Why Does Shipping Always Seem to Be a Problem?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the challenges and frustrations consultants face regarding shipping costs and customer perceptions. Participants share personal experiences related to shipping charges during shows and how customers react to these costs.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, recounts a lunch show experience where customers were confused about shipping charges, expressing frustration over their lack of understanding.
  • Another participant suggests creating a comparison chart of shipping charges from other direct sales companies to help clarify costs for customers.
  • Several users mention that customers often do not appreciate the value of shipping costs, especially when ordering low-cost items.
  • One participant shares their experience of a customer boasting about cheaper prices on eBay, highlighting the lack of warranty and support that comes with such purchases.
  • Another consultant notes that some customers expect to avoid shipping costs entirely, even for small orders, which can be frustrating for consultants.
  • Several participants agree that Pampered Chef has competitive shipping rates compared to other companies in direct sales.
  • One participant expresses the sentiment that customers often complain about shipping costs without recognizing the overall value of their orders.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding customer understanding of shipping costs, with some participants expressing frustration over complaints while others acknowledge that some customers may have valid concerns about shipping on small orders. No clear consensus emerges on how to best address these issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants share experiences from various shows and interactions with customers, reflecting a range of sentiments about shipping costs and customer expectations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for consultants looking to understand common customer perceptions about shipping and to share experiences related to managing these conversations during shows.

gilliandanielle said:
I know it isn't PC's fault and that they aren't pocketing the money either, it just sucks that someone wants to order a mix n'chop and the shipping is $3.35 just for that!!

$3.35? That's cheaper than $4.....is that a misprint?
 
Becky-
It looks like it is not a misprint they have tp pay 15% shipping plus $2 and if the mixn chop is all they want then thier shipping is 3.35 yeah it is cheaper then $4 but the larger thier order goes the more shipping they pay.
 
Jennie4PC said:
I just got an email form my Creative memories consltant and they are now charging shipping of $7.00 if the order is under $100 and a certain % if it is more then $100
I am not positive but I think this is because they are changing to direct shipping- at least in AK... They never had the option of direct shipping before and I have lost out on BIG orders from my sis in AZ because she doesn't want to pay to ship it to me, then pay to ship it to her! THANKS PC!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
$3.35? That's cheaper than $4.....is that a misprint?
No- it is right. But on an order with just a food chopper ($29.50) the shipping is $6.43 plus tax!!
 
gilliandanielle said:
No- it is right. But on an order with just a food chopper ($29.50) the shipping is $6.43 plus tax!!

....Gotcha!;)
 
DebbieSAChef said:
We will never escape the presence of cheap people at our shows or even people who we show the catalog to for orders.
I had one lady announce at a show I had two weeks ago that she got some items on eBay. :eek: The the garlic press for only $15.50 with shipping, prep bowl set for $22.00 with shipping and the large scoop for only $14.50 with shipping included. She was proud and announced it to everybody at the show. :mad:

I also announced that eBay may seem cheaper but the shipping usually makes up for the savings and they have no warranty for their products. After they get the product they are on their own. No help from a consultant on returns or with questions about the use and care of the product.
I told them that if the $4.00 was so expensive for them they could combine the orders but whoever's name was on the receipt would be responsible for taking care of the receipt in case they needed it later. No one combined their order and I got two bookings!

I told her that she spent $52.00 on products that cost $48 plus our shipping is only $4.00 so that comes out to $52.00. The tax would be $4.23. So she saved $4.23 but because she bought off of eBay she has no warranty on those items, and her purchase does not help the host earn her FREE products.

She was embarrassed and I told her that if she had added $12 more dollars this month she would get a FREE seasoning from the Pampered Pantry.
She quickly told her host, who wasn't too happy she announced that, that she was still going to place an order at the show because she still needed items. Then she quickly sat down and was quiet.

Debbie :D


Great Job Debbie!!! Well, spoke! I would totally remind guest when they are "buddying up" that they will not be able to get any warranty help since it is under the other persons name. I am sure they start thinking twice after that! :D
 
shipping fee for hosts with the following DS (don't have order forms so can't remember but i think each charges 10% of product for customer shipping)

Taste of home $250 level begins free shipping
Longaberger starts at $750 level
Southern Living $250 Party sales of $125 -$249.99 no free products)!!!! [/B]
At home America shipping fee for hosts not included in their chart
 
Just something else to add to the shipping charge debate.....most delivery companies (UPS, not sure about FedEx), charge more to a business for a residential delivery. And normally, the companies are charged by weight, or dimensional weight (size of box if it light, but large) So, $4 is nothing. It may seem like alot on a really small item, but when you think about February and all the stoneware that went out, our customers would've been paying thru the nose for the weight alone. AND when you factor in the packaging materials used (boxes), it really is nothing. AND, most companies are adding in fuel surcharges as well.
BTW, can you tell I used to work in packaging/shipping sales?:p :p
 
Thankfully, I have not had any complaints on shipping here. I think b/c where I am you have to order so many things or drive 90 miles to the nearest mall that people do not mind the $4.00 shipping fee.

The taxes aggravate me more b/c most of the towns here are 9% on top of the shipping, so, that really makes it add up.

I am glad to pay $4 b/c I know when I orders clothes out of magazines I pay $10-$15 easy on it.
 
sillylittlechef said:
:o I thought this was going to be a chastizing thread telling us all to stop whining about Fed ex and HO!!!!!!

I did too! I didn't even click on it all day b/c I did not want to get mad and go off on someone!!! ha!:D
 
I had an Arbonne party in January and I believe that I paid either 10 or 15% for shipping...plus the consultant didn't do ANY host coaching nor did she give out receipts to my guests! I ended up spending almost $200 and didn't really feel like I got much (I got NOTHING for free like PC offers) I'm also in the middle of a PL catalog show for my SIL and their host benefits are definitely not as good as PC!! I LOVE the host program we offer!!

Elizabeth
 
I have been "roped" into doing a Mary Kay party soon. The only thing I will get is some kind of tote bag. But the Consultant personally does free products and discounts but MK does not.
 

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