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I just heard this story on the radio. Someone did a study of online shoppers and over 50% cancel their order once they see the shipping costs or other information, such as out of stock, when it will ship, etc.
The study found that if shipping and other information were easy to find on the initial home page then shoppers were more likely to buy, regardless of what the actual information is.
So, please -- hide that information!! I need to stop spending!;)
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
Joan, that study is so true! I was shopping for sports bras online the other day. Manufacturer A had the model I wanted, but it was over $9 shipping for one bra (that I'm not even sure will fit). Company B had the same model that I wanted, same price, and many other styles. I ended up ordering 3 bras from Company B, because there was a big square on the home page "$5 shipping on every order."
I agree totally. There have been many times that I've filled a shopping cart and then realized how much the shipping costs are and don't complete my order or cancel. Another problem I have with ordering online is that I have a PO Box address in one zip code and a residential address in another. This creates a real problem when I don't know how a company will be shipping my order. UPS and FedEx cannot deliver to my PO Box and the Post office will not forward to my residential address as I don't receive mail there. I usually end up trying to contact the company via phone and ask what the most likely shipping method will be but contacting a lot of these companies by phone is difficult if not impossible. So I agree that they should give more info right up front to help me decide if I want to place an order or not.
I'm not a big on-line shopper to start with but I have deleted several orders from different companies because of outrageous shipping charges. Some catalogs like Current and OTC get saved until I can combine stuff from all the catties and hit the free or discounted shipping mark.
Mary Beth
I agree with that. Anytime I want to order, I try and find the shipping cost first. Most sites don't have them information available. I think it would help if retailers put in shipping explanations in their information sections.
I don't even bother placing items into the shopping cart if I can't find shipping fees and information first, and some sites certainly go out of their way to hide this information.
I have done that myself in the past. Lately when I see the shipping costs I factor in the gas to get to a store to buy that item(If there is a store that I can drive to to get it), the time spent finding it in the store, time at the register, and time spent traveling to and from the store! Then I have to say to myself - "self is it worth it? Is my time and gas worth the shipping?" Lately my answer is yes - Time is limited for me right now. Don't get me wrong - I hate high shipping charges and will not buy if it is really not worth it to me.
I do think its hard to find good shipping prices, but I know alot of places do take a hit as well. I shipped a package to my MIL in Cal. and it cost me an arm & a leg,but what can we do?Not much.
I don't have a problem paying (reasonable) shipping on online orders - but please put the information where it's easy to find! I can't begin to remember all the websites that looked interesting but I didn't even start an order because after checking the home page, the FAQ page and several other likely spots, there was no mention of how the shipping charges were calculated.
Another total turn-off are sites where you need to enter your credit card number before you can see the order total including shipping. I should be able to get that amount BEFORE a credit card # is entered.
As a former seller with an online shopping cart, sometimes it's not the business that is "hiding" the info, it's the shopping cart system they are using. Now I sold Digital stuff, so there was no shipping, but the cart I used wouldn't show the shipping info until the transaction was almost over.
I don't like that I have to go through the entire process to find out that I'm going to cancel my order, but I know that sometime that's just the way of things with the shopping cart systems that are available.
I have done that myself in the past. Lately when I see the shipping costs I factor in the gas to get to a store to buy that item(If there is a store that I can drive to to get it), the time spent finding it in the store, time at the register, and time spent traveling to and from the store! Then I have to say to myself - "self is it worth it? Is my time and gas worth the shipping?" Lately my answer is yes - Time is limited for me right now. Don't get me wrong - I hate high shipping charges and will not buy if it is really not worth it to me.
Just my opinion!
So glad I'm not the only one who talks to herself . . .
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Maybe I am the minority, but I love love love to shop online! It could be that the stores here in Columbus, GA aren't as great as previous places we have lived. I search out a good deal online. I compare prices and try to use coupons. Don't get me wrong, I am all about instant gratification, but I will wait for something if I get a better deal online. Sarah
I just heard this story on the radio. Someone did a study of online shoppers and over 50% cancel their order once they see the shipping costs or other information, such as out of stock, when it will ship, etc.
The study found that if shipping and other information were easy to find on the initial home page then shoppers were more likely to buy, regardless of what the actual information is.
So, please -- hide that information!! I need to stop spending!;)
This does not surprise me, Joan, with the exception that I'm surprised it's not higher than 50%!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I have often empties or abandoned my card b/c of shipping charges. I also juggle items to see if I can maximize the number of things I buy while minimizing the shipping costs.
__________________ Mary Ann GALLERY Fan Club member since 4/08
Another gal here who leaves her cart full in the middle of the store! I swear if the online stores were physical stores where I could go in and shop then the people wouldn't let me back in because of this!
And I bet the % is a lot higher with crafters since so many of us buy online. Maybe you/someone should start a poll and see what we say?
One of the first things I do is find out what the shipping charges are. If it doesn't have it spelled out somewhere before I start loading up my cart I shop somewhere else.
I have no problem with a reasonable shipping amount, although I will try and shop at online stores that offer free/reduced shipping with a certain $ amount purchase, like All That Scraps and Papertrey.
I don't have a problem paying (reasonable) shipping on online orders - but please put the information where it's easy to find! I can't begin to remember all the websites that looked interesting but I didn't even start an order because after checking the home page, the FAQ page and several other likely spots, there was no mention of how the shipping charges were calculated.
Another total turn-off are sites where you need to enter your credit card number before you can see the order total including shipping. I should be able to get that amount BEFORE a credit card # is entered.
OMG! It annoys the heck out of me when I have to enter my cc info to get a shipping cost. Glad I'm not the only one!
I do this quite often. The only problem is sometimes I forget that I didn't order it and wonder when my order is going to arrive!! :rolleyes: Then I remember I never placed it- what a boob I am.
Glad to know that I am not the only one who goes hunting for shipping charges before I shop. I thought I was just being totally cheap. It is totally frustrating to have to hunt and hunt for the shipping charges. I have left many full carts in on-line stores.
It also frustrates me when I can't figure out how the stuff is shipped - UPS, USPS, FedEx. At my cottage I don't have mail service, but I do have a street address. So, I need it to come UPS or Fedex. If it comes USPS, the post office does not know what to do with the package.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
I do the same as well. Its not a bargain to find an item for a few bucks only to find out at the end the shipping will cost more than the item.
On the other hand I do have to agree with whoever posted about asking herself if its worth gas or paying for shipping. I recently ordered stuff from the Childrens Place online. I had a 15% coupon and the shipping was $5 with a $75 order. I bought pants for my daughter for $2.79 on sale, shirts for $3, jeans for $10, etc. I ordered 15 items and the total with tax and shipping, coupon included was $102!! Now, I know I couldn't have driven to the Childrens Place by me for less than a gallon of gas which now is $4.23 in Los Angeles, found all of those sale items and made out like I did. Sometimes it pays to shop online. Saved myself the hassle of traffic and money by doing so.
I do this quite often. The only problem is sometimes I forget that I didn't order it and wonder when my order is going to arrive!! :rolleyes: Then I remember I never placed it- what a boob I am.
You kill me, Clarissa!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
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