost us at least $900, but the big brown truck will come pick them up and I won't have to drive to the Post Office. I ship .23 parts almost every week for postage only. We call it "customer service". Here I have to agree, having been on both sides of the counter. P-E could use P-mail envelopes and boxes for small orders and set a $5-10 minimum order and come-out on both ends. There are 5 Radio Snack franchise owners in the Tussa area plus 6 "dealer stores". 4 of the dealer stores will be closed after Christmas. Two of the Franchise owners have declared Chapter 11 already, and their stores are already nearly bare. I can go to Affiliated Electronics and pay the "Dragon Lady" $6+ for a 10 watt IRC power resistor, IF she has it in-stock, or double that (or more) if she'll bother to order it. No one knows if the new Allied Electronics will be a stocking store, or like Digikey, Vanguard and Mouser, just an office building with order-takers. Radio Inc. closed three years ago after being in business for 87 years in the same building on South Main Street. "The New Radio Shack" won't carry electronic parts, switches, fuses, bulbs,etc. as the new BoD have decided to "Go a new hipper direction" with their stores. I guess all cell phones...

[whatatrip]

Who said PE was out of line? Who said they were doing anything wrong? Do people assume that just because there's a discussion, someone has to be saying something bad about something or someone else?

The question was why the rates are as high as they are, and reasons have been provided by several people. Nobody said it was a bad thing or that it was wrong. Its not like we're unhappy because of these shipping prices. We should indeed be grateful for being able to place small orders, but I can hardly say any of us are ungrateful.

LOL, yes, who said PE was out of line? I said IMO I didn’t think they were out of line. Where did I say PE was doing anything wrong? Why do you assume that just because there is a discussion that I said someone said PE was out of line or that I said someone said PE was doing something wrong? Notions of right and wrong, good and bad are in your head and not in my words.

[mzisserson]

It was very nice when they had a USPS option. I just bought tweeters from Madisound (they did not have them at PE), and since they are small and light they are coming to me casa for $5.

I understand PE's deal, and the free shipping is their niche, however when you are on a budget and shipping becomes outreagous, it make sit hard. I wanted to buy 2 cases of the sony buyouts but could not because the shipping was $50!!! :eek: For two, relativity lightweight, medium sized boxes. I would have glasly waited an extra day or two, and pain 1/2 that amount.

[ocool_15]

Whenever they offer US free shipping over $99, I save $0 to Canada. Some sort of credit of equivalent value would be nice. Usually I just hope something I want goes on sale.

[awwnuts]

Where?

I'm surprised one-word responses qualify as posts here. Why don't you send a PM?