POLL: Box charges

It costs me $5.00 in packaging every time I ship a gecko, and I see a lot of other breeders charge a box fee for orders under a certain amount. I'd like to see how everyone feels about this.

I'd just add it to the shipping cost.

I would just as soon see it in the price of the gecko. Have a disclaimer up that says 'the price of the gecko includes all fees, execpt for shipping' or something such as that. Or, if you want to encourage higher sales,have a 10% discount for orders over a certain amount...

If someone is buying an animal from you I cannot see why $5 would make a difference. Adding it to the price only seems right to me.

Regards,

Terry

I personally do not mind box charges, but if your not in the business and understand the costs involved, well, I've noticed people hate any extra charges. Me, I just put the price in the animals and/or shipping.

. . . that it's just a part of doing business, which you build into the cost of your geckos.

I think UPS charges are fair - I usually just have a set price (I live in MN so the costs are usually equal all over the US). But when I see some of these huge charges that build in box costs - it makes me cringe. Some of them are getting upwards of 45 dollars.

i think it's easier on the buyer to "not know" - just build it in the price of the leo.

But what do I know anymore - I'm a leo has-been.

I charge a flat rate shipping of $35 which includes the box, heat packs/cold packs when necessary and next day shipping. Sometimes it's a little cheaper when I ship, so it covers the expense of the box and sometimes it's a little more and I absorb the cost of the box. Personally I don't like the little charge for this and a little charge for that. I like to know right up front what everything is going to cost and not have to worry about the little charges coming up after I've already agreed to buy.

I do the same thing Gene does. I charge a flat of $35 and sometimes it’s cheaper and sometimes it’s not. If it’s cheaper it helps pay for shipping supplies, but if it’s more I eat a few dollars. What seems to sway a lot of people from buying is the high shipping costs.

I think this is a very good question and look forward to seeing everyone elses replies. As for what I do. I will be adding the cost of boxes, deli cups, heat packs or cold packs into the price of a gecko. I will basicly add $5 to the price I'm willing to accept for my beloved gecko. Example: If I think that my gecko is worth $35 then I will be asking $40 Plus $40 for shipping. If someone is going to be spending alot of money then I may offer a price break. The cost of shipping alone is between $35 and $45 dollars. I always send a recipt for the shipping with the gecko as well as a copy of the add and a recent photo. I charge $40 dollars to ship. Sometimes there is an extra buck or two sometimes it cost me an extra dollar or two. I am a nobody, noname hobbiest. I do not do this for a living. I for one cannot afford to lose money to sell my geckos. I try to offer the healthiest hatchlings and best customer service that I can.

thats just another cost of doing business, the only way i ever charge a box fee is on a venomous order, and only because there is alot more to it than when shipping geckos