B&H does away with Free Shipping

mpix345 wrote in post #12213248
Exaclty.

I can't understand why free shipping always seems to be such a big deal. There is no free shipping. There is total cost to purchase something, and on top of that you can consider the value added (return policy, support, etc), if any, from the retailer. What's the big deal?

Of course there is free shipping. For example, while a Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II cost a little more at Crutchfield, buying it from B&H to ship to my home in Alaska would have cost me over $100.00 (it weights around 34 pounds). So, I bought it from Crutchfield at a higher cost, and I still saved over $60.00. Crutchfield has one of the best customer's support in the nation, and their return policy is second to none. I can order a 50" TV from Crutchfield, and it's shipped free, even if it is on (or discounted) sale at the moment.

I also order a lot of stuff from Amazon because of the free shipping to Alaska, and so far I haven't had any problems with them. Another company I have bought products from is B&H. I have done so for many years, until lately because some other companies offer free shipping to Alaska.

yendikeno wrote in post #12213915
^ +1 - there is no free lunch.

^ +1 There is NO free shipping...It's built into the cost of doing business. I am sure companies get big discounts for large volume shipping.

scorpio_e wrote in post #12219529
^ +1 There is NO free shipping...It's built into the cost of doing business. I am sure companies get big discounts for large volume shipping.

So,

I order a $30.00 photography book from B&H, plus $12.00 for shipping (a total of $42.00), or I order the same $30.00 book from Amazon where I don't pay for shipping. Does it mean that I pay exactly the same total amount to each company for this book?

I am wondering if some of you don't work for B&H or Adorama (?)

Rafromak wrote in post #12225315
So,

a. I order a $30.00 photography book from B&H, plus $12.00 for shipping (a total of $42.00). Or, I order the same $30.00 book from Amazon...does it mean that I pay exactly the same amount to each?

JFC man, all I'm saying is consider total cost, which you are clearly doing. It just doesn't make sense to me that people continually whine about free shipping, or lack thereof.

mpix345 wrote in post #12225350
JFC man, all I'm saying is consider total cost, which you are clearly doing. It just doesn't make sense to me that people continually whine about free shipping, or lack thereof.

If a distributor spoiled us with free shipping in the past, we have the right to whine


I didn't start this thread to discuss the background of free shipping and its hidden costs. Rather just to point out that BH does not have the same shipping as it did last month. Its just an PSA that shopping around might provide a better deal. Shipping costs have made me purchase through a different dealer in the past, so those added costs mean something (at least to me).

As long as its a reputable dealer, I shop around for the best deal. Sometimes its B&H, sometimes its not. If they lose business bc the free shipping goes away, they may bring it back, even if that means the item will cost a few bucks more.

Staszek wrote in post #12225396
If a distributor spoiled us with free shipping in the past, we have the right to whine

I didn't start this thread to discuss the background of free shipping and its hidden costs. Rather just to point out that BH does not have the same shipping as it did last month. Its just an PSA that shopping around might provide a better deal. Shipping costs have made me purchase through a different dealer in the past, so those added costs mean something (at least to me).

I'm with you on shopping around. As solid as B&H's rep might be, I don't just blindly buy from them or anyone else without at least a quick Google Shopping check. I guess my point is that prices change, free shipping is extended or retracted, rebates are offered, etc. There is always the need to look at total cost.

Gas ain't getting any cheaper, either.