Thanks for sharing the kind words about the company. I've never heard of them but will definitely check them out!

Thanks for the information. Shipping costs are usually one of the deciding factors in my purchases.

That's a great situation! I've found lately, that many companies will make adjustments if a problem occurs.

I recently wrote to P&G and got a $14 coupon for a product replacement and to a bread company and got a $5 Kroger card.

I also write to companies when they or their sales staff do a great job too.

I do believe communication is the key.

:D Must be really gooood chocolate. BrendaK.

Thank you very much for the information. It is good to share our experiences. There are, unfortunately, folks out there that just love to hoodwink us; however, there are also many very honest folks making a living. I've met some terrific people in my Ebay transactions and will continue to buy from them as they treated me very fairly.

It does come down to being an informed customer.

I almost always consider the cost of shipping as part of the cost of an item.

I know there are other buyers on this board that do, too.

In some ways, it does cost as much for the "handling" of a package of needles as for a ten pound book - advertsing the product, preparation of the label, invoicing, etc.

That said - there is no way that I will pay $25 shipping and handling on a $10 DVD for a total cost of $35.00

Nor will I pay $5.00 shipping on a package of needles that will slip into an ordinary "routine mail" envelope.

I love Phillips Fiber Art. They are the best!

You have good sense!
Why would a business stay with or even choose a service that does this just because that's the way they are set up? Why waste my time inquiring about the cost of shipping when there shouldn't be a question to begin with.

I also have a problem with high shipping costs. I don't mind paying a reasonable amount. I have cancelled many order when you get to the end of the transaction and shipping is way out of line. I have a problem with Keepsake Quilting, I love their stuff, but shipping is expensive and takes 2 weeks or longer even paying the extra amount. I am in Texas and they are in New Hamphire, so when I called them they said you live very far from us.

The bottom line for me is I don't want to feel ripped off in shipping. I know the costs myself from shipping to others, if it is big and heavy, bite the bullet and pay the costs---it is fair. But the needles and patterns, etc. should be a min charge.

My experience recently was for an order of four packs of titanium needles. They weighed almost 5 ounces (weighed same on my food scale). The shipping charge was $9.00 but the PO label read $2.39 (they had included a tote bag for free). These needles could have gone in a small business envelope. When I figured it all out, the savings for these needles was $.60.

I contacted them and related my disappointment and they credited me for the $9 which pleases me. It pays to at least let the supplier when you are unhappy with outrageous shipping charges.

Good for them!!!!! And your "Atta Boy" is a very good word of mouth boost. I am sure they will appreciate that.

It's funny you should say that because I called and got the same response, but when I received the pattern the shipping was knocked down to the letter rate. I think if I had not called they would not have lowered the shipping rate.

Prvocraft is also great. I emailed them explaining my son didn't realize I had a loom laying in the back of the van in a bag and he dropped his hardcases trumpet on it snapping pegs. I expected they'd send me a couple replacement pegs- they sent a whole new lom no charge and in 3 days!

Often the extra they make on shipping is why the price of the item can be lower. They make it up in keeping part of the shipping. Just be watchful.

I purchased a booklet that cost $15.95 through toadusew@creativeconcenpts and they charged me $12.87 to ship it UPS. I inquired why the booklet could not have been shipped using Priority Mail through the post office for a cost of $4.95. The reply was that I was given the opportunity to select my shipping method and that I chose UPS. Now why would I do that? The concern with my displeasure was underwhelming to say the least. Yes, you do have to be an informed shopper and read everything; then if you're lucky you won't ge gouged. There are so many terrific online retailers and then you run into one like toadusew@creativeconcepts and it can sour the whole experience of using the 'net.

Many times the cost of shipping is the determining factor as to deciding if I "really" need or want the item.

You are right. I used to buy patterns just to have in case one day..... Now I don't order unless I am going to make it now. So, I guess I really have saved a lot money not stocking up.

Oh please tell me how to do that. I'm so bad at buying patterns. I see them and how gorgeous they are and think of just the right fabric in my stash and before I know it I've purchased five patterns for "someday." I will have to live to be 250 years old to make all the patterns I've collected. I'm getting better though, not fast enough; but I'm trying. You have the right idea, thanks for reminding me of what is reality.

I did notice that most of the time USPS is faster then UPS and a lot of the time UPS and FEDX give the packages to USPS to deliver anyway.

One thing to keep in mind. UPS insures up to $100 free. The post office does not insure unless you pay for it.

Your hitting my sore point now. Try living in Alaska. Some companies won't even sell to us because they refuse to mail it up here. I don't get it. A lot of times I can find some simple small item for say $5.00 and when I go to see what they want to charge for s/h it is $17.00 to ship it. Ridiculous because it does not cost that much more to mail things up here. I know, I have mailed things from the lower 48 to myself. It's a big rip off I will never understand. That's why I order a lot of things from Amazon with free shipping on orders over $25.00. If they can do it so can others. And their prices are better too. It is so frustrating to want something and have to cope with the robbery of shipping from companies in the lower 48. Ok, I am done and feel better for venting.

Thanks for the update, I'm always looking for honest resale stores.

This has nothing to do with quilts or books, but I just ordered shoes online and did a search for free shipping and found the code and saved myself about $10. So it is good to hear about the companies that work with you - makes people like me want to do business with them.

Thank you! Good to know.

I'm thinking one should not have to ask to get a decent/fair shipping cost.

Or Canada. I signed up for a deal of the day type of site and the price of the item was next to nothing but the shipping to Canada was $15.00. If I am getting something shipped to Canada, I try to use USPS. Our postal system may have a $5 charge, but nothing like Fedex or UPS.

Me Too. I've talked to them on the phone because I didn't get my order, and let me tell you they were great. My e-mail address was wrong, and they couldn't get me right away. They go the extra mile for your business!!!