Online retailers, I have just two words for you

April

Free. Shipping.

How I wish more places would adopt the Zappos/Nordstrom/ASOS approach: free shipping both ways, all the time.

I am about a zillion times more likely to try something (leading to a possible "keeper" purchase) if I know I can do so risk free.

For those who will advise in-store shopping only -- sadly, there are a number of places that only carry my size online. To have that be the case, and then to have to pay for shipping, seems like an unfair tax.

13 years ago

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from KathyL

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Ditto!

And make international shipping at least more reasonable.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely! Free shipping makes a huge difference in my willingness to try something. From your lips to their ears!

13 years ago

Anonymous

I prefer free shipping, but I also don't mind stores that offer free shipping above, say, $50 or so. Chances are my total is higher than that, so it is a nice bonus.

International shipping will always be annoying with regards to duty etc. but I do think that a lot of stores charge too much....cough...Anthropologie) -- $20 for a dress that can fit into a small packet? I am glad I am not in Europe because then it jumps to $55!

13 years ago

Anonymous

I totally agree. Free shipping both ways is such a convenience, particularly for returns. It's such a hassle to have to pay to send something back; so much easier to stick a return label on the bag or box and mail it back.

13 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

I totally agree. Lately, whenever I find an item I like I immediately see if either Nordstrom or Zappos carries it, too, and order from them. I've also been shopping more online at Nordstrom because of the free shipping/returns.

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I <3 free shipping.

13 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

My favorite is free shipping over a certain amount, although I love Zappos no matter what.
I just read a post on free shipping at LL Bean and a comparison of prices before and after, and apparently the free shipping costs $10 per item!

http://www.muffyaldrich.com/20.....-free.html

13 years ago

Debby

(website)

Active Member

You are so right.

I try to buy things in stores because I have to try everything on, including shoes (wide feet, ugh). With free shipping, I'm more willing to take a chance on an item, because if the size isn't right, I'll have to pay shipping THREE times -- to me, back to them, new size to me.

I live about 30-45 minutes away from some of my favorite stores, so sometimes online shopping is unavoidable. Yesterday I ordered a top that I had tried on in A*n T*yl*r a month ago, so I knew the size I wanted. Not only did they overcharge for shipping the one item, but there was a SHIPPING TAX on top of the clothing tax! Not sure if that is store policy or the tax-crazy state I live in, but that was just beyond the pale. I didn't know about the tax until after the order went through, or I probably would have made a special trip out to the store on principle.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Hee hee - I actually said it aloud before I clicked on your link. Yes, the wasted s & h charges this year for me total $100 by now I'm sure.

13 years ago

Veteran

I don't insist on free shipping, especially on small orders. I'm just venturing into buying online, and I am sticking to places with low, flat shipping rates, and where returns can be made to a local B&M store. So far, it's working well. I'm pretty careful about what I order - I hate the hassle of returns - so returns have been minimal, and that was because the fabric and construction was not what it looked like in the photos.

ETA: the two words I would add are Garment Measurements. If they provided detailed measurement info, we could order more wisely and there would be fewer returns. Win-win. And sometimes they don't even provide fibre information, which is an absolute deal-breaker for me. I have a nasty allergy to acrylic, and you'd be amazed where that turns up.

13 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I agree, free shipping does make me more willing to try out a questionable wardrobe item.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Ha, JR that is the rub! I can't return anything to B&M. Heck, I'd walk into the store in the first place if there were any nearby. Returns cost as much as shipping out - so you end up paying $15 for the pleasure of trying something on to see it doesn't fit. It's a drag after a while. Not to mention (for me) the walk to the post office in the heat carrying said items.

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I am more likely to try things if there's free shipping (to me and free returns), but at the same time, I tend to place a premium on service and speed too. Sometimes the "free shipping" has taken ages to get to me, or in some cases - the order is cancelled by the time it gets "processed" because my size is out of stock. It was in stock when I ordered it, but then by the time someone goes to process my order, it's sold out.

I like knowing how long something will take to get to me. I'd be happy to pay a flat rate shipping fee for that kind of service. For instance, if I know it's always going to be a flat $8 or $10 or even $15 for three day shipping, I'm completely fine with that.

Having said that though, I'm kind of shocked that on some sites that don't have the free shipping option - the shipping price *increases* with the size of one's order. That doesn't make sense to me. I realize there might be more bulk, but I cannot see the overall rationale for this. So, if I spend much more, I pay a lot in shipping fees? This leads me to order fewer things and spend less on my online purchase.

