What's the deal with amazon's shipping and handling cost?
 

Its often as much as the items themselves are worth. Is there anyway around it? Like coupons or something.

Shipping is free with Amazon Prime.
Amazon Prime is free for a year to anyone who signs up for Amazon Student.
This is how I get around it.

Depending on what you buy, it's generally free > $25, as well. Extra slow, but free.

Yeah, I'm not sure what you're talking about. Free shipping on orders over $25.

If I need it right away, I don't buy it on the internet. If I'm buying it on the internet, I can afford to wait for the free shipping.

I've been using amazon prime for a while--it's pretty good. Save on gas costs for items--it's especially helpful since i'm in the city and would otherwise need to drive 20 min. to go to Office Depot or w/e.

I'm curious as how they do it, though.

I keep a basket or list and buy when it qualifies for Super Saver Shipping.

Are you aware that Amazon Prime, even at the annual cost, is cheaper than a basic membership to Netflix and gives you virtually the same benefit in addition to free shipping? Might be worth a peek.

I live in Europe. Amazon shipping charges stop me from buying anything from them.

It will often be that way with lower price items because shipping isn't determined by value, but by weight, subject to a minimum of about $5 or so. Books, CDs, printed music, etc. qualify for a special rate that is a little lower. So if you buy fifty pounds of sand for $5 it will probably cost $25 (or more) for shipping. Some oddly shaped items (like curtain rods or swords:rolleyes:) that won't fit in a roughly square box, charge by dimensions as well.

Of course there's a way around it. On low price items buy locally. If that's not worth your trouble, then S&H is what you pay for not having to run around shopping.:)

I hate shopping, so I buy online (from Amazon and others) most things except clothing. I do like jewels does, below.

I have a couple of books in my Amazon basket right now, waiting to add something else to get to $25 for free shipping. Not everything qualifies, but most of what I regularly buy, does.:)
I haven't tried Prime, but maybe I should. I'll look into it.:)

Lindy

theres a link i saw somewhere that has filler items where you enter your difference between your purchace and 25 dollars and they show you all the items that fall in that range. 25 dollars= free ground shipping. maybe someone knows the link?

Prime membership is the best $80 I ever spent. If you don't have it, you are a sucker.

Cheap shipping is like 90% of the reason I buy on Amazon. I'm not sure what crack you're smoking, but it's the cheapest out there.

Perhaps you're buying something from a "Marketplace Seller" (not Amazon) and they do charge rather silly shipping prices in order to keep the item value low..

you can get amazon prime for a year free with an .edu e- mail. my son got it.
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I have acquired many a random, small kitchen gadget/tool trying to round out my order for the free super saver shipping :) I've never had any issues with it, but maybe it's where I live--most things ship from their distro center in Fernley, NV and are here in a couple of days.

One thing I've noticed about shipping to my house is that UPS is always faster. I also like the UPS guy on our UPS route better than my mailman. He's just nicer.

I got three copies of the same book from Amazon after ordering one. Two were delivered by neighbours as they got the delivery address wrong (same street), but billing right. Then they got my delivery right and sent the bill to the people opposite. Then they said they would send another and they refunded my costs. One for son, the other two can be donated to charity I guess. Probably donate them on sunday when I go to Sussex horse rescue trust, Uckfield for their open day - shameless plug but for a good cause - so anyone wanting a copy of 'The Art of War...... come on down. If they mess up, its worth complaining as they do try to rectify things and keep your buisness - at least thats what I have found.

When I first moved here, about 6 years ago, we had an ambiguous address because of the location. (faux-rural)
I bought whatever version of Paint Shop Pro was current at the time, and it ended up going to a lady down the lane.
I contacted the carrier and Amazon, and Amazon sent me another copy free of charge.
The lady finally located me and brought my mail, and I ended up giving her the package.
There was free shipping all around.
Since they implemented the 911 addresses, I've had way fewer mix-ups with my packages.
Just recently had a game and controller delivered 3 days earlier than their estimate, and it was the Super Saver S&H that takes a bit more time.

All in all, good experiences from Amazon.

Ahh shipping. Here is a nice shipping story for you.

I recently bought about 5lbs of stuff from USA and the shipping to Canada cost me about $13. I took the exact same box, literally cut it in into a box less than half its original size and put one tiny sound card in it (maybe 150 grams) and it cost me $23 to ship back to USA.

Today I shipped two ram sticks (!!!) to somewhere in the same damn country. I charged the guy $15 US for shipping in advance, and it ended up costing me $17 Canadian.

That is why shipping costs so much, its fucking insane to ship anywhere thanks to postal companies.

I guess everyone has to make money somehow.

Oh, and I buy pretty much everything online. Even with insane shipping it works out to be far cheaper than buying it in stores.