Free Shipping?

[Gem99ultra]

Perhaps I'm behind on the new terms, but I sure am confused on what "Free Shipping" means. I got an eMail ad from Northern Tool that looked attractive. Banner touted "Free Shipping", so I selected a nice small scaffold and dropped it in my cart. Final price for it when exiting said "Free Shipping TO STORE".
I was sort of thinking "Free Shipping" meant to my location? Later I was told from a friend that went to the NT store to buy something and they wanted to tack on 'shipping' to his purchase price even if buying from their stock.
Is it just me, or is that the new way of doing business?

 

[oosik]

I think NT was trying to slip one over on you. I always thought free shipping meant to your home address. I really don't know the rule when shipping is added or not added. It appears that shipping is added when it represents a certain percentage of the total price. Or if you special order an item of certain value or ? ? ? May haps somebody can enlighten, here.

Now that I think about it - whatever the rule is, its sure crazy. I paid freight on the purchase of my Wallenstein chipper and not on my Bush Hog ROBB. I paid no freight on the purchase of my new M6040 but did on my Land Pride disc harrow. Actually, I'm certain that I paid freight on all four items - its folded into the total price of some and separately itemized on others.

 

[kf4uda]

I don't care for the "smoke and mirrors" sales approach. If it is free shipping to the store then that what it should say. There is no such thing as free shipping anyway. I would prefer they drop that gimmick and just say here is the out the door price for purchase and shipping to your location and here is the price for ship to the store and you pick up.

 

[the old grind]

Should not be confused with "Free Financing", which is all too often 6-8% added to 'cash' price.

What used to be "On Sale Now" has become "Doorbuster Deal".

"Thong-style flip-flop foam sandals $29.95." Save 10% with approved "Insider's Club" membership!

'Marketing department' is doing its best to keep up with technology.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I don't care for the "smoke and mirrors" sales approach. If it is free shipping to the store then that what it should say. There is no such thing as free shipping anyway. I would prefer they drop that gimmick and just say here is the out the door price for purchase and shipping to your location and here is the price for ship to the store and you pick up.

Ain't that the truth! We all know that cost, whatever it is, it is rolled into the selling price. That reminds me of HF sending out eMail ads with 20% off coupons - good for 'in store purchases only'. That's printed right there on the coupon - in 4 point print; how could I have missed that! Tack that ploy on with the $xxx.99 prices. Do they think I'm so stupid that I don't realize that $xxx.99 is very close to the next dollar amount.

Like you said - stop the gimmicks and be honest about the price. Heck, I'm not even asking for them to be honest about the quality... which won't ever happen. I don't expect any vendor to sell below cost or to not make a profit - but stop the games.

 

[MoKelly]

Lots of stores I use have the free shipping to the store but not to your house. I use Gander Mountain quite a bit for gun purchases and their free shipping to the store near me is good (of course, no one can ship a gun directly to your house).

Amazon's Prime free 2 day shipping is fantastic. I can't tell you how much stuff we have bought and not a single time has Amamzon failed to deliever within the 2 days.

It may not be really free but oftentimes I pay no sales tax so it feels good.

MoKelly

 

[oldpilgrim]

I've bought lotsa stuff from NT with free shipping to my door.....never an issues.

What bugs me is everyone telling you that you'll get a FREE GIFT with purchase !

What the Heck is a gift anyway? Isn't it by definition something that is given to you for FREE !?!?!?

 

[SPIKER]

Remember when JC Pennies did this NO GIMMICK prices in store now! It almost bankrupted the company as people WANT SALES to go show up. They published lowest price ads and no one came! (Though at same time the looks of the stuff the put in stores was NOT my style.) They are BACK to the sales ads and gimmicks to get buyers into the store.

I HATE the BUY THIS CAR for a BUCK and you pay $52,000.00 in shipping costs type thing just as bad as the other ones...

Mark

 

[Gem99ultra]

Lots of stores I use have the free shipping to the store but not to your house. I use Gander Mountain quite a bit for gun purchases and their free shipping to the store near me is good (of course, no one can ship a gun directly to your house).

Amazon's Prime free 2 day shipping is fantastic. I can't tell you how much stuff we have bought and not a single time has Amamzon failed to deliever within the 2 days.

It may not be really free but oftentimes I pay no sales tax so it feels good.

MoKelly

I also buy quite a bit from Amazon, and did try out their Prime shipping. Super service, but I just couldn't justify $79/year; $99/year next year. Usually I can easily wait the 5-8 days for over $35/order with free shipping. In my case here in Georgia though, if Amazon ships from their central warehouse, I will be charged tax. Interstate sale. Uncle Sam is sure trying to get ALL internet sales taxed. Just another money grab I think.

I have in the past also bought from NT with free shipping. I think this new 'freight addition' is just another way of adding revenue without increasing the item price.

 

[chopped]

I bought some window car visors for my car. on ebay the cost was only $2.99 Then came the shipping 29.50 with both added together it was a better deal than any of the free shipping ones advertised.lol there is ''NO FREE SHIPPING""plain and simple.

Remember when JC Pennies did this NO GIMMICK prices in store now! It almost bankrupted the company as people WANT SALES to go show up. They published lowest price ads and no one came! (Though at same time the looks of the stuff the put in stores was NOT my style.) They are BACK to the sales ads and gimmicks to get buyers into the store.

I HATE the BUY THIS CAR for a BUCK and you pay $52,000.00 in shipping costs type thing just as bad as the other ones...

((((((((didnt you mean to say buy this car for $.99 cents and shipping of $52,000.01 )))))?????:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

I sure wouldnt have paid One Dollar.Im smarter than that. But 99 cents then we are talking

Mark