Hi Bill ... Here the Post Office will provide much of the packing and shipping material for free, and they'll deliver it to your door as well. Newspaper for wadding and cushioning the item in the box can also be absolutely free, if not just effectively free. Styrofoam peanuts are free, too, if you save them from packages that you receive. The PO will also come by and pick up your packages, but there's a charge of $10.25 for that. However, if you have a number of packages, and your time is valuable, and the post office is a hassle, it may be a very cost-effective and stress-free way to ship. But, here's the thing, small packages can be placed in pickup boxes, and there's no charge for that in any case, or they can often (not always) be left for, or given to, the postal carrier for no charge. Larger packages may require additionally handling.
I agree that charging a lot extra for "handling" may be considered to be usurious, but Tom's situation may be different than yours or mine. If I paid $1.50 for a box, 25-cents for packing peanuts, amortized the tape needed to seal the package, factored in my time @ $X.00 per hour, figured in specific automobile expenses, the cost of the toner used to print the address on the label, the cost for the included "Thank You" note which I often send along with the item, the time required to enter feedback, shoe leather, and all the subtle hidden costs, I might want to charge more than I do for shipping and handling. But I consider that part of the service I provide my customers, part of my cost of doing business, part of a strategy for repeat business or referrals, and to develop a strong, positive feedback, which can help sell my goods. William Robb wrote: > Tom, the cost of a cardboard box > is perhaps a dollar, if not > free, packing material is effectively free, > and small packet postage to the USA from > Canada is $5.60. Charging $16.50 gives the > seller a $9.00 profit on the shipment > in question. > Do you really think this is reasonable? -- Shel Belinkoff mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
