Insanely, crazily overpriced shipping.
Having one casual cotton dress (at the most 1 pound) shipped to California, Chad, quoted 44.81. At first, he didn't want to explain the fees or break out of fees saying "he couldn't", but after pressing for some clarification to better understand why the cost was so high, he agreed to "get the package" to find out (this was the big hang up as to why he couldn't explain the fee breakdown? We had been talking a while, he asked my name and already had my name and package / shipping info in front of him on the computer, no?).
Turns out he was charging $8.41 cents for a box and $35.40 for the UPS ground rate (still doesn't add up to 44.81, maybe $1 processing fee? But he doesn't mention it). The real rate for ground shipping according to my UPS account is $19.86. He says something about a "hanger" being the issue. But the $19.86 actual cost above is calculated for the size of box (and up to 7 lbs) he claims he was using *with* hanger (20 x 14 x 4). So, I call bs on that one... and we're still talking a 75-77% mark up.
Bear in mind throughout our talk he keeps putting me on hold, never seeming to do any of these calculations in real time, which gives me pause as to how these prices are calculated (is this a negotiation? Am I buying used car?). This time when he comes back he says he thinks he can get rid of the hanger and ship in a medium flat rate box (postal rate is with USPS FREE provided box -- for retail and commercial -- $13.60) is -- wait for it --- $20.64. This time a more modest 65% mark up.
I understand that in the business of franchising shipping centers like this, mark-ups are at play, but this particular franchise is excessive. I know real rates and when someone is trying to pull a con.
After our interaction about inflated shipping costs, this isn't someone I would feel comfortable giving my credit card number to over the phone. Beware. read more
