Community Chat

[Blahblahvampemer]

On 4/4/2015 Qwackertoo said:

On 4/4/2015 hckynut said: Hi Ford 1224, I do not arbitrarily buy any product, like it or do not likemit. I research everything I purchase, along with price comparisons. When I can buy the exact same item from another online vendor, with a much cheaper price/no S&H and no sales tax? Amazon can sell for a lower price, nothing added because S&H is free, it is because of their volume(volumn). Some of the things I purchase weigh many pounds, not ounces, and the S&H is not cheap, so my savings are increased. I could go into "markup" on manufacturing costs, maybe next time.

Yep. I've bought my last 3-4 bags of Blue Wilderness Dog food from Amazon. Free shipping. And while I'm sure it isn't *free* . . . it beats the heck out of driving 40 miles round trip to town, paying right close to 25.00 MORE vs. having it delivered in two days to my front door. 22 pounds I do believe. Never a problem on freshness and old expired bags either.

I buy lots of other HEAVY items and when I can buy it online, shipped to my front door for less, sometimes a lot less, sometimes maybe just a little less . . . the convenience factor sure helps too!

Given that it costs at least 75 cents PER MILE to drive a car, it can really add to the cost. Especially for "convenience" drivers that don't give distance a second thought to save 50 cents.

[Qwackertoo]

On 4/4/2015 blahblahvampemerblah said: In a way, my Amazon Prime membership is a joke. I don't care about the downloads, but maybe I should start watching...anyway...I probably place about 20-25 orders a year, and I'm definitely paying for that shipping when you look at it from a per-use basis.

we did about 70 orders last year. before prime we were @ 30-35 per year for several years and my husband was always adding "junk" to orders to get to 25.00 which of course is now 35.00 so yay less junk with prime.

[qvcfreak]

My last purchase from QVC was in November and it has to be a really good deal and something I know I won't return before I purchase again.

[Qwackertoo]

My last QVC purchase was a beauty AD shipment. I might cancel them all. I think I only have one left.

[SuiGeneris]

"Markup" was mentioned somewhere in this thread. I had already been thinking about that after reading the title of this thread. Markup is the way online retailers ensure they make a tidy profit, free shipping and handling or not.

I found this interesting:

Normal Markup Percentages

So what is a normal markup percentage? It varies by industry and product line. According to Winmark Business Solutions, the markup on baby food is as little as 8 percent. Inc. reports that small-appliance manufacturers often use a markup of 30 percent, while designer clothing may have markups of up to 100 percent. Most automobiles carry only a 5- to 10-percent markup, but markup for in-demand models such as sports utility vehicles may rise as high as 25 percent.

Goods are Marked Up at Each Stage of Distribution

Typically, each business in the distribution chain adds markup to an item. Consider the clothing industry. According to "The Wall Street Journal," each piece of clothing contains parts or services from dozens of providers, each of which marks up its costs. When these are factored in, it might cost a manufacturer $50 to create a pair of premium jeans. After adding a 67-percent markup, the wholesale price is $152. Retailers sell the jeans for $335, which reflects an additional markup of almost 55 percent.

Standard Retail Clothing Markups

Apparel markups are somewhat above the standard retail markup of two times cost, which is known as keystone in the retail industry, according to "Forbes." Typical markup on designer fashions ranges from 55 to 62 percent, according to "The Wall Street Journal." If the wholesale price of a silk dress is $50, the retail price might range from around $110 to $130. Premium denim jeans often wholesale for around $150 and may sell at retail for up to $375.

[Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/markup-percentage-retail-clothing-80777.html]

[KellyS]

To me it doesn't matter what it's called or how it's broken down. The question for me is is it worth the total I'm paying for it.

[magicmoodz]

Help me understand your comments about no such thing as free shipping and handling, Ford. Allow me to cite an example. This Lipstick Queen lipstick sells for $22.00 + $3.00 shipping and handling on QVC. The same lipstick sells at Nordstrom for $22.00 with NO shipping and handling fees. From this, I can safely say Nordstrom offers free shipping and handling.

Now, should I get this lipstick home and decide I don't like it, it will cost me $6.95 plus the original $3.00 for a total of $9.95 just to look at the lipstick and return it to QVC. However, I can return it to Nordstrom for NO shipping and handling charges, costing me a total of $0.

Please, I really want to understand the way you view this issue. Thank you.

[KathyPet]

Since the new QVC shipping policy went into effect I have purchased nothing except replacements for things I already own (Breezies, replacement rollers for my Enjoi pedi and a Laura Geller blush) . I am not paying to try things I may not like. MY Q purchases have dropped by about 75%. I buy Wacoal Awareness bras. Nordstrom sells the style I wear for the same price as Macy's, Dillards, Bloomingdales but Nordstrom sends it for free. The other stores all charge shipping unless I spend a certain $ amount. I have to buy 2 bras to,spend the required amount to get free shipping except at Nordstroms where I only have to buy one to get free shipping.

[NoelSeven]

Wait.

I thought there was no such thing a free lunch?

[SuiGeneris]

n/m