13 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

That post on LLBean price hike with the introduction of free shipping is very interesting. I have to say that there is an additional factor for me - how easy it is to return an item once it has been worn. I try not to take the tags off until I am sure I want to keep something but I get really irked when I wash an expensive clothing item and it shrinks in the first wash or when things start falling apart after a few washes.

That is where LLBean with their lifetime guarantee and Nordstrom with their generous returns get my vote. I also used to love Endless for their 6 month return policy but I think they changed to 30 days. I have also had great experience with Brooks Brothers, even though their shipping is expensive. I bought a non-iron shirt, washed it and realized it was now gaping in front. They sent me a new shirt (next size up) with free shipping. Even though I had to pay for return shipping, I was very happy with both the quality and customer service so I will continue buying from them.

Overall, I have stopped buying things in brick and mortar stores for the most part and stick to retailers who have free shipping and returns or free shipping above certain purchase amount and good return policies. I suspect that for those consumers who would like to try new things and only keep those that fit perfectly, the hidden price of "free shipping" does not matter too much. (That would be me - I will often try 5 things on at home and keep 1). For those who know exactly what they want to get, don't return a lot of items, and are very price-conscious, free shipping may not be a good deal.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hear hear! Wouldn't free shipping be lovely. It would sure change my opinion about online shopping.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I'm keenly aware of the hidden cost of "free" shipping, but appreciate the ease of returning something that for whatever reason doesn't work for me. As long as the dept. stores and other local retailers have pathetic to non-existent petite departments and do not stock wide width shoes in the styles I like, I will continue to shop online. It's the only way I can buy things that fit!

13 years ago

April

Veteran

I guess I don't really mind the hidden costs of free shipping as much as I mind not knowing what my total is going to be before I start checking out. I hate when you thought you were spending $90 and then it turns out to be $110. If that cost was factored into the item price, I would *know* how much I was spending.

But ladies who don't shop online, please understand my frustration. Some of my favorite retailers do not, as a matter of policy, stock my size in the B&M stores. (This is mainly a problem with pants.) I can *only* buy online from them, and the surcharge of shipping seems like a major disadvantage.

13 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

That does seem almost unfair April. My Mom has similar issues - a lot of stores don't carry their plus sizes "in store" and she has to order online, often from a US retailer to Canada. That's why I'm so excited when I hear rumours that Nordstrom might open a few stores in Canada - they have nicer clothing, and I'm pretty certain they have a fab selection of plus items.

13 years ago

lynne

Veteran

Absolutely! I like Anthropologie, but their shipping prices are nuts. This is especially awful since now they are offering items that are "online only" so you HAVE to pay for shipping. At least they offer free shipping once in a great while.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have two words for you too:

Team Store

13 years ago

Charmian

Veteran

@April: I love free shipping as much as the next gal, but since I'm trying (cough failing cough) to be choosier about fit, I find myself less willing to put up with the vagaries of internet retailers these days. It's true that I'm a relatively easy-to-find size, but I'm also a hard-to-fit body type (inverted triangle), so I feel like I have a small glimpse into your online-only frustrations, and I hear you. It sucks

@JAileen & @Makrame: It's worth noting that the cost of cotton increased notably during the same period that L.L. Bean introduced free shipping, so it's possible their price hikes reflect both the higher cost of raw materials and the absorption of shipping costs.

@JR: oh my, yes, "garment measurements" have recently become big for me too!

13 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I will gladly pay the premium from places like Zappos or Endless or Nordies when I know the return label will be easy to print or is already enclosed on the package. I take more risks when shopping that way, and I actually end up ordering more and KEEPING more than I would otherwise. I realize that some retailers are smaller and perhaps cannot afford to offer free shipping, but I know that larger department stores CAN... and usually choose not to. This, I believe, is why Zappos continues to thrive despite no longer offering a price-match policy. They can't afford to price match the place that offers 30% off but then charges you an $18 shipping fee, and that store is actually no bargain in the big scheme.

13 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Hear, hear! (x's 2)

I cannot tell you how many purchases I have ended up not making because of ridiculous shipping charges.

I would love to be able to be more Team Store but I live in the middle of nowhere and don't have a lot of time to myself to be able to try stuff on in dressing rooms because more frequently than not my son is with me.

13 years ago

Keix

Veteran

I would be a bigger presence on Team Store if Anthro and J.Crew started offering petite sizes in their stores!

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I would love to be Team Store. But so many styles are now on line only. Many lines only carry my size online.

13 years ago

KathyL

Veteran

I totally agree. Many stores here have a very limited petite section so buying in person is not an option. I do not buy from j. crew typically because their shipping prices and poor return policy on sale items.

13 years ago

Category