Postage dilema

[judithbl]

Hi

Am looking for opinions here from everyone, and those who are WAHM.

Tomorrow I think you all know that the postage is changing.

It will effect me hugely. It is now on the size of the parcel as well as the weight. So for example - a pair of dolls shoes used to cost 23p to post out - now it will be £1. Quite a difference.

NOw for the dilema. Do I carry on with the free postage but add extra on to the price of items?? But then the problem is that I am listed on Froogle and if you saw the same items one at say £3.50 from another seller (but he charges postage) or for £4.50 from me (but I don't charge postage) you would probably hit into the cheaper website.

Or...............

Do I start to charge postage? And if so what should I charge?

Should I do it on weight or value......personally I think that the value is the easiest to comprehend.

I would however keep to free postage over a certain limit ....say over £50.

What do you all think???

Am desperate for opinions so please give me a yell if you have any ideas?

Thanks

Judith

[judithbl]

PS forgot to mention that if charging postage some items may come down in price as at the moment they may include a little for postage.
Judith

[Tess]

me personally, i would still like to see free postage, makes me think im still getting a bargain..id say put the vale of the goods up, i don't use froogle so that doesn't affect me.
tricky isn't it!..
or
can you put the true value of the item but clearly show show how much p&p will be charged next to them item too?
i hate not knowing how much im going to pay until i get to the final stages of the check out.
sorry, bit contradicting there, hhmmmn....dunno, sorry!

[judithbl]

Yes - I am totally at a loss what to do.

With the prices at the moment by the time I have paid paypal fees and postage I am either going to be just breaking even or making a loss.

Oh what to do!!

x

[Lemon]

It is a real dilemma Judith and one which I am also considering. I have personally given up on Ebay and only sell the odd bits and bobs. I have sold way too many things without making hardly anything at all or at a loss.

I am going to keep my site Free P&P and add a little on the price. I don't know if this is the right way but time will tell ! I am also experimenting with different ways to wrap the item, for example if you have one item say a pair of shorts and fold them twice they won't go through the slot which defines large letter. If you fold them once they will go through and therefore cost less to post. HTH x If you find any other way then let me know !!!!

[Seren]

I think we all know that free postage doesn't mean free postage. It just means that the cost of postage is inlcuded with the item.

Personally I would look at what people are doing around you if it was my business, at the ens of the day you have to make a living why should you be apologetic about it. If you believe that Free Postage is the reason why people buy from you, than keep it but if you are losing money then you do need to put up your prices. I think from a consumer point of view I'm resigned to the fact that things are going to cost more, it will hit me as I buy nappies and they will go up. But that all because of the post office.

I don't envy you and hope that you find a solution.

IMO I would keep postage costs as low as possible and try to absorb the costs within the item

HTH

[judithbl]

Yes it is a real dilema.

I have been practising folding things....and squahing out as much air as possible.

The main things are things that are in a box....can't squash those.

I might see how things go for a little while and go from there.

I don't want to start losing customers because they are being charged fr=or postage,
Judith
x

[Lemon]

But like Gingerbam has said it's not your fault the postage has to rise, it is Royal Mail !! All businesses are going to have to add on in some way or another to compensate. We are not trying to 'make' more money out of people, just to cover our costs. Don't feel bad, it will probably take a good year for everyone to even out and find a solution that works. I bet they will change it back again then !!!! LOL !!!

[judithbl]

Yes, I can't see this working!! It will be a nightmare at the post office!!!!!!
x

[feistygal]

From what I can tell things that are in boxes/medium sized stuff won't change in price. I sent two boxes of fun blox the other day and asked how much it would be under the PiP scheme and the lady checked for me. The answer was - the same amount. It seems to be mainly the much smaller stuff that will suffer.

[judithbl]

Yes parcel post is unaffected. As is the international post.

x

[judithbl]

Just had a look at your site - is that £1 per item or £1 per order?
Just something else to think about,
Oh I am so confused!!
x

[judithbl]

Here's another thought -
How about £1 for orders up to 9.99
then £1.95 for orders up to £29.99
Free postage over £30.00

????????????
x

[littlesheep]

From what I can tell things that are in boxes/medium sized stuff won't change in price. I sent two boxes of fun blox the other day and asked how much it would be under the PiP scheme and the lady checked for me. The answer was - the same amount. It seems to be mainly the much smaller stuff that will suffer.


I agree I have a parcel to post and packed it up on yesterday and it works out cheaper under the new system. So my generally heavy parcels are going to be about the same I think.

Love Elaine

[littlesheep]

I charge £1.95 for P&P although in reality this is a token amount as most of my orders cost more than that to post... I'm considerig moving to P&P included (it isn't free as I'll change my prices to accomodate it)

Love Elaine

[MrTempleDene]

Judithbl, I wouldn't worry to much about froogle, as everyone is in the same boat, your competitors are going to have to put up prices or postage as well!

Anyone shopping for a bargain will compare prices for postage I'd have thought.

All you can do really is make sure your prices relaistically cover postage expense and give you enough leeway for a profit, after all you aren't doing this as a hobby but to make money!

[Tanya]

I think the only way I am going to absorb the new postage cost is into my prices somehow, although I don't want look as though my products are expensive and haven't quite worked it all out yet

[judithbl]

Well at the moment I have gone at retail price or just below for things like Taggies, fancy dress etc, but what I am worried about is that if I put postage in with the price I am going to go above the rrp.
x

[feistygal]

Yes parcel post is unaffected. As is the international post.

x

I didn't ask about parcel post, that was 1st class. The fun blox aren't very big at all, for two boxes it costs £4.74 first class and I was told it would remain the same.

On my site, yes it is £1 per order for orders under £50.

Good luck figuring it all out - it's a pain isn't it? Particularly hard when you have to sell things at an exact price due to the supplier conditions.

[Girlzmum]

I'm not coming from a business pov but a customer and I'd be more inclined to go for p&p included in price. Hope you're able to sort something out soon.

[Netty]

It is difficult - but as a customer I would prefer p&p included or set at say £1 per order (like feistygal) as long as the details were stated clearly (ie - before checkout).

[judithbl]

Well. I think I have decided - but really got to see how it goes.

I think I am going to do £1 for orders to £9.95
£10 -29.99 £1.95
Then free over £30

Prices will be at rrps now as this will refect the postage change.
Hope this makes sense

If anyine wants to take advantage of free postage - be quick cos it shall probably change today or tomorrow,
Thanks everyone
Judith
x

[Al1x]

Sounds pretty reasonable to me .... might even encourage people to spend over £30 to get the free postage :)

I've just rolled p&p into the prices of my items but most of my items are quite heavy so I don't think the new postage rules affect me too much.

[judithbl]

Yes I hope so - I think if I put it on to the items the prices would be distorted too much,
Heres hoping I've done the right thing.x