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Adding on items to get free shipping?

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

My order was $6 short for free shipping at Saks Off Fifth. I noodled around and found a $20 sweater, a basic that crosses over into a lounge wear upgrade. Figuring it's true cost was $12 since shipping was $8, I put it in the cart. That's not really even girl math.

Now I'm asking myself whether in general it would just be smarter to pay the shipping. Do this add-ons ever work out? Or do they end up unworn? I suspect in the past for me it's been hit-or-miss-I need to pay attention. What's your strategy?

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I do this, and it usually works out. But you never know until your shipment arrives...

always trying

Veteran

I have only done that twice, but I almost always order on line where I can return to a store like DSW, Macys, etc. if I do not like the"add on". But recently I bought a second pair of booties that I did not need as the offer was also second pair 1/2 off. Turned out I love both and it was a great deal. so I would say for $8.00 I would get the other sweater. You never know you may really like it. Guess it depends on the amount and how much of a risk taker you are. I probably would just pay the shipping if there was really nothing else I wanted.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I did this a while ago, added a $12 tee to an order that was $9 short, and it is one of my favourite tees!

Also do this all the time for things I can return at B&M stores, like BR or Gap. I drive by them daily so it doesn't even cost me gas.

I think it's perfect girl math.

K. Period.

Veteran

I do the add on, especially if there are free returns. I figure that if it works out, both the retailer and me are benefiting. They offer free shipping to encourage you to buy more, so I am just being accommodating! Seriously, I've bought a few "top up" add on items that have been great buys. I wouldn't have taken the risk without the free shipping incentive.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Wait a minute, if you return part of an order to a B&M store, they don't add the shipping back on? Who knew? Don't tell me everybody but me, LOL.

Anonymous

Yes I do this, but in my case I usually end up returning everything to the B&M store. I have a low success rate in an in an actual dressing room, so it's not surprising that my chances with online purchases are even less. Fingers crossed though, I have an order coming from LOFT where I tacked on two pairs of walking shorts and I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Astrid

Veteran

I just pondered this a few minutes ago... I found my favourite hose at a reduced price for 10€ online. Just the color I have, just the right size. Just one pair left and discovered this morning my pair has a hole. Shipping was 4€ and I would have needed to spend 30€ for free shipping. I shopped around and put other things into the cart just to delete them again, but nothing seemed quite right. In the end I paid for shipping. It's still less than the first pair when I bought them new!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I do this all the time. I often have to mail things back (often at my expense) so I at least get one way free shipping if I hit the minimum limit. And sometimes the 'filler' item ends up being the one I want to keep lol.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I do this fairly often, but I try to only do it when it's something I can return free to a store, and/or something that has a legitimate possibility for working out. Unless it's super super cheap and I won't mind just eating the cost (for me, probably under 10 bucks).

viva

Veteran

I sometimes do this. In your case, I would definitely have done it -- big item, small cost. What I hate is grabbing at little things to fill the gap. Because little things grabbed quickly usually end up sitting in the corner of a drawer somewhere.

unfrumped

Veteran

I do it but never in the sense of having to keep it. AT bad a minimum of $175 for free shipping, but has good sales, and more items online. But then, on sale it's harder to exceed $175. Returns are free at store but I'm gunshy after one SA talked me into allowing him to mail in as an online return. So now I cringe when I take stuff back.
I try only to order things I truly like. Sizing ironically helps because I may order 2 sizes.
Then , as noted above, if there's noB&M store and neither ship nor return is free , my odds are I'll have to return part of an order.
I have ordered just one item and paid shipping when I already know it's the right thing, chalking it up to shopping expense & avoid hassle of returning an unnecessary item.

Glory

Veteran

I always do this but I find shipping in Canada high and I totally resent it.

rabbit

Veteran

I do this when there are free returns to a nearby store, and usually get two sizes in my original item, because you never know what sizing is like. I'm so allergic to paying for any shipping that at times it's a little ludicrous I admit how I have to talk myself into an extra 5 dollars for a deeply discounted item and I usually think about it for days.

N-Marie

Veteran

I do this all the time, most often when a store has free returns (GAP/ON/BR/Piperlime). However, usually I just throw a few packs of baby socks in my online basket because they disappear at a disconcerting rate in my house (where do they go!?.)

Emily

Veteran

I do it if I can return for free by mail, conveniently in the store, or if the cost the item pretty much negates the cost of shipping.

Anonymous

I do this too. I almost always use the add-on.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I also do it all the time and then return the item if I don't like / need it. I am returning at least 70% of my online orders anyway (price to pay when you cannot see / try on in person) so one thing more does not make much difference.

Gigi

Veteran

Well, I generally don't have much luck with online ordering period—almost everything goes back—but I wouldn't say that the add-on item has any worse of a return rate in general than the other stuff I've bought. I have also had add-on items become favorites. I have a lacy crop top that I got from PacSun for $7 as an add on. I never would have bought it otherwise. I love it and am glad I have it!

Other times, I don't bother with the add-on. If I can't truly find anything that even looks remotely appealing, I'll just pay the shipping if I truly want my main item.

catgirl

Veteran

I posted this a while ago so you know my answer!

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Tierra

RamblingAnn: I don't think anyone specifically answered your question, but yes, if returns to B&M store are allowed, then you do not have to refund the shipping. In other words, you can just return the item and get what you paid for it back.
In fact, this is also true even if you have to mail it back. You may have to pay the shipping to return the item to the retailer (but sometimes not), but I don't think you ever get back-charged shipping for returned items.
Phew, that was kind of confusing.
Bottom line, I do a ton of online ordering, & I have never encountered a situation where I got free shipping to me, but then was somehow back charged for it when I returned something. That just doesn't happen.
Of course this is all in the US. If you are outside the US, I'm not sure what happens, but I think the rules are very different.

ETA: guilty as charged to using girl math. I always add things on to get free shipping. I'm another one who just hates to pay for shipping if it can be avoided!

rabbit

Veteran

Adding on to what Tierra says, sometimes there are also coupon codes where if you buy a certain dollar amount, you get a percentage off. In most cases (I'm thinking Amazon and Old Navy and Macys) if you return items, you don't 'lose' this coupon discount and have to pay more for the items you end up keeping.

Thistle

Veteran

"I do it if I can return for free by mail, conveniently in the store, or if the cost the item pretty much negates the cost of shipping." Yep, me too.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Tierra and Rabbit:

I had no idea! That could be an expensive initiation into the finer points of mail order shopping.

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm with Thistle and the others. If it's free returns or something I know will work, then I'll do it.

Neelie

Veteran

I do this, but with inexpensive items that I know I can use like socks! Totally worth it and valid mathematically.

Tanya

Veteran

I do this almost all the time, especially if there are free in-store returns. More often than not, I will try to do this with a pair of socks or underwear, as you can never have too many of those.