Paying for Shipping for In Stock Set of Tires and Rims

Gary Fowler · Mar 15, 2016

Shipping and Handling charges are getting way out of hand and is just a way for suppliers to raise the cost of goods rather than list their real cost. I hate it(to the point of not buying) when someone charges me $25 shipping on an item that would fit in a USPS envelope and mail for less than $1 total. I always check shipping charges prior to finalizing a buy off internet.
I have not been individually charged shipping on in-stock items, but always on special order. Just yesterday I had to pay $17 shipping for a lawnmower deck belt that dealer didn't have in stock which is outrageous for something that can be put in a USPS box for $10 or less AND it is 7 day delivery.

varmint · Mar 15, 2016

Interestingly enough, somehow Amazon can ship stuff for way less than you and I (maybe because they ship out a million boxes a day, or whatever?) and stuff can be shipped from China and then delivered here for almost nothing. Are we civilians subsidizing the rest of the shipping world, Amazon included? On the other hand, if you had to drive each way 400 miles to get those wheels and tires, the $300 might seem more reasonable.

MessickFarmEqu · Mar 16, 2016

TripleR said:
No freight at our Kubota dealer if you wait for it to be included in their weekly order, only if shipped alone.

Not correct. Parts yes... Wholegoods are handled differently.

in regards to Amazon. I sell on there. I am sure they get a killer rate with Fedex... however, without question some of the shipping cost is baked into the cost of the product. Amazon is not a cheap place to sell at all. They charge at minimum 15% to the seller + shipping fee's. I'd be willing to bet some of that is going to subsidize the shipping cost. You should almost always be able to find a cheaper price elsewhere. You can play the shell game of jacking your prices to offer free or cheap shipping, but whats really important is the total money your paying.

paulfun9 · Mar 17, 2016

MessickFarmEqu said:
Not correct. Parts yes... Wholegoods are handled differently.

in regards to Amazon. I sell on there. I am sure they get a killer rate with Fedex... however, without question some of the shipping cost is baked into the cost of the product. Amazon is not a cheap place to sell at all. They charge at minimum 15% to the seller + shipping fee's. I'd be willing to bet some of that is going to subsidize the shipping cost. You should almost always be able to find a cheaper price elsewhere. You can play the shell game of jacking your prices to offer free or cheap shipping, but whats really important is the total money your paying.

Curious to know if the rims alone would be considered as parts.?

RickB · Mar 17, 2016

paulfun9 said:
Curious to know if the rims alone would be considered as parts.?

Can't speak specifically to Kubota, but in the New Holland world, rims would generally be eligible for free shipping on a parts stock order while wheel/tire assemblies would be sold as wholegoods subject to freight charges.

droptop · Mar 17, 2016

I was able to find that Massey's assembly depot is near Baltimore. After going onto the Yellow Freight website to get a quote for a single 50x50 pallet shipped with a estimated 600# weight, they only quoted $148. If two pallets ship, the cost/pallet drops to $115. All of this is for someone without an account or any freight discounts. Sounds like my dealer is either just pulling freight numbers out of thin air or is trying to make a tidy profit on shipping.

MessickFarmEqu · Mar 18, 2016

droptop said:
I was able to find that Massey's assembly depot is near Baltimore. After going onto the Yellow Freight website to get a quote for a single 50x50 pallet shipped with a estimated 600# weight, they only quoted $148. If two pallets ship, the cost/pallet drops to $115. All of this is for someone without an account or any freight discounts. Sounds like my dealer is either just pulling freight numbers out of thin air or is trying to make a tidy profit on shipping.

many equipment vendors use an equalized freight system so every dealers costs are these same. Proximity to the depot does not always mean your dealer gets a lower cost.

varmint · Mar 18, 2016

Thanks for sharing that information with us civilians, Mr. Messick. Now, if we just knew what that new L3560 really costs...?
Seriously, if we all are going to have a discussion about something, it is good to have real information in addition to our opinions that may not be based on hard knowledge.

paulfun9 · Mar 19, 2016

My experience is that I have always gotten better prices on equipment tires from other sources than the dealership. The local tire shop which also handles industrial equipment and truck tires has proven time and again to give me better prices and even when considering the fee for mounting they still come out way lower. I have not been charged freight on any tire but have not asked for next day delivery, I just wait for their weekly tire shipment and anything I order seems to just come on their regular truck delivery.

Taking this into consideration maybe just get the rims and do some shopping for tires someplace else.

RickB · Mar 19, 2016

paulfun9 said:
My experience is that I have always gotten better prices on equipment tires from other sources than the dealership. The local tire shop which also handles industrial equipment and truck tires has proven time and again to give me better prices and even when considering the fee for mounting they still come out way lower. I have not been charged freight on any tire but have not asked for next day delivery, I just wait for their weekly tire shipment and anything I order seems to just come on their regular truck delivery.

Taking this into consideration maybe just get the rims and do some shopping for tires someplace else.

Worthwhile advise. The result can go either way, but it pays to price both methods.