Understanding SS shipping charges

[WmZiggy]

You know guys (and any gals here), I think it's what the market will bear and what other trend setting companies plus consultants are recommending. I know I stopped in Woodcraft Supply when I was in Leesburg, VA ten days ago just to pick up a small item for my GRR-Ripper. Woodcraft wants more than half the price of the item to ship. I did it just to avoid shipping. My neighbor is a mechanic and he says he never pays handling on shipping if it is broken out. He says he gets his parts.

[fixit]

I too signed up for Amazon Prime to save on shipping costs - only $35/year and I saved more than that in the first couple of months. But I believe I heard recently that when you renew for another year the cost is going up from $35 to $99. They must be losing money at the $35 rate. I'll renew though because I buy a lot from Amazon and it will just take four months rather than two for me to make the fee back in savings.

[dgale]

I too signed up for Amazon Prime to save on shipping costs - only $35/year and I saved more than that in the first couple of months. But I believe I heard recently that when you renew for another year the cost is going up from $35 to $99. They must be losing money at the $35 rate. I'll renew though because I buy a lot from Amazon and it will just take four months rather than two for me to make the fee back in savings.

$35/yr? I'm not sure what kind of deal you swung with them but I've been a member for something like 4 years and it started at $69/year and more recently was more like $85 or $89/yr…it's supposed to go up to $99/year and they were trying for even more (I think $119/year) but then backed down. Any which way their prices are always either the best or very competitive without even considering the shipping savings, so when you factor in that you get free 2-day air shipping, hard to beat it and the membership pays itself off pretty quick. I originally joined when I needed a new tankless water heater - the local plumbing shop wanted $1650 for the model I wanted, plus 8% sales tax, plus they didn't have it in stock so it was going to be 4-5 days before they could get one and my wife was not thrilled that we had no hot water…so I searched, found Amazon had the exact unit for $800 (less than half the price of local shop!) and at the time they didn't charge sales tax. I then discovered Amazon Prime and joined, as the $69 charge was cheaper than the shipping was going to be to get it to me quickly…not only that but any item can be sent overnight for an extra $5, so bam, I had a new water heater delivered the next day and from there on out used Prime for everything and Amazon had me hooked. I've also bought a compressor and a few other heavy items through them and that's when the free/quick shipping really pays. Some other places may offer free shipping but you usually find it's built to some degree into their more expensive prices and usually it's ground and not 2-day air. I guess Amazon also has movie streaming available with a Prime membership, although I've never checked that out…not much time in my life for watching movies.