Free Shipping vs. List Prices + Shipping at check out

Freddog · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2005, 11:35 AM

I am new to internet marketing and I am trying to determine if anyone has suggestions on selling my products with "free shipping" which makes the list price higher or use a "price before shipping" which makes the list price lower and then add shipping at the check out. I currently have "free shipping", but I feel I am losing sales to sites that don't offer free shipping because their list price is less than mine since the shipping costs are added at check out. I have found that my "free shipping" price is much less than my competitor's after they charge their price + shipping, but I don't feel I am getting the sales that I should. Do most consumers tend to look only at the list price and not worry about shipping costs?

Thanks,

Freddog

Corey Bryant · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2005, 01:06 PM

Welcome to the forums Freddog!

Personally - I look at the listed price. And then when I am checking out, if I think the shipping is too hight, I will go somewhere else.

Everyone is different when it comes to this. With the free shipping - you also have to watch out for shipments places other than CONUS if you are in the U.S.

Most of our clients connect directly with USPS, UPS, and / or Fed-Ex to offer different shipping processing.

dejaone · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2005, 03:40 PM

one option is to offer free shipping for less expensive shipping method. If they choose over-night and others, they have to pay the shipping cost. Or if they order above certain dollaar ammount, they can get free shipping.

walker · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 01:36 AM

The general consensus seems to be that free shipping is better. Unless people get to your site from comparison shopping sites that only publish your list price.

The reality is that you're going to have to try it both ways to see what your customers prefer.

If you offer free shipping -- display it as clearly as you can as soon as they get to your website.

handry · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 05:17 AM

If I am going to buy a product from internet, I will searching for the best easy and fast product shipping.

If you gonna provide free shipping, it would be better. And peoples will going back to your site later.

carju1 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 01:38 PM

If I'm buying a product I could get from a few places, The second thing I look for is the transparency of the shipping price. If I can't get the shipping cost before it wants any personal detials the checkout I don't bother going to the checkout I go to the competition. This is especially prevalent where I need international shipping to the UK and suddenly a $20 product is $35 dollars delivered when I pay.

My advice as a customer would be free shipping is best, clearly shown fixed price shipping is 2nd, 3rd is showing a shipping price on the same page as the product price. Look at how amazon or some of the other big companies do it and copy their methods.

Julian

LuxurySleep · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2005, 03:07 AM

I sell bedding in the U.S and do free ground shipping on all orders in the U.S. lower 48 states. I am thinking about add some expedited shipping options people can pay for. I try too keep my price around the same price for quality but do not discount.