I’m going through a sheer clothing phase. The MinkPink tunic caught my eye early on, but I really became obsessed with the Cheap Monday top. I mentally went through my closet, discovering dress after dress that would be totally re-imagined when paired with a sheer blouse. Oh the possibilities! It almost became mine yesterday but at the last minute I stopped short.
$12 for shipping?! What?? For one sheer blouse?! I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. The shirt was originally $50, on sale for $35, then discounted to $21, so technically I’m still paying less than full price – and less than the sale price. But STILL. $12 for shipping. That’s just obscene. This isn’t the first highly-desired item I’ve abandoned due to shipping costs.
I had also convinced myself that this Anthropologie top was essential (perhaps a precursor to my sheer phase?), but I couldn’t bring myself to pay $8.95 for shipping. So what am I willing to pay?
Mmmhmm. Victoria’s Secret and Shopbop have my online business. I might even pay up to $6, but no more than that. If SSense had free shipping for purchases of $50 or more, I’d rather spend another $30 than pay for $12 shipping. Is this crazy? I hate feeling like I could buy another item for the price I’m paying for shipping. Even if nothing else could be found for $12 it just feels like too much. On the other hand, I’m still obsessing over this top and all the outfit transformations it would create! I’ve been watching it online for a couple of months and haven’t found anything like it (at the same or better price) in stores (or on other websites).
This is quite an unsatisfactory shopping situation, no? What would you do? Do you mind paying for shipping?
Guest blog submitted by The Fashionista Lab
guest
I usually only shop online when I am buying things that aren’t urgent, but I do have to agree that the shipping fees are ridiculous nowadays, especially sale items. If a $12 blouse costs $9 to ship, well, I probably wouldn’t want to spend that. I try to shop online only when free shipping is offered or inexpensive options are available, such as the Victoria’s Secret example you posted. Amazon has a low minimum purchase for DVDs/Blu Ray, CDs and books for free shipping, but even if you had to pay it’s usually only $3 for the first, $1 for each additional. If the shipping fee is nearly as much as your purchase amount, I won’t buy it. But yes, the shipping fee does affect my choice in whether or not I’ll shop online.
lily / 5148 posts
I don’t buy clothes online but I do buy other things online and it’s not too bad(the shipping) as it is usually 3.99 or whatnot. Though I do agree with @babybug329@xanga - I try to get on deals with no shipping/free shipping. It helps that way. Deals help as well. It helps if the item in question is on the main deals or whatnot.
guest
It’s the main reason why I refrain from buying something online even if I really want it and can’t find it in my city. It’s crazy what they charge sometimes, and so not worth it.
orchid / 140 posts
I don’t like buying things online because of shipping charges. It makes me save a lot of money though.
cherry blossom / 49 posts
get a friend, see if she wants anything on the site, and split the shipping ! it’s not as much then. that’s what we do when it’s like, spend 100 get free shipping. together we order 100 dollars worth!
guest
Mmm… find a rich boyfriend.
guest
lol, one time I bought a college textbook for 3 bucks, shipping cost 5. :< Made me a little sad.
Yeah, I usually only buy online if there’s free shipping although I have made exceptions.
dahlia / 2382 posts
I used to work in the post office. It’s no secret that companies amp up the shipping to cover other costs (mainly fuel). They do that to keep from raising the prices of products but it still hurts their company because no one buys anything. For me, if the shipping is more than half of my total, it’s not worth it depending on what I’m buying. Companies will suffer alot more soon if they dont embrace flat rate shipping. Not everyone does. Up to a certain weight, whatever you send that fits in the box ships for that one price. People used to stuff those to the max.
Restaurants that deliver do it too. they started charging a delivery tax to keep the food prices down & that’s for gas but people didnt tip thinking that was for the driver so then the restaurants told people “no that’s for gas, please tip”. Money can be so annoying…
orchid / 190 posts
haha, i have the hardest time buying stuff online… even though it costs about the same to drive to the mall and back as it is to have it delivered…
guest
I buy more online but wish that I didn’t have to =/ Some stuff in usual department stores is alright but when I want something really unique I can’t find it. There are tons of online shops that I like but when I bought from Urban Outfitters for the first time they charged me $10 shipping. Nasty Gal isn’t much better but I love there clothes so much! It’s a pain =(
magnolia / 1296 posts
yes, it really is the only reason I don’t shop online…
shipping is especially ridiculous on websites like urban outfitters, fred flare, or modcloth. like no i’m not paying fifteen freaking dollars for an eight dollar product….
guest
i tired getting some shoes fro forever21 for 25 bucks then they tried to charge 15 bucks for shipping and there was some tax, i was like omg not worth it it was almost double the price in the end. but i do shop online and i always find coeds so ive never had to pay for shipping, and i always shop online
guest
I hate shipping charges
especially when I find good deals online… ’cause then I abandon them in favor of not paying for shipping.
guest
excessive shipping does often prevent me from buying at the original retail stores’ sites, and I’m a deal hunter, so I usually look for the same or similar items on ebay. I’ve snatched up some great deals on ebay by watching and bidding on the items at the last few seconds when the auction is nearly ending. shipping via the UPS carrier is higher than USPS because it automatically includes insurance and a step by step tracking record. the fees cover packaging costs and a handling fee for whoever the employees are that confirms the order and packs the item, so the extra price is due to the convenience, which I’m willing to pay if I must-have the item. I see the S&H fees similar to tipping at a restaurant. if I’m a frequent shopper at a specific favorite online store, I sign up for their emailing list, so they send me notifications for special deals and some stores(alloy/delia’s) even offer gift certificate coupons on your birthday. I often wait for holidays to buy lots of things when they offer free shipping. I bought all of my christmas gifts online. some sellers on ebay offer free shipping or a flat rate shipping, so I’m more inclined to buy more items. if you contact the ebay seller prior, you may ask if they offer first class shipping instead of priority mail if you don’t need the item quickly, so it’ll save on shipping. ebay is my go-to site for anything and everything.
guest
I don’t like shopping online. I need to be able to try things on and feel the material. the shipping charges is also a part of it.
guest
I’ll pay a bit for shipping, but yeah, $12 is outrageous for a sheer blouse. LOVE free shipping promos!
guest
i always try to look for coupons for free shipping. if i can’t find one and its not urgent to buy, then im not buying LOL
guest
Hahaha, try living in Australia -___-
Shipping from Modcloth is like $40!
guest
i almost NEVER pay shipping.
1. before i buy anything, i google “gap coupons” or “anthropology coupons.” even a 10% off coupon would help offset costs of shipping!
2. i buy when there is free shipping (after xmas, random sales, etc)
3. i buy the minimum for free shipping. for stores like aldo or urban outfitters, store returns are easy. so free shipping & i get my money back for things i don’t want.
4. us.asos.com has great UK styles, decent prices, and free shipping to U.S.
hydrangea / 52 posts
I know what you mean! I always set my heart on something and have to tear myself away when I see the awful shipping prices. Now I only do my online shopping on ASOS which has free shipping both ways for the US.
guest
If Mozilla’s Firefox is your browser, a free add-on called PriceBlink shows what the specials and coupons are for any retail site you go to.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/61771/