Now Even the Good Guys Are Ripping Us Off

[johngalt_ny]

I have bought many things from Amazon, Adorama and B&H. They are rightfully considered class mail order houses and I've never had a problem with any of them. Until today.

I went to Amazon to order two StoFens. They were to come from Adorama. In the top right corner, take a look at the S&H on 2 items in one package that collectively weigh about 8 ounces being shipped instate to a NY address via standard shipping. Believe it or not, B&H shipping/handling was worse.

Now take a look at the estimated tax which apparently is calculated on both the product and the S&H. Our sales tax rate here is 8.25% while the estimated tax is over 10%.

Lest you all think I'm mistaken, have a look:

http://upload.pbase.com/image/107119741.jpg


Not a very good "holiday sale" in my book. REALLY disappointing from two pretty decent internet houses.

[birdman59]

I don't know about your state or the state these items are shipping from, but I live in Ohio and we are supposed to pay tax on shipping charges. Also, UPS charges for whole pound boxes. 12 ounces ships as 1 lb and 1.5 lbs ships as 2 lbs. The shipping also depends on your destination zip code and residential costs more than commercial. A 1 lb package to a business in one zip code may cost $5.00, but a residential costs $9.50 to a home. Rural delivery is much worse...and rates go up faster than the price of oil in Iran.

[Picture North Carolina]

The shipping does seem a little out of perspective when I consider I just ordered 20 calendars from MPIX (which weigh a lot more than 2 Stoffen's and are shipped in a larger package) and to have them shipped FedEx Next Day was charged only a little over $10.

[Dan-o]

One of the reasons I have a NAPP membership is free shipping from B&H. Is the shipping the same if you go directly to Adorama?

[bryank930]

Order them direct from Adorama. Amazon is setup to charge a separate shipping charge for each item, even if coming from the same place. Not Adorama's fault.

[Mark1]

I gave up on amazon a long time ago. For me they charged shipping, then the store that the stuff was sold through amazon charged shipping as well. I would have been cheaper to NOT use amazon. So I have never been back.

[civicseth]

I only buy from Amazon when I am purchasing something directly from Amazon themselves. Otherwise, I just go to the store I am ordering from.

[johngalt_ny]

Good advice everybody.

I went to Adorama directly and ordered the two StoFens. Total cost was $36.40 so there's not a lot of difference BUT I'd rather just get an honest price up front and pay it. A buck and a half less may not be much but I hate the S&H scam.